Feeding sows with high fibre diet around farrowing and early lactation: impact on intestinal activity, energy balance related parameters and litter performance

The effects of fibre in diets for periparturient sows are poorly documented. Three weeks before farrowing, 41 sows (LACT) were fed a diet containing 3.8% crude fibre. Other 40 sows (FIBRE) received a diet containing 7% crude fibre. We estimated the intestinal activity of the sows with a daily qualitative evaluation of their faeces. The FIBRE group had a qualitative faeces score value of 2.1 ± 1.3 and the LACT group had a value of 1.2 ± 1.1 (P < 0.001). Individual daily water consumption was higher in the FIBRE group than in the LACT group (P < 0.001). Piglet weight gain at day 5 was higher in the FIBRE group (P < 0.05). The energy balance related parameters did not differ between the treatments.Concluding, diets containing more fibre can be successfully used around farrowing reducing prolonged constipation of sows with no negative effect on their energy balance related parameters.     

Impact of four fiber-rich supplements on nutrient digestibility,colostrum production,and farrowing performance in sows

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fiber (DF) sources on sow and litter performance, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrients. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight at mating and randomly assigned to one of four DF sources (mixed fiber [MF], palm kernel expellers [PKE], sugar beet pulp [SBP], or soy hulls [SH]) and fed the diet from mating until farrowing. Within DF treatments, sows were supplemented with one of two extra energy sources (glycerol or sugar dissolved in water), whereas a third group (control) received water from day 108 of gestation until farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn pigs; birth time and birth weight of the pigs; farrowing duration; and farrowing assistance (FA) were recorded. Live-born pigs were weighed again at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Blood samples were collected once daily from day −3 relative to farrowing until day 1 after farrowing in sows and once from selected pigs right after birth. Fecal samples were collected on day 114 of gestation and colostrum at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after onset of farrowing. Intake of soluble and insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) was greater for SBP (P < 0.001) and PKE (P < 0.001) supplemented sows, respectively, when compared with other groups. Farrowing duration and stillbirth rate were not affected by DF sources, but PKE and SH supplemented sows had greater FA than SBP and MF supplemented sows (P < 0.001). Extra energy supplement did not improve the farrowing performance. Concentration (P = 0.02) and output (P = 0.04) of dry matter in colostrum, and ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and crude protein (CP; P < 0.001) were lower for PKE supplemented sows than in sows from the remaining groups. Intake of insoluble NSP correlated negatively with ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and CP (P < 0.001). Concentrations of glucose (P < 0.001), lactate (P < 0.001), CO₂ (P < 0.001), and HCO₃ (P < 0.001) in sows blood were increased with time progress relative to farrowing. Newborn pigs from PKE supplemented sows had greater concentration of lactate (P = 0.02) and lower blood pH (P = 0.02) than the remaining treatments. In conclusion, PKE supplement reduced ATTD of GE and CP, and concentration and output of dry matter in colostrum but increased FA. Results of this experiment indicated that the use of PKE as a fiber source for late gestating sows should be avoided.     

The development of skin,claw and teat lesions in sows and piglets in farrowing crates with two concrete flooring materials

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate lesions in sows and their piglets kept on two flooring materials – bare concrete and concrete coated with polyurethane containing sand. In total, 13 lactations on concrete and 11 on polyurethane were evaluated. The severity of skin lesions was scored and teat and claw lesions were recorded. The sand-filled coating was rougher compared to the concrete floor. Larger litter sizes were associated with a higher proportion of wounded teats in sows. Only seven of the 230 piglets had no skin lesions. The piglet skin lesions generally healed, since the number of more severe lesions decreased (p<0.001) and the number of less severe lesions (p<0.001) increased over time. Piglet lesions were associated with daily weight gain and litter size. The number of skin lesions on sows and piglets did not differ between animals kept on concrete and polyurethane-covered flooring. However, piglets kept on the latter flooring had more frequent claw lesions. On both types of flooring the majority of the piglets had skin lesions. Piglets had more claw lesions on polyurethane coating due to its roughness. In addition to the possibility of lower weight gains in piglets due to severe lesions, pig skin lesions are themselves a severe welfare problem in this type of housing system.     

A multidisciplinary approach to determine factors associated with calf rearing practices and calf mortality in dairy herds

In the Netherlands, an increase in ear-tagged calf mortality (3 days to 1 year of age) in dairy farms was observed. The aim was to determine why calf mortality increased and how to reduce calf mortality in herds with structural high rates.     

Relationship between litters per sow per year sire breeding values and sire progeny means for farrowing rate,removal parity and lifetime born alive

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between individual sire estimated breeding values (EBV) for litters/sow/year (LSY) and sire progeny means for farrowing rate (FR), removal parity and lifetime born alive (LTBA). Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated using ASREML. The heritability estimate for LSY was 0.11. When all sires with 10 or more daughters with records were included in the analysis, Spearman rank correlations between the sire's LSY EBV and the sires' daughter means for FR, removal parity and LTBA were 0.49, 0.23 and 0.25 (p < 0.01). The sire EBV for LSY was favourably correlated with sires' daughter means for all three traits. This provides evidence that selecting sires with high EBV for LSY could improve herd FR, removal parity and LTBA. By including LSY as part of the selection criterion, the LTBA may be indirectly improved. The positive genetic correlation between LTBA and LSY may be a result of the improved longevity of sows with greater LSY compared with sows with lower LSY. The relationships between LSY and FR, removal parity and LTBA are strongly supported by the correlations between the sire progeny means for each trait and the sire LSY EBV.     

The effects of floor heating on body temperature, water consumption, stress response and immune competence around parturition in loose-housed sows

The aim of the present study was to study whether floor heating from 12 h after onset of nest building until 48 h after birth of the first piglet had any effect on measures related to body temperature, water consumption, stress response and immune competence in loose-housed sows (n = 23). In conclusion, the present results indicate that floor heating for a limited period around parturition did not compromise physiological and immunological parameters, water intake and body temperature in loose-housed sows. The water intake peaked the day before parturition and the body temperature peaked on the day of parturition. A cortisol peak at parturition, a transient rise in the number of leucocytes and neutrophils and a transient reduction in the number of lymphocytes, erythrocytes and in the PCV value were observed. Around and after parturition some non-specific immunological variables seemed to be stimulated while others seemed to be compromised.     

Dairy calf management,morbidity and mortality in Ontario Holstein herds. IV. Association of management with mortality

Associations between heifer calf management and mortality were studied on 104 randomly selected Holstein dairy farms in southwestern Ontario between October 1980 and July 1983. At the farm level, data were stratified by season, with two six-month seasons (winter and summer) per year. The odds of farms with particular management strategies having above-median morbidity were calculated. At the individual calf level, the odds of a calf being treated, controlling for farm of origin and month of birth, were calculated for different management practices.Larger farms had significantly greater odds of experiencing mortality than smaller farms in both winter and summer. Farms which had policies of attending calvings and ensuring that calves received their first colostrum had significantly lower odds of experiencing winter mortality than farms which did not have these policies. Farms which housed calves in hutches had significantly lower odds, and those which housed calves in group pens had significantly higher odds, of experiencing summer mortality, than farms which used individual indoor calf-pens. A policy of teat removal between four weeks of age and weaning was associated with increased odds of summer mortality.At the individual calf level, calving ease, sire, navel treatment, assistance at first colostrum feeding, administration of vitamins A, D and E and anti-scour vaccines to the pregnant dam, and place of calving, were all associated with significantly altered odds of dying. However, several interactions entered the statistical models, and the effects of those management practices were not all straightforward.     

Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning

Data from about 2900 litters (approximately 40,000 piglets) originating from 1063 Czech Large White hyperprolific sows were analyzed. The phenotypic and genetic relations between litter size traits, piglet mortality during farrowing and from birth to weaning and several statistics referring to the distribution of the birth weight within litter were analyzed. All genetic parameters were estimated from multi-trait animal models including the following factors: mating type (natural service or insemination), parity, linear and quadratic regression on age at first farrowing (1st litter) or farrowing interval (2nd and subsequent litters), herd-year-season effect and additive-genetic effect of the sow. The phenotypic correlations of the mean birth weight with the total number of piglets born and piglets born alive were − 0.30. Traits describing the variability of the birth weight within litter (range, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation) were mostly positively correlated with litter size. A statistically significant phenotypic correlation (− 0.09 to − 0.15) between mean birth weight and losses at birth and from birth to weaning was found. The heritability for the number of piglets born, piglets born alive and piglets weaned was around 0.15. The number of stillborn piglets had only a very low heritability less than 0.05, whereas the heritability for losses from birth to weaning was 0.13. The heritabilities of the mean, minimal and maximal birth weight were 0.16, 0.10 and 0.10, respectively. The heritability for all statistics and measures referring to the variability of the birth weight within litter was very low and did never exceed the value of 0.05. An increase in litter size was shown to be genetically connected with a decrease in the mean piglet birth weight and an increase in the within-litter variability of birth weight. Selection on litter size should be accompanied by selection on mortality traits and/or birth-weight traits. Losses from birth to weaning and the minimal birth weight in the litter were proposed as potential traits for a selection against piglet mortality.     

Associations ofAscaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. infections of sows with management factors in 83 Danish sow herds

Associations of the occurrence of Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. in sows with herd management factors were examined using logistic-binomial regression. The information used was from 11 to 78 sows sampled from each of 83 breeding herds (2961 sows in total) and examined for eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). A sow excreting at least 20 EPG was defined as ‘infected’. Management factors of the study herds were recorded using a questionnaire. A total of 263 sows from 50 herds (8.9% of sows) and 375 sows from 20 herds (12.7% of sows) were infected with A. suum and Oesophagostomum spp., respectively. For A. suum, sows from herds with more than 85 sows had significantly higher odds of being infected compared with those from 30 to 85 sows (P < 0.05). When bedding was provided for sows, the odds of A. suum infection was 5.4 compared with sows from herds in which bedding was not provided (P < 0.05). For Oesophagostomum spp., sows from herds with different specific pathogen free status had about one tenth the odds of being infected compared with those from conventional herds (P < 0.05). Sows that had been treated with anthelmintics had very low odds of being infected with Oesophagostomum spp. compared with those that were not treated (P < 0.05). The effects of these management factors in both final models did not differ when the definition of an ‘infected’ sow was changed. The present results suggest the importance of disposal of bedding material from pens in reducing the prevalence of A. suum in larger sow herds. Anthelmintic treatment is important in reducing the prevalence of Oesophagostomum spp. infection of sows.     

Dairy calf management,morbidity and mortality in Ontario Holstein herds. III. Association of management with morbidity

Associations between heifer calf management and morbidity, particularly scours and pneumonia, were studied on 104 randomly selected Holstein dairy farms in southwestern Ontario between October 1980 and July 1983. At the farm level, data were stratified by season, with two six-month seasons (winter and summer) per year. The odds of farms with particular management strategies having above median morbidity were calculated. At the individual calf level, the odds of a calf being treated, controlling for farm of origin and month of birth, were calculated for different management practices.Farm size, and policies related to anti-scour vaccination, offering free-choice water and minerals to calves, methods of feeding, and the use of medicated feeds significantly altered the odds of a farm experiencing above-median pneumonia rates. Farm policies with regard to anti-scour vaccination, offering free-choice salt to calves, age at teat removal, type of calf housing, and use of preventive antimicrobials significantly altered the odds of a farm experiencing above-median scours rates.Scours and pneumonia were significantly associated with each other at both the farm and the calf level. No significant associations were found between individual calf management practices and the odds of being treated for scours. Sire used, method of first colostrum feeding, navel treatment, use of anti-scour vaccine in the dam, and the administration of preventive antimicrobials significantly altered the odds of a calf being treated for pneumonia.     

饲养管理、环境及体况对妊娠母猪繁殖性能影响的研究进展

在母猪饲养过程中,通过考虑到个体差异可以降低饲料成本,从而提高动物生产效率.因此,对母猪进行精准饲喂可以提供有关动物生产性能和生活条件的实时信息,这些信息应被集成到需求估计中.到目前为止,只有体重和背膘厚度的生产数据被集成到个体营养需求计算中.但文献报道,健康状况和行为(如身体活动、社会行为和在围栏中的位置)会强烈影响...     

Relation between reproduction performance and indicators of feed intake, fear and social stress in commercial herds with group-housed non-lactating sows

Group-housing of non-lactating sows is becoming increasingly widespread in commercial sow herds in European countries as a result of changed legislation. Group-housing may lead to individual variation in feed intake, stress and fear, which may impair the reproduction performance. However, whether the individual variation in feed intake and the level of stress and fear under commercial conditions is severe enough to impair the reproduction performance is not known. In a detailed farm study including 14 herds with different layouts the relations between various indicators of feed intake, stress and fear and reproduction performance were studied based on 553 focal sows. Twelve percent of all mated sows were re-mated and average litter size was 14.8 born piglets per litter. Chance of pregnancy (P < 0.05) and litter size (P = 0.08) correlated positive with back fat gain from weaning to 3 weeks after mating. Sows eating in less than 20% of all observations at feeding had significant higher risk of returning to oestrus compared to sows eating more frequently. Number of skin lesions correlated positively (P = 0.07) with interval from weaning to first mating. No relations between reproduction performance and lying behaviour, aggressions after mixing or the outcome of three fear tests were found. The results indicate that the unintended individual variation in feed intake in sows group-housed in commercial herds may be large enough to affect the reproduction performance. This calls for management initiatives to reduce unequal feed intake in group-housed sows.     

Effects of management, environmental and temporal factors on mortality and feed consumption in integrated swine fattening farms

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of management, environmental and temporal factors of farms and batches on mortality and feed consumed per market hog. Information of management, environmental and temporal factors from 158 all-in all-out finishing batches completed in 27 integrated fattening farms in Galicia (Spain) were collected from 1999 to 2002. Multilevel random effects models were used to determine the factors associated with the mortality and the average amount of feed provided per marketed hog. The level 1 unit was the finishing batch (batch level). At the level 2 the fattening farm where the batch of pigs was developed was introduced as random effects.A bad level of care provided by the farmer to the pigs increased the risk of mortality (P = 0.03). The mortality of the fattening batch was associated with the supplier sow farm (P < 0.01). The level of mortality of the batches of piglets entered the fattening farms both between January and April and October and December was higher than for batches incorporated from May to August (P < 0.01). The year when the piglets entered the farm was significantly associated with mortality (P < 0.01). The introduction of such variables in the multilevel model for mortality reduced the total unexplained variation by 41.06%. The proportion of the variation of the mortality attributable to the fattening farms was small (3.65%). The variability of mortality was higher when the placement of piglets was from September to December (P = 0.01).Higher consumption of feed was recorded when the feed was provided in a non-pellet form (P < 0.01). The introduction of piglets between September and December was associated with a higher consumption of feed (P < 0.01). The average final weight of the hogs was positively associated with the feed consumed per hog of the fattening batch (P < 0.01). The amount of feed provided per hog was statistically different among the years and these effects were modified by the level of mortality recorded in the batch and by the average weight of the marketed hogs. After introducing all the fixed effects in the multilevel model for feed provided per hog the unexplained variation at the farm and batch level was reduced by 47.72% and 85.35%, respectively. A considerable amount of variation of feed provided per hog resided at the fattening farm (32.50%). When the piglets were placed on September–December the variability of feed consumed was higher than in the other two periods of the year (P = 0.02). In conclusion, our study shows that specific factors of the batches are the main contributors to explain mortality. On the other hand, by improving permanent farm characteristics a substantial profit is expected in the long run as a result of lower feed costs.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity in sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Risk factors for the spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in sows have not been studied although vertical transmission from sows to their offspring is considered a significant risk factor in the development of enzootic pneumonia in growers and finishers. Seropositivity for M. hyopneumoniae in sows, as assessed by commercial ELISA, is a possible indicator of infection pressure among sows. The objective of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and associated risk factors of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2578 sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany. Data concerning general herd characteristics, acclimatisation practices, indoor and outside contacts, as well as data describing the immediate local environment were collected during a herd visit via questionnaire. Blood samples were seropositive in 65% of the 2578 sows, and all herds had ≥14% seropositive sows. Data analysis was performed in two steps. First, univariate analysis of predictor variables for the risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was performed using chi-square test. Secondly, all variables associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (P ≤ 0.25) were included in a multivariate model using a generalised linear model. The risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was increased in herds with two- or three-site production (OR 1.50), when piglets were not vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae (OR 1.81), in herds with a 2-week farrowing intervals (OR 1.84) and in herds without all-in/all-out management of the farrowing units (OR 1.37). The lack of an acclimatisation period for replacement boars was also associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (OR 2.10). The results indicate that M. hyopneumoniae seropositivity is common in sows in north-west Germany and is influenced by various management factors. It is recommended that evaluation of sow herd management should be included in any strategic health plan to control M. hyopneumoniae infection.     

Farm management factors associated with bulk tank total bacterial count in Irish dairy herds during 2006/07

Research has shown that total bacterial count (TBC), which is the bacterial growth per ml of milk over a fixed period of time, can be decreased by good hygiene and farm management practices. The objective of the current study was to quantify the associations between herd management factors and bulk tank TBC in Irish spring calving, grass-based dairy herds. The relationship between bulk tank TBC and farm management and infrastructure was examined using data from 400 randomly selected Irish dairy farms where the basal diet was grazed grass. Herd management factors associated with bulk tank TBC were identified using linear models with herd annual total bacterial score (i.e., arithmetic mean of the natural logarithm of bulk tank TBC) included as the dependent variable. All herd management factors were individually analysed in a separate regression model, that included an adjustment for geographical location of the farm. A multiple stepwise regression model was subsequently developed. Median bulk tank TBC for the sample herds was 18,483 cells/ml ranging from 10,441 to 130,458 cells/ml. Results from the multivariate analysis indicated that the following management practices were associated with low TBC; use of heated water in the milking parlour; participation in a milk recording scheme; and tail clipping of cows at a frequency greater than once per year. Increased level of hygiene of the parlour and cubicles were also associated with lower TBC. Herd management factors associated with bulk tank TBC in Irish grazing herds were generally in agreement with most previous studies from confinement systems of milk production.     

A single-cohort retrospective analysis of factors associated with morbidity and mortality in 193 anesthetized domestic goats

ObjectiveTo define the morbidity and mortality rates in goats undergoing general anesthesia at a large animal teaching hospital.Study designRetrospective, single-cohort, observational study.AnimalsRecords of 193 client-owned goats.MethodsData were collected from 218 medical records on 193 goats undergoing general anesthesia between January 2017 and December 2021. Demographic data, anesthetic management, recovery period and perianesthetic complications were recorded. Perianesthetic death was defined as anesthesia-related or anesthesia-contributory death occurring within 72 hours after recovery. Records of goats that were euthanized were reviewed to ascertain the cause of euthanasia. Each explanatory variable was individually investigated by univariable penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression, followed by multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsPerianesthetic mortality was 7.3%, but was 3.4% when considering only goats undergoing elective procedures. Multivariable analysis showed that gastrointestinal surgeries [odds ratio (OR) 19.17, standard error (SE) 12.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.08–72.33; p < 0.01] and requirement for perianesthetic norepinephrine infusion (OR 10.85, SE 8.82, 95% CI 2.21–53.33; p < 0.01) were associated with increased mortality. Maintaining other variables equal, the use of perianesthetic ketamine infusion was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.09, SE 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.73; p = 0.02). Anesthesia-related or anesthesia-contributory complications included hypothermia (52.4%), bradycardia (38.1%), hypotension (35.3%), hypoxemia (14.8%), regurgitation/aspiration (7.3%), azotemia/acute renal failure (4.6%), myopathies/neuropathies (4.1%) and fever of unknown origin (2.7%).Conclusions and clinical relevanceIn this population, gastrointestinal surgeries and the requirement for perianesthetic norepinephrine infusion were associated with increased mortality in goats undergoing general anesthesia, while ketamine infusion may have a protective effect.     

Risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease among Menz and Horro sheep in Ethiopia

A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 6718 sheep of two breeds (2772 Horro and 3946 Menz) on risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease (MARD) in Ethiopia, based on data collected between October 1993 and December 1997. Potential risk factors examined were breed, gender, age, month, and air temperatures.Fifty-four per cent of total deaths in the flock could be attributed to respiratory disease and the annual MARD rate ranged between 6.3 and 19.0%. There was significant breed (P<0.0001) and gender (P<0.0001) difference in MARD. The Horro breed had a higher (P<0.0001) annual MARD than the Menz breed (16.5+/-0.18 vs. 12.4+/-0.15%). A higher (P<0.0001) proportion of males suffered than females (15.1+/-0.23% vs. 13.8+/-0.13%). Age was also an important risk factor for MARD: there was a strong polynomial relationship (R(2)=0.91, P<0.0001) between MARD and age; the risk of being young if a sheep was a MARD case was high. MARD was high between October and March but relatively low between the months of April and September. There was a significant (P<0.05) negative cubic relationship (R(2)=0.49) between monthly MARD and monthly average minimum air temperatures. There was also a significant (P<0.01) positive exponential relationship (R(2)=0.61) between monthly MARD and average monthly daily deviation between maximum and minimum air temperatures.Timely health and management interventions focusing on these factors are necessary to alleviate losses from MARD. Understanding variations in MARD risk within a population can enhance early response to potential outbreaks, reducing losses.     

Associations between farm management practices, productivity, and bovine leukemia virus infection in Ontario dairy herds

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between herd-level bovine leukemia virus (BLV) status and herd-level management and production variables. The study population consisted of 1330 cows sampled from 102 Ontario dairy herds. The individual-cow prevalence of BLV infection in the population (based on AGID testing) was 23%, with 69.6% of herds having one or more positive animals. The herd-level explanatory variables were divided into two datasets containing winter housing variables and all non-seasonal variables, and summer housing variables and all non-seasonal variables. In both datasets, multivariable analyses found a negative association between herd-level milk production and BLV status, and positive associations between weaning age and purchasing animals from outside sources, and BLV status. Housing pre-weaned calves in hutches or separate calf buildings in either season was associated with an increased risk of BLV. The model containing winter housing variables also included positive associations between contact with older animals and BLV status, and between BLV status and the facilities used to house dry cows in the winter.     

生态女性主义与西北牧区草地管理的关系

通过分析我国西北牧区革地普遍退化的现状,指出生态女性主义是西北牧区草地管理理念更新的客现需求;然后通过分析生态女性主义对自然资源管理的启迪,揭示了生态女性主义与草地管理之间存在很多兼容性,提出在西北牧区草地管理中引入生态女性主义有利于单地的可持续利用.     

Interactions between metabolic status, pre-breeding protein supplementation, uterine pH, and embrionic mortality in ewes: Preliminary observations

The effect of prebreeding short-term protein supplementation level (PL) and body condition (BC) on fertility rate (FERT,%), uterine pH and embryonic mortality (EMORT,%) in sheep, was evaluated. Multiparous Rambouillet ewes at low BC (LC; n = 6, 62.7 ± 1.7 kg) or high BC (HC; n = 6, 71.9 ± 1.7 kg), received. within BC, one of two levels of ruminally undegradable protein: low (LP, 14 g/ewe per day) and high (HP, 30 g/ewe per day). Once the animals were euthanized, corpus luteum number (CLN), as an indicator of ovulation rate, was registered and uterine horns were irrigated to recover embryonic tissue plus associated membranes as well as to measure uterine pH (UpH). While EMORT-1 considered a nonadjusted relationship between the number of embryos and CLN, EMORT-2 considered an analysis of covariance using CLN as the covariate. The HP-supplemented ewes had the lowest FERT (p=0.06; 100% vs 50%) and the highest EMORT (EMORT-1, 16.6% vs 53.8%, p = 0.08; EMORT-2, 52.0% vs 14.5%, p = 0.07) when compared to the LP-supplemented ewes. Neither BC nor PL affected CLN, CL weight or P₄ release (p > 0.10). While the lowest UpH (p = 0.04) was observed in the HP-supplemented ewes, this group also showed the lowest fertility and the highest embryonic mortality.