The absence of any effect of constant long or short photoperiod on growth, sexual development and behaviour of male lambs from birth to 9 months of age

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
Jennifer M.L. Anderson ◽  
G.M. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Testosterone Secretion ◽  
Management Problems ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Entire Male ◽  
Male Sheep

Testosterone levels are generally higher in entire male sheep when photoperiod is short as this coincides with the mating period and oestrous cycles of the female. This may increase management problems of entire male sheep through augmented agonistic and sexual behaviour. By delaying puberty in the entire male lamb, management problems may be avoided, while retaining the full benefits of some testosterone secretion to promote growth and leanness. This experiment was initiated to examine the possibility that lamb growth will be enhanced under either constant long or constant short photoperiod without increased behavioural problems.At birth (mean birth date 19 March 1994 ± 3 days), 24 twin male lambs were assigned as pairs to either long (L) or short (S) photoperiod treatments alternately. One lamb from each pair was left entire (E) and the other lamb was castrated (C) at 12 hours of age using elastrator bands.

The absence of any effect of constant long or short photoperiod on growth, sexual development and behaviour of male lambs from birth to 9 months of age

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
Jennifer M.L. Anderson ◽  
G.M. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Testosterone Secretion ◽  
Management Problems ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Entire Male ◽  
Male Sheep

Testosterone levels are generally higher in entire male sheep when photoperiod is short as this coincides with the mating period and oestrous cycles of the female. This may increase management problems of entire male sheep through augmented agonistic and sexual behaviour. By delaying puberty in the entire male lamb, management problems may be avoided, while retaining the full benefits of some testosterone secretion to promote growth and leanness. This experiment was initiated to examine the possibility that lamb growth will be enhanced under either constant long or constant short photoperiod without increased behavioural problems.At birth (mean birth date 19 March 1994 ± 3 days), 24 twin male lambs were assigned as pairs to either long (L) or short (S) photoperiod treatments alternately. One lamb from each pair was left entire (E) and the other lamb was castrated (C) at 12 hours of age using elastrator bands.

Reduction of testicular parenchyma at marking: effect on lamb growth, carcass fatness and sexual development

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Hopkins ◽  
RB Jackson ◽  
KL Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Development ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
The Other ◽  
Lean Tissue ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Carcass Parameters ◽  
Viable Sperm ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Lamb Growth

Growth and carcass parameters were studied for 296 lambs comprising 141 males and 155 ewes. The males were either castrated (wethers) or vasectomised and hemicastrated with the parenchyma of the retained testicle reduced (cryptorchids), or they had the parenchyma of both testicles reduced (rams). Wether and ram lambs grew at a similar rate, the latter group growing significantly (P<0.05) faster to first slaughter than cryptorchid and ewe lambs. Ewe lambs grew significantly (P<0.05) slower than those from the other groups. Ewe lambs were significantly (P<0.05) fatter at slaughter than lambs in all other groups, and wether lambs were fatter (P<0.05) than the cryptorchid and ram lambs. Sexual competency of the cryptorchid and ram lambs was assessed by testicle examination, which showed that the cryptorchid lambs were not likely to produce viable sperm. In contrast, there was evidence that the treatment applied to the ram lambs would not prevent production of viable sperm, and they had the potential to sire lambs. This fertility was attributed to the retention of the scrotal sac. The technique used for the cryptorchid lambs involving scrotal ablation was deemed to offer the most potential in terms of lean tissue growth tempered against sexual competency and development of undesirable male characteristics.

Birth Dates and Death Dates: An Examination of two Baseline Procedures and Age at Time of Death

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert A. Harrison ◽  
Neal E. A. Kroll
Keyword(s):  
Young Men ◽  
The Other ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Temporal Proximity ◽  
Rectangular Distribution ◽  
Old Men ◽  
Day By Day ◽  
Death Date

The present study continues analyses of variations in the frequencies of death in the near temporal proximity of decedents' birthdays. Observed frequencies were compared with expected frequencies as ascertained from two baseline distributions. One distribution was the usual rectangular distribution, based on summing the number of deaths across all frequency categories and then dividing by the number of categories. The other distribution was constructed by pairing one person's birth date with another person's death date. This latter distribution was intended to provide a true baseline, and provide a better gauge for assessing the likelihood that any obtained relationship reflected coincidence or chance. Two weeks before and two weeks after the birthday there were more deaths, and one week after the birthday there were fewer deaths, than would be expected on the basis of either baseline distribution. Day-by-day analyses within the birthweek confirmed earlier reports of high followed by low frequencies of death. Compared to relatively old men, relatively young men were more likely to die on the eve of their birthdays or on their birthdays themselves. Compared to relatively young men, relatively old men's death dip begins at an earlier point in time. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.

Comparison of the productivity of Texel and Rouge de l’Ouest ewes and their crosses

2002 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. R. Dawson ◽  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. O. W. McClinton
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Average Figure

AbstractAn experiment was undertaken to compare the productivity of crossbred ewes, produced by crossing Texel sires with Rouge de l’Ouest (Rouge) dams and Rouge sires with Texel dams, relative to purebred Texel and Rouge ewes. The purebred and crossbred ewes were crossed with Rouge and Texel sires. The proportion of productive ewes was similar in the purebred and crossbred ewes with an average figure of 0·92. Irrespective of crossing sire, Rouge ewes produced 0·48 more lambs per ewe lambed than Texel ewes (P < 0·001). The two crossbred ewe types (Texel ✕ Rouge and Rouge ✕ Texel) each produced similar numbers of lambs (on average 1·92 lambs per ewe lambed). Individual heterosis values for ewe fertility and prolificacy were small and not significant (–1·67 for the proportion of productive ewes and –3·14 for the number of lambs born per ewe lambed). Maternal heterosis values were also not significant but were of larger magnitude (6·26 for ewe fertility and 3·12 for prolificacy). Lamb mortality (number of lambs born dead per ewe lambed) at birth was similar for purebred Rouge (0·44) and Texel (0·30) ewes and was significantly reduced by crossbred matings and mating the crossbred ewes (individual heterosis –30·68, P < 0·10; maternal heterosis –80·23, P < 0·001). Individual and maternal heterosis values for lamb growth rate from birth to six weeks were 8 (P < 0·05) and 4 (P > 0·05) respectively. Lamb growth rate from birth to weaning was significantly lower in lambs from Texel ewes compared with those from the other genotypes (P < 0·05). Individual and maternal heterosis values for live-weight gain from birth to weaning were 5 (P < 0·10) and 5 (P < 0·01). The results of the current study demonstrate the superior performance of purebred Rouge ewes compared with purebred Texel ewes in terms of prolificacy and lamb growth rate from birth to weaning. However, both breeds had high lamb mortality at birth. Crossbreeding led to the production of hybrid ewes which had relatively high prolificacy with low levels of dystocia and lamb mortality.

Effect of naturally occurring and synthetic androgens on growth, body composition and muscle glucocorticoid receptors in wether lambs

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
H. Galbraith ◽  
A.D. Berry ◽  
G.D. Henderson ◽  
C.S. Jessiman
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Synthetic Compound ◽  
Castrate Male ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Synthetic Steroids ◽  
Entire Male ◽  
Male Sheep

Naturally-occurring androgens such as testosterone are important in regulating growth in entire male animals (e.g. Galbraith & Topps, 1981). Synthetic steroids with androgenic properties when given exogenously are also known to alter growth of sheep and cattle. Knowledge on the effects of these androgens on body composition and on their mode of action is Inadequate. The major objective of this study was to compare their effects on growth performance and body composition and to relate the responses obtained to changes in certain characteristics of the endocrine system and glucocorticoid receptors in muscle. The steroids used were testosterone (naturally occurring), trenbolone acetate (TBA) (synthetic compound) and nandrolone (19 nor-testosterone - produced synthetically and considered not to occur naturally in castrate male sheep).

Effects of crossbred ewe genotype and ram genotype on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability and lamb output in the lowland sector

2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. R. DAWSON ◽  
A. F. CARSON
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
The Other ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
And Control ◽  
Lamb Growth

A study was carried out on five lowland farms in Northern Ireland over 3 years to investigate the effect of crossbred ewe and ram genotype on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability and weaned lamb output. Four crossbred ewe genotypes were sourced from six hill farms involved in a previous study – Bluefaced Leicester×Blackface (BLXB), Texel×Blackface (TXB), Suffolk×Cheviot (SXCH) and Texel×Cheviot (TXCH). On each farm, groups of 20–30 of each crossbred ewe genotype were mated with Suffolk or Texel rams. Throughout the 3 years of the study, the ewe genotypes lambed at 1, 2 and 3 years of age. Within each of the ram breeds, high lean growth index rams sourced from UK sire reference schemes were compared with rams sourced from flocks not involved in objective genetic improvement programmes (control). BLXB ewes were the most prolific of the four ewe genotypes producing 1.73 lambs per ewe lambed compared with 1.47 for TXB, 1.46 for SXCH and 1.41 for TXCH (P<0.001). Lamb mortality was similar for the four ewe genotypes, thus number of lambs weaned was greatest for the BLXB ewes (P<0.001) with the other three crosses producing similar numbers of lambs. A greater proportion (P<0.05) of SXCH ewes lambed without assistance compared with BLXB and TXB ewes and a greater proportion of TXCH ewes had abundant supplies of colostrum compared with the other crosses (P<0.10). Output of weaned lamb per ewe lambed and per ewe metabolic live weight (P<0.001) was greatest in the BLXB ewes. Ewe productivity, prolificacy, number of lambs weaned and the proportion of ewes lambing without assistance increased with ewe age (P<0.001). Lamb growth rate from birth to 6 weeks and from birth to weaning increased with ewe age (P<0.05). Crossbred ewes lambing at 3 years old had a greater output of weaned lamb compared with ewes lambing at 1 and 2 years old (P<0.001). Ram genotype had no effect on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability or pre-weaning growth rates, although Texel-sired lambs had lower birth weights than Suffolk-sired lambs and control-sired lambs had lower birth weights than high lean index-sired lambs (P<0.05).

Changes in live weight and body condition of rams of three breeds throughout the year

1976 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
A. J. MacDonald ◽  
C. D. Kerr ◽  
Brenda Rudd
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Annual Change ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Weight Curve ◽  
Cyclical Pattern ◽  
Male Sheep

SUMMARYMeasurements of the live weight and body condition of 105 Scottish Blackface, North Country Cheviot and South Country Cheviot male sheep (rams) per year were made at three locations over a period of 2 years.A distinct cyclical pattern of change in live weight and body condition throughout the year was apparent in all rams. Maximum values recorded in the autumn were followed by rapid and substantial losses throughout the mating period, with recovery of both weight and condition during the spring and summer months. The amplitude of the annual live-weight curve was of the order of 20 kg (22%) and that of body condition was more than 1 unit.The patterns of annual change in live weight and of inferred change in body composition of rams are compared with those of ewes, and some of the probable effects on production are considered.

Liveweight gain and feed intake of weaned Bali cattle fed grass and tree legumes in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahlanuddin ◽  
O. Yanuarianto ◽  
D. P. Poppi ◽  
S. R. McLennan ◽  
S. P. Quigley
Keyword(s):  
Rice Bran ◽  
Block Design ◽  
The Other ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Tree Legumes ◽  
Bos Javanicus ◽  
Chest Girth ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Bali Cattle ◽  
Entire Male

Two experiments were conducted with weaned entire male Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) between 6 and 12 months of age. A randomised block design was used in both experiments, which consisted of four treatments (diets), with five replicates (animals) per treatment. In both experiments, the average daily liveweight gain (LWG), feed and water intake and diet digestibility were determined over 8 or 10 weeks, with chest girth and wither height measured at the commencement and end of the experiments. In Experiment 1, the treatments were fresh native grass, native grass supplemented with fresh sesbania, fresh sesbania and fresh sesbania supplemented with rice bran. In Experiment 2, the treatments were sole diets of leucaena hay, sesbania hay, moringa hay or gliricidia hay supplemented with sesbania hay. In Experiment 1, animals fed sesbania supplemented with rice bran had higher DM intake than did animals fed the other three diets. DM digestibility (DMD) was significantly lower for weaners fed the native grass diet than for those fed the other diets. Animals fed sesbania or sesbania supplemented with rice bran had a higher LWG (0.34 and 0.43 kg/day, respectively) and estimated metabolisable energy (ME) intake (0.71 and 0.80 MJ of ME/kg W0.75.day, respectively) than did animals fed native grass alone (0.03 kg/day; 0.58 MJ of ME/kg W0.75.day) or native grass supplemented with sesbania (0.07 kg/day; 0.64 MJ of ME/kg W0.75.day). In Experiment 2, animals fed gliricidia hay had the lowest DM intake. DM intake of animals fed moringa hay was higher than that of animals fed gliricidia hay, but lower than the intake of animals fed sesbania hay or leucaena hay. DMD of the sesbania and leucaena hay diets was lower than that of the gliricidia and moringa hay diets. Animals fed leucaena and sesbania hays had a higher LWG (0.47 and 0.43 kg/day, respectively) and estimated ME intake (0.75 and 0.78 MJ of ME/kg W0.75.day, respectively) than did animals fed moringa hay (0.22 kg/day; 0.66 MJ ME/kg W0.75.day) or gliricidia hay supplemented with sesbania hay (0.0 kg/day; 0.48 MJ ME/kg W0.75.day). In conclusion, tree legumes can safely be fed to growing Bali cattle as the sole component of the diet and some of them will increase LWGs above that of native grasses, which are typically fed to Bali cattle in villages.

Studies of the skeleton of the sheep VIII. Studies of the effects of protein and energy intake on productivity and skeletal mineralization in the pregnant and lactating ewe

1962 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Duckworth ◽  
D. Benzie ◽  
E. Cresswell ◽  
R. Hill ◽  
A. W. Boyne
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Bone Ash ◽  
Calcium Phosphorus ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Skeletal Mineralization

1. Effects on productivity and skeletal mineralization of high as opposed to moderate levels of protein and, or, energy intake by the ewe during pregnancy and lactation in the presence of adequate calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D have been studied.2. Two experiments were undertaken. One experiment used 4½-year-old Cheviot ewes and the other used 3½- and 4½-year-old Scottish Blackface ewes. Weight records, blood samples and in vivo and flesh-free radiographs were obtained, and bone ash determinations were carried out.3. The results showed that contrary to indications from earlier experiments in this series superiority in ewe weight, lamb growth, and mineralization of the ewe skeleton did not necessarily result from raising the protein and, or, energy values of the feed above the ‘moderate’ level.4. Discrepancies between the in vivo and flesh - free radiological assessments were noted for consideration.

Effect of pinealectomy and melatonin treatment during pregnancy on the sexual development of the female and male rat offspring

1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Díaz López ◽  
MD Colmenero Urquijo ◽  
ME Díaz Rodriguez ◽  
A Arce Fraguas ◽  
A Esquifino Parras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Development ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
The Other ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Control Male ◽  
Rat Offspring ◽  
Old Rats

Díaz López B, Colmenero Urquijo MD, Díaz Rodriguez ME, Arce Fraguas A, Esquifino Parras A, Marín Fernández B, Effect of pinealectomy and melatonin treatment during pregnancy on the sexual development of the female and male rat offspring. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:765–70. ISSN 0804–4643 Sexual development of female and male rat offspring of control, pinealectomized (PIN-X) or melatonin (MEL 2 50 μg/100 g body wt)-treated mother rats during pregnancy was studied. Newborns were studied at the following phases of sexual development: neonate (5 days old), infantile (15 days old), juvenile (25 and 30 days old) and pubertal phase (55 days). In female offspring, MEL treatment during pregnancy significantly increased plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) in 15- and 25-day-old rats; however, at the end of the prepubertal period (30 days) the concentration of plasma LH decreased significantly as compared to control rats. This hormonal pattern was different from that observed in offspring of control and PIN-X rats, which had low LH levels at 25 days of age and higher LH levels at 30 days of age. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) did not vary significantly among the three groups. Plasma prolactin levels were affected by PIN-X of the mother, showing significantly higher levels in the 5-day-old offspring than in the controls; plasma prolactin levels were also affected by MEL treatment of the mother, producing hyperprolactinemia in the 30-day-old female offspring. In male offspring, sexual development in control male rats progressed rapidly with significantly increased LH and FSH levels at 25 and 30 days compared to those measured during the neonatal and infantile periods. Pinealectomy of the mother induced the following modifications: in 5-, 15- and 30-day-old male rats, decreased LH levels were measured relative to the other two groups studied in 5- and 25-day-old rats, significantly lower FSH levels than in the control rats were recorded. However, in 5- and 15-day-old rats, significantly higher prolactin levels than in control rats were measured. Melatonin injections during pregnancy decreased FSH levels at 5, 25, 30 and 55 days as compared to the control males. Also, MEL increased LH levels in 25-day-old rats and significantly decreased prolactin levels in 15- and 55-day-old rats as compared to the other two groups. These results indicate that the mother's pineal gland and MEL treatment can act on fetal development and influence the postnatal ontogeny of the hormones involved in the neuroendocrine–reproductive axis in developing rats. The effect of MEL was apparent during pubertal stages of the offspring, while the effect of PIN-X was more apparent during the juvenile period of the young rats. Beatriz Díaz López, Dpt. Biología Funcional, Arca Fisiología, Fac, Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006-Oviedo, Spain

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