We tested whether maternal energy supplementation during the last third of gestation improves birth weight, neonatal wellbeing, and mother–young bonding. Thirty-six pregnant French Alpine goats were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments for the last third of pregnancy: (i) Control, fed alfalfa (T-0; n = 12); (ii) alfalfa + 150 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-150; n = 12); (iii) alfalfa + 300 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-300; n = 12). At birth, we collected progeny data on birth weight, birth type, sex, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, time to standing, time to udder connection, and time to first feeding. For the dams, we collected data on the duration of labor, time to clean the progeny, and time to allow first suckling. At birth, body weight, rectal temperature, heart rate, and the respiratory rate did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). In the dams, labor duration was not affected by the treatments (p > 0.05). The T-150 dams were faster to clean the newborn and allow first suckling (p < 0.05). The T-150 progeny were faster to stand and the T-300 progeny were faster to connect to the udder (p < 0.05). We conclude that energy supplementation of the dam during the last third of gestation does not affect the birth weight of the progeny, but enhances the mother–young bonding.

中文翻译：

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妊娠期最后三分之一的能量补充改善了山羊的母幼结合

我们测试了在妊娠的最后三分之一期间补充母亲的能量是否可以改善出生体重，新生儿健康状况以及母婴结合。在妊娠的最后三分之一中，将36例怀孕的法国高山山羊随机分配到三种营养疗法中：（i）对照，饲喂苜蓿（T-0；n = 12）；（ii）苜蓿+ 150 g /头的每日能量浓缩物（T-150；n = 12）；（iii）苜蓿+ 300 g /头每日能量浓缩物（T-300；n= 12）。在出生时，我们收集了有关出生体重，出生类型，性别，直肠温度，心率，呼吸频率，站立时间，乳房连接时间和首次进食时间的后代数据。对于水坝，我们收集了以下信息：劳动时间，清理后代的时间以及第一次哺乳的时间。出生时体重，直肠温度，心率和呼吸率在各治疗之间无差异（p > 0.05）。在大坝中，劳动时间不受处理的影响（p > 0.05）。T-150水坝可以更快地清洁新生儿并允许初次哺乳（p <0.05）。T-150子代站立更快，而T-300子代连接乳房更快（p<0.05）。我们得出的结论是，在妊娠的最后三分之一期间补充水坝的能量不会影响子代的出生体重，但会增强母幼结合。