Birth weights, meningeal lesions, and survival of diverse genotypes of lambs from Merino and crossbred ewes

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Holst ◽  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
D. F. Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Mating Group ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Autopsy Data ◽  
Lamb Survival

The survival of 3530 lambs of 6 diverse genotypes (Poll Dorset, Texel, Border Leicester, and Merino sires) from Merino and Border Leicester Merino ewes was studied over 3 years at Cowra in New South Wales. Some of the matings involved laparoscopic insemination, which allowed gestation length to be recorded. Each mating group lambed in separate, adjacent paddocks, and birth weights, gestation length, lamb survival, and lamb autopsy data were collected. Breed of ewe significantly affected birth weight and gestation length. Lambs from Merino ewes were 0.3 kg lighter than those from Border Leicester Merino ewes and had a 2 days longer gestation. Both birth weight and gestation length varied significantly between years. Lamb losses to 3 days post partum were 11.3%, 20.8%, and 46.2% for singles, twins, and triplets, respectively. Meningeal lesions and presentation difficulties were associated with 66.6% of all deaths. The high incidence of lesions contrasts with a negligible incidence in some reports involving lean ewes and it is concluded that fatness of ewe may be implicated.

Performance of Hereford and crossbred Hereford cattle in the subtropics of New South Wales: growth of first-cross calves to weaning

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Barlow ◽  
GH O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Body Dimensions ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Hereford Cattle

Thirty-one Simmental (S), 33 Friesian (F), 27 Brahman (B) and 30 Hereford (H) sires were mated to Hereford (H) females over 3 years at Grafton to evaluate the performance of first-cross calves in the subtropics of New South Wales. An average of four calves was produced by each sire. Gestation lengths of B x H and S x H calves were 8 and 3 days longer and those of F x H calves were 2 days shorter than in H x H calves. There was a significant genotype x sex interaction for birth weight. Among male calves B x H were heaviest at birth, while S x H were heavier than H x H. There were no significant differences between genotypes among female calves. When adjusted to a constant gestation length B x H males were still heavier at birth. Crossbred calves grew faster to weaning than Hereford calves. Advantages in liveweight at weaning were 12.4 kg (B x H), 15.1 kg (S x H) and 16.3 kg (F x H), when a common conception day was assumed. Crossbred calves had greater body dimensions at birth, and generally had greater increases in body dimensions between birth and weaning. Differences in body dimensions were not entirely accounted for by differences in weight. Brahman x H calves had approximately twice as much eyelid pigmentation as calves of other genotypes. Male calves had 1.4 days longer gestation length, 2.2 kg heavier birth weight (genotype x sex interaction significant), and 60 g day-1 faster growth rate to weaning than females.

Are Babies Getting Bigger: An Analysis of Birth Weight Trends in New South Wales, 1990–2005

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 445-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth M. Hadfield ◽  
Samantha J. Lain ◽  
Judy M. Simpson ◽  
Jane B. Ford ◽  
Camille H. Raynes-Greenow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales

Seasonal variation in reproductive performance of Merino ewes in northern New South Wales

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Barrett ◽  
TF Reardon ◽  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
The Other ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Group A

Two groups of Merino ewes were observed for five years to determine the variation within years and to make comparisons between years in the numbers of ewes exhibiting oestrus, in fertility, and in lamb birth weights. A group of 35 ewes (continuous), was run constantly with vasectomized rams and services were recorded. From the other (changing) group, a fresh sub-group of 15 ewes was joined with fertile rams every four to six weeks; services were recorded, together with lambing performance and lamb birth weights.Distinct breeding and anoestrous seasons similar to those shown by other workers were observed in both groups of ewes. However, the onset of oestrous activity was a month earlier in the changing ewes than in the continuous ewes.Fertility was low during spring and early summer and reached a maximum in autumn.The birth weight of the lambs appeared to be predominantly influenced by the ewes' nutrition during pregnancy.

Mild congenital goitre increases lamb mortality in southern New South Wales

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 995 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Robertson ◽  
M. A. Friend ◽  
B. J. King
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Iodine Deficiency ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Small Degree ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Incidence

Congenital goitre, symptomatic of iodine deficiency, can be associated with elevated levels of lamb mortality. This study details an outbreak east of Wagga Wagga in southern NSW, where goitre has previously not been documented. Measurements were taken on flocks at two sites near Ladysmith. Up to 82% of dead lambs had thyroid : weight ratios of more than 0.4 g/kg bodyweight, potentially large enough to affect survival. Up to 16% of lambs surviving to marking had enlarged thyroids (i.e. estimated by palpation). Lambs with enlarged thyroids may be more prone to dystocia, with ewes requiring assistance at delivery. Sex and birthweight were not related to thyroid size, but of lambs surviving to marking, a greater proportion of Merino than crossbred lambs had enlarged thyroids. At the second site, growth rate from birth to marking but not to weaning was reduced in lambs with higher thyroid scores. The high incidence of goitre in these flocks suggests that iodine deficiency may be an important factor in lamb mortality in some years in this region, but is unlikely to be detected due to the relatively small degree of thyroid enlargement.

Survey of the incidence of whiteheads in wheat crops grown in northern New South Wales, 1976-1981

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 621 ◽  
Author(s):  
TA Klein ◽  
LW Burgess ◽  
FW Ellison
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crown Rot ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Northern Areas ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fusarium Graminearum Group 1 ◽  
Group 1

The incidence of whiteheads in wheat in the northern areas of the wheat belt in New South Wales was surveyed from 1976 to 1981. Whiteheads were associated with plants affected by crown rot and were common in wheat crops in the survey areas, although the incidence was low (<5%) in most crops. There was a high incidence of whiteheads (>5%) in a small number of crops in each year. The mean incidence of whiteheads was highest in 1977 and was generally higher in the western, lower rainfall areas than in the other areas each year. The predominant crown rot pathogen Fusarium graminearum Group 1 was isolated from 97% of 1450 stem bases collected from plants with whitehead symptoms. A fallow of 18 months was not always associated with a reduction in the incidence of whiteheads.

Observations on the Reproduction and Age Structure of the Fox, Vulpes vulpes L., in New South Wales

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
GE Ryan
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Major Period ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

A total of 838 foxes were collected throughout New South Wales from 1969 to 1974. In every month of the year there were some males producing sperm but there was a major peak of activity during June, July and August. The major period of female reproductive activity commenced in July and reached a peak in August. There were indications that some females ovulated during February and March although no pregnancies were recorded outside June-October. At least 30 % of vixens suffered preplacentation loss of ova or blastocysts, but an accurate estimate was impossible because of an apparently high incidence of polyovuly. Resorption accounted for the loss of 8 % of embryos from 35 pregnant females. A mean litter size of 4.0 was calculated from pregnancies; the mean number of placental scars was 3.7; three deformed embryos were found. The proportion of juvenile animals in the sample decreased from January to the beginning of the breeding season. The weight of the eye-lens was unsuitable for differentiating between yearling and adult foxes in this type of sample.

scholarly journals Smoking Cessation during the Second Half of Pregnancy Prevents Low Birth Weight among Australian Born Babies in Regional New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3417
Author(s):  
Pramesh Raj Ghimire ◽  
Julie Mooney ◽  
Louise Fox ◽  
Lorraine Dubois
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Smoking During Pregnancy ◽  
South Wales

Smoking during pregnancy is a modifiable risk behavior of adverse health outcomes including low birth weight (LBW), and LBW is a key marker of newborns immediate and future health. This study aimed to examine the association between smoking cessation during the second half of pregnancy and LBW among babies born in Southern New South Wales Local Health District (SNSWLHD). Routinely collected perinatal data on singleton live births for the period 2011–2019 in five public hospitals of SNSWLHD were utilized. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to examine the association between smoking cessation during the second half of pregnancy and LBW. Analyses showed that mothers who ceased smoking during the second half of pregnancy were 44% less likely to have LBW babies (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34, 0.94) compared to those who continued smoking throughout pregnancy. Mothers who reported an average daily dose of 1–10 or >10 cigarettes during the second half of pregnancy were significantly more likely to have babies with LBW than those who ceased smoking during the second half of pregnancy. Early identification of smoking behavior and promotion of smoking-cessation intervention for risk populations including pregnant women within the older age bracket (35–49 years) is imperative to reduce LBW.

THE INFLUENCE OF ANTENATAL AND MATERNAL FACTORS ON STILLBIRTHS AND NEONATAL DEATHS IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

2005 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MOHSIN ◽  
A. E. BAUMAN ◽  
B. JALALUDIN
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Neonatal Deaths ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Common Causes

This study identified the influences of maternal socio-demographic and antenatal factors on stillbirths and neonatal deaths in New South Wales, Australia. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the association of selected antenatal and maternal characteristics with stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The findings of this study showed that stillbirths and neonatal deaths significantly varied by infant sex, maternal age, Aboriginality, maternal country of birth, socioeconomic status, parity, maternal smoking behaviour during pregnancy, maternal diabetes mellitus, maternal hypertension, antenatal care, plurality of birth, low birth weight, place of birth, delivery type, maternal deaths and small gestational age. First-born infants, twins and infants born to teenage mothers, Aboriginal mothers, those who smoked during the pregnancy and those of lower socioeconomic status were at increased risk of stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The most common causes of stillbirths were conditions originating in the perinatal period: intrauterine hypoxia and asphyxia. Congenital malformations, including deformities and chromosomal abnormalities, and disorders related to slow fetal growth, short gestation and low birth weight were the most common causes of neonatal deaths. The findings indicate that very low birth weight (less than 2000 g) contributed 75·6% of the population-attributable risks to stillbirths and 59·4% to neonatal deaths. Low gestational age (less than 32 weeks) accounted for 77·7% of stillbirths and 87·9% of neonatal deaths. The findings of this study suggest that in order to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths, it is essential to include strategies to predict and prevent prematurity and low birth weight, and that there is a need to focus on anti-smoking campaigns during pregnancy, optimizing antenatal care and other healthcare programmes targeted at the socially disadvantaged populations identified in this study.

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