Some effects of nutrition on the growth and sexual development of ewe lambs

1961 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Allen ◽  
G. E. Lamming
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Sexual Development ◽  
Subcutaneous Injection ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Ewe Lambs

1. In the seasons of 1957 and 1958–59 a total of 130 ewe lambs were used to investigate the effects on growth and sexual development of high and moderate planes of nutrition during the rearing period.2. The nutritional treatments imposed had significant effects on rate of growth; puberty occurred at an earlier age in high-plane than in moderateplane lambs. Also, in 1958–59, four moderateplane lambs failed to exhibit oestrus during their first winter of life.3. Puberty occurred at a significantly lower live weight in moderate-plane than in high-plane lambs.4. In lambs slaughtered after first oestrus, ovulation rate was not significantly affected by nutritional level, nor was the number of ovarian follicles greater than 2 mm. in diameter. However, high-plane lambs tended to have more follicles less than 2 mm. in diameter than moderate-plane lambs.5. In 1958–59 the ovarian response to a subcutaneous injection of 800 i.u. of p.m.s. was investigated in half the lambs from each nutritional treatment. Injections of p.m.s. caused a marked increase in ovulation rate over the uninjected control level but there was no difference in response between nutritional treatments. Pregnant mare's serum did not alter the size distribution of ovarian follicles.

Age at puberty and possibility of early breeding in Awassi ewes

1978 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Younis ◽  
I. A. El-Gaboory ◽  
E. A. El-Tawil ◽  
A. S. El-Shobokshy
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Simple Correlation ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Age At Puberty ◽  
High Treatment ◽  
Daily Gain

SummarySixty-four weaned Awassi ewe lambs were used in the present study to estimate age at puberty and to investigate whether early breeding from such ewe lambs is possible. After weaning at 4 months old ewe lambs were divided at random into two experimental groups. One group, designated as moderate, was fed to attain 40 kg live weight at 12 months of age, while the other (high) was planned to reach 50 kg at the same age. Fertile rams were run with the ewe lambs at 6 months of age. Twenty ewe lambs, 10 from each treatment, were slaughtered and their ovaries were examined for the presence of corpora lutea and largest follicles.The overall age at first oestrus was found to be 293 days. Ewe lambs of the high nutritional treatment reached puberty earlier than those of the moderate one (274 v. 312 days). Likewise, single-born lambs reached puberty earlier than twin-born ones (273 v. 312 days). Treatment differences explained 16·5% while type of birth explained 16·3% of the total variance in age at first oestrus. Ewe lambs of the high nutritional treatment experienced more heats than those of the moderate one. Simple correlation coefficients between age at first oestrus and date of birth, daily gain and live weight at puberty were 0·21, 0·09 and 0·75, respectively. Results indicated that ovulation may not occur during the first and second oestrus. From 44 ewe lambs only 12, 10 from the moderate and 2 from the high treatment, lambed 13 viable lambs. Reasons for such a low conception rate (27·3%) are discussed.

Effect of nutrition and dose level of PMS on oestrous response and ovulation rate in progestagen-treated non-cyclic Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Keane
Keyword(s):  
Dose Level ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Fresh Cut ◽  
The Difference

SUMMARYMarch-born non-cyclic Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs were treated with progestagen pessaries while being either fed fresh-cut grass ad libitum, or restricted to 50% of appetite and at pessary removal half of the animals on each nutritional treatment received either 600 i.u. or 300 i.u. PMS. Averaged over both levels of PMS, 97·5% of the lambs showed oestrus when fed ad libitum but only 67·5% of those on restricted feeding responded. When feed intake was not restricted there were no differences due to PMS level but when feed intake was restricted the higher dose level of PMS resulted in a greater percentage showing oestrus and a significantly higher ovulation rate. The dose level of PMS had no effect on the time of oestrous onset but restricted feeding resulted in delayed onset and poor synchronization of oestrus. Duration of oestrus was greatest for lambs fed ad libitum given 600 i.u. PMS and least for those on restricted feeding given 300 i.u. PMS but the difference was not significant. A minority of lambs showed broken oestrous periods.

Proceedings: Ovarian follicles and hormonal characteristics of ewe lambs selected for and against multiple births

Reproduction ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
A. Trounson ◽  
W. Chamley ◽  
J. Kennedy ◽  
R Tassell
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Multiple Births ◽  
Ewe Lambs

A note on attainment of puberty of september-born early-maturing ewe lambs in relation to level of nutrition

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Forcada ◽  
J. A. Abecia ◽  
L. Zarazaga
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Age At Puberty

The attainment of puberty in September-born early-maturing ewe lambs was studied at Zaragoza (latitude 41° 40' N). Thirty twin Salz females were allocated to two groups receiving two nutrition levels after 3 months of age: high (500 g/day lucerne hay and 500 g/day concentrate) (H) and low (500 g/ day lucerne hay) (L). Oestrus was detected daily by aproned rams. Corpora lutea were counted after oestrus and plasma progesterone levels monitored each week.In the first breeding season (January to February) the percentage of females showing sexual activity (silent emulation or oestrus and ovulation) was higher in the H compared with the L group (67 and 20%; P < 0/05). Nonpubertal oestrus before the main breeding season was detected in 67% of animals. In the main breeding season and for H and L groups respectively, percentage of females showing silent ovulation before puberty was 67 and 33% and mean age at puberty extended to 319 (s.e. 4-8) and 314 (s.e. 3·7) days. Ovulation rate at puberty was 1·73 (s.e. 0·13) and 1·33 (s.e. 0·15) respectively (P < 0·05).

Effects of the percentage of Texel or Rouge de ľOuest genes in lambs on carcass characteristics and meat quality

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Carson ◽  
B. W. Moss ◽  
R. W. J. Steen ◽  
D. J. Kilpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Bone Content ◽  
Intermuscular Fat ◽  
Ram Lambs

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of the percentage of Texel or Rouge de l’Ouest (Rouge) genes in lambs (0, 50, 75 or 100%; the remainder being Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface)) on lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality. Ewe lambs were slaughtered at 34, 40, 46 and 52 kg and ram lambs were slaughtered at 40, 46, 52 and 58 kg live weight. Dressing proportion increased (P < 0·001) by 0·53 and 0·27 g carcass weight per kg live weight for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes respectively. Carcass conformation classification increased (P < 0·001) by 0·016 and 0·007 units (on a five-point scale) for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes respectively. Carcass fat depth measures were reduced by Texel and Rouge genes such that at a constant fat depth end point, carcass weight could be increased by 0·029 and 0·023 kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Carcass lean content increased (P < 0·001) by 0·99 and 0·27 g/kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Subcutaneous fat content was reduced (P < 0·001) by 0·36 and 0·29 g/kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Intermuscular fat content was reduced (P < 0·01) by 0·38 g/kg per 1% increase in Texel genes, whereas Rouge genes had no effect. Similarly, bone content was reduced (P < 0·01) by Texel genes only (0·31 g/kg per 1% increase in Texel genes). Warner-Bratzler shear force values showed a quadratic effect with increasing Texel and Rouge genes, with an initial decrease from 0 to 50% followed by an increase to 100%. Cooking loss increased (P = 0·05) as the percentage of Rouge genes in lambs increased. Increasing the percentage of Texel or Rouge genes significantly increased L* values (P < 0·01 and P < 0·05 respectively), b* values (P = 0·05 and P< 0·05 respectively) and H° values (P < 0·001).

scholarly journals Live Weight Changes and Their Relationship with the Ovarian Status of Maiden Fat-Tailed Barbarine Ewes

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Imēne Ben Salem ◽  
Mourad Rekik ◽  
Mohammed Ben Hamouda ◽  
Narjess Lassoued
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Ovarian Status ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Semi Arid

The current study assessed the effect of the pattern of live weight change on the ovarian function of maiden Barbarine ewes at approximately 1 year of age. For this purpose, a total of 171 weaned ewe lambs (mean live weight  ± s.d. 34.7±3.07 kg and mean age ± SD 196±10 days at weaning) were selected for the experiment. Adjustment of live weight variation  was used. Based on the slope of the curve, animals were grouped into three classes LWCI (n=46),  LWCII (n=91) and LWCIII (n=34) with live weight loss being highest in LWCI and lowest in LWCIII.  Following laparoscopy at 13 months of age, the proportion of ewe lambs found cycling in LWCIII  (85.3%) was higher in comparison to animals in LWCI (43.4%; P<0.001) and tended to be superior to those in LWCII (61.5%; P<0.05). Following synchronisation with progestagen of the females found cycling, levels of plasma IGF-I concentrations between 6 and 42 hrs after removal of sponges were not significantly different between the three classes of live weight, and respectively averaged 94.2, 90.8 and 89.8 µg/l for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII females. Levels of estradiol were also not significantly different between the three groups (0.73, 0.70 and 0.67 pg/ml for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII ewe lambs, respectively). It was concluded that, in low input systems of semi-arid and arid Tunisia, mating ewe lambs at the approximate age of 1 year is likely to lead to depressed reproductive performance particularly when the summer live weight-loss is elevated. 

scholarly journals Feeding levels during the growing phase affect the production of primiparous Finnish Landrace ewes

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. SORMUNEN-CRISTIAN ◽  
L. JAUHIAINEN
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
One Year

The effect of different feeding levels on the performance of primiparous ewes was studied in 31 Finnish Landrace ewes bred to lamb at the age of one year. Ewe lambs, initially weighing on average 19.2 kg (SEM 0.63), were placed on a low (L), standard (S) or high (H) level of feeding from 2 months of age to the end of mating and from 2 months pre-partum to the end of 8-week lactation. Changes in live weight were affected by the diet. During rearing, the ewe lambs on L diet gained significantly less (18.0 vs. 24.1 kg/lamb, P

Effects of live weight and condition score on food intake of ewe lambs

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
Bert J. Tolkamp ◽  
Gerry C. Emmans ◽  
Ilias Kyriazakis
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Quality ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Condition Score

Food intake (FI) can be predicted on the basis of variables that describe food quality, the environment and the animal. Live weight (LW), in some form or other, is usually the only variable used to describe the animal. Animal fatness, estimated by condition score (CS), can affect intake at a given LW. A simple model to account for that is FI= a.LW.(1-b.CS) with FI in g/day, LW in kg and CS in units of a scale up to 5. It is evident that food quality will affect parameter a. Here we test the hypothesis that the parameter b in this model is significant but not affected by food quality. To that end, we measured LW, CS and intake of three different foods with ewe lambs that showed a large variation in LW and CS as a result of different nutritional histories.

The effect of body size and body condition on the ovulation rate of ewes

1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ducker ◽  
J. S. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Subjective Measure ◽  
Body Dimensions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Linear Body

SUMMARYBody size was estimated for 255 Greyface ewes using five linear body dimensions. On the basis of this calculated measure combined with a subjective measure of body size 50 small and 50 large ewes were selected for use in the experiment. Precise ovulation data were obtained by endoscopy and this technique allowed the ewes to be mated subsequently.Body size did not affect the mean ovulation rate of the ewes although, at the same level of body condition, the large ewes were 25% heavier than the small ewes. The ovulation rates and the numbers of lambs born were influenced by changes in live weight and body condition. For these reasons live weight per se was not a good indicator of ovulation rate as ewe live weight was a combination of both body size and body condition. At the same live weight small ewes in improving body condition had a significantly higher ovulation rate than large ewes in reducing body condition.The onset of the breeding season of the ewes was not affected by their body size. The mean date of onset of oestrous activity for both large and small ewes was 17 October 1972 at a latitude 55° 52′ N.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document