@conference {40267,
	title = {The effect of pre-mating feeding level and age on liveweight change on reproductive performance of cashmere does},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {477-478},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The results in this field over the last 10 years at Ruakura and  relevant international data is reviewed. The nutrients involved have  been defined and a likely mechanism of action indicated. Pasture  allowance experiments indicated effects of pasture quality and a series  of pellet feeding trials defined effects of both energy (linear) and  protein (threshold) intakes. The threshold effect of protein was  confirmed by the abomasal infusion of protein. Analyses of changes in  blood concentrations of amino-acids indicated the involvement of the  branched-chain amino-acids (BCAA) and this has been confirmed by an  increased ovulation rate after intravenous infusion of BCAA. It is  concluded that the static and dynamic liveweight and the immediate  nutrient effects are the same response measured at different times. The  rate at which the response develops is dependant on the type of  feedstuff.   Studies into the mechanism of action in both intact and ovariectomised  ewes have ruled out effects on pituitary release of FSH either directly  or via interference with negative feedback influences. This indicates  that the effect is at the ovarian level and is mediated either by direct  action of the BCAA or indirectly via a metabolic hormone.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parry AL and Edmonds DK and Knight TW and Hamilton GJ}
}
