The effect of nutrition before mating on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (23) ◽  
pp. 455 ◽  
Author(s):  
P McInnes ◽  
MD Smith
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Critical Weight ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
High Level

A factorially designed trial was used to study the effects of level of nutrition on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes. A high level of nutrition from three weeks before joining to conception (flushing) increased the percentage of twin births independently of the effects of previous levels of nutrition. Levels of nutrition did not affect the number of ewes that lambed. Flushing increased body weight and body condition score. Re-analysis of the results showed that there was an association between both body weight gain and body condition score and percentage of twin births. However, body weight gain and body condition score increase during flushing were associated with levels of nutrition before flushing. Although flushing increased body weight of groups at conception, on re-analysis of the results, the percentage of twin births could not be associated with weight at conception. Possible reasons for this result are suggested. As there was no indication of a significant relation between weight at conception and percentage of ewes that lambed, it is suggested that the critical weight for mating these ewes was below 38.7 kg.

Genetic aspects of body weight, body condition score, scrotal circumference and reproductive performance in Italian Holstein young bulls

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 53-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Biffani ◽  
A.B. Samoré ◽  
F. Canavesi ◽  
E. Olzi ◽  
M. Cassandro
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Progeny Testing ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Good Physical Condition ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Recessive Genes

Apart from all the issues regarding health and undesirable recessive genes, which are determining factors to identify bulls not suitable for AI, there are other aspects which can be considered. The principal aims of AI studs are the selection of the best animals from a genetic point of view and the production of semen in a very short time, in order to start progeny testing as soon as possible. In Italy progeny testing starts when 1200 straws for each young bull are available. This requirement implies that bulls should be in good physical condition. According to this, the genetic centre of the Italian Holstein Breeder Association (ANAFI) has been paying growing attention to animal welfare and fitness, recording routinely some biometrical indicators. Body weight (BW), scrotal circumference (SC), body condition score (BCS) are some examples of this policy and could be helpful and easy predictors of reproductive performance for a young progeny testing dairy bull. The objective of this report was to conduct a preliminary analysis on the genetic aspects of BW, BCS, SC, age at the 1st usable straw (AGE1) and age at the 1200th straw (AGE1200) in Italian Holstein young bulls.

scholarly journals Effects of Two Commercial Diets on Several Reproductive Parameters in Bitches: Note Two—Lactation and Puppies’ Performance

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Serena Calabrò ◽  
Alessandro Vastolo ◽  
Nadia Musco ◽  
Pietro Lombardi ◽  
Alessandro Troisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Growth Kinetics ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Condition Score

The study aimed to compare two diets, Control (CTR) and Experimental (EX) (mainly differing as regards their ingredients, energy, and protein contents) administered to medium and large-sized bitches from two months before the expected proestrus and up to 30 days after delivery on mothers’ weight, body condition score, litter size, milk quality, and puppies’ growth. No differences were found for body weight during pregnancy, even if the BCS after delivery was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the EX group than in the CTR one. Concerning the size effect, the percentage of weight gain on the initial body weight was double in medium-sized dogs compared to large dogs (p < 0.01). The number of puppies per litter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the EX group compared to the CTR one. Concerning puppies’ weight, the CTR group showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight from the 21st day of life due to the significant (p < 0.01) higher daily weight gain during the suckling period. Considering the performance of bitches and puppies, both diets seem useful for these stages of their lives. In fact, after 30 days of lactation, all tested bitches showed a healthy status and both the percentage of newborns mortality and puppies’ growth kinetics fell into the normal physiological range for the species.

scholarly journals Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Relation to Genotype, Age, Parity, Body Weight and Body Condition Score at Rajshahi District of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-495
Author(s):  
Rashida Khaton
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Heat Period

The present study was carried out from selected areas at Rajshahi district to evaluate the reproductive performance of dairy cows in relation to breed/genotype, age, parity, body weight and body condition. A total of 500 cows selected and data were collected directly from the dairy farms owner by using pre-tested questionnaires during the period from September 2013 to December 2014. The average reproductive performance (RP) were recorded as age at puberty (AP) 26.42±0.22 m, age at first calving (AFC) 35.48±0.22 m, post-partum heat period (PPHP) 121.85±3.48 days, service per conception (S/C) 1.93±0.04, days open (DO) 136.80±3.57 days and calving interval (CI) 401.04±3.94 days. Genotype had significant effect (P<0.05) on all the reproductive traits except on S/C. Local (L) × Holstein Friesian (HF) genotype showed earlier AP and AFC than L× Sahiwal (SL) and L. Age group had significant (P<0.05) effect on AP, AFC and other parameters were not significant (P>0.05). Middle age groups of cows had shown better RP than others groups. Parities of cows had significant effect (P<0.05) on PPHP, S/C, DO except on AP, AFC and CI. Third parity had better RP than others. The best RP was found in >300 kg BW groups. Body condition score had significant effect (P<0.05) on all RP. Good body condition score (BCS) had excellent RP. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(3): 481-495,  December 2020

Comparison of daughters of Canadian and New Zealand Holstein sires for first lactation efficiency of production in relation to body size and condition

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Graham ◽  
E. B. Burnside ◽  
J. P. Gibson ◽  
A. E. Rapitta ◽  
B. W. McBride
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Gross Energy

Sixty-five first lactation Holstein heifers, 31 sired by one of 19 top Canadian AI proven sires and 34 sired by one of 19 top New Zealand AI proven sires were compared for production, feed intake, energetic efficiency, body weight and condition. Heifers were fed free choice a high-, medium- and low-energy complete feed for the first 140 d, 141–240 d and 241–305 d of lactation, respectively. The Canadian-sired heifers averaged 6097 ± 177 kg, 231 ± 6 kg, 226 ± 6 kg and 310 ± 9 kg of milk, fat protein, and lactose while the New Zealand sired heifers produced 5469 ± 169 kg, 226 ± 6 kg, 189 ± 6 kg and 273 ± 9 kg. Net energy consumption and gross energy production of the Canadian-sired heifers was 7783 Mcal and 4515 Mcal, and for New Zealand-sired heifers was 7310 Mcal and 4248 Mcal, resulting in feed efficiencies of 0.59 ± 0.01 and 0.58 ± 0.01 for Canadian- and New Zealand-sired heifers. Feed efficiencies, body weight gain and change in body condition score from week 2 of lactation to the end of lactation did not differ significantly between the Canadian- and New Zealand-sired heifers. Canadian-sired heifers had a lower body condition score (P < 0.05) than their New Zealand-sired counterparts in early lactation. Canadian-sired Holsteins had, on average, 7.4% higher returns per lactation with Ontario milk prices and 2.2% higher returns under New Zealand milk pricing, but neither difference was statistically significant. Key words: Strain comparison, energetic efficiency, dairy cow

scholarly journals Natural and improved natural pastures on the reproductive performance of first-calf beef cows

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 690-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soraya Tanure ◽  
Bernardo Augusto Albornoz Pötter ◽  
José Fernando Piva Lobato
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Protein Supplement ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Condition Score

This work evaluated the reproductive performance of first-calf cows at three years of age, submitted or not to protein supplementation at yearling on natural pastures. After calving, cows were managed on natural or improved pastures. The feeding managements were the following: on natural pastures as yearlings and during pregnancy, post-calving period and breeding season; on natural pastures with protein supplement as yearlings and only natural pasture during pregnancy, post-calving and breeding season; on natural pastures as yearlings and during pregnancy and on improved natural pastures (Lolium multiflorum L., Trifolium repens cv. Yi and Lotus corniculatus cv. São Gabriel) during the post-calving period and breeding season; on natural pastures with protein supplement at yearling, on natural pastures during pregnancy, and on improved natural pasture during post-calving period and breeding season. Cows did not differ on body weight, but from calving to the beginning of breeding season, cows on improved natural pastures presented higher weight gain than those on natural pastures (0.203 vs. 0.109 kg/day). Cows in post-calving on natural pastures lost 1.0 point of body condition score during mating, determinant of the lowest pregnancy rate and later conception in relation to cows on improved natural pasture. Pregnant cows presented higher body weight (440 vs. 413 kg) and body condition score (4.14 vs. 3.66 points) than open cows at the end of the breeding season.

Effects of nutrition in utero and in early life on the subsequent lifetime reproductive performance of Scottish Blackface ewes in two management systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
D. A. Sim ◽  
E. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
High Level

AbstractOver 3 years, a flock of Scottish Blackface ewes was managed so that one-third of the ewes received a high level of nutrition during the last 100 days of pregnancy (P), one-third received a high level of nutrition during the first 100 days of lactation (L) and one-third received a low level of nutrition as derived from a hill grazing over the same two periods (C). From these ewes, 496 ewe lambs were retained at weaning (19 to 22 weeks of age), balanced for treatment, year and birth type. At 6 months of age half of the lambs, similarly balanced, were transferred to an upland grazing system (U) for three breeding years. The other half was retained on the same hill grazing as their mothers for the same period (H). At the end of the study, all ewes were fed to reduce the range in body condition at a synchronized mating and ovulation rates were determined at slaughter.Differences in live weight of ewes due to treatment between groups P, L and C had disappeared by 18 months. There were no pre-mating differences between treatments in live weight or body condition score except that ewes in group P had higher live weights than those in group C at condition scores greater than 2·75. There was little effect of grazing system on the differences between treatments in live weight or body condition score at 30 and 42 months but H ewes were heavier and fatter at 18 months of age. Ewe mortality was consistently less in group L than in groups P and C and on system H than on system U, although the differences were not statistically significant. Group L had fewer barren ewes than groups P and C, and barrenness was significantly greater in the U than the H system. Group C had proportionally more single than multiple births than either groups P or L.At the end of the study there were no differences between the treatments in the proportion of ewes successfully mated at the final mating nor in their ovulation rates in relation to pre-mating body condition.It is concluded that nutrition during either the lactation period or late pregnancy period can influence subsequent lifetime reproductive performance and that this was expressed through an effect on embryo or foetal loss since there were neither residual differences apparent in live weight or condition score nor in ovulation rate potential.

scholarly journals A moderate fat, low-energy dry expanded diet reduces gain in body condition score when fed as part of a post neutering weight-control regimen in growing pet cats

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Spofford ◽  
Isabelle Mougeot ◽  
Denise A. Elliott ◽  
Ashlee Addleman ◽  
Sandra L. Lefebvre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Percentage Change ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Regimen ◽  
Condition Score

AbstractNeutering of cats has been associated with significant weight gain in the weeks following surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate fat, low-energy dry expanded diet in reducing weight gain in growing pet cats when fed as part of a weight-control regimen over the 6 months post-neutering. Cats in participating primary care veterinary hospitals were enrolled at neutering and assigned to receive one of the two dietary treatments based on the hospital of origin. Owners of cats in the treatment group were instructed to feed the trial diet at maintenance (324·7 kJ/kg BW0·711 per d). Instructions for the control group were to feed the cat's regular diet according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Body weight and condition were evaluated by veterinarians at enrolment, 2-weeks, and 1–4 and 6 months after surgery. Body condition score (five-point scale) was compared between enrolment and each subsequent visit, controlling for enrolment age and sex. Percentage change in body weight was evaluated via multivariate mixed modelling to account for repeated measures. A total of 187 cats (eighty-seven females and 100 males) with a mean age of 5·2 (sd 0·8) months and mean weight of 2·8 (sd 0·6) kg from fifty-one hospitals completed the trial. The odds of being scored as overweight were 4·1 times as great for cats in the control v. treatment groups (95 % CI 2·1, 8·2). Percentage change in body weight differed significantly with enrolment age (P = 0·007) and approached significance between diet groups (P = 0·08). Cats fed the trial diet had a significantly reduced incidence of overweight in the 6 months following neutering.

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