Table 7.
Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) and rumen-protected L-arginine (RP-Arg) supplementation on cytokine concentrations in the fetal plasma and fetal liver in underfed Hu ewes on d 110 of gestation1.
| Item | CON2 | RES3 | RESA4 | RESN5 | SEM | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma | ||||||
| TNF-α, pg/mL | 138.72 | 130.65 | 132.34 | 137.28 | 13.25 | 0.219 |
| IL-1, pg/mL | 149.23c | 231.28a | 194.58b | 192.89b | 11.41 | 0.006 |
| IL-6, pg/mL | 107.26c | 175.68a | 142.62b | 144.21b | 10.58 | 0.006 |
| Liver | ||||||
| TNF-α, ng/g protein | 9.12c | 16.28a | 12.89b | 13.01b | 0.93 | 0.007 |
| IL-1, ng/g protein | 17.29c | 28.09a | 22.09b | 21.88b | 1.78 | 0.011 |
| IL-6, ng/g protein | 12.78c | 23.13a | 17.73b | 17.09b | 1.14 | 0.008 |
IL = interleukin; TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor α.
a, b, c With in a row, means without a common superscript differ P ＜ 0.05.
1
Data are means and pooled SEM (n = 16 per group).
2
CON: ewes fed 100% of NRC (1985) recommendations for pregnancy.
3
RES: ewes fed 50% of NRC (1985) recommendations for pregnancy.
4
RESA: RES ewes supplemented RP-Arg at 20 g per day.
5
RESN: RES ewes supplemented NCG at 5 g per day.