Different modes of food restriction and compensatory growth in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls: plasma metabolites and hormones

in Animal Science (2003), 77

The effects of different sequences of food restriction and fattening have been studied on plasma metabolites and hormones in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls. Twenty animals were divided into five groups ... [more ▼]

The effects of different sequences of food restriction and fattening have been studied on plasma metabolites and hormones in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls. Twenty animals were divided into five groups. The first group (control, CG) was given, ad libitum, a fattening diet based on sugar-beet pulp. In G2 and G3, fattening was interrupted after 103 and 187 days, respectively, by a period of food restriction lasting about 2 months during which the animals received a maintenance ration. They were finished with the same diet as CG. The last two groups, G4 and G5, received a limited amount of the restriction diet to support 0.5 and 0 kg gain per day, respectively, for 4 months, before being fattened as CG. Plasma glucose, alpha-amino nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids, urea, creatinine, thyroxine (T4), 3, 3', 5'-tri-iodothyroxine (T3), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured in blood samples taken every 2 weeks. Plasma GH and insulin profiles were measured in serial blood samples obtained at three different times during growth. Animals that showed compensatory growth had lower plasma urea, associated with high levels of T3, T4 and IGF-1. Animals from G2 and G3 failed to show compensatory growth. In Belgian Blue bulls, compensatory growth is markedly affected when food restriction is severe or fattening interrupted. [less ▲]

Long-term effect on plasma, meat and milk selenium and blood glutathion peroxydase of feeding selenium-enriched barley and haylage to Belgian Blue cows, calves and fattened bulls

in Proceedings of 7th Conference of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (2003)

La leptine et les hormones métaboliques chez trois races de bovins viandeux

in 10èmes Rencontres autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2003)

Utilisation de la technique ultrasonique pour prédire des paramètres caractérisant la carcasse et la viande de boeuf

in 10èmes Rencontres autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2003)

Short-term effect on plasma and milk selenium and blood glutathion peroxydase oh feeding selenium-enriched haylage to Holstein-Friesian cows

in Proceedings of 7th Conference of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (2003)

Comparaison of three supplements high in linseeds or linseed oil in dairy cows

in Book of absracts of the 54th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2003)

Complémentation en céréales d'une ration à niveau énergétique faible en fin de période d'engraissement chez la vache de réforme Blanc-Bleu belge

in 10ème Rencontre autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2003)

La supplémentation en vitamine E en spéculation bovine : des doses en fonction des objectifs

Article for general public (2002)

Appetency and preference in horses offered lucerne or chalk as a source of calcium

in Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science (2002)

Advantages of survival analysis in the evolution of reproductive performance in cattle

in Book of abstracts of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2002)