Arginine supplementation improves fetal growth and colostrum composition in nutrient-restricted ewes, but its high cost and ruminal degradation limit its practical use. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG), which stimulates endogenous arginine synthesis, and is not degraded in rumen, may be a viable alternative. This study evaluated the effects of oral NCG supplementation (60 mg/kg BW/day from day 100 of gestation to term) on undernourished twin-bearing ewes (~50% NRC requirements; NCG n = 20, Control n = 21). Maternal body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), blood metabolites, placental traits, lamb body measurements, and colostrum composition were assessed. BW increased and BCS decreased over time (p < 0.0001), with no treatment effect. Lamb and placental traits were similar between groups. NCG supplementation resulted in a 15% higher plasma urea concentration (p < 0.03) and altered 21 serum metabolites, with reduced levels of valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, proline, and phosphate, and increased serine, ethanolamine, urea, and 2-hydroxyhexanoic acid concentration compared to CON animals. Colostrum from NCG ewes had a 21% higher protein (p < 0.04) and a 16% higher IgG content (p < 0.03) compared to CON animals. Although NCG did not mitigate the negative effects of maternal undernutrition on fetal traits, it influenced maternal metabolism and improved colostrum quality.
Sales et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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