Effects of frequency of supplementation on dry matter intake and net portal and hepatic flux of nutrients in mature ewes that consume low-quality forage.

Our objective was to determine the effects of frequency of soybean meal (SBM) supplementation on forage intake and net portal-drained viscera (PDV) and hepatic flux of nutrients in ewes that consume low-quality forage. Six Polled Dorset ewes (BW+/-SD = 82+/-9 kg) fitted with hepatic venous, hepatic portal, abdominal aortic, and mesenteric venous catheters were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Ewes consumed bromegrass hay (7.5% CP; DM basis). Treatments were no supplement (control), SBM fed once every 24 h, or SBM fed once every 72 h. In the SBM treatments, SBM was fed to provide 80 g/d of CP. Blood flow and net flux measurements were made on the 3rd d of each period so that ewes supplemented every 72 h were sampled the day of, the day after, and 2 d after supplementation. Arterial concentrations of alpha-amino N (AAN) and ammonia N were lower (P < .01) when SBM was fed, whereas arterial concentrations of urea N and oxygen were higher (P < .01). Feeding SBM increased net PDV release of AAN and ammonia N, net PDV removal of urea N, and oxygen consumption. A SBM x sampling day interaction (P < .05) occurred and resulted in greater net PDV absorption of AAN and ammonia N on the day after SBM supplementation when ewes were fed SBM on a 72-h interval. Net hepatic removal of AAN, ammonia N, and oxygen, and net hepatic release of urea N were greater (P < .01) with feeding SBM. The results indicate that the interval of SBM supplementation may affect the pattern of absorption without affecting the net absorption of nutrients.