title: Effect of ghrelin in dry matter intake and energy metabolism in prepartum sheep: a preliminary study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ghrelin on dry matter intake and energy metabolites in ewes during the last 10d of gestation. Ewes were randomly assigned to either a treatment (n=6) or a control group (n=6). One hour after feeding (08:00 and 16:00), ewes in the treated group were given ovine ghrelin (3 microg/kg, i.m.) and the control group received an equivalent volume of saline. Treatments were continued until lambing. Daily blood samples were taken starting at assignment. The principal findings were that: (1) ewes treated with ghrelin had a higher dry matter intake only on the first day of treatment; (2) treated ewes had lower serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and insulin but higher serum concentrations of growth hormone; (3) serum concentrations of beta-hydroxy butyrate and cortisol were not different between treated and non-treated ewes. In conclusion, treatment with ghrelin affected dry matter intake and energy metabolites of pre-partum ewes during the last 10 d of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, FL 32610-0136, USA. Melendezp@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Melendez
authors.forename: Traci
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Lokenga
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Badinga
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verstegen
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: Louis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Archbald
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D054439:Ghrelin; D007328:Insulin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone