Growth and calcium metabolism in horses fed varying levels of protein.
Abstract: The effect of level of protein intake on growth and calcium metabolism was studied in 24 foals. Starting at four months old, the foals were fed one of three diets containing all nutrients, with the exception of protein, at levels recommended by the United States National Research Council Subcommittee on Horse Nutrition for a 12 month period. The protein levels in the three diets were 9 per cent (low protein) 14 per cent (NRC recommended level) and 20 per cent (high protein). The foals fed the low protein diet were changed to the high protein diet after 140 days when they were nine months old. There were no significant differences in the rates of growth in weight, height, cannon circumference or in hoof growth and feed utilisation of the horses fed the 14 or the 20 per cent protein diets. However, growth, feed intake and feed utilisation by the foals fed the low (9 per cent) protein diet were significantly depressed. The average daily gains for the first 140 days for the 9, 14 and 20 per cent protein treatment groups were 64, 631 and 687 g in weight, 0.57, 0.83 and 0.87 mm in height and 0.04, 0.13 and 0.14 m in forecannon circumference, respectively. The average daily feed intakes for the 140 day period for the three groups were 2.7, 4.4 and 4.7 kg, respectively. After the change to the high protein diet the foals that had been fed the low protein diet maintained a higher rate of gain in bodyweight, height and cannon circumference, and utilised feed more efficiently than the other two groups throughout the second 140 days of the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1987-07-01 PubMed ID: 3622456DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01410.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examines how different levels of protein intake influence the growth and calcium metabolism in young horses. The results suggest that low protein diets can hamper growth and feed utilization, whereas diets with regular or high protein content do not notably affect these factors.
Objective of the Research
This research aimed to explore the impact of protein intake on the growth and calcium metabolism in horses, more specifically in 24 foals. The diets were standardized for all nutrients except protein to isolate the effects of protein variation.
Procedure of the Study
- The study started when the foals were four months old and went on for a 12-month period.
- The foals were given one of three protein diets – 9% (low), 14% (recommended), and 20% (high).
- The diet of the foals under the low protein category was shifted to the high protein diet after 140 days, when they turned nine months old.
Results and Findings
- There were no significant growth differences in weight, height, cannon circumference or hoof growth in foals fed 14% or 20% protein diets.
- However, growth, feed intake, and feed utilization were significantly reduced in foals fed the 9% protein diet.
- After being switched to the high protein diet, the initially low protein-fed foals gained more weight, height, and cannon circumference, and demonstrated more efficient feed utilization than the other two groups throughout the remaining 140 days of the experiment.
Conclusion
This research’s findings suggest that a low protein diet can significantly hamper growth and feed utilization in horses. However, the negative effects can be countered by switching to a high-protein diet after a certain period. The study strengthens the argument for the importance of appropriate protein levels in equine diets for optimal growth and development.
Cite This Article
APA
Schryver HF, Meakim DW, Lowe JE, Williams J, Soderholm LV, Hintz HF.
(1987).
Growth and calcium metabolism in horses fed varying levels of protein.
Equine Vet J, 19(4), 280-287.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01410.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Weight / drug effects
- Calcium / metabolism
- Dietary Proteins / pharmacology
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Intestinal Absorption
- Male
- Nitrogen / metabolism
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