scholarly journals Maternal Metabolic Demands Caused by Pregnancy and Lactation: Association with Productivity and Offspring Phenotype in High-Yielding Dairy Ewes

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luis Pesántez-Pacheco ◽  
Ana Heras-Molina ◽  
Laura Torres-Rovira ◽  
María Victoria Sanz-Fernández ◽  
Consolación García-Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Multiple Pregnancies ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

Pregnancy and lactation, especially when concurrent, create a rather metabolically demanding situation in dairy ruminants, but little is known about their effects on offspring phenotype and milk yield. Here, we evaluated the impact of pregnancy and lactation on the metabolic traits and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep and their offspring. Productive performance was measured in terms of milk yield, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and size. Productivity was assessed during mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d) and late pregnancy (142 ± 4 d) and at 52 ± 5 d in the postpartum period. During pregnancy, high-yielding ewes had higher BW, BCS, plasma glucose, cholesterol, β-OHB, and NEFA than low-yielding ewes, but lower levels of lactate and urea. High-yielding animals had lower BCS after lambing, but their lambs showed greater growth. Productivity during lactation was affected by ewe age and parity: Mature ewes (but not maiden sheep) whose BCS increased steeply during pregnancy yielded more milk in the subsequent lactation than those whose BCS did not increase. Lamb BW and size were positively associated with milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Mature ewes had higher yields than maiden sheep, and mature ewes with multiple pregnancies produced more milk than those with singleton pregnancies. Ewes with male singleton pregnancies also showed higher yield than those with female singletons. These results demonstrate that high-yielding dairy sheep, when appropriately fed and managed, can adequately cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and high milk production (even when concurrent) without losing productivity.

Can a herb and white clover mix improve the performance of multiple-bearing ewes and their lambs to weaning?

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
P. D. Kemp ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
D. M. West ◽  
S. T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Maximum Heat ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

The productive performance of highly fecund ewes and their progeny on ryegrass-based swards is limited in late pregnancy and lactation. Alternative herbages, such as chicory, plantain and red and white clover, have the potential to improve performance levels. In the present study, 49 twin- and 42 triplet-bearing Romney composite ewes bred to either Suffolk or Romney rams were allocated to one of three nutritional treatments from Day 131 of pregnancy [19 twin ewes on a ryegrass–white clover sward mix (Rye/WC); 16 twin ewes on a plantain–ryegrass sward mix (Plant/Rye); 14 twin ewes on a chicory–plantain–red and white clover sward mix (Herb); 13 triplet ewes on Rye/WC; 16 triplet ewes on Plant/Rye; and 13 triplet ewes on Herb] and remained on these sward treatments with their lambs until 75 days after the midpoint of the lambing period (L75). Nutritional treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on ewe liveweight, body condition score (BCS) or non-esterified fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations on Day 145 of pregnancy. At L75, ewes on the Herb treatment sward were heavier than ewes on Plant/Rye (70.75 ± 1.31 v. 61.43 ± 1.28 kg, respectively) and had a higher BCS than ewes on either Plant/Rye or Rye/WC (2.7 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.1 and 2.3 ± 0.1, respectively). Sire type and nutritional treatment had no affect (P > 0.05) on lamb birthweight or weight at L75. At L20, lambs born to ewes on the Herb sward treatment were heavier than those on the Rye/WC and Plant/Rye treatments (8.74 ± 0.23 v. 7.98 ± 0.23 and 7.79 ± 0.22 kg, respectively; P < 0.05). Neither birth rank, sire type nor ewe treatment had any effect (P > 0.05) on maximum heat production on a per kg liveweight basis or total heat production. Romney-sired lambs on the Herb sward treatment had higher (P < 0.05) survival rates than those on the Rye/WC sward treatment (97.8% v. 61.7%, respectively). However, no such relationship was observed in lambs born to Suffolk sires (79.8% v. 84.8%, respectively). The survival response resulted in greater (P < 0.05) total liveweight of Romney-sired lambs at L75 per ewe on the Herb nutritional treatment than on the Rye/WC treatment (61.6 ± 5.0 v. 36.7 ± 4.6 kg, respectively) a relationship not observed (P > 0.05) in Suffolk-sired lambs. In conclusion, the present study indicates that there is the potential to improve the productive performance of multiple-bearing ewes and their lambs by grazing on a Herb sward mix.

A comparative study of dry matter intake and digestive pool variations in Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 98-98
Author(s):  
E. Molina ◽  
A. Ferret ◽  
G. Caja ◽  
S. Calsamiglia ◽  
J. Gasa
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Average Body

Manchega (MN) and Lacaune (LC) are two semi-coarse-wooled dairy breeds with similar size but different milk yield, the latter producing twice as much milk as the former (Pérez, 1997). The aim of this experiment was to compare, under the same feed conditions, dry matter intake and performance in late pregnancy and lactation and digestive pools of these two breeds.Twenty-four ewes, 12 per breed, were used in three different periods: late pregnancy (8 weeks), rearing (5 weeks) and milking (7 weeks). At lambing, average body weight was 74.4 vs 78.5 kg, for LC and MN, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI), apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD), body condition score (BCS) and milk yield (MY) standardized according to Bocquier et al. (1993) were recorded.

scholarly journals Milk yield and composition in dairy cows with post-partum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-646
Author(s):  
C. Bondan ◽  
J.A. Folchini ◽  
L. Guimarães ◽  
M. Noro ◽  
R. Zanella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Clinical Disorders ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Score Evaluation

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the impact of different post-partum disorders on milk yield and composition. One hundred and fifteen Holstein cows from a commercial dairy farm located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil were monitored up to 62 days post-partum. During this period, body condition score evaluation and animal clinical examination were conducted. Percentages of fat, protein, and lactose, as well as somatic cells score, were determined in milk samples. The AST activity and concentrations of NEFA, calcium, and BHBA, were analyzed in blood samples. The occurrence of clinical disorders was identified in 30 (26%) cows. Subclinical disorders were identified in 64 (56%) cows. Only 21 (18%) cows did not suffer any kind of disorder within the studied period. In this study, no significant differences were found in milk production, protein, and somatic cell count in clinical, subclinical, and healthy cows. Milk fat and the fat: protein quotient (F:P) were higher in cows with clinical disorders and the 6 to 21 days in milk, and lactose were lower in cows with clinical disorders and the 22 to 42 days in milk (P<0.05).

Effects of cooked molasses licking block supplementation pre- and post-partum on feed intake, suckling lamb performance, milk yield and milk quality in dairy sheep. Part 1

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1838
Author(s):  
A. Cabiddu ◽  
E. Trevisi ◽  
G. Molle ◽  
G. Lovotti ◽  
C. Manca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Parity Number ◽  
Ryegrass Hay

This study tested the nutritional benefit of a supplement offered freely to dairy sheep over a period from 60 days before lambing to 60 days after lambing, at stall and grazing. Thirty Sarda dairy sheep on Day 90 of gestation, homogeneous for age, parity number, bodyweight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), were allocated to one of two groups: control (Ctr) or treated (Cry). Over 120 days, both groups received ryegrass hay and concentrate indoors. After weaning, the ewes also had access to pasture for 6 h/day. Throughout the experimental period, the Cry group had ad libitum access to a cooked molasses licking block. No significant differences were observed between the groups in forage, concentrate and total DM intake. During the experiment, the reduction in BCS in early lactation tended to be slower in the Cry than in Ctr group (Ptrend < 0.09), whereas no significant effects were seen on BW. Lamb performance tended to be improved by Cry in terms of liveweight of litter size per sheep (9.65 vs 8.22 kg for Cry and Ctr, respectively; P < 0.07), whereas no significant effects were observed on milk yield and composition, except for a trend for increased fat content in the Cry versus Ctr group (6.15% vs 5.95%, respectively; P < 0.08). Cry ewes had higher blood cholesterol concentrations than did Ctr ewes (1.96 vs 1.63 mmol/L; P < 0.01). Because there were no differences between feed intake at stall and the estimated total DM intake at stall and during grazing between the two groups, the better performance of the Cry group could be explained by an increase of feed use efficiency at the digestive and/or metabolic level.

scholarly journals Effects of the fat-tailed ewes' body condition scores at lambing on their metabolic profile and offspring growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-191
Author(s):  
Yathreb Yagoubi ◽  
Naziha Atti
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Metabolic Profile ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Lamb Growth

Abstract. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) of fat-tailed Barbarine ewes at lambing on their metabolic profile around parturition and lamb's growth. The experiment was carried out on 69 Barbarine ewes, divided into three groups according to BCS, which were inferior to 2, between 2 and 2.5 and superior to 2.5 for the thin, middle and fat group, respectively. Along the trial, all groups received the same dietary treatment based on hay, pasture and concentrate. Birth weight (Bi-W), weights at 30 and 70 d (W30 and W70) and average daily gains (ADGs) of lambs were recorded. Metabolites were determined at late pregnancy and at the beginning of lactation. Ewes' BCS at lambing had no effect on lambs' Bi-W (P>0.05), which was 3.8, 3.8 and 3.9 kg, respectively, for thin, middle and fat groups. However, W30, W70 and ADG increased with a mother's BCS. A positive correlation between lamb growth parameters and ewe body weight and BCS at weaning was recorded. Energetic metabolites (glucose and triglycerides) and proteic metabolites (creatinine, total protein and urea) were similar among groups according to BCS but significantly different between pregnancy and lactation stages except triglycerides and urea. In conclusion, BCS may be used as dietary management tool during ewe lactation. With the transition from pregnancy to lactation, the content of some metabolites has changed irrespective of BCS; this aspect needs more investigations.

An on-farm study of late pregnancy and lactation performance of ewe lambs and their progeny on lucerne or pasture

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
L. Wright ◽  
P. Mcgill
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
On Farm

An on-farm demonstration compared the use of perennial ryegrass based pasture or lucerne as the forage source for in-lamb ewe lambs from 2 weeks prior to lambing until weaning in the Te Anau basin. This demonstration, over 2 years, used 632 and 506 in-lamb ewe lambs in 2013 and 2014 respectively with approximately 50% being single-bearing and 50% twin-bearing in both years. Pasture and lucerne were set stocked until docking at approximately 33 days of age and then rotationally grazed thereafter until weaning at approximately 110 days of age. Ewe liveweights and body condition scores tended to be higher when grazed on lucerne during spring and all ewes were at or near two-tooth mating weights at weaning (67 kg). Lamb liveweights at 110 days of age were similar from the pasture and lucerne (33.4 kg). Lamb losses were greater on lucerne (37%) than pasture (28%) in both years, and led to a significantly lower lambing percentage on lucerne. Stocking rate chosen based on previous pasture growth records and potential lucerne yield was greater on lucerne (11.7 ewes/ha) than that on pasture (9.4 ewes/ha). The combined liveweight gain of ewes and their lambs per hectare was significantly greater from lucerne (492 kg/ha) than pasture (398 kg/ ha). Scanning data from the second mating was 201% and 189% in ewes that had grazed on lucerne or pasture during the previous lactation respectively, while ewes weighed 67.7 and 65.1 kg at mating respectively. Lucerne can be used as a forage option to increase the performance of bred ewe lambs but the grazing of young lush growth should be avoided to reduce potential animal health issues. Keywords: body condition score, ewe lambs, lamb liveweight gain, lamb survival, reproduction

Effects of twin-bearing ewe nutritional treatments on ewe and lamb performance to weaning

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. J. Pain ◽  
P. G. Hutton ◽  
C. M. C. Jenkinson ◽  
S. T. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Potential Interactions

Nutrition of the ewe at various stages of pregnancy is known to affect ewe and offspring performance. However, little is known regarding the potential interactions among differing maternal nutrition regimens in early and mid–late pregnancy. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects and potential interactions of three pastoral nutritional treatments from Day 21 of pregnancy (P21) to P50 (Sub-maintenanceP21–50 (total liveweight change achieved, SMP21-50, –0.15 ± 0.02 kg/day) v. MaintenanceP21–50 (MP21-50,–0.02 ± 0.02 kg/day) v. Ad libitumP21–50 (AdP21-50,0.15 ± 0.02 kg/day) and two pastoral nutritional treatments from P50 to P139 [MaintenanceP50–139 (designed to match change in conceptus mass, total liveweight change achieved, 0.19 ± 0.01 kg/day) v. Ad libitumP50–139 (0.26 ± 0.01 kg/day)] on 382 twin-bearing ewes and their offspring until 91 days after the mid-point of lambing (L91). Ewe liveweight and condition scores in pregnancy and lactation, and lamb liveweights, indices of colostrum uptake and survival were recorded. There were no interactions between nutritional periods for lamb liveweight, apparent colostrum intake and survival, and ewe liveweight, condition score and total weight of lamb per ewe at the end of the study. At L91, ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no effect on either ewe liveweight or body condition score. Ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 had no effect on lamb birthweight. Lambs born to AdP50–139 ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than those born to MP50–139 ewes (5.32 ± 0.04 v. 5.48 ± 0.04 kg, respectively). Ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no (P > 0.05) effect on indices of colostrum uptake in lambs at 24–36 h of age. At L91, ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no effect on lamb liveweight, survival or total weight of lamb per ewe. In conclusion, although considerable differences in ewe liveweight were observed during pregnancy, the nutritional treatments had no effect on the production parameters measured at the end of the study. These results indicate, first, that farmers can use early pregnancy as a period to control ewe nutrition when ewes are offered at least pregnancy maintenance levels of nutrition in the mid–late pregnancy period and, second, that there is no advantage from offering twin-bearing ewes a level of nutrition above their pregnancy maintenance requirements in mid–late pregnancy.

Milk production from subtropical non-dairy sheep. 1. Ewe performance

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Aboul-Naga ◽  
A. S. El-Shobokshy ◽  
I. F. Marie ◽  
M. A. Moustafa
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
High Level

SummaryMilk yield of 270 Rahmani, Ossimi and Barki subtropical Egyptian ewes rearing single lambs during three successive lambings in 2 years was estimated over 12 weeks of the lactation using a lamb-suckling technique. The ewes received either normal or high level of feeding during late pregnancy and lactation.Ossimi and Rahmani ewes showed significantly (P < 0·01) higher total milk production than the Barki. Milk yield declined sharply for the Barki ewes after the 6th week of lactation. Breed variation failed to attain statistical significance in the first 4 weeks of lactation. The highly fed ewes produced significantly (P < 0·01) more milk at different stages of lactation than the normally fed ones. High level of feeding, however, is not recommended for subtropical non-dairy ewes as it is not economic. Spring-lambing ewes produced significantly more milk during the first 8 weeks of lactation, while the summer-lambing ewes were more persistent in their milk yield in the last 4 weeks of lactation.Neither age of ewe nor body weight significantly affected milk yield. Correlation coefficients between milk yield and body weight at lambing are small and range from 0·00 to 0·24.

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