Intergenerational effects of omega-6 fatty acids. 1. The reproductive rate of Border Leicester × Merino ewes is influenced by the diet fed to their dams around conception
E. H. Clayton A C D , M. A. Friend B C and J. F. Wilkins A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
B School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW DPI and Charles Sturt University), Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: Edward.Clayton@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Animal Production Science 57(1) 51-59 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15127
Submitted: 9 March 2015 Accepted: 10 September 2015 Published: 22 January 2016
Abstract
The proportion of female lambs was previously higher when Merino dams were fed a diet high in omega-6 (n-6) based on oats and cottonseed meal compared with low in n-6 based on silage around mating. The effect of maternal diet on the reproductive success of the female offspring from these dams has not previously been examined. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the reproductive rate of Border Leicester × Merino ewes was higher when their Merino dams were previously fed a diet high in n-6 compared with low in n-6 around conception. Merino dams were fed diets based on either silage low in n-6 or oats and cottonseed meal high in n-6 fatty acids for ~40 days pre-mating only or 40 days pre-mating and 17 days post-mating in each of 2 years. The reproductive performance (proportion pregnant and fetuses conceived) of their Border Leicester × Merino ewe offspring born in each year was examined at their first mating. Ewe lamb birthweight and fat score at the time of mating was not significantly affected by the diet fed to their dams around mating. The proportion of Border Leicester × Merino ewes pregnant was not different, however the number of fetuses per ewe was significantly (P = 0.002) higher when their dams were fed a High n-6 compared with a Low n-6 diet around mating (1.64 ± 0.05 vs 1.42 ± 0.05 fetuses/ewe pregnant, respectively). The reproduction rate of ewes may be affected by diet fed to their dams in the peri-conceptional period and could be associated with fetal programming.
Additional keywords: fetal programming, intergenerational, omega-6.
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