Effects of trichostrongyle larval challenge on the reproductive performance of immune ewes

Ostertagia circumcincta larvae were administered to adult immune ewes either during the breeding period or around parturition to investigate whether reproductive performance was affected. Two groups of 25 ewes were given water or 12,000 ostertagia larvae three times weekly for five weeks before and five weeks after breeding to synchronised oestrus. Plasma pepsinogen levels were raised in the larval-challenged ewes during the treatment period but no significant effect of treatment was observed on ovulation rate or plasma progesterone concentration. Neither ewe live-weight nor body condition score differed between groups throughout gestation or for four weeks post partum and there was no effect from larval challenge during the breeding period on lambing rate, lamb birthweight or liveweight at four weeks old. A second experiment involved 20 twin-bearing immune ewes which were administered 17,000 ostertagia larvae three times weekly for three weeks before and three weeks after parturition. Plasma pepsinogen concentration was elevated during the larval challenge period and nematode eggs were detected in the faeces after parturition but there was no effect from treatment either on ewe liveweight and body condition score or on lamb birthweight and lamb liveweight at four weeks old. These results indicate that larval challenge with ostertagia larvae at dose rates comparable to larval intake from heavily contaminated pasture did not affect the general well being and reproductive performance of immune Greyface ewes.     

补饲矿物元素和维生素对多浪羊母羊繁殖性能影响的研究

2009年3月至10月,在新疆喀什地区麦盖提县多浪羊繁育基地,研究补饲矿物元素和维生素对多浪羊母羊繁殖性能的影响.将试验羊按年龄和体重配对分成3组:对照组(自然发情组),不做任何处理;试验Ⅰ组,在催情补饲阶段,每天每只羊补饲铜50 mg、碘50 mg、锌600 mg、硒2 mg,妊娠阶段每天每只羊补饲铜20 mg、碘2.5 mg、锌100 mg、硒0.5 mg;试验Ⅱ组,在催情补饲阶段,每天每只羊补饲维生素A 50万u、维生素E 800u,妊娠阶段每天每只羊补饲维生素A 5万u、维生素E 500 u.结果表明:①气温升高会降低多浪羊的发情率和受胎率;②补饲VA和VE或矿物元素铜、锌、硒、碘会提高多浪羊的产双羔率,特别是补饲VA和VE对提高双羔率效果明显.     

日粮能量水平对母羊繁殖性能影响的研究进展

能量是影响母羊繁殖性能的重要因素之一.满足母羊不同时期的能量需求是提高母羊生产效益的重要措施,对保证母羊繁殖和羔羊健康生长有重要意义.能量主要通过下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴来影响母羊的繁殖性能.文章综述不同能量水平对母羊的发情、胚胎发育、泌乳和羔羊生长的影响,以期为母羊合理的日粮能量水平提供依据.     

棉茬地放牧对母羊繁殖性能及血液性状的影响

利用能繁母羊在棉茬地进行冬季放牧,探讨了棉茬地放牧对母羊繁殖性能及血液生化指标的影响。结果表明,棉茬地地上生物量为6 178.6 kg·hm-2,其中棉叶、棉桃壳等可采食部位约占65%。母羊的日均干物质采食量为1.98kg·只-1。与该区域舍饲母羊群相比,棉茬地放牧母羊后羔羊初生重偏低而死亡率高达12.87%,繁殖成活率降低(P0.05);随着放牧时间的推移,母羊血液游离棉酚浓度呈上升趋势,放牧结束时血液游离棉酚浓度达到131.70mg·L-1;放牧组母羊的血液中白细胞数量显著高于舍饲组(P0.05),而血小板数目、尿素氮浓度和镁浓度显著低于舍饲为主的母羊群(P0.05)。棉茬地作为冷季放牧利用地,能降低饲养成本,但对母羊的繁殖能力和健康有一定影响,建议在棉茬地放牧的同时进行适当补饲。     

Influence of concentration, duration and route of administration of melatonin on reproductive performance of spring-mated polypay and polypay-cross ewes

The effects of exogenous melatonin on reproductive performance of 737 Polypay and Polypay-cross ewes were evaluated during a late March and April breeding period. Different concentrations (2 or 10 mg) routes of administration (fed vs implanted) and durations of administration (20 or 40 d before breeding) were studied. Estrus was synchronized in all ewes using 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) in a vaginal pessary. Number of mature ewes lambing/ewe present at lambing was increased (P less than .05) nearly 20% by implanting for 40 d with melatonin (75%) or by feeding either 2 (72%) or 10 mg (73%) melatonin for 40 d before spring breeding compared with untreated control ewes (54%) or ewes implanted for only 20 d before breeding (58%). Date of lambing, number of lambs born/ewes lambing and number of lambs born alive/ewe lambing were not altered significantly by treatments. Number of yearling ewes (n = 166 for ewes 1.5 yr old at lambing time) lambing/ewe present at lambing was lower (P less than .01; 26%) than that of mature ewes (n = 381, greater than or equal to 2.0 yr; 68%). We concluded that feeding 2 or 10 mg melatonin or implanting melatonin for 40 d enhanced reproductive performance and effectively overcame the restrictions of seasonality of breeding in mature ewes. In yearling ewes, 10 mg melatonin increased the number of ewes lambing.     

Influence of organic phosphorus on reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics at the end of breeding season

The effect of organic phosphorus on metabolic, haematological and hormonal status, restoration of ovarian functions and conception rate in anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics were evaluated. Anoestrous Farafra ewes (n  = 24; 34.72 ± 0.52 kg body weight) were allocated into two equal groups: control and phosphorus groups. The ewes of phosphorus group were treated with sodium 4‐dimethylamino‐2‐methyl‐phenyl‐phosphonate as an organic bound phosphorous twice a week for successive 3 weeks. Ovarian follicle development and corpora lutea were checked three times a week till occurrence of oestrus using ultrasonography while pregnancy was confirmed at 30 days post‐service. Plasma metabolites, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and minerals were detected at weeks ?2, ?1, 0 (mating day) and + 4 weeks post‐oestrus. Phosphorus group had significantly (p  < .05) short interval to oestrous resumption if compared to control ewes (2.1 ± 0.8 weeks vs . 4.6 ± 1.1 weeks). In addition, phosphorous supplementation significantly (p  < .05) increased the number of antral follicles (developed and their sizes in addition to sizes of corpora lutea (8.72 ± 0.3 mm vs . 7.46 ± 0.9 mm) as well. Number of services per conception (2.6 vs . 1.4; p  < .01) was higher in control group than that of phosphorus group. Pregnancy rate (80 vs . 50%) was significantly (p  < .01) higher in phosphorus group when compared to control. White blood cells in treated ewes (10.8 ± 0.44; p  < .05) and monocytes (2.93 ± 0.13; p  < .01) were higher than that of control group (white blood cells; 9.53 ± 0.50 and monocytes; 2.24 ± 0.14). Metabolic parameters did not differ between phosphorus and control groups during different times of treatment. It could be concluded that phosphorous administration to anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics could improve reproductive performance and restore ovarian activity at the end of spring and early summer.     

营养调控对山羊繁殖力的影响

山羊繁殖力是制约生产效率的主要因素之一,科学地运用生殖学的营养调控技术已使得山羊的实际繁殖力大大提高.但是,当前绝大多数山羊的繁殖率与真实潜在尚有很大的差距,本文就山羊的消化代谢特点、能量、蛋白质、碳水化合物、维生素以及无机矿物微量元素调控对山羊繁殖力影响作了阐述,以缩小这种差距.     

Influence of shearing on the circadian rhythm of body temperature in the sheep

The presence of functional rhythmic variations is a well-demonstrated phenomenon at all levels of physiological organization and especially in the functioning of the cell components, of tissues and of organic systems. In domestic animals, the body temperature presents spontaneous and regular periodic oscillations over different periods of time, which are the result of complex mechanisms that witness the existence of endogenous and exogenous factors. Taking this knowledge as a starting-point, the authors studied 12 Comisana breed ewes to observe the influence of shearing on the circadian periodicity of rectal and skin temperature. The obtained results show the transient loss of body temperature rhythm by shearing, with an exogenous component, the shearing itself, and an endogenous component, the modifications of metabolic levels induced by the removal of the fleece, the external insulating layer.     

The effect of progesterone supplementation post mating and shearing of ewes in early pregnancy on the reproductive performance of ewes and birthweight of lambs

AIM: To determine whether short-term progesterone supplementation post mating or shearing of ewes in early pregnancy affected either the proportion of ewes that lambed or that had multiple lambs, or the birthweight of lambs.

METHODS: Romney ewes (n=457) were synchronised in oestrus using controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) devices containing progesterone, and mated to Romney rams over a 5-day period. The mid-point of mating (Day 0) occurred 2 days after the withdrawal of CIDR devices. Ewes mated (n=397) were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: shearing at Day 5, shearing at Day 30, no shearing, and no shearing plus progesterone supplementation using a CIDR device inserted on Day 3 for 6 days. During the period from Day 5 to Day 27, six harnessed Suffolk rams were placed with the ewes and matings recorded. At Day 48, all ewes that did not return to the Suffolk rams were scanned for pregnancy using ultrasound. At Day 140, single- and multiple-bearing ewes were set-stocked at 15.1 and 12.2 ewes/ha, respectively, and equivalent numbers of ewes from each treatment group were placed in each paddock. Blood samples from 10 unshorn and 10 progesterone-supplemented ewes were collected on Days 3, 6 and 9, and analysed for plasma progesterone concentrations. Lambs were identified to their dam and weighed within 12 h of birth, and again at 27 and 93 days after the mid-point of lambing. The ewes were weighed at regular intervals throughout the trial.

RESULTS: Plasma progesterone concentrations of supplemented ewes were higher than those of unsupplemented ewes (3.28 vs 1.75 ng/ml) on Day 6 (p=0.02) but not on Day 9 (4.58 vs 4.63 ng/ml). Treatment of ewes had no effect on either the proportion of ewes which lambed to the synchronised mating period or that had multiple lambs. Lambs born to ewes shorn at Day 30 tended (p=0.09) to be heavier at birth (by 0.28 kg) than those born to unshorn ewes but this effect was not evident when data were corrected for length of gestation. Neither shearing at Day 5 nor progesterone supplementation had any effect on the birthweight of lambs, and the treatment of ewes had no effect on the survival rate of lambs to weaning.

CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone supplementation for 6 days beginning 3 days post mating did not increase either the proportion of ewes that lambed or that had multiple lambs, or the birthweight of lambs. Shearing 5 days after mating had no significant effect on the reproductive performance of ewes and need not be avoided, but is unlikely to result in an increase in lamb birthweight. Shearing ewes at Day 30 may result in an increase in the birthweight of lambs but, ideally, ewes should be further advanced in pregnancy before shearing is undertaken.     

Multiple injections of vitamin E and selenium improved the reproductive performance of estrus-synchronized Awassi ewes

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of injecting estrus-synchronized ewes with vitamin E and selenium (Se) on their reproductive...     

The effect of progesterone supplementation post mating and shearing of ewes in early pregnancy on the reproductive performance of ewes and birthweight of lambs

AIM: To determine whether short-term progesterone supplementation post mating or shearing of ewes in early pregnancy affected either the proportion of ewes that lambed or that had multiple lambs, or the birthweight of lambs. METHODS: Romney ewes (n=457) were synchronised in oestrus using controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) devices containing progesterone, and mated to Romney rams over a 5-day period. The mid-point of mating (Day 0) occurred 2 days after the withdrawal of CIDR devices. Ewes mated (n=397) were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: shearing at Day 5, shearing at Day 30, no shearing, and no shearing plus progesterone supplementation using a CIDR device inserted on Day 3 for 6 days. During the period from Day 5 to Day 27, six harnessed Suffolk rams were placed with the ewes and matings recorded. At Day 48, all ewes that did not return to the Suffolk rams were scanned for pregnancy using ultrasound. At Day 140, single- and multiple-bearing ewes were set-stocked at 15.1 and 12.2 ewes/ha, respectively, and equivalent numbers of ewes from each treatment group were placed in each paddock. Blood samples from 10 unshorn and 10 progesterone-supplemented ewes were collected on Days 3, 6 and 9, and analysed for plasma progesterone concentrations. Lambs were identified to their dam and weighed within 12 h of birth, and again at 27 and 93 days after the mid-point of lambing. The ewes were weighed at regular intervals throughout the trial. RESULTS: Plasma progesterone concentrations of supplemented ewes were higher than those of unsupplemented ewes (3.28 vs 1.75 ng/ml) on Day 6 (p=0.02) but not on Day 9 (4.58 vs 4.63 ng/ml). Treatment of ewes had no effect on either the proportion of ewes which lambed to the synchronised mating period or that had multiple lambs. Lambs born to ewes shorn at Day 30 tended (p=0.09) to be heavier at birth (by 0.28 kg) than those born to unshorn ewes but this effect was not evident when data were corrected for length of gestation. Neither shearing at Day 5 nor progesterone supplementation had any effect on the birthweight of lambs, and the treatment of ewes had no effect on the survival rate of lambs to weaning. CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone supplementation for 6 days beginning 3 days post mating did not increase either the proportion of ewes that lambed or that had multiple lambs, or the birthweight of lambs. Shearing 5 days after mating had no significant effect on the reproductive performance of ewes and need not be avoided, but is unlikely to result in an increase in lamb birthweight. Shearing ewes at Day 30 may result in an increase in the birthweight of lambs but, ideally, ewes should be further advanced in pregnancy before shearing is undertaken.     

环境因素对牦牛繁殖性能的影响

环境因素是制约青藏高原牦牛繁殖性能的关键 ,这些因素不但对牦牛产生直接影响 ,而且通过天然草场牧草的生长、营养和能量供应发生季节性变化 ,而间接影响牦牛的行为、生长、繁殖和生产性能。本文简述了环境因素 :海拔、气温对母牦牛发情和受胎的影响及季节、年龄与公牦牛采精量的关系。     

Effects of sarcoptic mange on the reproductive performance of ewes and transmission of Sarcoptes scabiei to newborn lambs

In each of two experiments, the reproductive performance of ewes naturally infested with sarcoptic mange and of uninfested ewes was assessed in in-season natural breeding conditions (experiment I) or in out-of-season controlled breeding conditions (experiment II). A statistically significant difference was observed in the total lambs born per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.6), in the liveborn lambs per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.5) and in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.33kg; controls, 4.53kg) under natural breeding conditions, as well as in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.37kg; controls, 4.14kg) among ewes under controlled breeding conditions. No adverse effects were observed in the other reproductive indices, cycling rate, mating rate, return-to-oestrus rate, abortion rate, lambing rate and stillbirth rate. Sarcoptic mange was observed in the offspring of infested ewes after 30 days and in the offspring of uninfested controls 60 days after their birth.     

A field study of reproductive performance and productivity of Pelibuey ewes in Southeastern Mexico

The objective was to evaluate the reproductive performance and productivity of Pelibuey ewes in two flocks in Southeastern Mexico. Animals grazed on irrigated star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus). In flock 1, lambs grazed with their mothers from 7 to 70 days of age (weaning age), whereas in flock 2, they were confined and offered chopped grass, a commercial concentrated and managed under restricted suckling until weaning at 60 days of age.. The statistical model included the fixed effects of flock, year and season of lambing, parity number, litter size at weaning, first order interactions and the random effects of ewe and the error term. The means ± SD for age at first lambing, prolificacy, lambing interval (LI), weaning weight, and productivity were 477?±?85.5 days, 1.41?±?0.51 lambs, 255.9?±?51.8 days, 16.5?±?4 kg, and 18.1?±?4.42 kg of lamb weaned, respectively. Repeatability estimates for the latter four traits were 0.09, 0.07, 0.11, and 0.13, respectively. All main effects in the models were significant (P?<?0.001), except for year on LI. Prolificacy and productivity increased with parity number. The shortest LI was in the rainy season. Ewes with two or three lambs produced 8 and 14 kg of lamb more at weaning than single lamb ewes. In conclusion, reproductive performance and productivity could be improved, and the low repeatability estimates suggest that management should be used in a short term rather than genetic approaches.