EFFECT OF ALTERED ENERGY-INTAKE ON THERMOGENESIS IN SOWS

In a model experiment eight adult sows were used to examine the effect of successive periods of under- and oversupply of energy (MUMU) on thermogenesis and efficiency of energy utilization in comparison to a constant maintenance supply (NNNN). Each treatment sequence was assigned to each animal according to a change-over design over 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment periods all the animals were fed at maintenance level (N). Energy deficiency (M) was performed by use of a basal diet with 45% of maintenance energy requirements and values for all the other nutrients sufficient for requirements. Normal (N) and excessive (U) intakes of energy was provided with supplements of starch. The total intake of gross energy during the periods MUMU was exactly the same as during NNNN. Complete energy balances were performed for each animal and period as well as during the pre- and post-experimental phase. There was no or little response of altered energy intake on carbon and energy excretion in faeces, urine and methane. However, heat production was significantly decreased by 4.1% on energy deficiency, and increased by 15.1% during energy oversupply. Summed up over the total sequence the animals produced 5.4% more heat on MUMU than during NNNN. This response was associated with a mobilization of 1.1 MJ/d tissue energy and a decrease in body weight by 2.0 kg. The efficiency of utilization of ME was 88% with energy undersupply and 75% during overnutrition. Criteria of energy balance did not differ between the pre- and post-treatment periods. It could be demonstrated that the increase in energy expenditure at oversupply was entirely explainable by the so-called obligatory thermogenesis. At the energy deficiency periods the efficiency of energy utilization reflected both energy costs of ingestion and processing of nutrients as well as a slight reduction in metabolic rate. Finally, there were no residual effects of the treatment on the energy expenditure of the animals at the end of the experiment.