The effect of increasing feed intake for one day only during the oestrus period on the reproductive performance of sows

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Brooks ◽  
D. J. A. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large White ◽  
Embryo Mortality ◽  
The Third ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
Embryo Number

SUMMARYTwo groups of 24 Landrace × Large White gilts were allocated at puberty to two feeding regimes during oestrus. The control group received 1·8 kg food/day throughout the oestrus period, while the flushed group had an additional 1·8 kg immediately after mating on the first day of oestrus. The treatments were imposed at the first post-puberal heat (second heat) and at the post-weaning oestrus in the second and third parities. The sows remained on the same treatment throughout the experiment. Litter performance was measured in the first two parities. The sows were slaughtered on day 25 of their third gestation to provide data on ovulation rate and embryo mortality. Increasing feed intake to 3·6 kg on the day of mating did not significantly affect the number of piglets born, number born live, or mean piglet weight, in either the first or second parity. In the third parity, ovulation rate, embryo number at 25 days of gestation and embryo mortality were unaffected by treatment.

Pre- and peri-pubertal feed intake: effects on age at puberty and potential litter size of replacement gilts

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1040
Author(s):  
W. H. E. J. van Wettere ◽  
M. Mitchell ◽  
D. K. Revell ◽  
P. E. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Dietary Restriction ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Large White ◽  
Embryo Number ◽  
Age At Puberty

The effect of moderate restriction of pre- and peri-pubertal liveweight gain on puberty attainment and potential litter size was investigated. At 69 days of age, 48 Large White/Landrace crossbred gilts (28.3 ± 0.3 kg), were fed to attain a liveweight of 70 kg (LIGHT) or 100 kg (HEAVY) at 161 days of age (n = 24 gilts/treatment). At 161 days of age, half the gilts in each group were fed to gain liveweight at 0.5 (LOW) or 1.0 (HIGH) kg/day until puberty (n = 12 gilts/treatment). From 175 days of age, gilts received 20 min/day of full, physical boar contact. Gilts were artificially inseminated at the pubertal oestrus, with reproductive tracts collected 22 ± 0.1 days later, and the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos recorded. LIGHT-LOW gilts were older (P < 0.05) at puberty compared with LIGHT-HIGH, HEAVY-LOW and HEAVY-HIGH gilts; 207.7 ± 3.50 versus 191.7 ± 3.65, 193.1 ± 3.50 and 192.5 ± 3.65, respectively. Treatment (HIGH vs LOW) increased (P < 0.05) pubertal ovulation rate (15.2 ± 0.43 vs 13.1 ± 0.47), oestradiol at oestrus (13.4 ± 1.87 vs 9.1 ± 1.22 pg/mL) and progesterone 72 h post-oestrus (7.1 ± 0.48 vs 4.6 ± 0.50 ng/mL). Embryo number (10.8 ± 0.46) and survival (77.0 ± 3.21) were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. To conclude, puberty was delayed by chronic, but not acute, dietary restriction. Although short-term, moderate increases in feed intake increased pubertal ovulation rates, embryo numbers and survival were unaffected.

Effect of active or passive immunization against steroids on reproductive performance of ewes in different levels of body condition at mating

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
B. A. Morris ◽  
Jill Clayton ◽  
J. M. Doney ◽  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Antibody Titres

ABSTRACTBorder Leicester × Scottish Blackface (Greyface) ewes of three groups, each comprising 118 animals in a wide range of body condition scores, were mated at a synchronized oestrus in mid October. The ewes were passively immunized against testosterone (group P), actively immunized against androstenedione (group F), or not treated (group C). All ewes were slaughtered at return to service or at 35 to 45 days of pregnancy and ovulation rates and numbers of embryos present were determined. Mean ovulation rates of ewes in group P were higher than in those in group C (P < 0·05) and this difference was evident at most levels of body condition. The absolute increase in ovulation rate, compared with the control group, was similar at all condition scores. Mean ovulation rates of ewes in group F were higher than those in group C (P < 0·001) and the magnitude of the increase was greater in ewes in higher condition scores. The incidence of ova wastage was variable but differences between treatments in mean ovulation rate were generally reflected in mean litter size. The conception rates of immunized ewes were depressed compared with those of control animals, particularly in ewes with a body condition score less than 3·0 at mating. Consequently, there was no improvement in the potential lambing rate of immunized ewes following only one cycle of mating. Circulating antibody titres were not related to conception rate or body condition at mating and were related to ovulation rate only in group F ewes. It is concluded that immunization against steroids, using either passive or active techniques, can improve the reproductive performance of individual ewes but improvement in the performance of the flock as a whole may only be achieved under optimal conditions of nutrition and season.

Interactions between weaning age, weaning weight, sex, and enzyme supplementation on growth performance of pigs

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. Dunshea ◽  
D. K. Kerton ◽  
P. D. Cranwell ◽  
R. G. Campbell ◽  
B. P. Mullan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Large White ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Exogenous Enzyme ◽  
The Third ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation ◽  
Daily Gain

Digestive capacity of early-weaned pigs may be insufficient to fully digest many ingredients currently used in weaner diets. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether an exogenous enzyme preparation with broad carbohydrase activity could benefit pigs that developmentally might be immature at weaning, especially with regard to gastrointestinal development. Eighty Large White × Landrace pigs were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment with the factors being: weaning age (14 or 24 days), weaning weight (heavy or light), sex (boar or gilt), and dietary Biofeed Plus CT (0 or 500 μg/g) which contained fungal xylanases, pentosanases and β-glucanases. Pigs were housed individually and given a wheat-based (550 g/kg) diet containing 15.0 MJ DE and 15.9 g lysine/kg on an ad libitum basis for 21 days. The diet also contained 50 g/kg of soybean meal and 50 g/kg of lupin (Lupinus�angustifolius) kernels. The liveweights of heavy (H) pigs weaned at 24 or 14 days and light pigs (L) weaned at 24 or 14 days were 7.9 and 5.3 and 5.2 and 3.9 kg, respectively. Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (157 v. 345 g/day) than those weaned at 24 days, although there was a suggestion of an interaction between age and weight at weaning (P = 0.081). Thus, H and L pigs weaned at 14 days grew at 148 and 166 g/day, whereas H and L pigs weaned at 24 days grew at 374 and 315 g/day, respectively. Although there was no main effect of enzymes on daily gain (248 v. 254 g/day, P = 0.80), feed intake (278 v. 284 g/day, P = 0.79), or feed conversion ratio (1.19 v. 1.25, P�=�0.35), there were interactions with weaning age on daily gain (P = 0.050) and feed intake (P = 0.060). Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (176 v. 138 g/day) and ate less (206 v. 174 g/day), whereas pigs weaned at 24 days grew faster (321 v. 369 g/day) and ate more (351 v. 394 g/day), when supplemented with enzymes. During the third week after weaning there were interactions between dietary enzymes and sex (P = 0.060) and dietary enzymes and age (P = 0.023) on daily gain. Thus, pigs weaned at 24 days and supplemented with Biofeed Plus CT grew more quickly during the third week (559 v. 460 g/day), whereas the converse was true for pigs weaned at 14 days (286 v. 334 g/day). Also, enzyme-supplemented boars grew better over this period (457 v. 371 g/day), whereas the converse was true for gilts (388 v. 423 g/day). In conclusion, these data clearly indicate that the greatest determinant of post-weaning performance under the present conditions was the age of the pigs at weaning. Dietary enzyme supplementation appeared most efficacious in boars weaned at an older age, although benefits did not become apparent until 2 weeks after weaning.

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

IDENTIFICATION OF OVARIAN FOLLICLES AT ESTRUS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR ENSUING CORPORA LUTEA IN SINGLE AND MULTIPLE OVULATING EWES ON TWO FEEDING REGIMES

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. DUFOUR ◽  
P. MATTON
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
The Third ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Feeding Regimes

Twelve hours after standing estrus was first detected, 30 ewes had their four largest follicles identified and marked with India ink. Seven days later, ovulation rates and origin of the corpora lutea (CL) from previously marked follicles were determined. Feeding a high energy ration from day 10 to estrus did not change the ovulation rate as compared to feeding a low energy ration. Its only effect was to increase the diameter of the third and fourth largest follicles. The diameter of the largest follicle was identical in single and multiple ovulators. However, in multiple ovulators, the diameter of the second largest follicle was larger than in single ovulators. The largest follicle identified at estrus developed into a CL that was 15% heavier in single than in multiple ovulators. In multiple ovulators, the second largest follicle developed into a CL of weight similar to that from the largest follicle.

Ovulation rate, embryo number and uterus length in purebred and crossbred Duroc, Landrace and Large White gilts

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Irgang ◽  
I.R. Scheid ◽  
Ivo Wentz ◽  
J.A. Fávero
Keyword(s):  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Large White ◽  
Embryo Number

scholarly journals Reproductive Performance, Retention Rate, and Age at the Third Parity According to Growth Rate and Age at First Mating in the Gilts with a Modern Genotype

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Jamil Elias Ghiggi Faccin ◽  
Fernanda Laskoski ◽  
Paulo Emílio Lesskiu ◽  
Aline Fernanda Lopes Paschoal ◽  
André Luiz Mallmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Large White ◽  
The Third ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Farrowing Rate ◽  
Effect Of Age

Background: Gilts represent the largest category (18-20%) of female pigs in a breeding herd. Under field conditions, the amplitude of growth rate and age at the first mating of gilts are remarkably higher than the recommendations made by the genetic companies. There are several studies that have considered the management of these animals starting from their introduction to the herd till the mating. It has been noted that the genetic selection constantly promotes evolution that may change certain traits of these animals. However, there is a lack of the studies that evaluate the management strategies suitable for the modern sows. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effect of age and growth rate of gilts at the first mating on productive performance and retention rate until the third farrowing.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was performed in a gilt development unit (GDU) with a breeding stock capacity of 1000 females and a goal of 90 gilts mating per week. The groups were retrospectively created according to age (<210 d and ≥210 d) and the growth rate (GR; <700 g/d and ≥700 g/d) at the first mating with a 2 × 2 factorial design. A real-time ultrasound examination was performed at approximately 28 days after artificial insemination to detect pregnancy. Afterward, the productivity data over three parities of 703 females were collected and analyzed at 28 commercial farms of destination. The analyses were performed using SAS, with individual gilts as the experimental unit. The total number of piglets born and the age at the third parity were analyzed using the PROC MIXED. The number of estrus at breeding, weaning-to-estrus interval and the number of piglets in the previous farrowing were included as covariates in the model of total piglets born. The farrowing rate and retention rate until the third parity were considered as binary responses and analyzed using logistic regression (PROC GLIMMIX). The effects of age, GR, and their interaction were included as fixed effect in all analyses. There was no effect of age and GR and their interaction (P > 0.05) on farrowing rate after first, second, and third mating. The total number of piglets born in the three first farrowing and over three parities were not affected (P > 0.05) by the age and GR at first mating. The retention rate until the third farrowing of gilts inseminated with more than 210 days of age was approximately 7% greater than in the gilts mated younger; however, no statistical difference (P > 0.05) was detected. An effect of the age at the first mating was observed in the age to reach the third farrowing. Gilts mated with less than 210 and more than 210 days reached the third farrowing, respectively, at 604.5 ±1.9 and 625.1 ± 2.7 days of age (P < 0.001).Discussion: With a minimum GR of 550 g/d, 180 days of age, and at least 130 kg of weight, gilts are eligible to be inseminated without impairing their litter size, farrowing, and retention rate until the third parity. The gilts having modern genotypes can have a high stillbirth rate if bred with an excessive body weight. It is worth to consider that the gilts inseminated with > 700g/d did not present overweight in this study. The reproductive performance expressed by farrowing rate and piglets born and the longevity expressed by the retention rate from the first pregnancy until the third parturition were not impaired by the groups of age and GR in Large White × Landrace crossbred (Camborough 23®). In addition, gilts inseminated earlier than 210 days but having the minimum required weight resulted in less non-productive days for the breeding herd, which represents an important financial rate to the system.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF BREEDING METHODS AND AGE OF DANISH SOWS ON THEIR PRODUCTIVITY

2021 ◽  
pp. 161-179
Author(s):  
M. G. Povod ◽  
О. G. Mykhalko ◽  
V. F. Andreychuk
Keyword(s):  
Selection Index ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Fertility Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breeding Methods ◽  
Large White ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

The article compares the reproductive qualities of sows of Danish selection obtained by different breeding methods during their seven farrowings in one farm. It was found that local sows F1 obtained from mothers of Landrace breed and boars of Danish Large White breed had a significant excess of the total number of piglets at birth over analogs obtained by backcrossing of two-breed sows with boars of Danish Landrace breed by 0.90 head or 5.92 % (p<0,001). Both purebred sows of Danish Landrace and local sows significantly exceeded their peers obtained by the method of backcrossing by the number of stillborn piglets by 1.17 heads or 45.88% (p<0.001) and 0.5 heads or 26.60% (p<0.001) respectively. The probable lag of sows obtained by backcrossing in terms of the proportion of stillborn piglets from both purebred analogs by 5.03% (p<0.05) and from local analogs – by 9.29% (p<0.05). The complex indicator of reproductive qualities, calculated as an evaluation index, showed that the best such qualities were possessed by livestock for purebred breeding, where animals scored 0.05 and 0.74 points more than their peers F1 and Fr, respectively. The calculation of the estimated selection index of reproductive qualities of sows allowed to state that sows obtained from backcrossing had a higher value of 109.66 points, which is more than their purebred peers – by 4.48 points and local peers – by 3.96 points. According to the results of the first farrowing, a significant difference in the total number of piglets at birth, fertility, number of piglets at weaning, safety, nest weight at weaning, the weight of 1 head at weaning between livestock groups is not established but found that purebred sows relative to analogs obtained from backcrossing had a significantly higher number of stillborn piglets by 0.75 head or 60.00% (p<0.01) and the proportion of stillborn piglets by 5.09% (p<0.01). Evaluation of the data of the second, fourth, fifth and seventh farrowings revealed no significant difference in the bulk of the indicators of reproductive qualities of sows between the livestock of all groups. The study of the third farrowing allowed claiming that the number of stillborn piglets in this period was probably higher in sows of the first control group relative to analogs of the second experimental (F1) by 0.73 heads or 31.88% (p<0,05) and relative to analogs Experimental III (Fr) by 0.97 heads or 42.36% (p<0.01). According to the sixth farrowing piglets of the II experimental group (F1) exceeded the number of births by 1,77 heads or 12.46% (p<0.05) – control analogs, the fertility rate – by 2.32 heads or 19.66% (p<0.01) – analogs of the control and 1.41 head or 9.99% (p<0.05) – analogs of the III experimental group (Fr), but at the same time inferior in terms of safety to peers of the control group by 13.25% (p<0.01). Intergroup analysis of data showed that during the sixth farrowing piglets of the II experimental group (F1) exceeded the fertility rate – by 2.32 heads or 19.66% (p<0.01) – control analogs and 1.41 heads or 9.99% (p<0.05) – analogs of the III experimental group (Fr). The study of the dynamics of absolute, average daily, and relative growth of piglets revealed that both in the control group (purebred Danish Landrace) and in the third experimental group (Fr) in terms of seven farrowings, the indicators did not differ statistically. However, piglets of group II (F1) during the sixth farrowing had the highest values: the absolute increase was 6.18 kg, exceeding the first by 0.58 kg or 10.36% (p <0.05), the average daily gain – 221 g, which is higher than the average for the first farrowing in the group by 20 g or 10.50 % (p<0.05) and a relative increase of 138.62%, which is higher than the results of the first by 7.23% (p <0.01).

scholarly journals Influence of a Balanced Carbohydrate Feed Complex Felucen on the Ethological Reactivity of Bulls of the Kazakh White-Headed Breed

2021 ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
В.И. Косилов ◽  
Д.А. Курохтина
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
The Third ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Experimental Group

Приводятся результаты изучения поведения бычков казахской белоголовой породы шагатайского комолого типа при использовании сбалансированного углеводного кормового комплекса Фелуцен. Бычки II–IV опытных групп отличались большей продолжительностью потребления корма как в зимний, так и в летний период. При этом бычки I контрольной группы уступали сверстникам II опытной группы по величине анализируемого показателя в зимний сезон года на 8 мин (2,4%), в летний – на 17 мин (4,1%). Преимущество молодняка III опытной группы над бычками I контрольной группы по продолжительности приёма корма было более существенным и составляло зимой 15 мин (4,4%), летом – 30 мин (7,2%). Характерно, что бычки II–IV опытных групп превосходили сверстников I контрольной группы по продолжительности приёма корма в зимний период на выгульном дворе на 2–6 мин (1,3–3,9%). Отличаясь большей продолжительностью приёма корма, бычки II–IV опытных групп дольше, чем молодняк I контрольной группы, отдыхали как в зимний период, так и летом. Так, по продолжительности отдыха в зимний период бычки I контрольной группы уступали сверстникам II опытной группы на 9 мин (1,0%), аналогам III опытной группы – на 28 мин (3,0%), молодняку IV опытной группы – на 17 мин (1,8%), летом соответственно на 35 мин (4,3%), 60 мин (7,3%) и 50 мин (6,1%). Анализ результатов изучения этологических особенностей бычков подопытных групп в зимний и летний периоды свидетельствует об определённой разнице в продолжительности отдельных элементов поведения, что обусловлено влиянием включения в рацион молодняка опытных групп сбалансированного углеводного кормового комплекса Фелуцен. Оптимальной дозой «Фелуцена» является 125 г/гол. в сутки. The results of the study of the behavior of bulls of the Kazakh white-headed breed of the Shagatay polled type when using the balanced carbohydrate feed complex Felucen are given. The bulls of the II–IV experimental groups were distinguished by a longer duration of food consumption both in winter and in summer. At the same time, the bulls of the 1st control group were inferior to their herdmates of the 2nd experimental group in terms of the value of the analyzed indicator in the winter season of the year by 8 minutes (2.4%), in the summer – by 17 minutes (4.1%). The advantage of young animals of the third experimental group over the bulls of the first control group in terms of the duration of feed intake was more significant and amounted to 15 minutes in winter (4.4%), in summer – 30 minutes (7.2%). It is characteristic that the bulls of the II–IV experimental groups were superior to the herdmates of the 1st control group in terms of the duration of food intake in the winter period in the barn yard by 2–6 minutes (1.3–3.9%). Differing in a longer duration of food intake, bulls of the II–IV experimental groups rested longer than the young of the 1st control group both in winter and in summer. So, in terms of the duration of rest in the winter period, the bulls of the 1st control group were inferior to their herdmates in the second experimental group by 9 minutes (1.0%), the analogs of the third experimental group – by 28 minutes (3.0%), the young animals of the fourth experimental group – by 17 minutes (1.8%), in summer, respectively, for 35 minutes (4.3%), 60 minutes (7.3%) and 50 minutes (6.1%). Study results analysis of the ethological characteristics of bulls in the experimental groups in the winter and summer periods indicates a certain difference in the duration of individual elements of behavior, which is due to the influence of the inclusion in the diet of young animals of the experimental groups of the balanced carbohydrate feed complex Felucen. The optimal dose of "Felucen" is 125 g/head per day.

242. Reproductive performance of Australia Cashmere goats supplemented with lupin grain

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
M. Shikh Maidin ◽  
A. Chadwick ◽  
P. C. Khaiseb ◽  
P. A. Hawken ◽  
G. B. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Opposite Effect ◽  
Nutritional Supplement ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Cashmere Goats ◽  
And Control

The productivity of Cashmere goats depends on their reproductive performance, which, in turn, depends on their level of nutrition. Ovulation rate and pregnancy in sheep are both affected by nutrition, but little is known about the response of female goats (does) to supplementary feeding. The lupin group (n = 40) received 250 g lupin per head per day in addition to pasture whereas the control group (n = 40) received no nutritional supplement. Both groups were synchronised for 17 days with intravaginal progestagen pessaries. The supplement was fed for 21 days, commencing 7 days before the bucks were introduced and intravaginal pessaries were removed (Day –2). Does were expected to ovulate 2 days later on Day 0 and the bucks were removed on Day 3. Blood was sampled for progesterone every 3 days from buck removal (Day 3) until Day 18. Ovulation rate was assessed by trans-rectal ultrasonography on Day 13 and pregnancy was diagnosed by trans-abdominal ultrasonography on Day 61 of the experiment. Does supplemented with lupins had a numerically higher ovulation rate than does fed only on pasture, but this difference was not significant (1.76 ± 3.21 v. 1.52 ± 3.79; P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no difference in the numbers of does conceiving to the first service between the lupin and control group (89% v. 94%; P > 0.05). Progesterone concentrations on Day 12 were higher in does supplemented with lupins than does fed only pasture (6.29 ± 0.27 ng/mL v. 5.41 ± 0.27 ng/mL; lupin and control group; P < 0.05). In conclusion, lupin supplementation induced a numerical increase in ovulation rate but this difference failed to reach significance. Does supplemented with lupins had higher concentrations of progesterone during early pregnancy, which is the opposite effect to that previously reported in sheep.

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