Performance of crossbred progeny of Trangie Fertility Merino and Booroola Merino rams and Poll Dorset ewes. 3. Reproduction, liveweight and wool production of adult ewes

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
NM Fogarty ◽  
DG Hall

Reproduction, liveweight and wool production are reported for 4 cohorts of 377 Trangie Fertility x Dorset (TD) and 261 Booroola x Dorset (BD) ewes over 6 years. The BD ewes were 3-4 kg lighter (P<0.001) and had a higher ovulation rate prior to joining in February-March (2.37 � 0.03 v. 1.65 � 0.03) than TD ewes. This resulted in a higher litter size (2.07 � 0.03 v. 1.66 � 0.04) and number of lambs born per ewe joined (1.92 � 0.04 v. 1.56 � 0.04) for the BD ewes. Lamb survival was lower from BD than TD ewes (0.71 � 0.02 v. 0.85 � 0.02), so that the 2 ewe strains weaned the same number of lambs. The growth rate of lambs was lower from the BD ewes and overall they weaned 3.8 kg less (P<0.001) weight of lamb than TD ewes. Chill (index of environmental conditions at lambing), litter size and average birth weight of lambs in the litter (linear and quadratic) affected (P<0.001) lamb survival. At moderate levels of chill there was little difference in survival of single and twin lambs from BD and TD dams when birth weight was 4-5 kg, but survival declined more rapidly for progeny of BD ewes at lower birth weight. Under severe lambing conditions survival was depressed more for lambs born from BD ewes than TD ewes. Almost all ewes expressed oestrus over the 3, 6-week periods, December-January, January-February and March (joining). There was significant variation (P<0.001) in incidence of oestrus due to year and age (linear and non-linear), but not liveweight at joining, and there was little difference between ewe strains. Similarly, for post-lambing oestrus (to fit 8-monthly joining) and post-lambing anoestrous interval, there was little difference between strains, but year and age were highly significant (P<0.001). BD ewes had a lower (P<0.001) greasy fleece weight (3.76 v. 3.86 kg), than TD ewes. BD ewes were classified as either carriers (F+) or non-carriers (++) of the FecB gene, which was significant (P<0.001) for ovulation rate (+1.14 ovulations), litter size (+0.8 lambs), lamb survival (-18%), lambs born per ewe joined (+0.64 lambs) and total weight of lamb born per ewe joined (0.5 kg, P<0.01). The effect of the FecB gene was non-significant for lamb survival when litter size and lamb birth weight (P<0.001) were included in the model. Repeatability estimates based on over 3 records per ewe were about 0.2 for lambs born, weight of lamb born, lambs weaned and weight of lamb weaned per ewe joined. Component traits ranged from 0.27 for litter size to 0.10 for lamb survival, with fertility intermediate (0.15). Greasy fleece weight (0.72) and ovulation rate (0.41) had high repeatabilities with post-lambing anoestrous interval being low (0.11). Repeatability for ovulation rate was reduced to 0.34 when F+ ewes were excluded.

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
NM Fogarty ◽  
LD Brash ◽  
AR Gilmour

Hyfer is a new composite breed suited to specialized lamb production and developed from Dorset (+), Booroola Merino (+)and Trangie Fertility Merino (+) genotypes. Genetic parameters estimated by restricted maximum likelihood methods are reported for liveweight, wool production and a range of reproduction and lamb production traits. Estimates of heritability were 0 44 � 0.10, 0.222 � 0-08 and 0.28 � 0.08 for liveweight, ultrasonic fat depth (C site) and fat depth adjusted for liveweight respectively, for 1454 rams averaging 14 months of age, which were the progeny of 130 sires. The genetic correlation for ram liveweight and fat depth was 0.06 � 0.17 and -0.30 � 0.16 with adjusted fat depth. Estimates of heritability for ewe liveweight at 12-18 months of age and greasy fleece weight at 11-19 months of age were 0.61 � 0.10 and 0.38 � 0.08 respectively, with a genetic correlation of 0.35 � 0.13, based on 1619 ewes, which were the progeny of 135 sires. A maternal effect was significant for ewe liveweight and its inclusion in the model reduced the estimate of heritability to 0.44 � 0.09. Young ewes were joined three times in two years in an accelerated 8-monthly lambing system, and joinings commenced in mid-February, late October and mid-June. The estimates of heritability for overall ewe performance were for lambs born 0.09 � 0.03, lambs weaned 0.04 � 0.02 and weight of lamb weaned 0 -06 � 0.02 (all per ewe joined). Heritabilities for the component traits were: fertility 0 -03 � 0 02, litter size 0.19 � 0.04 and lamb survival 0.07 � 0.03. Estimates of repeatability for the corresponding traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.15, except for litter size (0.26 � 0.02). Estimates of heritability for lambs born, lambs weaned and weight weaned were higher for the first joining than when estimates were based on three joining records. This was associated with higher heritability for fertility from first joining (0.10 � 0.06) than for all three records and the reverse for lamb survival. Estimates of heritability for mean ewe performance were considerably higher and in agreement with the values predicted from the repeatability analyses and number of records, illustrating the value of using repeated ewe records for selection. The genetic correlations between the component traits and overall measures of lamb production were not high enough to consider using component traits as indirect selection criteria. The genetic correlations of liveweight with reproduction traits were positive, but generally not significant, and ranged from 0.01 to 0.63, except for litter size (-0.19 � 0.17). The genetic correlations of greasy fleece weight with reproduction traits were generally smaller than those for liveweight, were not significant and ranged from -0.12 to 0.32. These results, together with others, will be used to compile parameter sets for use in LAMBPLAN to provide meatsheep breeders with comprehensive breeding objectives incorporating growth, leanness, wool and reproduciton.


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
NM Fogarty ◽  
DG Hall ◽  
PJ Holst

The effect of moderate undernutrition in mid pregnancy on lamb birth weight and survival of single- and multiple-bearing ewes is reported. A total of 1220 ewes of 3 crossbred types with different fecundity, Booroola Merino x Dorset (BD), Trangie Fertility Merino x Dorset (TD) and Border Leicester x Merino (BLM), were examined over 2 years. The treatments were low (L) and high (H) nutrition at pasture for 4 weeks from about day 75 of pregnancy. Ewe liveweight of the L group at the end of the treatments was 5 kg lower in 1984 and 8 kg lower in 1985 (P<0.01) than the H group. The differences were smaller by late pregnancy and post-lambing. The L treatment increased (P<0.01) birth weight by 0.16 kg in 1984 but had little effect in 1985. Litter size had the greatest effect on birth weight (P<0.01). Ewe crossbred type and lamb sex effects were also significant (P<0.01), although they tended to be reduced for higher order births. Nutritional treatment had no effect on gestation length. Ewe liveweight at joining and weight gains before and after the treatment period significantly affected birth weight and accounted for the large difference in birth weight between years (0.7 kg). Ewe weight gain during the treatment period in mid pregnancy had no significant effect on lamb birth weight. Nutritional treatment in mid pregnancy had no effect on lamb survival. Litter size significantly affected lamb survival, although inclusion of birth weight in the model reduced the effect. Weather conditions, as measured by chill index, significantly (P<0.01) affected lamb survival in 1984 but accounted for less variation in 1985 (P<0.05). Lamb survival for ewes was ranked BLM > TD > BD. Maximum survival was achieved at birth weights of 4-5 kg from BD and TD ewes and 5-6 kg from BLM ewes. The L treatment reduced (P<0.01) ewe greasy fleece weight by 0.15 kg but did not affect staple strength. Plasma glucose concentration at the end of treatment was lower (P<0.01) for L ewes, but there was no difference between L and H ewes in late pregnancy. Glucose declined with increasing fetal number. Plasma B-hydroxybutyrate concentration was lower for the H group than for L, and also for BLM than TD and BD ewes (P<0.01).


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Sigit Prastowo

<p>Fat Tailed Sheep represent one of Indonesian livestock that having excellence of comparability with other ruminants livestock. The excellence is quickly adult, short of pregnant age, and has the nature of bearing twin, so if evaluated from development aspect will be very beneficial. Reproductive Rate (RR) is a mount of reproduction ability from a group of ewes. Reproductive Rate defined as amount of weaned lamb by ewe every year. Variable/component related to RR are litter size, lamb mortalities before weaning and lambing interval.</p><p>Litter size is general influenced by difference of breeds, age and sufficiency of nutrition. Litter size is peculiarly influenced by ovulation rate that determined by breed, age, nutrition and parity. Lamb age, litter size, birth weight, season, nutrition and parity are influenced lamb mortalities before weaning. Lambing interval determined by nutrition factor and management, which is matting pattern and lamb weaning.</p>


Author(s):  
J.P. Hanrahan

Variation in litter size in sheep is essentially attributable to variation in ovulation rate and embryo survival. Genetic variation in litter size, both among and within breeds, is largely attributable to variation in ovulation rate. While there is evidence for genetic differences among breeds in embryo survival the contribution of this component to within breed variation appears to be minor (Hanrahan, 1982). The impact of selection based on litter size on its component traits should reflect the relative contribution of these components to within breed variation. Data from two lines of Galway sheep, a Control line and one selected for increased prolificacy (Hanrahan and Timon, 1978), have been used to provide evidence on this point.Details relating to the selection experiment which provided the data for the present study are in Hanrahan (1984). Briefly a flock of Galway sheep was assembled from industry sources (both pedigree and non-pedigree) between 1963 and 1965.


1985 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
S. F. Crosbie ◽  
R. W. Kelly ◽  
J. L. Owens ◽  
G. H. Davis

1984 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Bindon

This paper reviews the genetic and physiological characteristics of the Booroola Merino, one of the four most prolific sheep breeds in the world, and which was acquired by CSIRO in 1958 from a commercial sheep property, 'Booroola', Cooma, N.S.W. The exceptional prolificacy of this genotypee. g. mean flock ovulation rate in 1982 of 4�2 (range 1-10) and mean litter size of 2� 5 (range 1-7)is largely attributable to a single gene (F) of uncertain origin which increases ovulation rate. Crosses of the Booroola with other Merinos produce progeny which have a 47-87% increase in ovulation rate, a 45-56% increase in litter size at birth, and a 1-33% reduction in lamb survival relative to control Merinos. This represents a 16-37% increase in the number of lambs weaned per ewe joined in favour of the Booroola crosses.


1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Ponzoni ◽  
M. R. Fleet ◽  
J. R. W. Walkley ◽  
S. K. Walker

ABSTRACTThe effect of the high fecundity Booroola Merino gene (F) on wool production and live weight of Booroola x South Australian Merino rams classified as being offspring of FF, F+ or ++ Booroola sires was investigated. The characters studied were: greasy fleece weight in lambs, hogget (approx. 15 months old) greasy fleece weight and the associated scouring yield, clean fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple length and wool style; birth weight and live weight gains from birth to weaning in September (3 months of age), from September to the following March, and from March to September. There were no significant differences among sire genotypes in the characters studied. The results suggest that the F gene had no undesirable pleiotropic effects on wool and live-weight traits.


ZOOTEC ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Tery Wenda ◽  
Frans A. Kairupan ◽  
Petrus R. R. I. Montong ◽  
Sjaloom E. Sakul ◽  
Mien Th. R. Lapian

ABSTRAKSuperovulasi merupakan salah satu upaya untuk meningkatkan derajat ovulasi dengan penyuntikan hormon gonadotropin pada tubuh hewan betina. Pada umumnya hewan donor disuntik dengan preparat follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) danPregnant mare's serum gonadotropin(PMSG) atau kombinasi (Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin) dan human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).Tujuan Penelitian iniadalah untuk mengetahui sejauh mana prestasi beranak babi dara (calon induk) dengan menggunakan hormon pregnant mare's serum gonadropin (PMSG) dan human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG).Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) terdiri atas dua perlakuan (menggunakan dan tanpa menggunakan hormon PMSG dan hCG) dengan masing-masing 21 ulangan. Semua data dianalisa dengan analisis sidik ragam (ANOVA) Steel dan Torrie (1993).Variabel yang diamati untuk adalah litter size, berat lahir anak babi yang dilahirkan dan mortalitas anak babi yang lahir sampai disapih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jumlah anak babi yang lahir hidup dalam satu kelahiran ada perbedaan sangat nyata bahwa yang lahir dari induk Superovulasi dibandingkan dengan induk yang tidak disuperovulasikan, rata-rata 9.19-6.66 ekor. Dan juga berat lahir rata-rata 1.53-1.40 kg Demikian juga mortalitas anak rata-rata 14.36-29.19%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunakan hormon PMSG dan hCG dapat memperbaiki litter size lahir, bobot lahir, dan menekan persentase mortalitas ternak babi. Kata Kunci:Potensi beranak babi dara,hormon PMSG dan hCG, Babi betina bunting.ABSTRACTTHE ACHIEVEMENT PIGS BEAR LIVESTOCK USING PMSG AND hCG HORMONE ON RANCH IN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL KAYAWU. Superovulation is an effort to increase the degree of ovulation by injection of gonadotropin hormones in the body of a female animal. In general, animal donors were injected with preparations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or a combination (Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The objective of this research was to determine the extent of achievement farrow dara (prospective parent) using pregnant mare's serum hormone gonadropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The research using completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of two treatments (using and without using PMSG and hCG hormone) with 21 replications each. All data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) Steel and Torrie (1993). Variables was observed for litter size, birth weight piglets born and piglets born mortality until weaning. The results showed that the number of piglets born alive in the birth there is a very real difference that is born of a parent superovulation compared with the parent who does not to superovulated on average 9.19–6.66 tail. And also the average birth weight 1:53 to 1:40 kilograms likewise the average child mortality 14.36–29.19%. From the results of the study concluded that the use of PMSG and hCG hormone can improve birth litter size, birth weight and reduce the percentage of mortality of pigs. Keywords: Extent of achievement of gilt,PMSG dan hCG hormone, and Pregnant mare.


1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiro Nagai

A complete diallel using three inbred strains of mice (C3H/He, C57BL/6J and SWR/J) was made to examine preweaning growth of young, the weight of mammary glands of mothers and the relationship between them. Litter sizes were standardized to either six or eight at birth.The differences between strain-of-dam, strain-of-sire and litter size groups in average body weight of full sibs at 12 days were not significant. The difference between litter size groups in weight of dried-defatted mammary gland of mothers 12 days after delivery (DDMW) was significant. When average birth weight was fixed, the partial correlation between DDMW and 12-day weight, calculated within litter size and mating class, was +0.54. Heterosis in average birth weight and 12-day weight was observed. Relationships between preweaning growth criteria are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Singh ◽  
S. Singh ◽  
G. W. Garcia

Abstract The red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) produces precocial young and is the most hunted and farmed game species in several Neotropical countries. An understanding of the reproductive biology, including the relationship between litter size and teat functionality is crucial for conservation management of this animal. In precocial mammals, as the red-rumped agouti, maintaining maternal contact to learn foraging patterns may be more important than the energy demands and nutritional constraints during lactation and suckling may not play important roles when compared to altricial mammals. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the relationship between mammary functionality with litter size, litter birth weight, and parturition number in captive red-rumped agouti. Functionality was assessed by manual palpation of teats from un-sedated females (N=43). We compared the average birth weight of all newborns, male newborns and female newborns among agoutis with different litter sizes and different parturitions by one way ANOVA’s, while Pearson’s Chi-squared tests were used to detect relationships between teat functionality, litter size, and parturition number. Parturition number had no effect on the mean birth weight of all young (F0.822, P > 0.05), male young (F0.80, P > 0.05) or female young (F0.66, P > 0.05) in the litters. We found (i) no significant correlations (P > 0.05) between teat functionality and litter size and (ii) no significant correlations (P > 0.05) between teat functionality and parturition number. This suggests that whilst all teat pairs were functional, functionality was a poor indicator of litter size; suggesting that female agouti young may not have a high dependency on maternal nutrition; an possible evolutionary strategy resulting in large wild populations; hence its popularity as a game species.


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