Effects of a wide range of dietary forage-to-concentrate ratios on nutrient utilization and hepatic transcriptional profiles in limit-fed Holstein heifers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Improving the efficiency of animal production is a relentless pursuit of ruminant producers. Energy utilization and partition can be affected by dietary composition and nutrient availability. Furthermore, the liver is the central metabolic intersection in cattle. However, the specific metabolic changes in the liver under conditions of limit-feeding remain unclear and require further study. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of a wide range of dietary forage:concentrate ratios (F:C) on energy utilization, and identify potential changes in molecular metabolism by analyzing hepatic transcriptional profiles. Twenty-four half-sib Holstein heifers were fed four F:C diets (20:80, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20 on a dry matter basis), with similar intake levels of metabol

SUBMITTER: Shi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5816523 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature