Voluntary intake, milk production and plasma metabolites in nursing mares fed two different diets.
Abstract: Voluntary food intake, milk yield and composition, and blood metabolites were measured during the first 2 mo of lactation in draft broodmares fed diets containing either 95% hay and 5% concentrates (Diet F) or 50% hay and 50% concentrates (Diet C). Voluntary food intake was higher for mares fed Diet C than for those fed Diet F (22.9 vs. 21.4 kg dry matter in wk 4). Both diets, especially Diet C, were eaten in amounts exceeding the energy requirements. Daily milk yield in wk 4 was 26.4 kg and 23.4 kg for mares fed Diets C and F, respectively. Milk fat and protein concentrations were higher (P less than 0.01) for mares fed Diet F than for those fed Diet C and decreased (P less than 0.01) from colostrum (48 +/- 12 h after foaling to wk 8); lactose concentration was higher (P less than 0.05) for mares fed Diet C than for those fed Diet F and increased (P less than 0.01) from colostrum to wk 8. Minerals varied mainly with lactation stage. Milk fat was higher in linolenic acid and lower in linoleic acid for mares fed Diet F than for those fed Diet C. Glucose concentration was higher in plasma of mares fed Diet C; 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetate concentrations were higher in plasma of mares fed Diet F.
Publication Date: 1992-04-01 PubMed ID: 1552374DOI: 10.1093/jn/122.4.992Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of two different diets, primarily composed of hay and concentrates, on the food intake, milk production and plasma metabolites in nursing mares in their first two months of lactation. The study found notable differences in these parameters between the two diet patterns, suggesting diet composition influences these factors significantly.
Study Purpose and Design
- The research aimed at studying the difference in voluntary food intake, milk yield and composition, and blood metabolites during the first two months of lactation in nursing mares.
- The experiment involved two different diets – one with 95% hay and 5% concentrates (Diet F) and the other with 50% hay and 50% concentrates (Diet C).
Key Findings
- Mares on Diet C had a higher voluntary food intake than those on Diet F, with the actual figures at 22.9 kg and 21.4 kg of dry matter in the 4th week respectively.
- It was observed that both diets were eaten in amounts that exceeded the energy requirements, but this was especially true for Diet C.
- Mares fed Diet C also produced more milk daily by the 4th week, as compared to those on Diet F – 26.4 kg and 23.4 kg, respectively.
Dietary Impact on Milk Composition
- Milk from mares on Diet F had higher concentrations of fat and protein than those on Diet C. However, these levels decreased from the stage of colostrum (first milk produced after giving birth) to the 8th week.
- Lactose concentration was higher in the milk from mares fed Diet C than from those on Diet F and increased from colostrum to the 8th week.
- The amounts of different minerals in the milk mainly varied according to the stage of lactation.
- Milk fat was higher in linolenic acid and lower in linoleic acid for mares fed Diet F than for those fed Diet C.
Plasma Metabolites Analysis
- Glucose concentration was higher in the plasma of mares fed Diet C.
- The plasma of mares fed Diet F had higher concentrations of 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetate.
Cite This Article
APA
Doreau M, Boulot S, Bauchart D, Barlet JP, Martin-Rosset W.
(1992).
Voluntary intake, milk production and plasma metabolites in nursing mares fed two different diets.
J Nutr, 122(4), 992-999.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/122.4.992 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratoire de la Lactation et de l'Elevage des Ruminants, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Blood Glucose
- Colostrum / metabolism
- Eating
- Energy Metabolism
- Female
- Horses
- Lactation / metabolism
- Milk / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Rivero MJ, Cooke AS, Gandarillas M, Leon R, Merino VM, Velásquez A. Nutritional composition, fatty acids profile and immunoglobulin G concentrations of mare milk of the Chilean Corralero horse breed. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0310693.
- Lu H, Zhang W, Sun S, Mei Y, Zhao G, Yang K. Effect of Supplementary Feeding on Milk Volume, Milk Composition, Blood Biochemical Index, and Fecal Microflora Diversity in Grazing Yili Mares. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 26;13(15).
- De Palo P, Auclair-Ronzaud J, Maggiolino A. Mammary gland physiology and farm management of dairy mares and jennies. JDS Commun 2022 May;3(3):234-237.
- Pyles MB, Fowler AL, Bill VT, Harlow BE, Crum AD, Hayes SH, Flythe MD, Lawrence LM. Effect of maternal diet on select fecal bacteria of foals. Transl Anim Sci 2019 Jan;3(1):204-211.
- Martemucci G, D'Alessandro AG. Fat content, energy value and fatty acid profile of donkey milk during lactation and implications for human nutrition. Lipids Health Dis 2012 Sep 11;11:113.
- Hood WR, Oftedal OT, Kunz TH. Is tissue maturation necessary for flight? Changes in body composition during postnatal development in the big brown bat. J Comp Physiol B 2011 Apr;181(3):423-35.
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