Studies in ovine infertility in agricultural regions in Western Australia: the influence of a supplement of lupins (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Uniwhite) at joining on the reproductive performance of ewes

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
TW Knight ◽  
CM Oldham ◽  
DR Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Lupinus Angustifolius ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Agricultural Regions

The dietary supplementation of groups of 200 ewes with lupins (0.23 or 0.45 kg per head per day) just prior to and during joining increased the ovulation rate by 8–25 ovulations per 100 ewes and the number of lambs born increased by 5–23 lambs per 100 ewes joined. The increase in the number of lambs born had two components: (i) an increase in number of ewes lambing and (ii) an increase in the number of twin births. Another study suggested that feeding the lupin supplement during joining gave larger increases in the reproductive performance of the ewes, especially in number of ewes lambing, than feeding the supplement of lupins before joining. The increases in reproductive performance following lupin supplementation were not associated with differences or changes in body weight or with differences in the rate of wool growth. The feeding of a barley + urea + mineral supplement that provided 25% more digestible energy than the lupin supplement and similar nitrogen levels, but with 50% of the nitrogen in the form of urea, resulted in no increase in the reproductive performance of the ewes.

Studies in ovine fertility in agricultural regions of Western Australia : ovulation rate, fertility and lambing performance

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Lindsay ◽  
TW Knight ◽  
JF Smith ◽  
CM Oldham
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Multiple Ovulation ◽  
Agricultural Regions

A total of 29,500 ewes, of which 2049 were laparotomized, in 53 flocks were used to determine the extent by which variations in body weight and age of the ewes and the temperature and day length about the time of mating were associated with the number of ovulations per 100 ewes (ovulation rate) and reproductive performance of sheep in south Western Australia. Overall there were only 113.7?2.2 ovulations per 100 ewes in the flocks studied. Less than 3% of the ewes failed to ovulate, so that in general differences between flocks were due to differences in the rate of multiple ovulation. Flocks with high ovulation rates produced more lambs per 100 ewes. There were about six extra lambs per 100 ewes for every 10% increase in the ovulation rate. About 40% of these extra lambs were due to extra twins; the remainder were due to more ewes lambing. Both age and body weight of the ewes were significantly correlated with ovulation rate (r = 0.41, P < 0.01 and r = 0.42, P < 0.01, respectively) and all the parameters of reproduction studied. Each 5 kg difference in body weight was associated with 5.9 extra ovulations per 100 ewes (P < 0.01).

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

scholarly journals Ovulation rate of lines of mice selected for testis weight

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. M. Mafizul Islam ◽  
W. G. Hill ◽  
R. B. Land
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Testis Weight ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Realized Heritability ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYSelection was practised in two replicates for both high and low testis weight in the mouse. Typically 7 males were selected out of 30 recorded for a total of 5 generations. From an initial average of 191 mg the mean divergence between high and low lines reached 112 mg, with a realized heritability of 0·52. The ovulation rate of the lines changed in the same direction as that of selection, the mean divergence was 2·0 eggs in primiparous females in generation 4 and 1·6 in nulliparous females in generation 5. Correlated changes in the body weight of both sexes also occurred but were inadequate to account for the observed change in ovulation rate. The genetic regressions of ovulation rate on testis weight were estimated to be 2·9 and 14 eggs/100 mg in primiparous and nulliparous females, respectively, which, along with data from other experiments, correspond to genetic correlations between testis weight and ovulation rate of 0·50 and 0·25 respectively. There were no correlated changes in litter size. The possibility of using male testis size in breeding programmes to improve female reproductive performance is discussed.

Reproductive performance of Merino ewes supplemented with sweet lupin seed in southern Western Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
KP Croker ◽  
MA Johns ◽  
TJ Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Lupinus Angustifolius ◽  
Variable Response ◽  
Commercial Farming ◽  
Lupin Seed ◽  
Potential Use

The effect of supplementation of mature Merino ewes, with 250 g of sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) seed/head.day from 14 days before joining until day 17 of joining, on flock prolificacy was evaluated under commercial farming conditions over 3 years in a series of 50 trials involving 22 800 ewes. Responses to supplementation, in terms of lambs born, ranged from - 14 to + 2 1 %. Increasing the rate of supplementation to 500 g/head.day did not overcome the problem of the variable response. The present inability to select responsive situations limits the potential use of supplementation with lupins to increase the reproductive performance of Merino ewe flocks.

scholarly journals Effects of selection on growth, body composition and food intake in mice: II. Correlated responses in reproduction

1984 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forbes D. Brien ◽  
Gillian L. Sharp ◽  
William G. Hill ◽  
Alan Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Primary Reason ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Fat Percentage

SummaryFemale reproductive performance is reported in mice selected for ten generations for one of three criteria: either appetite (A), fat percentage (F) or total lean mass (P). For each criterion lines were selected for high (H) or low (L) performance, with contemporary unselected controls (C). In the A and P lines, litter size changed in the direction of the selected criterion, the changes being larger and more rapidly established in the A than in the P lines. At generation 10, the differences in litter size between high and low lines were 2·6 live young born in the A lines, and 1·0 live young born in the P lines. The differences in 6-week weight between the high and low lines were 3·5 g in the A lines, 6·5 g in the P lines. Changes in ovulation rate were the primary reason for changes in litter size, the differences between the high and low lines being 3·8 corpora lutea for the A lines, and 3·1 corpora lutea for the P lines. Fitting body weight at mating as a covariate within lines in the analysis of ovulation rate and live foetus number removed the differences between the high and low selected P lines, but not those in the A lines. The high and low selected A and P lines did not differ in prenatal survival. There were no consistent differences in litter size, ovulation rate or pre-natal survival in the F lines.

Seasonal fluctuations in wool growth in south Western Australia.

1961 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Stewart ◽  
RJ Moir ◽  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Climatic Environment

The growth rate of wool was measured at monthly intervals for a period of two years in four groups totalling forty Merino sheep, maintained under typical farm conditions in a Mediterranean climatic environment. Marked seasonal fluctuation in wool growth was found in all sheep. The highest level of clean wool production, 85 attained in the spring months, was nearly three times that of the lowest level, which occurred in the autumn. The rate of wool growth fluctuated independently of body weight. Wool growth fell steep4 while bob weight was maintained; wool growth subsequently rose sharply while body weight increased relatively slowly. The factors responsible for the observed fluctuation in the rate of wool growth are discussed and the conclusion reached that lack of useful energy and protein, in the summer and autumn grazing is probably the principal cause of the decline in rate of wool growth in these months.

The effects of body weight and level of nutrition before, during, and after joining on ewe fertility

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (25) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
ID Killeen
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
High Level

Four experiments were designed to assess the independent effects of body weight and nutritional level on the reproductive performance of Border Leicester x Merino ewes. Ewes in experiments 1, 2, and 3 were joined in summer (December-January) and in experiment 4 in autumn (March-April). The reproductive performance of two groups of ewes in experiment 1, joined at different body weights, was assessed from mating and lambing data. A factorial (3 x 2 x 2) design was used for experiments 2, 3, and 4. The experimental treatments consisted of different levels of nutrition applied before and after mating. The reproductive performance of ewes in experiment 2 was assessed from mating and lambing data. Ewes in experiments 3 and 4 were slaughtered 19-28 days after mating, and their genitalia were observed for presence of corpora lutea and embryos. Body weight at mating and level of nutrition during three weeks before mating independently affected the multiple birth or ovulation rate. High body weight at mating was consistent with a high multiple birth or ovulation rate, and a higher proportion of the ewes receiving a high level of nutrition during the three weeks before mating (i.e. flushed ewes) had multiple births or multiple ovulations. The results also demonstrated that above 90-100 lb, the proportion of ewes mating and becoming pregnant was relatively independent of body weight at joining. The level of nutrition and body weight had only minor effects on early reproductive failure, but there was a higher proportion of egg wastage from multiple ovulation ewes than from single ovulation ewes.

Response of ewes to lupin supplementation at different times of the breeding season

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (117) ◽  
pp. 264 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Gherardi ◽  
DR Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Better Than

Groups of 100 ewes grazing natural pasture in southern Western Australia were fed supplements of 750 g lupin grain for nine consecutive days every six weeks from October 1975-March 1976 to test whether the consistently low ovulation rate in West Australian sheep would vary with season if nutrition were better than normal. The ovulation rate of unsupplemented control ewes was from 1.05- 1.13 and did not vary significantly with season. Ewes responded significantly to supplementation and this response was unrelated to changes in body weight and varied in magnitude with season. It was about 20% in October, January and March but not significant in December. It is concluded that ovulation rates in pasture-fed sheep in the Mediterranean environment of southern Western Australia can vary with season, but only when the sheep are supplemented.

Influence of dietary supplementation and partial suckling on body weight and on lactation and reproductive performance of primiparous Boran (Bos indicus) cows in Ethiopia

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tegegne ◽  
A. Geleto ◽  
P.O. Osuji ◽  
T. Kassa ◽  
R. Franceschini
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

SummaryThis study was conducted in the central highlands of Ethiopia during 1990–92 to examine the effects of diet and partial suckling on lactation and reproductive performance of Boran (Bos indicus) cows. Primiparous Boran cows were allocated to dietary supplementation or no supplementation with either milking or partial suckling based on body weight at calving. All cows received grass hay ad libitum and the supplemented groups were provided with additional concentrate feed which supplied 222 g/kg DM crude protein and 10 MJ/kg DM energy. Calves were weaned at 8 weeks of age. Mean (±S.E.) dam calving and calf birth weights were 314±11·4 and 25±0·6 kg. Body weights at first postpartum oestrus and at conception were not affected by suckling. Supplemented cows however, were heavier at first oestrus (P = 0·06) and at conception (P < 0·01) than non-supplemented cows. Lactation length was longer (P < 0·01) and mean daily milk yield higher (P < 0·001) in suckled than in milked cows. Diet, however, did not influence either lactation length or daily milk yield. In suckled cows, mean daily milk yield declined sharply after weaning (week 9) and was lower by 38 and 43% of week 8 production in the supplemented and non-supplemented groups, respectively. The overall mean lactation yield was 212·4±64·6 litres; with a significant (P < 0·05) diet × suckling interaction effect. Concentrations of milk fat, total protein and total solids were not affected by either diet or suckling treatment. The postpartum anoestrus interval was longer (P < 0·01) in non-supplemented than in supplemented cows, but did not differ between suckled and milked cows. The percentage of cows cycling by 150 days postpartum was higher (P < 0·05) in supplemented than in nonsupplemented and in milked than in suckled (P > 0·05) cows. By this interval, a higher (P < 0·05) percentage of supplemented-milked (90%) cows cycled than in the other three treatment groups (48·5%). Pregnancy from the first insemination ranged from 45·5 to 63·6% in the four treatment groups. It was concluded that although partial suckling extended the postpartum anoestrus interval, lactation length and milk yield were improved. The negative effects of partial suckling on postpartum reproduction could be overcome with the appropriate dietary supplementation. The economic tradeoff between dietary supplementation, milk yield and reproduction has to be determined in partially suckled cows.

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