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Title: In vivo body composition estimation in nongravid and reproducing first-litter sows with deuterium oxide

Journal Article · · J. Anim. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5836576

An experiment was conducted with 64 first-litter sows to evaluate the efficacy of a D/sub 2/O dilution procedure for measuring in vivo body composition during the reproduction cycle. Eight gilts were each infused at breeding, 57 and 105 d postcoitum and at 5 and 25 d postpartum, with equivalent numbers of nongravid controls infused at corresponding periods except at 5 d postpartum. Results from D/sub 2/O dilution were compared with body water estimates obtained from chemical analysis. An early-equilibrating D/sub 2/O pool (before 15 min) was similar quantitatively to empty body (ingesta free) water in nongravid and lactating animals, but not in pregnant sows. Because of inconsistent D/sub 2/O equilibration patterns in gravid sows, the early pool was considered to have equilibrated with part but not all of the water in the conceptus products. Total body D/sub 2/O space measurement obtained from data following equilibration of D/sub 2/O in the entire body (1 to 2 h) overestimated total body water (including gastrointestinal water) by approximately 19%. Coefficients of determination for equations relating total body D/sub 2/O space to empty body and maternal body water were .96 and .88, respectively, in gestating sows and .67 and .74, respectively, for lactating sows, while coefficients of variation were below 6% in all cases. Prediction equations were developed to estimate empty and maternal body components (protein, fat and ash) from body weight and D/sub 2/O space. Accuracy of protein and ash weight prediction is lowest with this procedure because it involves the composite error of estimation of the other body components.

Research Organization:
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster
OSTI ID:
5836576
Journal Information:
J. Anim. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 59:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English