Ewes were stratified by weight and randomly assigned into one of three dietary groups: maintenance control (C;N=16;100% National Research Council [NRC] requirements;2.4 Mcal of metabolizable energy per kilogram BW),overfed (O;N=16;200%NRC requirements) or underfed (U;N=16;60%NRC requirements) as described [14].
Diets were initiated 60 days before the onset of estrus (Day 0).
Ewes were fed their individual diets twice daily at 8 PM and 3 PM for the duration of the experiment, and every week ewes were weighed.