Relationship between nutrient intake, growth and body composition of the nursing foal.

The research explores the relationship between the intake of nutrients in nursing foals of heavy breeds, their growth, and body composition — highlighting significant changes in their lactose and fat intake as they age.

Study Design and Participants

• Researchers conducted the study involving 21 nursing foals that belong to heavy breeds. Their estimated adult weight is approximately 800 kg.
• Measurements were taken at three distinct stages of the foals’ life: at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of age.

Nutrient Intake

• An analysis of the foals’ nutrient intake yielded noteworthy finds. Over time, the lactose intake of the foals increased significantly from 1300 g/day at 1 week of age to 1800 g/d at 8 weeks. This was established with a P-value less than 0.01, which indicates a strong statistical significance.
• Conversely, fat intake decreased significantly, from 400g/day to 300g/day over the same period, also with a strong statistical significance (P is less than 0.01).
• Meanwhile, protein intake remained constant over time at approximately 600 g/d.

Energy and Nitrogen Intake

• The researchers found that the foals’ energy and nitrogen intakes were not influenced by the source of energy in the mother’s diet.

Growth Relation

• Foal growth displayed a significant relation to milk, energy, and nitrogen intake between the 1 and 4 week age period. The correlation coefficients ranged between 0.74 to 0.81, indicating high correlation.
• In contrast, there was no discernible correlation between their intake of these nutrients and growth from 4 to 8 weeks.

Body Composition

• Study results revealed more protein than lipids got deposited in the foals’ weight gain composition up to the 8-week mark.
• At the 1-week mark and 8-week mark, lipid contents in their body weight were at 5.3% and 9.0%, respectively. Protein content measured at 19.2% and 19.9% over the same comparison periods.