A comparative investigation of the volumes of plasma and extracellular fluids and the renal clearances of urea and creatinine in Merino sheep from flocks with different genetic capacities for wool growth

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
AJ Williams ◽  
KJ Thornberry ◽  
H Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Comparative Investigation ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Castrate Male ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Renal Clearances ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Adult castrate male Merino sheep (n = 24; average liveweight 47 kg), from two flocks, differing in their genetic capacity for wool growth as a result of selective breeding for clean fleece weight, consumed one of two diets, differing in both quality (i.e. digestibility and nitrogen content) and quantity, termed L and H. The L (low) and H (high) diets supplied 0.42 and 0.81 kg digestible dry matter day-' and 9.5 and 26.0 g nitrogen day-I respectively. We compared the volumes of plasma and extracellular fluids, as well as the concentration of urea in plasma and the rate of clearance of urea by the kidneys of sheep from these two genetic groups, consuming the different diets. The average plasma volume of these sheep, estimated from the dilution of Evan's Blue in plasma, was 2.24 L (s.e. 0.08). The average volume of extracellular fluid, estimated from the dilution of 35S-sulfate, was 10.3 L (s.e. 0.4). These distributional volumes were similar in sheep from the two genetic groups and were not influenced by the dietary treatments. The sheep consuming the H diet maintained significantly greater concentrations of urea-nitrogen in their plasma (7.2 v. 2.8 mmol L-1: s.e. 0.3) and cleared both urea (37.1 v. 16.1 mL min-I : s.e. 5.3) and creatinine (87 v. 49 mL min-1 : s.e. 11) at significantly greater rates from the plasma. The sheep from the two genetic groups had similar average values for these three traits.

scholarly journals Metabolism of Cystine by Merino Sheep Genetically Different in Wool Production III. the Incorporation of Radioactivity Into Wool Fibres During and After Intravenous Infusions of l-[35S]Cystine and its Relationship to Wool Growth and Efficiency of Conversi

1973 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Intravenous Infusions ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Twelve mature ewes from a flock selected for high clean fleece weight (Fleece Plus) and twelve from a flock selected for low clean fleece weight (Fleece Minus) were randomly divided between two dietary treatments: 500 or 1100 g per day of chaffed lucerne hay.

The activity of the thyroid glands in relation to genetic differences in wool production

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams ◽  
KJ Thornberry ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Castrate Male ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Thyroid Glands ◽  
Total Thyroxine ◽  
Dietary Regime ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Twelve adult castrate male Merino sheep from each of two flocks, genetically different in their capacity for clean wool production, were allocated to a high (H: 0.81 kg digestible dry matter day-1; 26 g N day-1) or low dietary regime (L: 0.42 kg digestible dry matter day-1; 9.5 g N day-1). The sheep weighed 47 kg (s.e. =0.8) at the start of the experiment, with sheep from the two genetic groups having similar average liveweights. The dietary treatments were imposed for between 4 and 10 weeks before eight samples of venous blood were collected from each sheep during 24 h. Each sheep was then injected with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), (1.25 unit/sheep) before seven samples of blood were collected during the following 24 h. The plasma from these blood samples was assayed for total thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). There were no significant differences between the flocks in either T3 or T4 before or after the injection of TSH. We concluded that differences in the activity of the thyroid gland were not necessary for the establishment of genetic variation in the rate of wool growth. The circulating levels of both T4 and T3 were greater in the sheep receiving the H dietary regime (T4: 81.4 v. 55.8 nmol L-1; P<0.5 and T3: 1.8 v. 1.0 nmol L-1; P<0.05). These differences were maintained after the injection of TSH, which approximately doubled the pre-injection levels of T4 in plasma 9-10 h after the injection. The levels of T3 also increased after the injection, reaching a maximum which was 2.3 times the average pre-injection concentration after 4-5 h.

Influence of dietary intake and genetic capacity for wool growth on the composition of mid-trunk skin of Merino sheep

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams ◽  
AJ Williams ◽  
FC Morley ◽  
FC Morley
Keyword(s):  
Unit Area ◽  
Amino Nitrogen ◽  
Unit Mass ◽  
Dry Skin ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Average Water ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Nitrogen Contents ◽  
Trunk Skin

Some nitrogenous constituents in the skin were examined in sheep from two flocks with different genetic capacities for wool growth and in sheep consuming different diets. In the first comparison, in which the sheep consumed a maintenance (1 x M) ration, the average water, lipid and nitrogen contents of skin were similar for the two flocks. The collagen content of skin from sheep with low wool growth (Fl-) was greater than that in skin of high producers (I?]+)-0.40 v. 0.36 g g-1 dry defatted skin (P < 0.05). The F1+ sheep also maintained lower concentrations of non-peptide cystine in plasma (51 v. 68 8mol L-l: P < 0.05) and in skin (1.1 v. 1.9 8mol g-l dry defatted skin: P < 0.05). In a second experiment, sheep bred from the two flocks (Fl+ and F1-), consumed rations providing either 0.8 x M or 2 x M (the latter diet containing 12.5% formaldehyde treated casein). Trephine-sampled skin from the high producing sheep and from the sheep with greater intake had lower concentrations of collagen per unit mass of skin (P < 0.05), but similar collagen per unit area of skin. Both diet and flock influenced the weight of skin sampled by trephine. The distribution ratios of non-peptide a-amino nitrogen and of cystine between skin and plasma were significantly greater in the F1+ derived sheep: 4.35 v. 3.1 L plasma kg-1 skin for cystine. In a third comparison, skin was sampled from sheep of an unselected flock (n = 50) after each received one of four dietary treatments ranging from 0.7 x M to 2.6 x M (ad lib.) for 60 days. As the dietary allowance increased, the weight of skin per unit area of skin increased, the quantities of total protein and of saponifiable lipid per unit mass of dry skin remained constant, but the content of hydroxyproline significantly decreased from 0.20 to 0.13 mmol g-l dry skin (P < 0.05). The quantities of non-collagenous protein solubilized by first sodium chloride (0.5 mol L-l) and then tartaric acid (0.1 mol L-l) per unit mass of collagen increased significantly with increased intake of feed.

Supplementation of young sheep with lupins plus sulfur and a complete mineral mix

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
PT Doyle ◽  
RA Love ◽  
RH Dunlop ◽  
CL White
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Mineral Supplements ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Mineral Lick

Young Merino sheep (7-8 months of age, weighing about 40.5 kg) were given weekly supplements of 1050 gfsheep of lupins, lupins coated with potassium sulfate (25 g/kg lupins), lupins and access to a mineral lick (offered at 175 g/sheep.week), or lupins coated with potassium sulfate and access to the lick. The sheep grazed an annual pasture at a stocking rate of 15 sheepha and were given the supplements between 14 December and 5 April. The amount of pasture on offer in mid December exceeded 3000 kg DMha but declined to 1500 kg DMha in late March.There were significant amounts of green feed present in December and March (>20% of pasture DM), a small amount in January, and no green feed in February. Despite this the percentage of sheep licking the minerals was over 70% in January , February; and March, with average intake being about 10 g/sheep.day. No significant differences occurred between treatments for liveweights of sheep during the feeding period or at shearing. Over the feeding period sheep lost weight at about 30 g/day. Neither the additional sulfur nor the mineral lick had any significant effects on fleece weight, mean fibre diameter of the fleece, staple length, or staple strength. Wool growth rates were not different between treatments during the feeding period. These results indicate that under good pasture conditions with some green feed available, and when lupins are supplied, responses to mineral supplements are unlikely.

Feed intake, liveweight and wool growth rate in Merino sheep with different responsiveness to low- or high-quality feed

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Adams ◽  
D. Blache ◽  
J. R. Briegel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Other ◽  
Synthesis Rate ◽  
Protein Synthesis Rate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight

A previous field trial using 30 sheep from each of 3 strains of Merino sheep (designated F, M and B) found that wool growth rate in strain B changed less throughout the year, compared with the other 2 strains. The present study examined components of liveweight loss on dry pasture with low protein and low digestibility to detect underlying relationships with the subsequent responsiveness of wool growth rate to young green pasture. Strain B lost less liveweight when grazed on dry (poor-quality) pasture, but lost more liveweight on sparse green pasture, than the other 2 strains. The rate of liveweight loss was not related to fatness on dry pasture, but was related to fatness on green pasture. The plasma concentration of leptin at the start of winter was related to clean-fleece weight (P<0.01). A second study examined the role of voluntary feed intake in strains M and B, offered low (56%�digestibility) and then high (70% digestibility) quality feed ad libitum in individual pens. Wool growth rate increased (P<0.001) on the better feed and tended to increase more (P = 0.06) in strain M. Feed intake increased (P�= 0.01) more in Strain M when offered good-quality feed. Fatness affected feed intake similarly in both periods. The results indicate 2 mechanisms that differed between feed conditions. First, sheep differed in their capacity to increase wool growth on high-quality feed, associated with the capacity to increase feed intake. Second, fatness was associated with the differential liveweight response to good or poor quality feed, although it was not clear whether it acted through appetite. It is hypothesised that the capacity to increase wool growth rate on good feed may be associated with a greater decrease in protein synthesis rate on poor quality pasture. This may result in a lower drive to eat and so a greater liveweight loss on poor pasture.

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

scholarly journals Metabolism of Cystine by Merino Sheep Genetically Different in Wool Production IV. Rates of Entry of Cystine Into Plasma, Measured With a Single Intravenous Injection of L- [35S] Cystine, and the Subsequent Incorporation of 35S Into Wool Fibres

1976 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Specific Radioactivity ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Entry Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Subsequent Incorporation

Ten, 2-year-old Merino ewes from a flock selectively bred for high clean fleece weight (Fleece Plus) and ten from a flock bred for low clean fleece weight (Fleece Minus) were randomly divided between two dietary treatments: 600 or 1100 g/day of pelleted lucerne hay. After 14 weeks, each ewe received an intravenous injection of L-[35Sjcystine (66�4.uCi). Venous blood samples were collected at 15 specified times until 8 h after the injections, and wool fibres were plucked until 65-75 days after the injections. Protein-free filtrates prepared from blood plasma were bulked within sample times for ewes from the same flock and dietary treatment. Equations relating the specific radioactivity of free cystine isolated from the bulked filtrates to time after injection contained three exponential terms. The entry rate and pool size of cystine estimated from these equations were greater in Fleece Minus than in Fleece Plus ewes (by 25 and 44 % respectively for entry rate and pool size). Both traits were also higher in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day than in those offered 600 g/day (58�7 v. 33�9 mg/h for entry rate and 19�2 v. 11� 8 mg for pool size). The concentration offree cystine in plasma was greater in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day (3�0 v. 2�1 mg/I; P < O� 05), and greater in Fleece Minus ewes (3�0 v. 2�1 mg/I; P < 0�05).

Effects of shearing time and time of lambing on wool growth and processing characteristics

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (126) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
AJ Charlick ◽  
JR Eley
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight

Wool growth rate, seasonal pattern of fibre diameter, clean fleece weight, quality and the processing characteristics of wool were measured on medium-wool Merino sheep shorn in March (autumn) or October (spring) coupled with March or June lambing. These four management systems were compared under two nutritional regimes in the medium rainfall area of Western Australia. The sheep grazed annual pastures only, or had lupin grain and stubble during summer in addition to the pasture. The study ran for two shearing periods. Time of shearing was the dominant factor. Sheep shorn in March produced 14% more clean wool and fewer tender fleeces than sheep shorn in October. The autumn wool had a lower yield, higher fibre diameter and when processed had a higher card loss, lower percentage noil and lower top and noil yield. However, mean fibre length in the top was substantially higher and the variation in fibre length lower. Vegetable matter was higher in autumn shorn wools. There were some interacting effects of lambing time and type of feed regime. Sheep fed lupins had lower yielding wool but this effect was more pronounced in June lambings and was reflected in differences in top and noil yield. From measurements of wool growth rate, it was found that the extra wool was produced in autumn after shearing, due possibly to stimulated appetite that cannot occur after spring shearing because the sheep are too fat.

scholarly journals Wool production in Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino lambs

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Van der Merwe ◽  
T.S. Brand ◽  
L.C. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
South African ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
One Year

In this study, the wool growth of Dohne Merino, Dormer, Merino and South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) lambs reared on a feedlot diet (10.62 MJ ME/ kg feed, 20.7% crude protein) was monitored from about two months old until the lambs were shorn as yearlings. The 100 cm2 patches on the left sides of the lambs were sheared monthly and the clippings were weighed to determine the wool growth rate. At approximately one year old, the lambs were shorn and the fleeces were weighed. A mid rib fleece sample was also retrieved from each lamb for quality analysis. Merino lambs presented the highest wool growth rates (12.943 g/day) and fleece weights (6.140 kg), whereas Dormer lambs exhibited the lowest values for these traits (8.487 g/day and 3.330 kg, respectively (P <0.05)). The lack of differences between Dohne Merino (9.720 g/day and 4.671 kg) and SAMM (10.553 g/day and 4.158 kg) lambs for these wool growth rate and fleece weight traits was attributed to disparities in live weight (86.8 kg and 105.2 kg, respectively (P <0.05), with heavier SAMM lambs offsetting the expected variations in fleece weight. Wool from Dohne Merino and Merino sheep had the finest fibre diameters (<21 μm), followed by SAMM wool (22–23 μm), with Dormers producing coarse wool (>27 μm). These results could be used as guidelines in sheep production to predict the income contribution of wool from these breeds.

Wool and liveweight responses to nutrition by Merino sheep genetically selected for high or low staple strength

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Adams ◽  
J. R. Briegel ◽  
A. J. M. Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Protein Diets

The biological mechanisms underlying differences in wool staple strength were examined in 2 groups of Merino sheep that have been genetically selected for high or low staple strength, while holding fibre diameter constant. The sheep were fed below maintenance for 87 days, and then re-fed ad libitum for 63 days with a diet containing either 9% or 23% crude protein, in a cross-over design, after which they returned to the paddock until shearing. The fleeces of the 2 groups differed in staple strength (25·2 v.17·5 N/ktex, P < 0·001) but were similar in mean fibre diameter and clean fleece weight. However, the pattern of wool growth was different. When fed below maintenance, sheep from the sound group grew more wool than sheep from the tender group (P < 0·05), but lost more liveweight (P < 0·01). During re-feeding, the sound sheep grew less wool than the tender sheep (P < 0·05), but gained more liveweight. The mean fibre diameter at the point of break was similar in both groups. Immediately after re-feeding, the fibre diameter increased more rapidly in the tender group than in the sound (P < 0·001), but a similar difference was observed between the high and low protein diets, with no effect on staple strength. The sound sheep had a lower standard deviation of fibre diameter than the tender sheep (P < 0·001), both in the whole fleece and in 3-weekly midside patches. The data indicated that the variability of fibre diameter between fibres made a larger contribution than the variability along fibres to the difference between the groups in overall variability of fibre diameter. The sheep were then grazed together at pasture for a second year and again differed in staple strength. In addition, the sound sheep grew less wool on green spring pastures and had a lower clean fleece weight (P < 0·05). The differences in wool growth rates between sheep from the sound and tender lines depended more on whether pasture was green than on the amount of pasture available. We conclude that the difference in staple strength between the sound and tender groups was most closely associated with the variability between fibres in diameter, and was also affected by a difference in variation in diameter along the fibres. Staple strength was not affected by the amount of wool at the point of break, or by the rate of change in fibre diameter after feeding. The sheep in the sound group grew less wool than those in the tender group when on good nutrition.

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