Effect of fish meal supplementation on body energy mobilization and milk production of ewes in negative energy balance

Abstract

Protein supplementation has a positive effect on milk production, particularly in ewes on negative energy balance (Gonzalez et al., 1985). The response has been associated either to an increase in the movilization of body reserves (Whitelaw et al., 1986, Hadjipanayotou et al., 1988) or to an enhanced efficiency of energy utilization for milk synthesis. On the other hand, the response has been shown to be higher with fish meal than with other protein sources (Oldham, 1984). This work aimed to study the mecanisms involved in the response to fish meal supplementation, in lactating ewes on negative energy balance.