Pure swards of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were grown at Palmerston North, New Zealand. They were cut daily and fed hourly at 2·25 kg dry matter (DM)/day to eight hand-reared, rumen-fistulated castrated red deer stags kept in metabolism crates during December 1994 and January 1995 (summer). Apparent digestibility, rumen fractional disappearance rate (FDPR), rumen fractional degradation rate (FDR), rumen fractional outflow rate (FOR) and mean retention time (MRT) were measured. The ratio of readily fermentable carbohydrate to structural carbohydrate was approximately three times higher in chicory than in perennial ryegrass. Apparent digestibility of DM was higher in deer fed chicory than in deer fed perennial ryegrass (0·785 v. 0·727), whilst apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was lower in deer fed chicory (0·679 v. 0·755), due to a reduced hemicellulose digestibility (0·667 v. 0·783). Relative to deer fed perennial ryegrass, those fed chicory had higher rumen FDPR values for DM (14·5 v. 8·6%/h), soluble carbohydrate (69·9 v. 54·7%/h), cellulose (15·5 v. 9·8%/h) and lignin (6·8 v. 3·8%/h). Rumen FDR in deer fed chicory was higher than those fed perennial ryegrass for cellulose (11·4 v. 7·0%/h) and lignin (2·7 v. 1·0%/h), but tended to be lower for hemicellulose. Rumen FOR was higher and MRT was lower for both liquid and particulate matter in deer fed chicory compared to deer fed perennial ryegrass.

It is concluded that rumen FDPR and apparent digestibility were much higher in deer fed chicory than in deer fed perennial ryegrass, due to faster degradation rates of most constituents in the rumen and faster outflow rates from the rumen. An exception was hemicellulose, where reduced rumen degradation rates and shorter rumen particulate MRT contributed to reduced apparent digestibility. Faster clearance from the rumen, due to both faster degradation and outflow rates may be used to explain the greater voluntary feed intake (VFI), as well as faster growth rate in deer grazing chicory compared to those grazing perennial ryegrass. Faster rates of lignin solubility in the rumen probably contributed to the more rapid breakdown of chicory in the rumen.

The objective of this study was to develop an experimental model to measure both fractional and absolute rates of protein synthesis in the small intestine of lambs. Six male castrate lambs (∼6 months old, mean liveweight 26 kg) were offered, via continuous feeders, 900 g/day lucerne chaff. They were prepared with catheters in the cranial mesenteric vein (CMV), femoral artery (FA), jugular vein and abomasum, and a blood flow probe around the CMV. Cr-EDTA (0·139 mg Cr/ml, ∼0·2 ml/min) was infused abomasally for 24 h and L-[2,6-3H]phenylalanine (Phe) (441±33·8 μCi into the abomasum) and L-[U-14C]phenylalanine (43·9±4·08 μCi into the jugular) were also infused during the last 8 h. Blood from the CMV and FA was sampled during isotope infusions. At the end of infusions, lambs were killed and tissue and digesta samples removed from four sites along the small intestine (SI). Transfers of labelled and unlabelled Phe were measured between SI tissue, its lumen and blood, enabling both fractional and absolute rates of protein synthesis and gain to be estimated. The total SI protein pool was 84 (±1·7) g and fractional gain rate was 7·5 (±5·5)% per day. Mean protein synthesis and fractional synthesis rates (FSR) were calculated from the mean retention of 14C and 3H in SI tissue. FSR tended to increase caudally along the SI (although P > 0·05). The choice of free Phe pool for estimating precursor specific radioactivity (SRA) for protein synthesis had a significant effect on FSR. Assuming that tissue free Phe SRA represented precursor SRA gave a mean FSR of 129 (±24)% per day. Corresponding estimates for free Phe SRA in the FA and CMV were 20 (±1·8) and 30 (±3·1)% per day respectively. The correct value for protein synthesis was therefore in doubt, although indirect evidence suggested that blood SRA (either FA or CMV) may be closest to true precursor SRA. This evidence included (i) comparison with flooding dose estimates of FSR, (ii) comparison of 3H[ratio ]14C Phe SRA in free Phe pools with this ratio in SI protein, and (iii) the proportion of SI energy use associated with protein synthesis. Advantages of the present experimental model compared to other methods included (i) measurements of both protein synthesis and gain, and hence, all components of turnover, (ii) measurement of absolute as well as fractional rates of synthesis and gain, (iii) inclusion of proteins which are synthesised and exported, and (iv) concurrent measurement of protein synthesis and energy utilization by the small intestine.

The productivity of grazing sheep was assessed under 7-year-old rubber at the Rubber Research Institute of the Malaysia Experimental Station at Sungai Buloh near Kuala Lumpur between October 1988 and May 1990. The sheep were Dorset × Marlin crossbred lambs and they grazed planted leguminous cover crops and naturally occurring species at a range of stocking rates.

In the immature rubber trial, presentation yields of forage declined with time regardless of stocking rate. In the mature rubber trial, presentation yields of forage were low (<1000 kg/ha) due to low light transmission. High stocking rates (>6 sheep/ha) resulted in a decrease in the proportion of palatable species, namely Pueraria phaseoloides, Paspalum conjugatum, Asystasia gangetica and Mikania micrantha and an increase in the proportion of the less palatable species such as Calopogonium caeruleum and Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum.

Daily liveweight gains ranged from 100 g/lamb per day at 4 sheep/ha to 70 g/lamb per day at 14 sheep/ha in the immature rubber trial. Only the lowest stocking rate of 2 sheep/ha was continuously sustainable in the mature rubber trial. The estimated maximum liveweight gain that could be achieved under immature rubber was 266 kg/ha per year at a stocking rate of 13·2 sheep/ha.

At Mount Derrimut Field Station from 1982 to 1985, growth and body composition was studied in three groups of wethers from the same flock. A control group (C) and a restricted group (R) were housed from the age of 1 day until slaughtered. The first slaughter was at the age of c. 1 year (reported elsewhere) and the second at the age of c. 3 years. Apart from the first 36 days, when group R was fed a severely restricted ration, both groups were fed a high quality diet ad libitum throughout the experiment. At the end of the second year, a group of 2-year-old wethers (G) was introduced, to compare the growth of these sheep with those in groups C and R. Group G sheep were reared on their dams, kept as grazing animals and killed at the second slaughter.

At the age of c. 3 years there was no significant difference between groups C and R for mean fleece-free body weights, but the sheep in group G were significantly lighter (P<0·01) in spite of reaching mature size for grazing sheep in the general flock.

After the age of 7 months there was no significant difference between groups C and R in rate of wool production. Rate of wool production in group G sheep was not significantly different from that of sheep in the other groups except during the last 6 months, when they produced significantly less wool (P<0·05).

Regression analyses for surface and X-ray measurements against fleece-free body weight (independent variable) showed no differences between groups C and R, except for width of metacarpal (X-ray measurement). In this case, the regression coefficients were different (P<0·01) but, at slaughter, actual bone measurements were the same. Both X-ray measurements and those at dissection showed that the metacarpals of group G were significantly (P<0·05) longer and narrower, and had a narrower cortex, than those in the other two groups (P<0·05).

There were no significant differences between groups C and R in mean weight and chemical composition of the parts and tissues examined; however, the carcass fat content of sheep in group G was significantly less (P<0·01) than in the other two groups. The sheep in group G had higher weights (P<0·01) for the brain, the digestive tract (DT), kidneys and liver than those in groups C and R.

Cell size in the semitendinosus muscle, as indicated by the protein[ratio ]DNA ratio, increased (P<0·01) between the first and second slaughters. There were no differences between groups in protein[ratio ]DNA ratios, but the DNA and protein contents were significantly higher (P<0·05) in the kidneys and liver in group G than in the other groups. Although the weights of the semitendinosus muscle were heavier (P<0·01) in groups C and R than in group G, on a fat-free basis, there were no significant differences between treatments in muscle weight or in DNA and protein contents.

It is concluded that sheep will make a complete recovery after a severe nutritional check in early post-natal life if given the opportunity to do so. Even though large differences in body weight may develop between sheep, this appears to have little effect on mature skeletal dimensions. However, at maturity, with grazing sheep that grow relatively slowly, the metacarpals are likely to be narrower and longer than those of the same genotype fed to grow faster. Even with sheep fed ad libitum throughout life, the use of X-ray and surface measurements in young sheep at a particular body weight are unlikely to be useful for the accurate prediction of mature body weight.

Experiments were carried out at Uhříněves, Czech Republic, in 1995 and 1996 to evaluate the effect of salinomycin, monensin, lasalocid and maduramicin on in vitro rabbit caecal fermentation. In cultures supplied with starch, hemicellulose and pectin, all ionophores in the range of concentrations tested (1–10 μg/ml) stimulated methanogenesis. Ionophores at 5 μg/ml increased the production of methane by 26–35% and decreased the production of acetate (P<0·05). Significantly more acetate was produced in mixotrophic acetogenic cultures of caecal micro-organisms with glucose (2 mg/ml) under hydrogen atmosphere than under nitrogen. The H2-dependent formation of acetate was blocked in cultures with ionophores. The stimulation of methanogenesis by salinomycin, monensin, lasalocid and maduramicin can thus be related to the inhibition of acetogenesis, which is an alternative method of H2 utilization in the rabbit caecum.

This study used an experimental model, described in a companion paper, to examine the effects of feed intake on protein turnover in the small intestine of lambs. Ten male castrate lambs (∼ 10 months old) were offered, via continuous feeders, either 400 (n = 5) or 1200 (n = 5) g/day lucerne chaff, and mean experimental liveweights were 28 and 33 kg respectively. All lambs were prepared with catheters in the cranial mesenteric vein (CMV), femoral artery (FA), jugular vein and abomasum, and a blood flow probe around the CMV. Cr-EDTA (0·139 mg Cr/ml, ∼ 0·2 ml/min) was infused abomasally for 24 h and L-[2,6-3H]phenylalanine (Phe) (420±9·35 μCi into the abomasum) and L-[U-14C]phenylalanine (49·6±3·59 μCi into the jugular vein) were also infused during the last 8 h. Blood from the CMV and FA was sampled during the isotope infusions. At the end of infusions, lambs were killed and tissue (n = 4) and digesta (n = 2) samples removed from the small intestine (SI) of each animal. Transfers of labelled and unlabelled Phe were measured between SI tissue, its lumen and blood, enabling both fractional and absolute rates of protein synthesis and gain to be estimated.

Total SI mass increased significantly with feed intake (P < 0·05), although not on a liveweight basis. Fractional rates of protein gain in the SI tended to increase (P = 0·12) with feed intake; these rates were −16·2 (±13·7) and 23·3 (±15·2) % per day in lambs offered 400 and 1200 g/day respectively. Mean protein synthesis and fractional synthesis rates (FSR), calculated from the mean retention of 14C and 3H in SI tissue, were both positively affected by feed intake (0·01 < P < 0·05). The choice of free Phe pool for estimating precursor specific radioactivity (SRA) for protein synthesis had a major effect on FSR. Assuming that tissue free Phe SRA represented precursor SRA, mean FSR were 81 (±15) and 145 (±24) % per day in lambs offered 400 and 1200 g/day respectively. Corresponding estimates for free Phe SRA in the FA and CMV were 28 (±2·9) and 42 (±3·5) % per day on 400 g/day, and 61 (±2·9) and 94 (±6·0) on 1200 g/day. The correct value for protein synthesis was therefore in doubt, although indirect evidence suggested that blood SRA (either FA or CMV) may be closest to true precursor SRA. This evidence included (i) comparison with flooding dose estimates of FSR, (ii) comparison of 3H[ratio ]14C Phe SRA in free Phe pools with this ratio in SI protein, and (iii) the proportion of SI energy use associated with protein synthesis.

Using the experimental model, the proportion of small intestinal protein synthesis exported was estimated as 0·13–0·27 (depending on the choice of precursor) and was unaffected by feed intake. The contribution of the small intestine to whole body protein synthesis tended to be higher in lambs offered 1200 g/day (0·21) than in those offered 400 g/day (0·13). The data obtained in this study suggested a role for the small intestine in modulating amino acid supply with changes in feed intake. At high intake (1200 g/day), the small intestine increases in mass and CMV uptake of amino acids is less than absorption from the lumen, while at low intake (400 g/day), this organ loses mass and CMV uptake of amino acids exceeds that absorbed. The implications of these findings are discussed.

At the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Scotland, during the summer months of 1987, two adult water buffaloes, two Brahman cattle and two Brahman × Friesian steers walked round a circular track on concrete or through 300 mm deep mud. Average walking speed (m/s) when unloaded, or average walking speed (m/s) when pulling 324 N, energy for walking (J/m/kg) and net mechanical efficiency (%) were 1·05 and 0·81 (P < 0·01), 1·03 and 0·80 (P < 0·001), 1·49 and 3·34 (P < 0·001) and 31·0 and 31·8 for concrete and mud respectively. Energy values were calculated from gaseous exchange measured with an open circuit system.

In Central Nigeria, from September 1991 to May 1992, the energy expenditure of eight Bunaji (White Fulani) bulls was monitored using portable oxygen measuring equipment (modified ‘Oxylog’) when walking, ploughing and harrowing on six soil surfaces ranging from hard, smooth earth to ploughed, waterlogged clay. Average walking speeds (m/s), pulling speeds (m/s) and energy cost of walking (J/m/kg) varied from 0·97 to 0·65, 0·55 to 0·47 and 1·47 to 8·58 respectively. Net mechanical efficiency averaged 31·4% and was unaffected by ground surface.

The energy cost of walking for the Bos indicus cattle on smooth ground (1·47 J/m/kg) in this trial was less than that previously reported for Bos taurus (1·80 J/m/kg) and the reported average value for cattle (Bos indicus and Bos taurus) on treadmills (2·09 J/m/kg). The implications for practical agriculture of the higher levels of energy expenditure for walking in muddy conditions are discussed.

The productivity and persistence of 91 accessions of grasses, legumes and broad-leaved weeds were evaluated under young rubber at the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia Experimental Station at Sungai Buloh near Kuala Lumpur. The species were chosen from world collections for their reported shade tolerance. Two small plot experiments were conducted from 1989 to 1990 and regular harvests were used to assess yield and persistence. The soil at the site was acidic (pH 4·7) and infertile, and light transmission declined from 65 to 20% in Expt 1 and from 90 to 50% in Expt 2.

Pattern and cluster analyses were used to allocate accessions to groups with similar yield responses. Grasses which demonstrated both high yield and persistence of yield were Brachiaria decumbens MARDI accession, B. humidicola cv. Tully and Panicum maximum cvs Gatton, Riversdale and Vencedor. High yielding and persistent legumes were Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca and S. guianensis CIAT 184. Survival of species monitored one year after completion of the experiment indicated the good longer term persistence of grasses Stenotaphrum secundatum, Panicum laxum, Paspalum notatum, Paspalum wettsteinii, Brachiaria humidicola and Panicum maximum cv. Vencedor, and legumes Arachis repens and A. pintoi.

Changes in amino acid and glucose metabolism in response to increments of rumen escape protein (REP) were studied in groups of lambs of three differing dietary histories and consequent weights, but similar ages. Crossbred wether lambs (Merino × (Border Leicester × Merino)) were fed to obtain three distinct growth patterns. The LW group (n = 15) were offered a low quality roughage diet throughout the experiment. The MW group (n = 19) were offered a high quality mixed diet followed by the same low quality diet as LW lambs. The HW group (n = 8) were offered a high quality mixed diet throughout. All diets were offered once daily ad libitum. The LW, MW and HW groups had liveweights of 18, 32 and 41 kg respectively at the commencement of supplementation, and were 33±0·1 weeks of age. REP supplements (formaldehyde-treated casein) were offered at 0, 20, 40, 60 or 80 g/day to MW and LW lambs and at 0 or 40 g/day to HW lambs.

REP increased basal digestible organic matter intake (DOMI), liveweight gain (LWG) and urinary N excretion and tended to increase N balance in LW and MW lambs. DOMI, N intake, N balance and LWG were all higher (P < 0·05) in HW compared to MW and LW lambs. REP tended (P < 0·10) to increase LWG in each dietary history group.

Blood glucose concentration was higher (P < 0·01) in HW than in other lambs but was not significantly altered by REP supplementation. Irreversible loss of glucose was greater (P < 0·01) in HW lambs and increased (P < 0·001) with REP for LW and MW lambs. REP increased (P < 0·05) phenylalanine (Phe) concentration in blood, Phe flux and oxidation and whole body rates of protein synthesis and degradation. HW lambs had higher (P < 0·05) values for all these parameters than did MW and LW lambs.

REP increased (P < 0·05) plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1, and plasma insulin increased (P < 0·05) in MW but not in LW or HW lambs. REP had no effect on plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration. Plasma concentration of insulin was higher (P < 0·05) in HW than in MW or LW lambs, while GH was not significantly affected by dietary history.

The results show that supplementation of ruminant diets with REP increases the rate of flux and oxidation of amino acids, and the rate of glucose utilization. Amino acid supply appears to influence glucose utilization more through oxidation rate than supply, and this relationship is affected by previous dietary history (weight for age) and energy availability, either from the diet or from body stores.

The interrelationship in metabolism between dietary selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) was investigated in sheep receiving a diet with or without sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). A sheep finishing diet, containing 0·3 mg Se/kg DM and 7·4 mg Cu/kg DM, and supplemented with 1·0 mg Se (as Na2SeO3) and/or 15·0 mg Cu (as CuSO4) and/or 40 g NaHCO3 per kg feed, was fed to young ewes for a period of 64 days. Hepatic Cu concentration and net accumulation were not affected by NaHCO3 supplementation. Furthermore, no evidence was found in blood, tissues or faeces to show that NaHCO3 influenced Se metabolism. However, hepatic Cu concentration was raised from 354 to 422 mg/kg DM (P<0·05) when the diet was supplemented with 1 mg Se/kg DM, independent of the level of dietary Cu. Furthermore, hepatic Cu retention was significantly (P<0·05) influenced by a Se × Cu interaction, namely when the diet was supplemented with 15·0 mg CuSO4 or 1·0 mg Na2SeO3 /kg DM or both, 0·084, 0·081 and 0·088 of the dietary Cu respectively was retained in the liver, compared to 0·047 in the sheep on the basal diet. In addition, supplementation with Se and Cu together increased hepatic Se concentration to a greater extent (P<0·001) than when Se alone was added to the feed (3·65 v. 5·17 mg Se/kg DM respectively). The concentration of Se in both muscle tissue and in rumen bacteria was raised (P<0·001) by Se supplementation, but more so (P<0·05) in both cases when Cu was not added to the diet. Interactions between Se and Cu were not influenced by NaHCO3 supplementation in the conditions of this study.

Ten single-sire mating groups of 13 Horro ewes per ram were used to study the effects of mating on liveweight, body condition and scrotal circumference changes and their relationships with level of sexual activity at different stages of the joining period, and effects of sexual activity and pre-joining liveweight and scrotal circumference on fertility. Mating had adverse effects on liveweight, body condition and scrotal circumference. There was a tendency for mean daily liveweight loss to increase with increasing number of services during the period of peak sexual activity and over the whole joining period. Changes in scrotal circumference were non-significantly correlated with sexual activity. Pre-joining liveweight and scrotal circumference had no significant effects on the proportion of ewes served, rate of return to first service and fertility. High losses of liveweight and scrotal circumference were observed during the stage of peak sexual activity, and it could be suggested that more supplementary feed should be provided to working rams at this stage, especially if the ewe[ratio ]ram ratio is to be increased. There is no significant benefit to be gained by increasing ram mating weight and scrotal circumference from 30 kg and 27 cm to 40 kg and 31 cm respectively in Horro sheep.

The extent to which condensed tannins (CT) in Lotus corniculatus were able to affect protein degradation and the nutritive value of pasture were evaluated at Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1992 in an indoor feeding trial with sheep and using in vitro incubations. The feeding trial involved three groups of seven young wether sheep held indoors in metabolism crates for the 32-day experimental period with one group fed freshly cut ryegrass/clover pasture (Pasture group) whilst the other two groups received a mixture of c. 37% freshly cut Lotus corniculatus and 63% pasture (dry matter (DM) basis). One of the latter groups was given twice daily oral drenches of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to bind with and remove the effects of the CT (PEG group) whilst the remaining sheep (Tannin group) were not drenched. Intakes of sheep given the mixed diets were constrained to that of the pasture group. The CT concentration in the lotus was 26·1 g/kg DM so that the mixed diets contained c. 10g CT/kg DM. Effects of CT on digestion and sheep performance were minimal. Apparent digestibility of N was lower in the Tannin group (76·4%) than PEG (79·8%) or Pasture (79·4%) sheep (P<0·001), but there were no differences in DM digestibility (75%) or wool growth from mid-side patches. Rumen ammonia and soluble protein concentrations appeared to be similar in PEG and Tannin sheep and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were similar in all groups (100 mmol/l).

For incubations in vitro, several ratios of Lotus corniculatus: pasture were used to determine the effects of CT on precipitation of soluble proteins and the net yield of ammonia and gas with and without PEG. Homogenates of Lotus corniculatus leaves and pasture showed that 50% of soluble protein was precipitated by 1·3% CT in homogenate DM and there was a substantial decrease in in vitro degradation to ammonia when lotus leaf accounted for 33% or more of DM with pasture. This work emphasises the need for caution when extrapolating from in vitro to the in vivo situation and suggests that 1% CT from Lotus corniculatus may be insufficient to affect the nutritive value of fresh forages for sheep.