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Acta Physiologica 2006; Volume 187, Supplement 651
Belgian Society for Fundamental and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, Spring Meeting 2006
5/6/2006-5/6/2006
”Université Catholique de Louvain”, Louvain-en-Woluwé, Belgium
EFFECT OF FOOD INTAKE LEVELS ON LEPTIN AND IGF-I PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS IN SHEEP
Abstract number: POSTER-4
Archa1 B., Bister2 J.L., Colinet1 F., Kirschvink2 N., Renaville1 R.
1Animal and Microbial Unit, The Agricultural University of Gembloux, 5030, Belgium
2Laboratory for Animal Physiology, Department of veterinary Medicine, University of Namur, 5000, Belgium
The effect of high (H) or low (L) levels of food intake, during the preceding 51 weeks, on leptin and Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations in sheep were investigated in groups of 20 adult Timahdite (non-lactating, non-pregnant) ewes. Ewes of the two treatments had similar liveweight at the start of study but there was a twofold difference in energy intake. All animals were maintained indoors under natural daylength conditions (33°53'N, 5°32'W). Blood samples were collected monthly and the statistical analyses were performed on leptin and IGF-I levels. The mean leptin plasma concentrations were higher in H ewes than L sheep (3.98±0.97 ng/ml vs 3.34±1.17 ng/ml, P<0.05). For IGF-I, from week 1 to 26, the mean plasma concentrations were higher in H ewes than L sheep (76±28 ng/ml vs 58±21 ng/ml, P<0.01). However, from week 31 to 51, the mean plasma concentrations were similar in both groups (57±24 ng/ml vs 59±25 ng/ml, P>0.05). It was concluded that the food intake levels affect significantly leptin and IGF-I plasma concentrations and consequently may be the link between food intake, body condition and reproductive performances in sheep.
To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Acta Physiologica 2006; Volume 187, Supplement 651 :POSTER-4