The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of undernutrition during late gestation on plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), leptin, insulin and glucose in pregnant and lactating ewes. Ten twin-bearing shropshire ewes were fed either adequately (AN; 100% energy and protein requirements) or restrictedly (RN; about 60% of energy and protein requirements) fed during the last six weeks of gestation. Ewe’s blood samples were taken at 50, 28 and 10 days pre-partum as well as at lambing and 7, 17 and 35 days post-partum. At lambing plasma glucose concentrations sharply increased in both groups and it was significantly lower in RN ewes in comparison with AN ewes. Plasma concentrations of insulin and leptin were not affected by late gestational undernutrition. Plasma IGF1 concentrations in RN ewes (78 ±8 ng/ml) was significantly lower (P

undernutrition; gestation; hormones; sheep

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia