PSII-9 Preliminary Investigation of Nutrient Challenge During Pregnancy on Wether Lamb Development, Growth, and Performance from Birth to Harvest

Abstract Inadequate nutrition during gestation has been shown to impair growth and metabolism of affected offspring can predispose them lifelong inefficiency poor performance. Development throughout preweaning studied compared carcass performance; however, the impact nutrient challenge on post weaning growth, efficiency, utilization is not well known. Thus, our objective was investigate impacts maternal restriction in late wether lambs' performance, from birth through harvest. We hypothesized that lambs restricted dams would have reduced taking longer reach market weight yielding altered body composition. Twenty-two bred yearling ewes were fed a diet meeting 100% National Research Council (NRC) requirements until 110th day gestion (dGA). From 110 dGA lambing occurred, either maintained NRC (n = 10) or 65% 12). Beginning at birth, morphometrics collected weekly for control (CONT; n 4) treatment (NR; 5) lambs. At approximately 71 days age, wethers weaned placed into individual pens simulate controlled feedlot setting. Wether commercial lamb finishing ad libitum orts evaluate feed efficiency growth. 115 crates 5 allow total collection urine feces order balance. Birthweight, weight, did differ between NR CONT weaning. However, there tendency (P < 0.10) slower rate gain their counterparts. Current research performance digestibility ongoing; thus far are no differences intake average daily gain. These data suggest moderate last month substantial enough induce adaptive changes result postnatal