Table 2 Mean physical, metabolic and hormonal measures of ewes shown by diet (Control or Fat)

Mean weight (kg)

54.7 ± 1.0

56.9 ± 1.4

Change in weight (kg)

0.9 ± 1.1

1.6 ± 0.8

Mean BCS

3.2 ± 0.1

3.3 ± 0.1

Change in BCS

0.1 ± 0.05

0.1 ± 0.1

Average plasma glucose (mmol L^-1)

3.40 ± 0.1

3.91 ± 0.2

Breeding plasma glucose (mmol L^-1)

3.32 ± 0.2

3.64 ± 0.2

Average plasma leptin (ng ml^-1)

14.0 ± 1.0

13.7 ± 0.9

Breeding plasma leptin (ng ml^-1)

14.5 ± 1.2

14.1 ± 1.2

Average plasma IGF-I (ng ml^-1)

148.2 ± 9.4

141.4 ± 8.4

Breeding plasma IGF-I (ng ml^-1)

140.4 ± 8.4

136.5 ± 7.4

Average plasma insulin (μIU ml^-1)

74.1 ± 6.3

63.1 ± 7.4

Breeding plasma insulin (μIU ml^-1)

76.8 ± 7.9

64.8 ± 7.7

Average plasma NEFA (mEq L^-1)

0.21 ± 0.01

0.24 ± 0.03*

Breeding plasma NEFA (mEq L^-1)

0.170 ± 0.02

0.181 ± 0.02

Plasma progesterone (ng ml^-1) AUC d2 to d5^†

5.5 ± 0.3

4.6 ± 0.3 *

Plasma progesterone (ng ml^-1) AUC d2 to d13^†

56.1 ± 2.7

50.0 ± 2.0*

Plasma progesterone (ng ml ^-1 day ^-1) Slope d2 to d5^†

1.3 ± 0.1

1.6 ± 0.1**