REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BOOROOLA × FINNISH LANDRACE AND BOOROOLA × SUFFOLK EWE LAMBS, HETEROZYGOUS FOR THE F GENE, AND GROWTH TRAITS OF THEIR THREE-WAY CROSS LAMBS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. CASTONGUAY ◽  
F. MINVIELLE ◽  
J. J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
F Gene ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Significant Difference

Reproductive performance of Booroola × Finnish Landrace (BFL, n = 19) and Booroola × Suffolk (BS, n = 18) ewe lambs heterozygous for the F gene were compared to Finnish Landrace (FL, n = 14) and Suffolk (S, n = 26) purebred controls. FL lambs reached puberty earlier (211.3 d, P < 0.001) than the other genetic groups (237.8, 233.0 and 232.9 d for S, BS and BFL, respectively) whereas weight at puberty was lower (P < 0.001) for BFL, FL and BS (36.8, 36.7 and 47.0 kg, respectively) than for S (61.1 kg). About 95% of BFL and BS ewe lambs had at least one record of three ovulations or more over the first three estruses, including puberty. Mean ovulation rates at breeding (second estrus after puberty) to a Hampshire (H) ram were 3.8, 3.3, 2.2 and 1.7 for BFL, BS, FL and S, respectively (BFL and BS vs. FL and S, P < 0.001). The corresponding litter sizes at birth were 2.5, 2.1, 1.6 and 1.3 (BFL and BS vs. FL and S, P < 0.001) which reflected a higher embryonic loss in the Booroola crosses. Percentage ova loss ranged between 32.8% (BFL) and 12.8% (S) and was related to the level of prolificacy. Lamb mortality at birth was high in BFL (23.7%) compared to BS, FL and S (6.5, 0.0 and 0.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). Litter size at weaning (50 d of age) averaged 1.9, 1.8, 1.5 and 1.3 for BS, BFL, FL and S ewe lambs (BS vs. S, P < 0.02). Growth performance of H-sired progeny from the four genetic groups of ewes showed that H × S lambs had the highest average daily gain in both preweaning and postweaning periods (preweaning ADG: 349.9 g d−1; postweaning ADG: 332.1 g d−1) while the other genotypes of lambs performed equally (preweaning ADG: 267.4, 249.5 and 246.8 g d−1 for H × FL, H × BFL and H × BS, respectively; postweaning ADG: 281.2, 276.8 and 281.8 g d−1 for the same genetic groups). Overall productivity of ewe lambs in terms of kilograms of lamb produced showed a slight, nonsignificant, advantage for Booroola-cross ewe lambs (55.8 and 54.5 kg for BS and BFL) over purebred S (51.6 kg) and FL (44.9 kg). These results indicate that ovulation rate and litter size can be increased by incorporating F gene in both prolific (FL) and nonprolific (S) background genotypes without resulting in any significant difference in total weight of lamb produced per ewe. Key words: Sheep, ewe productivity, Booroola, ovulation rate, crossbreeding

PREPUBERTAL PLASMA LH CONCENTRATION, OVULATION RATE AND PROLIFICACY IN FINN, SUFFOLK AND FINN-SUFFOLK EWES

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
J. CHIQUETTE ◽  
F. MINVIELLE ◽  
J. J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Genetic Types ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
The Relationship

Fifty-seven Finn, Suffolk or Finn-Suffolk ewe lambs were used to study the relationships between prepubertal LH levels, measured at intervals between 2 and 10 wk of age, ovulation rate and litter size, both within and between genetic types. The most prolific group of ewes (Finn) did not have consistently higher mean levels of LH than the two other genetic groups possibly because the relationship between LH and number of ovulations among breeds may be age-dependent. On the other hand, within each genetic group, mean LH levels were generally higher in more prolific ewe lambs: small differences were observed up to 6 wk of age. These results show that early mean prepubertal LH concentration alone is not a precise indicator of future reproductive performance. Key words: Prepubertal plasma LH, ovulation rate, prolificacy, breed differences, ewes

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

Breeding Australian crossbred ewes with Arabian fat-tailed rams for intensive lamb production

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
RC Malik ◽  
MA Razzaque ◽  
S Abbas ◽  
T Al-Mutawa ◽  
N Al-Khozam
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Season Of Birth ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Daily Gain

The reproductive performance under intensive management of Border Leicester x Merino (BLM), Dorset x Merino (DM), and Suffolk x Merino (SM) ewes imported from Australia, and local fat-tailed Naeemi (N) ewes mated to N rams was studied. Progeny performance for birth and weaning weights, average daily gain (ADG) and preweaning survival was also evaluated. BLM ewes showed the highest reproductive performance. They produced and weaned (at 8 weeks) significantly more lambs (P<0.05) than any of the other ewe genotypes. The reproductive performance of the BLM, N, DM and SM ewes, mated twice, 8 months apart, was 127, 85, 91 and 85 respectively for percentage of lambs born to ewes joined, 109, 72, 77 and 70 respectively for percentage of lambs weaned to ewes joined, and 17.8, 13.5, 12.1 and 11.6 kg respectively of lamb weaned per ewe joined over the period of 13 months from the first joining until last lambs weaned. The effect of season on ewe reproduction was significant. Birth weight was not influenced by genotype or season but did change significantly with litter size. Genetic group, litter size, season of birth and birth weight were significant sources of variation in the ADG and weaning weight of the lamb. N x BLM lambs were weaned at significantly heavier weights than lambs of the remaining 3 groups. Season of birth and birth weight also significantly affected preweaning lamb survival. About 86% of the lambs born alive were weaned with little difference between genetic groups in survival rates.

EFFECT OF LIGHT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKET PIGS AND BREEDING GILTS

1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dufour ◽  
C. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Yorkshire Pigs ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Size At Birth ◽  
Effect Of Light

A total of 176 Yorkshire pigs (112 barrows and 64 gilts) were raised from weaning to market weight, second estrus or parturition, in a piggery maintained under normal daylight conditions or in darkness. Average daily gain and feed required for gain were not affected by the treatments. There was no significant difference in total backfat or loin eye area between barrows housed in darkness and barrows housed in normal daylight conditions. Gilts raised in darkness reached puberty 11 days earlier than gilts raised in daylight (P < 0.01). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth were not affected by the treatments. Optical enucleation delayed the onset of estrus by 14 days, but had no other detectable effects.

Effect of premating shearing on reproductive performance in ewe lambs after oestrus synchronization

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
J. V. O'Doherty ◽  
T. F. Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lamb Growth

SUMMARYOne hundred and fifty-four, March-born, lowland ewe lambs, on the Lyons Estate farm, were allocated to a 2×2 factorial experiment. In September 1987, half were shorn and 1 month later the lambs were treated with intravaginal sponges, containing either 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate or 40 mg fluorogestone acetate, for 12 days. Following sponge removal, ewes were mated to fertile rams at a ram: ewe ratio of 1:6. There was no significant difference in reproductive performance between the two progestagen treatments (P > 0·05). Premating shearing increased (P < 0·01) conception rate and reduced the percentage of barren ewes (P < 0·01) but there was no effect on litter size. Time of gestation following shearing was increased (P < 0·01) by 1·24 days. Lamb growth rate up to weaning was not affected by the shearing treatment. The results of this trial indicate positive advantages of premating shearing of ewe lambs.

scholarly journals Energy Balance Indicators during the Transition Period and Early Lactation of Purebred Holstein and Simmental Cows and Their Crosses

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Deise Aline Knob ◽  
André Thaler Neto ◽  
Helen Schweizer ◽  
Anna C. Weigand ◽  
Roberto Kappes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fat Thickness

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle has been used to improve functional traits, milk composition, and efficiency of Holstein herds. The objective of the study was to compare indicators of the metabolic energy balance, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, body condition score (BCS) back fat thickness (BFT), as well as milk yield and milk composition of Holstein and Simmental cows, and their crosses from the prepartum period until the 100th day of lactation at the Livestock Center of the Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany). In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), first generation (F1) crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). The study took place between April 2018 and August 2019. BCS, BFT blood parameters, such as BHBA, glucose, and NEFA were recorded weekly. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect of cow was used. BCS increased with the Simmental proportion. All genetic groups lost BCS and BFT after calving. Simmental cows showed lower NEFA values. BHBA and glucose did not differ among genetic groups, but they differed depending on the week relative to calving. Simmental and R1-Sim cows showed a smaller effect than the other genetic groups regarding changes in body weight, BCS, or back fat thickness after a period of a negative energy balance after calving. There was no significant difference for milk yield among genetic groups, although Simmental cows showed a lower milk yield after the third week after calving. Generally, Simmental and R1-Simmental cows seemed to deal better with a negative energy balance after calving than purebred Holstein and the other crossbred lines. Based on a positive heterosis effect of 10.06% for energy corrected milk (ECM), the F1, however, was the most efficient crossbred line.

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

Effects of nutrition and photoperiod on reproductive physiology of Microtus montanus

1965 ◽  
Vol 208 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aelita J. Pinter ◽  
Norman C. Negus
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Wheat Plant ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Active Principle ◽  
Microtus Montanus ◽  
Artificial Illumination ◽  
Group D

A total of 140 pairs (one male, one female) of known-age virgin Microtus montanus was used in two experiments lasting 18 weeks each. Pairs were divided into two groups, one placed under 18 hr, the other under 6 hr of artificial illumination daily. Under each of the two photoperiods, half of the pairs received a dietary supplement of sprouted wheat every 3 days (G), the other half every 15 days (D). The G groups produced significantly more litters and offspring than did the D groups. Irrespective of diet, mean litter size was significantly larger under 18-hr than under 6-hr illumination. Any superiority in reproductive performance due to diet could be attributed solely to frequent (G) supplementation with sprouted wheat. "Plant estrogens" are tentatively postulated as the active principle. Diet and photoperiod interact in their influence on reproductive physiology (G-18 was the most productive group, D-6 the least productive).

The effect of deworming naturally infected heifers on liveweight gain, reproductive performance and fecal egg counts

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
S. L. Boyles ◽  
L. J. Johnson ◽  
W. D. Slanger ◽  
B. J. Kreft ◽  
J. D. Kirsch
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fecal Sample ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age At Puberty ◽  
Daily Gain

Twenty-six of 52 heifers with an average liveweight of 318 kg were dewormed by intraruminal injection of oxfendazole and placed in drylot on 31 January. The other 26 animals served as controls. All heifers were pastured starting on 14 June and the treatment heifers were dewormed in the same manner as at the start of the experiment (31 January) on 1 July and 31 July. The groups started out with similar total worm eggs per gram of fecal sample, but the dewormed heifers had fewer counts each month thereafter. The drylot average daily gain of the treated heifers was higher (P = 0.01) and less variable (P = 0.12) and by 29 May these animals were heavier by 11.7 kg (P = 0.10). The treated animals did not gain as fast on pasture (P = 0.20), but the gain continued to be less variable (P = 0.09). Age at puberty was not different. Number of open heifers in the treated group was 4 vs. 15% for the control group (P = 0.18). Deworming by intraruminal injection resulted in faster feedlot gains, more uniform gains during both drylot and pasture, reduced parasites and no abscess at injection sites. Key words: Anthelmintics, oxfendazole, cattle, heifers

Genetic studies of prolificacy in New Zealand sheep

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Davis ◽  
C. A. Morris ◽  
K. G. Dodds
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Relationship Matrix ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Average Litter Size ◽  
Likelihood Model

AbstractData on ovulation rate, embryo survival and litter size have been analysed from the 1988-96 records collected at AgResearch's Woodlands Research Station on 2180 elite (highly prolific) ewes of three breeds: Romney, Coopworth and Perendale. The Romneys included a subgroup found to carry the sex-linked Inverdale high prolificacy gene. Foundation animals for all breeds were screened on high litter size (lambs born, alive or dead, per ewe lambing) from industry flocks. Prior to being transferred to Woodlands between 1979 and 1984, their average litter size was 2·66. Ovulation rates for descendants of the foundation ewes averaged 2·15 (Romney), 2·43 (Coopworth), 2·15 (Perendale) and 2·96 for the Romney subgroup carrying the Inverdale gene. Embryo survival averaged 0·84 except for a low value in Inverdales (0·76). Using a restricted maximum likelihood model, with full relationship matrix, the within-breed heritability of ovulation rate over all ages and breeds (excluding Inverdale) was 0·14 (s.e. 0·03), with repeatability 0·26 (s.e. 0·02). Litter size averaged 1-80 (Romney), 2·05 (Coopworth), 1·76 (Perendale) and 2·17 (Inverdale). The heritability estimate for litter size (excluding Inverdale) was 0·073 (s.e. 0·018), from data for all ages. The genetic correlation between ovulation rate and litter size was 0·91 (s.e. 0·08). The standard deviation for ovulation rate in the Inverdales was 1·75 times as great as the average of the other three breeds. Embryo survival to term for ewes conceiving to two, three or four ovulations averaged 0·89, 0·77 and 0·64, respectively, and was significantly different among breeds fP < 0·001). The greater ovulation rate in Inverdales than Romneys was sufficient to explain the Inverdale effect on reduced embryo survival. The highest embryo survival was observed in the Coopworth breed (P < 0·001).

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