Energy in sheep diet and effects on progeny with application of mathematical modeling

Abstract

The energy influences the reproduction of the sheep, but little is known how the levels and different sources can affect this characteristic. There is evidence that maternal nutrition can affect the production of offspring. In the research project developed in Brazil, the objective is to evaluate different levels of energy in the diet (below the requirement, at the level and above) according to the recommendations of the NRC (2007), as well as to compare the different sources of energy (cellulose, starch , protected fat and chromium) in the diets of pregnant sheep and the consequences in their offspring. The experiment will happen in the Sheep Sector of the Campus City Hall of the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering of FZEA - USP. The other stage will take place at the Department of Animal Science at Texas A & M University in the United States, with mathematical studies, critical analysis of models, training and use of small ruminant nutrition programs and the like. The researcher will be trained in mathematical models for the different categories studied (matrix and progeny), in addition to the training in the analysis of energy diets performed by the research group. The expected results at the end of the scholarship period are the writing and submission of a scientific article on modeling energy diets with respect to the effect on fetal programming and to increase international cooperation in projects in the area of nutrition of small ruminants. (AU)