scholarly journals Mammary Gland Structures Are Not Affected by an Increased Growth Rate of Yearling Ewes Post-Weaning but Are Associated with Growth Rates of Singletons

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haslin ◽  
Rene A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Adrian J. Molenaar ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Heavy Group

The experiment aimed to examine the impacts of an increased growth rate of ewes between three and seven months of age on udder development using ultrasound and to establish whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewe mammary structures that may be indirect indicators of singleton growth to weaning. Udder dimensions, depths of gland cistern (GC), parenchyma (PAR) and fat pad (FP) were measured in late pregnancy (P107), early lactation (L29), and at weaning (L100) in 59 single-bearing yearling ewes selected from two treatments. The ‘heavy’ group (n = 31) was preferentially fed prior to breeding achieving an average breeding live-weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg at seven months of age. The ‘control’ group (n = 28) had an average breeding live-weight of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg. Udder dimensions, GC, PAR and FP did not differ between treatments. Lamb growth to L100 was positively associated (p < 0.05) with PAR at P107 and GC at L29. There was no evidence of negative effects of the live-weight gain treatments on udder development of yearling ewes as measured by ultrasonography. The results suggest that this ultrasound method has the potential to identify pregnant yearling ewes which would wean heavier singletons.

The performance of ewes offered concentrates containing olive by-products in late pregnancy and lactation

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Aguilera ◽  
M. A. García ◽  
E. Molina
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rate Variation ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

AbstractEwes of the Segureña breed were allocated to groups and were group-fed different diets composed of concentrates and roughage (lucerne hay in experiment 1 and barley straw in experiment 2), in late pregnancy and lactation. The concentrates were formulated with sunflower cake and barley, either alone (control group) or partly replaced with olive cake (OLC) and olive molasses (OLM) in a 5:1 ratio. The OLC was either untreated or was treated with NaOH or ammonia. Concentrates were given to provide proportionately 0·4 and 0·7 of calculated metabolizable energy (ME) requirements in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. In experiment 2 a further group grazed pasture and was given barley at a reduced rate.In experiment 1, the mean ME intake during late pregnancy (5+1 weeks pre-lambing) for all treatment groups was about 796 kj/kg M0·75 per day and largely exceeded their average energy requirements, whereas it was close to requirements (601 kj/kg M0·75 per day) in experiment 2. During lactation, ME intake was adjusted to the theoretical needs for ewes suckling a single lamb (835 to 870 kj/kg M0·75 per day) and was slightly deficient (990 to 1020 kj/kg M0·75 per day) for ewes with twins, irrespective of both treatment (except the group at pasture) and experiment.Minor differences in animal performance, attributed to the type of concentrate offered, were found. In pregnancy, alkali treatment of OLC significantly improved live-weight gains (P < 0·01). Live-weight gains of ewes in experiment 2 were lower than those in experiment 1 in accordance with their lower ME intake, the lowest gains being found in the group at pasture (P < 0·05). Weight losses in lactating ewes in experiment 1 were 17 to 100 and 9 to 165 g per ewe per day for ewes suckling single and twin lambs respectively. In experiment 2 ewes with twins gained weight, while those with single lambs showed little weight change, although differences between experiments were too small to attain statistical significance. No differences in barley straw intake by pregnant ewes were found between treatment groups. However, the intake of barley straw by lactating ewes in the groups offered concentrates containing OLC and OLM was significantly higher than that by controls (P < 0·05).Birth weight of lambs tended to be higher in experiment 2 when ewes consumed less ME during pregnancy, although variations were not statistically significant. The most important cause of growth rate variation was the number of lambs born to a ewe (P < 0·001). The growth rate of lambs in the outdoor group was significantly lower than that of lambs in the indoor groups (P < 0·05).

scholarly journals Effects of Increased Growth Rates Prior to the First Breeding as Ewe Lambs and Pregnancy Rank on Mammary Glands of Two-Year-Old Ewes

Ruminants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-86
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haslin ◽  
Rene A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
Hugh T. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Birth Rank ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Heavy Group

This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months of age on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe mammary structures and the growth of their progeny. Ewe live weight and mammary ultrasound measures were recorded at 119 days of pregnancy, 29 days of lactation (L29), and weaning of the progeny (L79) in 64 two-year-old ewes selected from two treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed prior to their first breeding at seven months of age, achieving an average live weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. The control group (n = 32) weighed an average of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg at breeding. Lambs (n = 74) were weighed at birth, L29 and L79. Udder ultrasound measures did not differ (p > 0.10) between treatments, indicating no carry-over effects of treatments on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes. The association between ultrasound measures and lamb growth seemed to differ depending on lamb birth rank. More research is needed to further investigate these associations and determine whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewes whose progeny would have greater growth rates based on birth rank.

Response of Welsh Mountain ewes to flushing and to housing for all or part of the winter

1979 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Alliston ◽  
I. A. M. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Extreme Form ◽  
Lamb Growth

ABSTRACTThere was no evidence from three experiments with 60, 600 and 400 Welsh Mountain ewes producing mostly single lambs that housing, tested as an extreme form of shelter, was of benefit to reproductive performance. This was so when the ewes were kept indoors throughout the whole of the winter, or only at mating or during late pregnancy. Also, housing during early lactation did not lead to improved lamb growth rate.Housing at lambing was associated in two experiments with reductions in perinatal lamb mortality from 5·1% to 3·1% and from 7·2% to 5·9%, though the differences were not significant.Flushing had no significant effect on conception rate or reproductive performance, but the data were in accord with the view that when applied to ewes in moderately thin condition it leads to reduced barrenness and some increase in twinning.

The intake of silage and grazed herbage by Masham ewes with single or twin lambs and its repeatability during pregnancy, lactation and after weaning

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
R. J. Orr
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Coefficient Of Concordance ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACTThe intake of silage, concentrates and grazed herbage, and the performance of 16 Masham ewes carrying and suckling either single or twin lambs, was measured during the last 7 weeks of pregnancy, during lactation and after weaning.There was no difference in intake between ewes with singles or twins in pregnancy, lactation or after weaning. The metabolizable energy intakes, from silage and concentrates, of the ewes with singles and twins were 101 and 100 MJ per head per day in weeks 7 and 6 pre partum, 21·4 and 19·9 MJ in weeks 3 and 2 pre partum, and 24·4 and 23·8MJ in the 1st week of lactation. The intakes from grass and concentrates were 32·3 and 338MJ in weeks 5 and 6 of lactation for the ewes with singles and twins respectively, and 13·8 and 15 2M J from grass alone after weaning. There was no effect of ewe live weight on intake and, although the ewes with singles were producing less milk than those with twins, their intakes were similar.The same ewes consistently ate the most feed. The overall coefficient of concordance was 05 6 and the coefficients for mid- and late-pregnancy, late pregnancy and early lactation, and early- and mid-lactation were 0·57, 0·62 and 0·66 respectively. The ewes with twins that consistently ate the most lost less weight in pregnancy, produced similar litter weights and suckled lambs that grew faster. Their levels of intake and production were high: the growth rate from 0 to 6 weeks of age of the twin lambs suckling the large-eaters was 721 g/day compared with 631 g/day for those suckling the small-eaters. During lactation the ewes with singles appeared t o consume more metabolizable energy than their maintenance, milk yield and live-weight gain requirements justified, whereas the group of smaller-eating ewes with twins put on more weight than expected from their intakes.

The effect of mechanical treatment of silage on intake and production of sheep

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Apolant ◽  
D. M. B. Chestnutt
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Mechanical Treatment ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Physical Size ◽  
Lamb Growth

ABSTRACTOver a period of 3 years, silages subjected to various mechanical treatments by the use of conventional silage harvesters were offered ad libitum to pregnant ewes and to castrated male lambs and the effects on intake and productivity were measured. The intake of silage made from grass harvested with a precision-chop harvester was substantially greater than the intake of silage made with other types of harvester (especially, a flail harvester), causing a lower degree of comminution.Mean daily silage dry-matter intake of ewes was 0·99 kg and 1·28 kg in mid-pregnancy, and 0·85 kg and 1·10 kg in late pregnancy with flail-harvested and precision-chop silages respectively. Silage was supplemented with various levels of concentrate in late pregnancy and an increasing level of concentrates did not reduce silage intake. In early lactation, when 800 g concentrate was given daily, ewes consumed 1·00 kg flail-harvested silage and 1·39 kg precision-chop silage. Compared with flail-harvested silage, precision-chop silage increased ewe body weight immediately post lambing by 5·1 kg, lamb birth weight by 0·27 kg and lamb growth rate by 58 g/day. Increases in intake of precision-chop silages by hoggets were on average greater, though more variable, than by ewes and were reflected in increased carcass weight.The reason for the increased intake of the finely-chopped silage was examined. It would appear that the major factor is the physical size of particle involved though there was some evidence that improved fermentation resulting from finer chopping may have been partly responsible for increased intake.

Urea as a protein source for ewes with twin lambs in late pregnancy and early lactation

1974 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Parkins ◽  
J. Fraser ◽  
N. S. Ritchie ◽  
R. G. Hemingway
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Groundnut Cake ◽  
Beet Pulp ◽  
Digestible Crude Protein ◽  
Lamb Growth

SUMMARYIn three experiments housed Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes of mean live weight 68 kg received 0·91 kg hay plus 0·91 kg molassed sugar beet pulp daily during the second half of pregnancy and in the first 3 weeks of lactation. Comparisons were made with additions of crude protein given as urea or groundnut cake either during the whole period or only during early lactation. In one experiment, increasing the daily intake of digestible crude protein from 88 to about 140 g had no effect on the weight of the lamb at birth or at 3 weeks. In the other two experiments, in which the increases were from 58·70 g to 131·161 g or from 80 to about 125 g digestible crude protein per day there were highly significant increases in the weight of the lamb at birth (+0·43 and +0·31 kg) and 3 weeks (+1·44 and +1·46 kg). Introduction of either urea or groundnut cake to the diet on the day after lambing significantly increased the the 3-week weights of the lambs by amounts which were comparable to those found when urea had also been given during pregnancy. Supplementation with either urea or groundnut cake did not significantly increase ewe live weight.Concentrations of urea in the blood of the ewes were highly significantly increased by either urea or groundnut supplementation. There were indications that a concentration below 10 mg/100 ml in the blood of the ewes in late pregnancy or early lactation was associated with a reduction in lamb growth rates.

Selection on ram 18-month weight to improve lamb growth rate

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
D. Croston ◽  
J. L. Read ◽  
D. W. Jones ◽  
D. E. Steane ◽  
C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Indirect Selection ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lamb Growth

ABSTRACTThirteen pairs of Suffolk rams were selected on high and low 18-month adjusted live weight from six farms over 2 years, to establish the relationship between 18-month weight and early lamb growth. Progeny were first produced in recorded crossbred flocks (618 lambs) and then in an experimental flock of crossbred ewes (1083 lambs). Different results were obtained from the recorded and experimental flocks. The regressions of lamb 12- to 13-week weight on ram 18-month weight (within farm deviation) were 0·053 ± 0·022 kg and –0·004 ± 0·020 kg, respectively. These regressions for indirect selection correspond to ‘effective’ heritabilities for direct selection for lamb growth of 0·18 ± 0·07 and 0·02 ± 0·06 respectively. Improvement of early Iamb growth is discussed and it is concluded that selection for 18-month weight is unlikely to be a useful method.

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.

GROWTH AND MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS OF BROILERS WHEN USING THE FEED ADDITIVE “FARMATAN” (BUTITAN)

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-48
Author(s):  
E.A. PROSEKOVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Digestive Tube ◽  
Digestive Organs

The authors studied the growth characteristics (morphophysiological indicators) of broilers’ digestive organs when using Pharmatan in the diet at doses of 0.025; 0.05 and 0.075%. For the study, three medium-weight broiler chickens were selected – on a daily basis for the first three days, then on a weekly basis. The mass of the stomach, individual intestines, the mass of internal organs, and the coefficient of growth rate were determined according to Brody. To study the relative growth rate, the simple allometry formula y = axb was used. It has been established that the most intensive growth of the digestive organs is observed in the first week of broiler life and consists in the stimulated growth of the intestine, especially the cecum. Later on, the growth of the digestive organs in birds of the control group increases and becomes equal to or higher than in broilers of the experimental group. In general, for 42 days of the experiment, the growth rate of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is practically the same in the birds of the experimental and control groups. The parameters of the regression equations indicate significant differences in the growth of individual organs of the digestive tube during the individual development of broilers. In the experimental groups of broilers, almost all intestinal organs grow quite intensively (b = 1.325–1.783) during the first week of raising, with relatively low values of determination coefficients (cecum – R2 = 0.355; jejunum – R2 = 0.745). High morphological values of 7-day-old birds treated with Pharmatan form the basis for growing broilers with a higher live weight.

Late pregnancy ewe feeding and lamb performance in early life. 1. Pregnancy feeding levels and perinatal lamb mortality

1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Khalaf ◽  
D. L. Doxey ◽  
J. T. Baxter ◽  
W. J. M. Black ◽  
J. FitzSimons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Metabolizable Energy Intake ◽  
Immunoglobulin Levels

ABSTRACTOne hundred and thirty-nine Scottish Half bred ewes were studied during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy, through parturition and early lactation. They were divided, on the basis of their metabolizable energy intake during this period, into low (483 MJ/ewe; L), medium (742 MJ/ewe; M) or high (974 MJ/ewe; H) feeding groups.Ewe weight change (from mating to 12 h post lambing) was directly related to nutritional level and the number of lambs born, e.g. L ewes with triplets lost a mean 13·8 kg, while H ewes with single lambs gained 14·3 kg.Lamb birth weight and perinatal lamb mortality levels were affected by ewe nutrition and litter size. L twins weighed 19% less at birth than H twins; L triplets weighed 26% less than H triplets. The mortality rate of L twins was 23% greater than M twins; L triplets exceeded the H triplet mortality rate by 87%.Ewe energy feeding during late pregnancy affected the mean daily weight gain of lambs for at least 3 weeks after birth. H single, twin and triplet lambs grew 12%, 15% and 16% faster than M lambs and 19%, 31 % and 31 % faster than L lambs respectively.The H group produced 33 % more lamb live weight at 3 weeks of age for every lamb born than did the L group.Lamb serum immunoglobulin levels were related to litter size but did not reflect the differences in ewe feeding during late pregnancy.

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