Influence of body weight and number of inseminations on fertility of progestogen-treated ewe lambs raised in controlled environments

The influence of body weight at breeding on reproductive response to one and two artificial inseminations (AI) of fresh extended semen was assessed in 195 crossbred ewe lambs selected for early breeding and compared with 159 adult ewes, all housed indoors in a controlled environment. In six trials, ewe lambs and adult ewes in progestogen-induced estrus were inseminated 55 to 57 h after sponge removal. One-half of the lambs and one-fourth of the adults received a second insemination at 60 h. Resultant reproductive performance of both groups indicated no advantage in a double insemination. Overall fertility, litter size and fecundity after one and two inseminations were 33%, 1.7 and .6 for ewe lambs and 68%, 2.4 and 1.6 for adult ewes, respectively. Embryonic mortality after the first 2 wk of pregnancy was estimated at 24% for ewe lambs and 9% for adults. The influence of body weight was analyzed by grouping the ewe lambs according to body weight at breeding. The lambs in group 1 weighed 30 to 35 kg; group 2, 36 to 40 kg; group 3, 41 to 45 kg and group 4, 46 to 50 kg. The proportion of ewes lambing in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 16, 34, 39 and 48%, respectively. Corresponding litter sizes were 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0. Fecundity increased (P less than 01) from .2 in group 1 to 1.0 in group 4. The results indicate that even when ewe lambs are bred by AI (eliminating a ram behavioral problem), sheep with heavier body weights produce more lambs per ewe bred.     

Implications of carbohydrate sources and rate of body weight gain on puberty in ewe lambs in tropical climate conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objectives were to evaluate the effects of two non-fibrous carbohydrate sources and the rate of body weight gain on puberty status in ewe lambs. Sixty...     

葡萄渣对羔羊生产性能、屠宰性能和养分消化代谢的影响

本试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,选择60只3月龄左右杜寒F₁代公羔进行试验,测定不同水平葡萄渣对羔羊生产性能、屠宰性能和养分消化代谢的影响。本试验设4个饲粮处理组,每个处理15个重复,每个重复一只羊,Ⅰ为基础饲粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ处理组为饲粮中分别含有8%,16%和24%的葡萄渣,缩合单宁(condensed tannins,CT)含量分别为0,1.5,3.0和4.5 g/kg。结果表明,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组羔羊日采食量、日增重、胴体重、屠宰率和胴体脂肪含量都显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),N表观存留率极显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.01),但Ⅰ组羔羊的酸性洗涤纤维和N表观消化率显著高于Ⅳ组(P＜0.05);Ⅱ组羔羊的饲料转化率显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),净肉率极显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.01)。随着CT含量的增加,羔羊的N、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率逐渐降低,N的表观存留率逐渐升高,综合考虑羔羊日增重、饲料转化率、屠宰性能和养分利用率等指标,饲粮中葡萄渣以8%~16%为宜。     

饲喂苜蓿干草对越冬母羊体质量增加及日粮消化率的影响

本研究分析饲喂苜蓿（Medicago sativa）干草对越冬母羊体质量增加和日粮消化率的影响。从5组（SA1、SA2、SA3、SA4、SA5）暖季放牧母羊中各选取18只健康母羊,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组9只,对照组和试验组平均体质量差异不显著（P＞0.05）。对照组不使用苜蓿干草,试验组中苜蓿干草占日粮干物质的比例为11.4%～17.1%。结果表明,SA2、SA3、SA5试验组使用苜蓿干草提高日粮粗蛋白含量并保持适宜的能量蛋白比[消化能（MJ）∶粗蛋白（g）为（1.06~1.08）∶10],可使越冬母羊不掉膘并降低日粮成本。试验组日粮的粗蛋白和中性洗涤纤维消化率均高于对照组,而干物质消化率均低于对照组。     

Influence of breed, age and body weight on organ weight in the chicken

Body, liver, heart and spleen weights were measured in 3 different breeds and 2 breed crosses over an age range of 0–8 weeks. Correlation coefficients, linear regression equations, standard deviations of observations around regression lines, and the standard errors of the slopes were calculated to study the effects of age, breed, and body weight on organ weight. The principal findings were:

1. Regardless of breed, organ weight does not change at the same rate as body weight during the first 8 weeks of life.

2. The ratio of liver or heart weight to body weight reaches a peak at about one to two weeks of age and then decreases gradually with age until 8 weeks. Spleen‐body weight ratio, however, increases to about the 3rd week of age after which it remains relatively constant.

3. Significant negative correlations were obtained between body weight and both liver‐ and heart‐body weight ratios; while significant positive correlations were obtained between body weight and spleen‐body weight ratios. The correlation between liver weight and heart weight was found to be higher than that between liver weight and spleen weight or between heart weight and spleen weight.

4. The ratio of organ weight to body weight differed with different breeds. The faster growing breeds had lower ratios of organ weight to body weight and higher correlation coefficients between body weight and organ weight ratios.

5. Regression equations are presented that enable the estimation of organ weights from body weights or from other organ weights in the three different breeds and two breed crosses studied.

     

半胱胺对羔羊增重及羊毛生长的影响

选择 4～ 5月龄断奶雌性杂种羔羊 2 2 0只 ,随机分成对照组和添加半胱胺组 ,半胱胺组按 5 0mg/kg体重包膜保护半胱胺 ,连续添加 12 0d ,试验结束。结果显示 ,半胱胺组从试验第 4 6天体重、毛长显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,整个试验期半胱胺组比对照组增重提高 17.9% (P <0 .0 5 ) ,毛长增长提高 6 .2 % (P <0 .0 5 ) ,说明半胱胺能够显著地促进断奶母羔体重增加和羊毛生长。     

The influence of empty body weight and mature weight of the genotype on energy density of empty body gain in growing lambs

From data reported by authors who had serially determined the chemical composition of the empty body of growing lambs of a wide range of genotypes, the energy density of empty body gains (E/G) at intervals from 20 to 50 kg empty body weight (EBW) were estimated. Energy density of empty body gain was related to the EBW of these lambs and to an approximation of the mature weight for the genotype (MW) obtained from a separate data set. The addition of MW to the function relating E/G to EBW increased the r2 from .793 to .940 and reduced the residual standard deviation from .550 to .300 Mcal/kg. Combining EBW and MW as predictors of E/G provided the following function: E/G = 5.718 + .093 (EBW) - .036 (MW). Energy density of empty body gain was approximately constant across all genotypes when comparisons were made at a constant EBW/MW. Thus, both EBW and mature weight of the genotype are closely related to E/G and should be considered important for accurately predicting net energy of gain requirements for growing lambs.     

饲料来源对育肥湖羊生产性能、养分消化及瘤胃微生物组成的影响

为评价日粮粗饲料来源对育肥湖羊生产性能、养分消化及瘤胃微生物组成的影响。选择60日龄健康湖羊公羔(22.9±1.2) kg 120只,根据体重相近原则随机分成4组,每组5个重复,每个重复6只羊,分别以玉米秸秆(CS)、玉米芯(CC)、葵花籽壳(SH)和油菜秸秆(RS)作为粗饲料来源,添加比例均为20%,4组精料配比一致,预试期7 d,正试期70 d。在饲喂的49～55 d,每组选择5只羊采用全收粪法进行消化代谢试验,测定干物质(DM)、有机物质(OM)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)和氮(N)的表观消化率。试验结束后,每组选择15只羊进行屠宰,采集瘤胃内容物,提取瘤胃微生物DNA,对瘤胃细菌进行绝对定量。结果显示:1)CS组湖羊干物质采食量显著高于其他3组(P<0.05),且末体重和平均日增重显著高于RS组(P<0.05),其他组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。2)CS和CC组湖羊DM和ADF消化率显著高于RS组(P<0.05),且其OM和NDF消化率显著高于SH组和RS组(P<0.05);SH组湖羊N消化率显著高于RS组,其ADF消化率与其他3组湖羊差异均不显著(P>0.05)。3)CS组和CC组湖羊瘤胃中白色瘤胃球菌和普雷沃氏菌数量均显著高于RS组(P<0.05),而SH组湖羊瘤胃中两种细菌的数量与其他3组湖羊均无显著差异(P>0.05),CS组和CC组湖羊瘤胃中黄色瘤胃球菌和产琥珀酸丝状杆菌数量均显著高于SH组和RS组(P<0.05),4组湖羊瘤胃中反刍兽新月单胞菌数量差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明:相较于葵花籽壳组日粮和油菜秸秆组日粮,玉米秸秆组和玉米芯组日粮不仅可以确保育肥湖羊的生产性能,并且有利于纤维分解菌的生存,可促进纤维素在瘤胃中的降解。     

饲料来源对育肥湖羊生产性能、养分消化及瘤胃微生物组成的影响

为评价日粮粗饲料来源对育肥湖羊生产性能、养分消化及瘤胃微生物组成的影响。选择60日龄健康湖羊公羔(22.9±1.2) kg 120只,根据体重相近原则随机分成4组,每组5个重复,每个重复6只羊,分别以玉米秸秆(CS)、玉米芯(CC)、葵花籽壳(SH)和油菜秸秆(RS)作为粗饲料来源,添加比例均为20%,4组精料配比一致,预试期7 d,正试期70 d。在饲喂的49~55 d,每组选择5只羊采用全收粪法进行消化代谢试验,测定干物质(DM)、有机物质(OM)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)和氮(N)的表观消化率。试验结束后,每组选择15只羊进行屠宰,采集瘤胃内容物,提取瘤胃微生物DNA,对瘤胃细菌进行绝对定量。结果显示:1)CS组湖羊干物质采食量显著高于其他3组(P<0.05),且末体重和平均日增重显著高于RS组(P<0.05),其他组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。2)CS和CC组湖羊DM和ADF消化率显著高于RS组(P<0.05),且其OM和NDF消化率显著高于SH组和RS组(P<0.05);SH组湖羊N消化率显著高于RS组,其ADF消化率与其他3组湖羊差异均不显著(P>0.05)。3)CS组和CC组湖羊瘤胃中白色瘤胃球菌和普雷沃氏菌数量均显著高于RS组(P<0.05),而SH组湖羊瘤胃中两种细菌的数量与其他3组湖羊均无显著差异(P>0.05),CS组和CC组湖羊瘤胃中黄色瘤胃球菌和产琥珀酸丝状杆菌数量均显著高于SH组和RS组(P<0.05),4组湖羊瘤胃中反刍兽新月单胞菌数量差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明:相较于葵花籽壳组日粮和油菜秸秆组日粮,玉米秸秆组和玉米芯组日粮不仅可以确保育肥湖羊的生产性能,并且有利于纤维分解菌的生存,可促进纤维素在瘤胃中的降解。     

Influence of porcine coat colour genotypes on haematological parameters, piglet birth weight and body weight gain until weaning

Two F2 generations of an intercross between Hampshire boars and Hungarian Large White sows were produced to estimate the effects of the porcine KIT genotypes (II, Ii and ii) on quantitative and qualitative haematological indices, on piglet birth weight and growth performance until weaning. Piglets carrying the I allele had significantly fewer lymphocytes (p = 0.041) than the ii homozygotes, heterozygotes had measures between the two homozygotes. KIT genotypes did not influence white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrite. II genotype piglets were significantly lighter at birth than the ones carrying the recessive i allele, the effect of KIT genotypes on gain until weaning was not significant, but II piglets tended to gain less. The results of this study support the hypothesis of M. Johansson, H. Ellegren, L. Marklund, U. Gustavsson, E. Ringmar‐Cederberg, K. Andersson, I. Edfors‐Lilja and L. Andersson [(1992) Genomics, 14 , 965] that the pleiotrophic effect of the porcine KIT mutations on haematopoietic cells must be mild.     

补饲营养调控剂对暖季放牧羔羊体尺及增重的影响

为研究适量补饲对放牧羔羊生长发育的影响,2010年5月至9月在裕民县吉兰德夏草场选取45只3月龄健康的巴什拜羊羔羊,分为对照组(放牧)、试验Ⅰ组(放牧+补饲0.2%营养调控剂)和试验Ⅱ组(放牧+补饲0.4%营养调控剂)。分别在羔羊3月龄、4月龄、5月龄和6月龄进行体重和体尺测量。结果表明:放牧加补饲营养调控剂,可以促进羔羊骨骼生长和羔羊日增重的提高。在试验的第2期(即5月龄),试验Ⅱ组胸围和体长比对照组分别提高4.00%和4.28%,差异极显著(P<0.01),试验Ⅱ组日增重比对照组提高34.38%,且差异显著(P<0.05)。分析认为:①补饲营养调控剂对暖季放牧羔羊生长发育有一定促进作用;②营养调控剂含量以0.4%水平对羔羊生长效果较好。     

Effect of birth weight,gender and litter characteristics on summer mortality in lambs of Norwegian breeds

Abstract

This study describes how birth weight, gender, litter size, and age of dam affect lamb mortality during the summer period, using data on lambs of the breeds Spælsau (N ≈ 110 000) and Norwegian White Sheep (N ≈ 450 000) during 1994 to 2005. A general mixed linear model was used for the analysis. Birth weight affected summer mortality non-proportionally: an increase in weight from very small towards the breed mean strongly deflated mortality risk; weigh increase above breed means had little effect. Male lambs had a higher mortality than females, and lambs born by 12-months-old dams were in greater risk than those having older dams. Increasing litter size resulted in increased mortality. The results are discussed and recommendations for future research, with focus on breeding and genotype by environment interaction effects are made.     

Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass and cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs

To examine effects of nutrient restriction and dietary Se on maternal and fetal visceral tissues, 36 pregnant Targhee-cross ewe lambs were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were plane of nutrition [control, 100% of requirements vs. restricted, 60% of controls] and dietary Se [adequate Se, ASe (6 microg/kg of BW) vs. high Se, HSe (80 microg/kg of BW)] from Se-enriched yeast. Selenium treatments were initiated 21 d before breeding and dietary restriction began on d 64 of gestation. Diets contained 16% CP and 2.12 Mcal/kg of ME (DM basis) and differing amounts were fed to control and restricted groups. On d 135 +/- 5 (mean +/- range) of gestation, ewes were slaughtered and visceral tissues were harvested. There was a nutrition x Se interaction (P = 0.02) for maternal jejunal RNA:DNA; no other interactions were detected for maternal measurements. Maternal BW, stomach complex, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and kidney mass were less (P < or = 0.01) in restricted than control ewes. Lung mass (g/kg of empty BW) was greater (P = 0.09) in restricted than control ewes and for HSe compared with ASe ewes. Maternal jejunal protein content and protein:DNA were less (P < or = 0.002) in restricted than control ewes. Maternal jejunal DNA and RNA concentrations and total proliferating jejunal cells were not affected (P > or = 0.11) by treatment. Total jejunal and mucosal vascularity (mL) were less (P < or = 0.01) in restricted than control ewes. Fetuses from restricted ewes had less BW (P = 0.06), empty carcass weight (P = 0.06), crown-rump length (P = 0.03), liver (P = 0.01), pancreas (P = 0.07), perirenal fat (P = 0.02), small intestine (P = 0.007), and spleen weights (P = 0.03) compared with controls. Fetuses from HSe ewes had heavier (P < or = 0.09) BW, and empty carcass, heart, lung, spleen, total viscera, and large intestine weights compared with ASe ewes. Nutrient restriction resulted in less protein content (mg, P = 0.01) and protein:DNA (P = 0.06) in fetal jejunum. Fetal muscle DNA (nutrition by Se interaction, P = 0.04) concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in restricted ewes fed HSe compared with other treatments. Fetal muscle RNA concentration (P = 0.01) and heart RNA content (P = 0.04) were greater in HSe vs. ASe ewes. These data indicate that maternal dietary Se may alter fetal responses, as noted by greater fetal heart, lung, spleen, and BW.     

Effects of level and source of dietary selenium on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs

Pregnant Targhee ewe lambs (n = 32; BW = 45.6 +/- 2.2 kg) were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely randomized design to examine the effects of level and source of dietary Se on maternal and fetal visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and maternal jejunal crypt cell proliferation and vascularity. Diets contained (DM basis) either no added Se (control) or supranutritional Se from high-Se wheat at 3.0 ppm Se (SW) or from sodium selenate at 3 (S3) or 15 (S15) ppm Se. Diets were similar in CP (15.5%) and ME (2.68 Mcal/kg of DM) and were fed to meet or exceed requirements. Treatments were initiated at 50 +/- 5 d of gestation. The control, SW, S3, and S15 treatment diets provided 2.5, 75, 75, and 375 microg of Se/kg of BW, respectively. On d 134 +/- 10 of gestation, ewes were necropsied, and tissues were harvested. Contrasts, including control vs. Se treatments (SW, S3, and S15), SW vs. S3, and S3 vs. S15, were used to evaluate differences among Se levels and sources. There were no differences in ewe initial and final BW. Full viscera and liver mass (g/kg of empty BW and g/kg of maternal BW) and maternal liver protein concentration (mg/g) and content (g) were greater (P < 0.04) in Se-treated compared with control ewes. Maternal liver protein concentration was greater (P = 0.01) in SW vs. S3 ewes, and content was greater (P = 0.01) in S15 compared with S3 ewes. Maternal jejunal mucosal DNA concentration (mg/g) was greater (P = 0.08) in SW compared with S3 ewes. Total number of proliferating cells in maternal jejunal mucosa was greater (P = 0.02) in Se-fed compared with control ewes. Capillary number density within maternal jejunal tissue was greater (P = 0.08) in S3 compared with SW ewes. Selenium treatment resulted in reduced fetal heart girth (P = 0.08). Fetal kidney RNA (P = 0.04) and protein concentrations (mg/g; P = 0.03) were greater in Se-treated compared with control ewes. These results indicate that supranutritional dietary Se increases cell numbers in maternal jejunal mucosa through increased crypt cell proliferation. No indications of toxicity were observed in any of the Se treatments.