
%0 Journal Article
%A McNeill, D. M. 
%A Kelly, R. W. 
%A Williams, I. H. 
%T Partition of nutrients in moderately fat ewes compared with lean ewes given <emph type="2">ad libitum</emph> access to feed in late pregnancy
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1998/04/17
%V 49
%N 4
%P 575-580
%K sheep, body condition, fetus, placenta.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/A97134
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/A97134 
%X The effect of a difference in voluntary feed intake on fetal weight was tested in lean v. moderately fat ewes (0&#183;15 v. 0&#183;32 kg/kg fat-free empty body weight), by giving them ad libitum access to feed from Day 110 to 146 of pregnancy when both had placentas of a similar size (at Day 146: 437 v. 467 g, s.e.m. = 49&#183;5, P &#62; 0&#183;05). Although the lean ewes ate 29% more than the fatter ewes above their estimated requirements (1258&#177;106&#183;9 v. 978&#177;105&#183;8 g/ewe &#183; day, P = 0&#183;08) fetal weights were not affected (4744 v. 4590 g, s.e.m. = 282&#183;1, P &#62; 0&#183;05). Instead, the lean ewes partitioned more of their intake into body fat than the fatter ewes (0&#183;13 v. 0&#183;01 kg/kg fat-free empty body weight, P &#60; 0&#183;05). The results support the concept that the placenta places an upper limit to the uptake of nutrients by the fetus. 
