Effects of number of lambs suckled and supplemental protein source on lactating ewe performance

Effects of number of lambs suckled and supplemental protein source on ewe performance were determined. Lactation performance of ewes nursing twin or triplet lambs was compared in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, ewes giving birth to and nursing triplets produced 21% (P less than .05) more milk/unit metabolic body weight, were 10% more efficient in the conversion of feed to milk and produced 26% (P less than .05) more kg of lamb/ewe on d 42 of lactation than did ewes giving birth to and nursing twins. In Exp. 2, lactation performance of ewes giving birth to triplets and rearing only two lambs was compared with performance of ewes giving birth to triplets and rearing three lambs. Ewes rearing three lambs produced 28% (P less than .08) more milk and were 26% (P less than .05) more efficient in converting feed to milk than were those rearing two lambs. This suggests that direct nursing stimulation of the mammary gland is responsible for the improvement in milk production observed when ewes nurse additional lambs. The efficacy of slowly degradable protein sources for improved lactation was studied in Exp. 3 and 4. When blood meal was fed to twin-rearing ewes at 3.30% of the diet (25% of total dietary protein), milk production was greater (3,176 vs. 2,506 g/d, P less than .05) and efficiency of milk production was greater (1.05 vs .79 g milk/g feed, P less than .05) than when ewes were fed supplemental soybean meal. Ewes in this experiment fed supplemental meat and bone meal also tended to produce more milk than those fed soybean meal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of breed, number of suckling lambs, and stage of lactation on ewe milk production and lamb growth under range conditions

Milk production and lamb growth were characterized in 118 multiparous, 3- to 7-yr-old Rambouillet, Columbia, Polypay, and Suffolk ewes under spring sage range and high mountain meadow grazing from 28 to 98 d postpartum. Daily milk yield as measured by the lamb suckling weight differential technique did not differ (P greater than .05) among breeds, although milk production of Suffolk ewes tended to be higher than that of the other three breeds. Within the Rambouillet, Columbia, and Polypay breeds, total estimated yield of ewes with twins was 13 to 17% higher than that of ewes with singles, whereas in the Suffolk breed, suckling twins increased total milk yield 61% over that of ewes with singles. Twin lambs induced a larger differential in dam milk production in late lactation (70 to 98 d) than in earlier lactation (28 to 70 d). Number of lambs did not influence milk protein, Ca, or P content (P greater than .05). Fat levels in colostrum and 4-d milk were elevated 14 and 20%, respectively, in ewes suckling twins compared with ewes suckling singles. Under range conditions, Suffolk ewes suckling single or twin lambs lost more BW (12 and 21% of 4-d postpartum body weight, respectively) than Rambouillet (4 and 7%), Columbia (5 and 8%), or Polypay (8 and 8%) ewes. Correlation coefficients of milk production and lamb growth rate were positive and significant (P less than .05) up to 56 d of age. Growth rate was less closely associated with milk production for twin than for single lambs.     

The effect of active immunization of ewes against androstenedione on lambing rate and production

Active immunization of sheep of the Dala breed against androstenedione caused a mean increase in number of lambs born (live-born and stillborn) of 0.29 (p less than 0.01). In yearlings the difference was 0.43 lambs (p less than 0.01) and in older ewes 0.23 lambs (p less than 0.1). Five of the older immunized ewes gave birth to quadruplets while none in the control group gave birth to more than 3 lambs. In older ewes there was an increase in the number of stillborn lambs. In young immunized ewes the mean ewe production, registered as total live weight of lambs in the autumn, was 11.3 kg higher than in control animals. This difference was however not significant (p less than 0.1).     

Subclinical mastitis changes the patterns of maternal-offspring behaviour in dairy sheep

Subclinical mastitis was induced by inoculating one mammary gland in dairy ewes (n=8) with a Staphylococcus simulans isolate; control ewes (n=4) were included. The milk yield of inoculated glands decreased (P<0.001), the California Mastitis Test (CMT) score increased and the organism could be recovered from the inoculated glands. With time, there was significantly increased frequency of "hindering sucking" (P=0.016) and "head up posture" (P<0.001) in the control ewes. Infected ewes had a significantly increased frequency of "vocalisation" (P=0.013) compared to controls. There was a significant difference in the frequency of "sucking attempt" and "successful suck" (P<0.05) behaviours between lambs of the two groups. Lambs of the challenged ewes also showed significantly increased frequency and duration of these behaviours towards the uninoculated glands of their dams, rather than to the challenged glands (P<0.05); no such difference was evident for the lambs of control ewes. It was concluded that subclinical mastitis alters the sucking behaviour of both ewes and lambs.     

Feed efficiency, growth rates, body composition, milk production and milk composition of Targhee sheep selected for increased weaning weight

Lactation and growth of three contemporary lines of grade Targhee sheep developed from the same genetic base were characterized by three experiments performed over a period of 2 yr. Two lines (HW and DH) had been selected for 120-d weaning weights for 24 yr prior to beginning these experiments. A third line (C) was a randomly selected control. Year I experiment contrasted 10 DH with 7 C ram lambs fed to 58 kg. Year II experiments utilized 9 C, 14 DH and 10 HW ram lambs and 11 ewes suckling twins from each line. All Year II ram lambs were born and weaned as twins, then fed to 50 kg. Mature DH and HW ewes were heavier (P less than .05) than C ewes (65.2 and 68.8 vs 54.9 kg), and the DH and HW lambs grew faster than C lambs both before (P less than .05) and after weaning (P less than .05). While both DH and HW lambs drank more milk (2,419 and 2,368 vs 2,059 g X d-1 X pair-1; P less than .10) only HW ewes showed a trend towards greater potential milk production than controls (HW = 2,774 vs C = 2,155 g X d-1 X ewe-1 P less than .12). The HW lambs tended to be leaner than C lambs (P less than .05), but DH lambs did not differ from either line. Lambs from DH and HW lines required less post-weaning feed (121.9 and 129.3 vs 152.0 kg P less than .05) and exhibited 17 and 16% greater weight per day of age at 50 kg than controls (P less than .05). The DH line displayed lower feed: gain ratios than controls in both post-weaning trials (6.68 vs 7.30 to 58 kg; 5.83 vs 6.24 at 50 kg; P = .06).     

Nitrogen metabolism by lactating ewes and their lambs

Twenty multiparous ewes and their newborn lambs were assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial experiment in which ewes were fed ad libitum either a moderate (MP, 15%) or a low (LP, 10%) CP diet and nursed either twin (T) or single (S) lambs. Nitrogen (N) balance trials were conducted on both the ewes and lambs during wk 2, 4 and 8 of lactation. Nitrogen balance, N digested and the portion of digested N retained were greater (P less than .01) with the MP diet. Nitrogen retention and serum urea-N values were lower for the ewes nursing T lambs. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate and serum glucose values were lower (P less than .01) for ewes fed the LP diet, and certain plasma amino acids and the ketogenic amino acids were lower with the LP diet. Insulin increased (P less than .01) with time throughout lactation. Triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were higher (P less than .01) in ewes nursing T lambs. Thyroxine (T4) was greater (P less than .04) with the LP diet and greater (P less than .01) for ewes nursing T lambs. The T4:T3 ratio was lower (P less than .02) in the ewes consuming LP. The portion of the ewe's retained N used for milk synthesis was lower (P less than .01) with the MP diet. Ewes fed LP and nursing T lambs utilized all of their retained N plus a portion of their body protein reserves for milk production by the 2nd wk of lactation. Body weights of creep-fed lambs were not changed by protein content of the ewe's diet.     

甘肃高山细毛羊枯草季放牧与暖棚舍饲饲养对比试验

枯草期选甘肃高山细毛羊成年母羊180只,后备母羊38只,羔羊40只,进行为期171 d的放牧与舍饲对比试验。结果表明:试验组(暖棚舍饲)平均每只成年母羊、后备母羊和羔羊体质量分别增加5.1、9.8和6.9 kg,增幅为:11.72%、30.81%和32.86%;对照组(放牧)每只成年母羊、后备母羊和羔羊体质量分别平均下降7.3、5.0和1.0 kg;试验末,试验组成年母羊和后备母羊体质量极显著高于对照组(P0.01),试验组羔羊体质量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。羊毛长度试验组成年母羊、后备母羊和羔羊羊毛每只分别平均增长3.9、3.8和2.7 cm,试验组成年母羊和后备母羊比对照组提高10.4%和16.0%,羔羊比对照组降低11.2%,试验组和对照组差异不显著(P0.05)。试验组各年龄段产羊毛量分别达5.24、4.56和3.79 kg,比对照组分别提高60.24%、73.38%和49.80%,差异极显著(P0.01)。试验组纯收入分别为成年母羊5.35元/只,后备母羊45.65元/只,羔羊59.57元/只,对照组由于掉膘损失严重,成年母羊和后备母羊分别损失28.32和13.05元/只,羔羊收益29.3元/只。     

The effects of injectable sodium selenite on immune function and milk production in Sardinian sheep receiving adequate dietary selenium.

The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the effects of selenium (Se) injection on Se status, cell-mediated immunity (CMI), milk yield and milk somatic cell count (MSCC) of ewes fed adequate amounts of Se, and on Se status, passive immunization and CMI of their offspring. Thirty days before lambing, 36 Sardinian ewes were assigned to one of three groups. One group (NT) was not treated; a second group (BL) was given 5 mg of Se on day 30 before lambing; a third group (BLL) was given 2.5 mg of Se on day 30 before lambing and at lambing. Selenium was given intramuscularly as sodium selenite. Selenium status was assessed by measuring glutathione peroxidase activity of erythrocytes (GSHpx-E). The CMI was measured by determining the increases in double skinfold thickness after intradermal injection of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Compared to their NT counterparts, ewes belonging to BL and BLL groups and their offspring had significantly higher GSHpx-E (P < 0.01). The GSHpx-E values of lambs were positively related to those of their mothers (P < 0.0005). Ewes of group BL had a greater (P < 0.01) response to PHA 6 h after injection than ewes of the NT group. Lambs born to BL and BLL ewes had a greater (P < 0.0001) response to PHA 24 h after injection. Responses of ewes and lambs to PHA 24 h after injection were positively related (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin at 10 days of age did not differ significantly among the three groups of lambs. Compared to the NT group, milk yield on day 70 of lactation was significantly higher in BL ewes (P < 0.05). The MSCC was not affected significantly by Se injection. Immunoresponsiveness and milk yield might represent additional and appropriate criteria to consider when re-evaluating Se requirements of dairy sheep.     

Humoral immunity in the ewe. 3. The influence of adjuvants and immunisation regimes on immune reactivity in the breeding ewe and her progeny

Breeding ewes were immunised with clostridial vaccine using different inoculation schedules. Results, showing differences in the class of antibody produced, were heavily dependent on the vaccination regime used. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were significantly lower in ewes given double doses of vaccine compared to ewes given a single inoculation or no treatment at all (P less than 0.01). Neonatal lambs showed significant de novo IgM production with interference in this antibody production in the lambs of ewes vaccinated with the clostridial vaccine (P less than 0.05). Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) levels were significantly increased in all lambs which had mothers vaccinated with the clostridial vaccine prior to or during pregnancy (P less than 0.025). The greatest quantity of IgG1 was transferred to lambs when their mothers were given a double injection with primary inoculation prior to conception and booster prepartum (P less than 0.025). No antigen specific immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) was detected in the lambs. Ewes were also immunised with BSA and their isotype specific serum antibody response was compared with their respective lambs. There was no detectable anti-BSA IgM in the lambs of all groups of ewes though specific IgG1 antibodies could be readily detected in the lambs of hyperimmunised ewes. The efficiency of transfer was related directly to the ability of the adjuvant to maximise IgG1 production in the ewe. Although immunised ewes produced high levels of IgG2, this was not transferred passively to the lamb.     

Usefulness of subjective ovine milk scores: I. Associations with range ewe characteristics and lamb production

Range ewes are commonly evaluated for milking ability by producers to determine the ewe's ability to rear lamb(s). The U.S. Sheep Experiment Station has subjectively scored (low, average, high) a ewe's milking ability within 24 h of lambing for many years. The relationship of subjective milk scores with lamb production was investigated using lambing records of Columbia (n = 1,731), Polypay (n = 1,129), Rambouillet (n = 1,704), and Targhee (n = 1,638) ewes. The incidence of high milk scores increased from less than 10% at first parity to 29 to 40% at second and greater parities. At maturity, Columbia ewes (38%) had the highest percentage of high milk scores. A positive association existed between ewe BW and her milk score at third and later parities. Ewes with high milk scores gave birth to heavier lambs (P < 0.05), whereas ewes with low milk scores were associated with lighter (P < 0.05) lambs at birth. Ewes with low milk scores weaned less (P < 0.05) total weight than ewes with better milk scores across all age groups for all breeds. Lighter weaned litter weights from ewes with low milk scores were linked to lighter birth weights and fewer weaned lambs. Differences for litter weight weaned between ewes with average and high milk scores were generally observed at 2 and 3 yr of age, when litter weights were heavier among ewes with high milk scores (P < 0.05) for all breeds. Between the ages of 1 and 3 yr, Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewes with an average milk score weaned heavier (P < 0.05) litters (average differences of 10, 9, 13, and 12%, respectively) than ewes with low milk scores. For all breeds at all ages, individual lamb weaning weights were heavier (P < 0.05) when they were reared by ewes with high milk scores compared to lambs reared by ewes with low milk scores. Results suggest that milk score is an economically important trait in these four breeds and should be considered in management and breeding objectives; at a minimum, the incidence of low milk scores should be kept as small as possible.     

Breed and environmental influences on weaner lamb production in Zimbabwe

Performance of the Dorper and Mutton Merino breeds and their crosses was assessed from 1,305 ewe and 1,453 lamb records from six lambing seasons. Dorper and Mutton Merino were mated in all combinations under an accelerated lambing system and crossbred females were mated to Suffolk rams. The Dorper and Mutton Merino breeds were not significantly different for fertility, pre-weaning lamb growth and survival. Suffolk sired lambs from crossbred ewes grew rapidly and were heaviest at birth and at weaning. They also survived better than lambs from the other breeding groups and this contributed to the higher weaning rate (P less than 0.05) in crossbred ewes. Weight of weaned lambs per ewe exposed to the ram per season was 12% higher (P less than 0.05) in the Dorper than the Mutton Merino ewes. However lifetime production was 28% higher (P less than 0.01) in Mutton Merino ewes due to significantly superior longevity. Crossbred ewes were highly productive. Individual heterosis was not significant but estimates were positive for most traits. Growth rate and survival of lambs increased as age of dam increased to 48 and 40 months respectively. Lambs born to previously non-lactating ewes were heavier and survived better than lambs born to ewes lactating in the previous season. Lambs born and reared as singles were 25% heavier at birth (P less than 0.001) and 52% heavier at weaning (P less than 0.001) than those born and reared as twins. Male lambs grew faster and were 7% heavier at weaning than females (P less than 0.001).     

Nutritional plane and selenium supply during gestation affect yield and nutrient composition of colostrum and milk in primiparous ewes

The objectives were to investigate effects of nutritional plane and Se supply during gestation on yield and nutrient composition of colostrum and milk in first parity ewes. Rambouillet ewe lambs (n = 84, age = 240 ± 17 d, BW = 52.1 ± 6.2 kg) were allocated to 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial array. Factors included Se [adequate Se (ASe, 11.5 μg/kg of BW) or high Se (HSe, 77.0 μg/kg of BW)] initiated at breeding, and nutritional plane [60 (RES), 100 (CON), or 140% (HIH) of requirements] initiated at d 40 of gestation. Ewes were fed individually from d 40, and lambs were removed at parturition. Colostrum was milked from all ewes at 3 h postpartum, and one-half of the ewes (n = 42) were transitioned to a common diet meeting lactation requirements and mechanically milked for 20 d. Colostrum yield was greater (P = 0.02) for HSe ewes than ASe, whereas CON had greater (P < 0.05) colostrum yield than RES and HIH. Colostrum Se (%) was greater (P < 0.01) for HSe than ASe. Colostrum from ewes fed HSe had less (P = 0.03) butterfat (%), but greater (P ≤ 0.05) total butterfat, solids-not-fat, lactose, protein, milk urea N, and Se than ASe. Colostrum from HIH ewes had greater (P ≤ 0.02) solids-not-fat (%) than RES, whereas RES had greater (P ≤ 0.04) butterfat (%) than CON and HIH. Colostrum from ewes fed the CON diet had greater (P = 0.01) total butterfat than HIH. Total solids-not-fat, lactose, and protein were greater (P < 0.05) in colostrum from CON than RES and HIH. Ewes fed HSe had greater (P < 0.01) milk yield (g/d and mL/d) than ASe, and CON and HIH had greater (P < 0.01) yield than RES. Milk protein (%) was greater (P ≤ 0.01) in RES compared with CON or HIH. Ewes fed HSe had greater (P < 0.01) milk Se (μg/g and mg/d) than ASe on each sampling day. Milk from CON and HIH ewes had greater (P < 0.01) total solids-not-fat, lactose, protein, and milk urea N than RES. Total Se was greater (P = 0.02) in milk from ewes fed the CON diet compared with RES. Somatic cell count and total somatic cells were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in milk from CON than RES. A cubic effect of day (P ≥ 0.01) was observed for milk yield (g and mL). Butterfat, solids-not-fat, lactose, milk urea N, and Se concentration responded quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) to day. Protein (%), total butterfat, and total Se, and somatic cells (cells/mL and cells/d) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with day. Results indicate that gestational nutrition affects colostrum and milk yield and nutrient content, even when lactational nutrient requirements are met.     

Effects of three anthelmintic regimes on milk yield of ewes and growth of lambs

Forty ewes were allocated into one of four groups (n = 10) and were treated with albendazole (ALB) (3.8 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group A), with ALB before and after lambing (group B), with moxidectin (MXD) (0.2 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group C) or were untreated controls (group D). Counts of nematode eggs in faeces and coprocultures were carried out during the study, as well as ewes' milk yield measurements and lamb weighings. Pre-treatment mean eggs per gram (epg) counts were 640, 715, 625 and 630 for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P > 0.05); respective counts 21 days after treatment were 5, 0, 0 and 690 epg, whilst 70 days after treatment they were 380, 145, 40 and 1120 epg. Mean lactation milk yield was 3527.5, 3893.5, 3786.4 and 3285.9 ml for groups A, B, C and D, respectively; no significant difference was evident among the four groups in milk yield collected during the suckling period, although subsequently, group B or C ewes yielded significantly more milk than controls (P < 0.05). Mean birthweight of lambs were 3.56, 3.45, 3.59 and 3.26 kg for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P = 0.045); subsequently, lambs from treated ewes were significantly heavier than lambs from control animals (P < 0.001). We conclude that anti-parasitic treatment during the last month of pregnancy contributed to an increased birthweight of lambs of treated ewes, whilst the cumulative effect of two doses of ALB or the long persistent efficacy of MXD provided a longer protection of animals against new parasitic infections and contributed to a lactation persistence.     

Effects of maternal selenium supply and plane of nutrition during gestation on passive transfer of immunity and health in neonatal lambs

To investigate the influence of maternal Se supply and plane of nutrition on lamb morbidity, mortality, and passive transfer of IgG, pregnant ewe lambs were used in 2 experiments with 2 × 3 factorial treatment arrangements. Supplementation of Se began at breeding and was either adequate Se (ASe, 9.5 μg/kg of BW) or high Se (HSe, 81.8 μg/kg of BW) in Exp. 1 or ASe (11.5 μg/kg of BW) or HSe (77.0 μg/kg of BW) in Exp. 2. On d 50 or 40 of gestation for Exp. 1 or 2, respectively, ewes were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 nutritional planes: 60% (RES), 100% (control, CON), or 140% (HI) of NRC requirements. This resulted in the following treatments: ASe-RES, ASe-CON, ASe-HI, HSe-RES, HSe-CON, and HSe-HI. Upon parturition, lambs were separated from their dams and serum samples obtained. Lambs were fed artificial colostrum for the first 20 h and then placed on milk replacer and grain pellets until completion of the study (Exp. 1, 57 d; Exp. 2, 21 d). Twenty-four hours after parturition, lamb serum samples were collected for IgG analysis. All lambs were reared similarly and morbidity and mortality assessed. Main effects were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. In Exp. 1, there was a Se × plane of nutrition interaction (P ≤ 0.01) for lamb morbidity from birth to weaning and for 24-h IgG concentration. Lambs from ASe-RES and HSe-HI ewes were treated more frequently (P < 0.01) for respiratory and gastrointestinal disease, and lambs from HSe-HI ewes had the smallest (P < 0.01) 24-h serum IgG concentration. In Exp. 1, lambs from HI ewes also had the greatest (P < 0.01) mortality rates from birth to weaning compared with lambs from CON and RES ewes. In Exp. 2, there was an effect (P < 0.01) of maternal plane of nutrition with lambs from RES ewes having increased 24-h IgG compared with lambs from CON and HI ewes. There was no effect of maternal Se supplementation on lamb 24-h IgG in Exp. 2; however, there was a Se × plane of nutrition interaction (P < 0.01) for morbidity. From birth to 21 d of age, lambs from ASe-CON ewes had fewer (P < 0.01) treatment days compared with lambs from any of the other treatment groups. There also tended (P = 0.08) to be an effect of maternal Se supplementation on lamb mortality with increased mortality observed in lambs from HSe ewes. Results from the studies show a restricted maternal plane of nutrition can increase lamb serum IgG concentration. Selenium results were not consistent between the 2 experiments and may be due to differences in maternal Se.     

Postweaning growth, feed efficiency and chemical composition of sheep as affected by prenatal and postnatal testosterone

Data were collected from intact males, castrated males and ewe lambs to investigate the effect of presence or absence of testosterone prenatally and during the postweaning period on postweaning growth, feed intake and carcass chemical composition. Half the lambs from each sex were the progeny of dams that had received five injections of testosterone cyprionate from d 32 through d 87 of gestation. Linear contrasts were used to detect differences. Postweaning daily gain of intact males was greater (P less than .01) than that of male castrates. Ewe lambs from treated dams had approximately 12% greater rate of growth (P less than .04) than ewe lambs from control dams. Ewe lambs from dams that had been treated were 28% more efficient (P less than .01) in the conversion of food to weight than those from untreated dams. Ewe lambs from treated dams had heavier livers (P less than .07). Carcass protein for intact males was greater (P less than .11) than for castrates, and extractable fat was less (P less than .05). Masculinization of growth characteristics of ewe lambs affected the quantity of carcass fat relative to control ewes (7.59 vs 8.92 kg). These ewe lambs also had more water in the carcass than did the control ewes (13.93 vs 12.29 kg). Administration of exogenous testosterone to pregnant ewes over an interval of time approximating time of sexual differentiation in the fetus enhances postweaning growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and chemical composition of genetic females.     

Effect of prenatal testosterone treatment on nitrogen utilization and endocrine status of ewe lambs

Thirty-eight pregnant Suffolk ewes were assigned randomly to a control group or implanted with approximately 2 g of testosterone propionate (TP) when they were between d 40 and 60 of gestation. Implants were removed 3 wk prior to lambing. Five ewe lambs born to implanted ewes and ten ewe lambs born to nonimplanted ewes were utilized in this experiment. Ram lambs were not used in this trial. No differences (P greater than .10) were observed for fecal, urinary and total N excretion and amount of N absorbed. Nitrogen retained (percentage of N intake and g/d) was higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs than in control ewe lambs. Plasma insulin concentrations averaged 99% higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs. Plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations averaged 29% higher (P less than .06) in ewe lambs treated prenatally with testosterone. Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations averaged 41% higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs. Significant (P less than .05) treatment x time effects were observed in plasma thyroxine, glucose and urea N concentrations of prenatally androgenized vs control ewe lambs. These significant modifications in the plasma metabolite and endocrine status could be an important element of the physiological mechanism(s) by which prenatal androgenization improves growth performance and leanness of ewe lambs.     

Behavioral, adrenal, immune, and productive responses of lactating ewes to regrouping and relocation.

The experiment involved 40 mid-lactating Comisana ewes. The animals were housed in straw-bedded pens and assigned to a control group (n = 10) and two test groups of 15 subjects each. Control ewes were never moved from their pen and peers throughout the experiment period, whereas test animals were subjected to either regrouping (RG) or regrouping and relocation (RGRL) three times at weekly intervals (d 7, 14, and 21 of the trial). Three behavioral recordings were conducted after each social and pen exchange over a 6-h period (1000 to 1600). Animals from groups RG and RGRL were bled immediately before each regrouping and relocation and 15 and 60 min afterward. The phytohemagglutinin skin test was performed at d 9, 16, and 23. Milk yield was recorded when the ewes were mixed and moved, and before and after each mixing and moving procedure. Individual milk samples were analyzed for composition, renneting parameters, and bacteriological characteristics; samples with more than 10(6) somatic cells/mL were cultured for mastitis-related pathogens. Control ewes spent more time lying than groups RG (P < 0.001) and RGRL (P < 0.01) and less time in ambulatory activities than RGRL sheep (P < 0.05). Moved and remaining ewes showed a higher number of aggressive interactions than control subjects (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Control sheep showed the highest cell-mediated immune response compared with both moved and mixed ewes (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). The RGRL ewes gave lower yields of milk than did the control ewes on the days after the first (P < 0.05) and the second (P < 0.01) change of pen and peers. The RGRL ewes also had a lower fat content (P < 0.05) than control ewes in the milk yielded on the day of the first regrouping and relocation and a lower milk protein content (P < 0.05) on the following day. The RG treatment resulted in the ewes yielding milk with a lower fat content (P < 0.01) on the day of each mixing procedure as compared with controls and in a decreased milk protein content on the days after the first (P < 0.05) and the second regrouping (P < 0.01). One case of subclinical mastitis was recorded in both the RG and RGRL groups, whereas no cases were detected in control group. These findings suggest that regrouping and relocation may cause increased aggression, altered immune responses, and short-term effects on the production performance of lactating ewes. These practices should be performed by attempting to minimize their impact on animal welfare.     

Dose response effects of long-acting injectable vitamin B12 plus selenium (Se) on the vitamin B12 and Se status of ewes and their lambs

AIM: To determine the effect of increasing doses of long-acting injectable vitamin B12 plus selenium (Se) given pre-mating on the vitamin B12 and Se status of ewes and their lambs from birth to weaning. METHODS: Four groups of 24 Poll Dorset ewes each were injected 4 weeks pre-mating with different doses of a long-acting vitamin B12 + Se product, containing 3 mg vitamin B12 and 12 mg Se per ml. The treatment groups received 5 ml (15 mg vitamin B12 + 60 mg Se), 4 ml (12 mg vitamin B12 + 48 mg Se), 3 ml (9 mg vitamin B12 + 36 mg Se), or no vitamin B12 or Se (control). Twelve of the twin-bearing ewes per group were selected for the study. Efficacy of the product was evaluated from changes in the concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum and liver, and of Se in blood, liver and milk in the ewes during gestation and lactation, and in their lambs from birth to weaning. Pasture samples in paddocks grazed by the ewes and lambs were collected at about 2-monthly intervals from 200-m transects. RESULTS: The flock was Se-deficient, as the mean initial concentration of Se in the blood of ewes was 182 (SE 20.3) nmol/L. Compared with untreated controls, all doses significantly (p < 0.01) increased concentrations of Se in the blood of ewes for at least 300 days. Selenium concentrations in milk were likewise increased throughout lactation, as were those in the blood and liver of lambs. The mean concentration of vitamin B12 in the serum of ewes was initially > 1,000 pmol/L, but this decreased within 28 days to < 460 pmol/L. Treatment with the 5-ml and 4-ml doses raised serum vitamin B12 concentrations of ewes for at least 176 days (p < 0.01), while their lambs had significantly greater concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum and liver for less than 37 days after birth. Tissue concentrations and duration of elevation of both vitamin B12 and Se were proportional to the dose administered. The mean concentrations of Se and cobalt (Co) in the pastures were 32 and 74 microg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Injecting ewes from a Se-deficient flock 4 weeks prior to mating with 48 or 60 mg Se and 12 or 15 mg vitamin B12 increased and maintained the Se status of ewes for at least 300 days, and of their lambs from birth to weaning. The vitamin B12 status of ewes was increased for at least 176 days and that of their lambs for less than 37 days. Due to the proportional nature of the response to increasing dosage, the dose rate of the formulation tested can be adjusted according to the severity of Se and Co deficiency in a flock. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A single subcutaneous injection of vitamin B12 + Se administered pre-mating to Se-deficient flocks is likely to prevent Se deficiency in ewes and their lambs until weaning, as well as increase the vitamin B12 status of ewes and their lambs until 5 weeks after lambing.     

The effect of subclinical experimental Cowdria ruminantium infection in ewes on the growth and milk consumption of pre-weaning lambs.

An alternative control option for heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium infection) is the establishment and maintenance of endemic stability which would lessen the existing dependence on acaricides. In an endemically stable state, animals become infected by vaccination or natural challenge at an early age, following which the immunity so created is boosted by continuing tick challenge. In this study, growth rates, health and hematological parameters were monitored at regular intervals for lambs born to two matched groups of ewes until weaning at 4 mo of age. One group of ewes was infected multiple times with Cowdria ruminantium; the other group remained uninfected. The overall mean leucocyte count of lambs born to infected ewes was significantly lower than that of lambs born to uninfected ewes (P=0.04). However, there were few other significant differences in the other hematological data between the two groups. The mean birth weight of single lambs born to uninfected ewes (4.6 kg) was significantly higher than the mean birth weight of single lambs born to infected ewes (4.4 kg) (P=0.02). Trends in milk consumption and growth rates were similar for the two groups, with few significant differences detected. Likewise, there were no significant differences in the incidences of health problems or pre-weaning mortalities between the two groups of lambs. The results of this study indicate that there is no detectable effect on productivity of pre-weaning lambs when their dams are carriers of C. ruminantium--a situation likely to occur in an endemically stable state. Hence, maintenance of endemic stability would be a suitable control option for heartwater.     

Effects of vitamin E and selenium injections on reproduction and preweaning lamb survival in ewes consuming diets marginally deficient in selenium

Medium wool ewes were injected with vitamin E and(or) Se over a 2-yr period to evaluate the influence of these treatments on reproduction. Ewes were divided randomly into four groups, consisting of a control, plus groups receiving monthly sc injections of either 272 iu vitamin E, 4 mg Se or 272 IU vitamin E plus 4 mg Se during pregnancy. Selenium administration increased (P less than .05) ewe blood Se concentrations, but had no effect (P greater than .10) on fertility (number of ewes lambing of ewes bred), prolificacy (number of lambs born/ewe lambing) or lamb sex ratio. Preweaning survival of lambs was increased (P less than .05) by ewe treatments with either Se or vitamin E and thus, treated ewes weaned approximately 20% more lambs/ewe mated than did control ewes.