Effects of ewe breed and ram exposure on estrous behavior in May and June

Two groups of purebred ewes (A and B), each consisting of 25 Dorsets and 25 Hampshires, were used to study effects of ewe breed and ram exposure on ovulation and estrus in May and June. Ewes lambed in January and February and were isolated from mature rams for at least 5 mo. From May 8 to June 11 (Period 1), Group A ewes were penned with vasectomized rams fitted with marking harnesses and Group B ewes were isolated from rams. From June 11 to July 13 (Period 2), rams were placed with Group B ewes and Group A ewes were isolated from rams. Ovulation was monitored by biweekly serum progesterone assays and crayon marks were used to detect estrus. For Group A ewes in Period 1, more Dorsets ovulated (96%) than did Hampshires (72%), and of ewes that ovulated, more Dorsets mated (83 vs 28%). Fifty-five percent of Dorsets, but only 20% of Hampshires, appeared to have been spontaneously cycling at the start of the experiment. Of ewes mated in Period 1, more Dorsets than Hampshires continued to cycle during Period 2 (65 vs 0%). For Group B ewes in Period 1, 44% of Dorsets, but only 8% of Hampshires, ovulated in the absence of rams. In Period 2, 92% of Dorsets and 84% of Hampshires ovulated. Of ewes that ovulated, more Dorset ewes mated (78 vs 52%). Of ewes that mated, more Dorsets appeared to be cycling spontaneously at ram introduction (39 vs 0%). Throughout the study, 24% of Dorsets, but no Hampshires, cycled continuously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Onset of puberty and duration of the breeding season in Suffolk, Rambouillet, Finnish Landrace, Dorset and Finn-Dorset ewe lambs

Sixty ewe lambs, 12 each of Suffolk, Dorset, Finnish Landrace, Finn-Dorset and Rambouillet born in January and February were used in a study of puberty and duration of the first breeding season. Ovulation was monitored via progesterone assay of weekly blood samples beginning in July, and estrus via daily checking with vasectomized rams. All 60 ewes ovulated but three, one Dorset and two Rambouillet failed to show estrus although each had five to seven ovulatory cycles. Several ewes showed small progesterone rises, 300 to 500 pg/ml, before first ovulation and six (10%) failed to initiate regular cyclicity following the first ovulation as defined by progesterone greater than 500 pg/ml. Mean number of ovulatory events before the first behavioral estrus ranged from 1.25 for Finnish Landrace to 2.20 for Rambouillet ewe lambs (P less than .1). Rambouillets were older (277 d; P less than .05) at first estrus than Finns (258 d) and Finn-Dorsets (260 d), but differences in age at first ovulation were not significant: Finn-Dorset, 233 d; Dorset, 234 d; Finn, 235 d; Rambouillet, 240 d; Suffolk, 245 d. Most cycles were of normal length, with 91.4% between 14 and 20 d. Repeatability of cycle length within breed group was .38. Suffolks had significantly shorter cycles (16.1 d) than the other four groups (17.0 to 17.4 d). Finnish Landrace and Finn-Dorset ewes continued to cycle much longer than the other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of cohabitation with white-faced ewes on estrous activity of Hampshire and Suffolk ewes exposed to rams in June

Two groups of 24 Hampshire and 26 Suffolk purebred ewes each were used to study effects of cohabitation with cyclic white-faced (WF) ewes on estrous activity in June. Ewes lambed in January, February and March and had been isolated from mature rams since the previous fall breeding. From June 1 to July 2, treated (T) ewes were exposed to vasectomized rams and to 65 WF ewes; control (C) ewes were exposed only to vasectomized rams. Ovulation was assessed with biweekly serum progesterone assays; crayon marks were used to detect estrus. Daily observations of ram behavior were conducted to assess sexual activity of rams joined with T and C ewes. Cohabitation with WF ewes increased (P less than .01) ovulation percentages from 46% in C (42% for Hampshires and 50% for Suffolks) to 76% in T ewes (79% for Hampshires and 73% for Suffolks). Mating percentage also was increased (P less than .05) by cohabitation with WF ewes from 14% for C ewes to 30% for T ewes. Rams with T + WF ewes spent more (P less than .05) time checking ewes for estrus than did rams with C ewes. Hence, cohabitation with cycling WF ewes increased ovulation and mating percentages. Many acyclic T ewes first ovulated after 10 or more days of teasing, possibly due to increased ram contact in the presence of WF ewes.     

Reproductive performance of Suffolk and Suffolk-cross ewes and ewe lambs exposed to vasectomized rams before breeding

Multiparous Suffolk and Suffolk-cross ewes were randomly allotted to treatments within breed and year to measure effects of ram exposure, during transition from anestrus to breeding activity, on reproductive performance. Treatments were: 1) ewes joined with two mature vasectomized Rambouillet rams for 15 d before breeding (DC), 2) ewes maintained across a net wire fence from two vasectomized rams for 15 d before breeding (FC) and 3) ewes maintained approximately 400 m away from rams (NC). At the end of the 15 d, all ewes were placed in one pasture and mated to three fertile Suffolk rams during a 34-d breeding season. A total of 96 Suffolk and 177 Suffolk-cross ewes was utilized during the 3-yr experiment. A greater (P less than .05) prebreeding ovulation percentage was observed in DC and FC than in NC ewes. Mating and lambing occurred approximately 6 d earlier for DC or FC ewes than for NC ewes. A similarly designed experiment was conducted using Suffolk and Suffolk-cross ewe lambs allotted to treatments within breed and year to measure effects of ram exposure during the natural breeding season, but prior to breeding. Treatment differences were not detected (P greater than .05) for date of first observed estrus, date of lambing, percentage of ewes lambing in the first 17 d of the lambing season, number of lambs born per ewe lamb exposed or number of lambs born per ewe lamb giving birth.     

A comparison of Dorset and Finnish Landrace crossbred ewes

Data from 644 exposures and 552 lambings were used to analyze reproductive traits of 1/2-Finnish Landrace, 1/2-Dorset ewes (1/2 Finn); 1/4-Finnish Landrace, 3/4-Dorset ewes, (1/4 Finn) and Dorset ewes. Ewes were exposed to Hampshire or Suffolk rams for spring lambing from 1973 to 1978. The analytical model included fixed effects of ewe birth year (EBY), ewe breed (BR), lambing year within EBY and EBY X BR interaction and random effects of ewe within EBY and BR. Conception rate differed (P less than .01) for 1/2-Finn (.94), 1/4-Finn (.88) and Dorset (.80) ewes. Litter size was highest (P less than .01) for 1/2-Finns (1.97), followed by 1/4-Finns (1.74) and Dorsets (1.44). The 1/2-Finn ewes ranked first for number and weight of lambs weaned, and for number and weight marketed as feeder lambs. Birth weights were heavier (P less than .001) for lambs with Dorset dams (3.88 kg) than for lambs with 1/4-Finn (3.24 kg) or 1/2-Finn (3.08 kg) dams. Preweaning average daily gains and adjusted 90-d weights were also larger (P less than .001) for lambs with Dorset dams (.26 kg/d and 28.3 kg, respectively) than for lambs with 1/4-Finn (.24 kg/d and 25.4 kg) or 1/2-Finn (.24 kg/d and 25.1 kg) dams. However, Dorset ewes lambed an average of 10.5 d later than Finn-cross ewes, and actual weaning weights (unadjusted for age) did not differ significantly among lambs from Dorset (27.2 kg), 1/4-Finn (26.9 kg) and 1/2-Finn ewes (26.7 kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ram influence on ovarian and sexual activity in anestrous ewes: effects of isolation of ewes from rams before joining and date of ram introduction.

A 2-yr experiment was conducted to determine whether isolation of ewes from rams is necessary to achieve a high response to the ram effect and whether ewes respond as well in May as in June. The experiment was conducted at two locations, with the same four treatments at each location. The four treatments differed with respect to ewe proximity to rams before mating (isolated vs adjacent) and date of joining with novel breeding rams (May 15 vs June 15). The proximity treatment at one location was changed in the 2nd yr; teaser rams were joined with the ewes instead of being adjacent to them. Overall, 86% of the eligible ewes were judged to have responded to the ram effect. A period of isolation before mating did not increase response compared with ewes that remained adjacent to, or in contact with, rams (86 vs 85%). Response was greater (P less than .05) in June and in the 2nd yr (P = .05). A physiological response, different from that generally described, was identified. Ewes ovulated approximately 8 d (8.0 +/- .19 d) after joining with breeding rams. The subsequent ovulation, accompanied by estrus, occurred approximately 15 d later (15.3 +/- .29 d). Eighty-five percent (87/102) of the ewes sampled responded in this manner. However, 82% (31/38) of a sample of these ewes had at least one morphologically normal corpus luteum when examined by laparoscopy 4 d after joining. It seems that these corpora lutea were not completely functional with respect to progesterone production. The ram effect can be achieved without prior isolation of ewes from rams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of season and lactation on postpartum fertility of Polypay, Dorset, St. Croix and Targhee ewes

The objective of this study was to compare rebreeding activities of spring- vs fall-lambing Polypay, Dorset, St. Croix and Targhee ewes that either suckled their lambs for 40 d or had lambs weaned at birth. Seasonal effects of male fertility were reduced by utilizing an excess number of fertile rams in the spring. Plasma concentrations of progesterone were monitored to assess days to the first normal ovulation, days to conception and estrous vs anestrous activity. Breed, season and lactation affected the rebreeding performance. Dorset ewes had similar conception rates between spring and fall but a shorter interval from lambing to first ovulation in the fall. Polypay and Targhee ewes were the opposite; they had higher conception rates in fall than in spring matings with no seasonal influence on postpartum interval. Postpartum ewes in the fall had higher conception rates, and fewer of these ewes became anestrous or had estrous cycles of abnormal duration than of those ewes lambing in the spring. Ewes that suckled for 40 d in the spring had delayed estrous activity, but when these ewes became estrual they had higher conception rates than ewes whose lambs were weaned at birth. Lactation had no inhibitory affect on the postpartum interval of fall lambing ewes. These data suggest that the response of different breeds to various components of postpartum fertility varies with season and management of the flock.     

Endocrine and ovarian changes in response to the ram effect in medroxyprogesterone acetate-primed Corriedale ewes during the breeding and nonbreeding season

Two experiments were performed to determine the endocrine and ovarian changes in medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP)-primed ewes after ram introduction. Experiment 1 was performed during the mid-breeding season with 71 ewes primed with an intravaginal MAP sponge for 12 days. While the control (C) ewes (n = 35) were in permanent contact with rams, the ram effect (RE) ewes (n = 36) were isolated for 34 days prior to contact with rams. At sponge withdrawal, all ewes were joined with eight sexually experienced marking Corriedale rams and estrus was recorded over the next 4 days. The ovaries were observed by laparoscopy 4-6 days after estrus. Four weeks later, pregnancy was determined by transrectal ultrasonography. In eight ewes from each group, ovaries were ultrasonographically scanned; FSH, LH, and estradiol-17beta were measured every 12 hours until ovulation or 96 hours after estrus. The response to the rams was not affected by the fact that ewes had been kept or not in close contact with males before teasing. No differences were found in FSH, LH, estradiol-17beta concentrations, growth of the ovulatory follicle, onset of estrus, ovulation rate, or pregnancy rate. Experiment 2 was performed with 14 ewes during the nonbreeding season. Ewes were isolated from rams for 1 month, and received a 6-day MAP priming. Ovaries were ultrasonographically scanned every 12 hours, and FSH, LH, estradiol-17beta, and progesterone were measured. Ewes that ovulated and came into estrus had higher FSH and estradiol-17beta levels before introduction of the rams than did ewes that had a silent ovulation. The endocrine pattern of the induced follicular phase of ewes that came into estrus was more similar to a normal follicular phase, than in ewes that had a silent ovulation. The follicle that finally ovulated tended to emerge earlier and in a more synchronized fashion in those ewes that did come into estrus. All ewes that ovulated had an LH surge and reached higher maximum FSH levels than ewes that did not ovulate, none of which had an LH surge. We conclude that (a) the effect of ram introduction in cyclic ewes treated with MAP may vary depending on the time of the breeding season at which teasing is performed; (b) patterns of FSH, and estradiol-17beta concentrations, as indicators of activity of the reproductive axis, may be used to classify depth of anestrus; and (c) the endocrine pattern of the induced follicular phase, which is related to the depth of anestrus, may be reflected in the behavioral responses to MAP priming and the ram effect.     

Lambing performance of Morlam and Dorset ewes under accelerated lambing systems

Two accelerated lambing systems, Morlam using Morlam sheep (USDA, Beltsville 1966 to 1975) and Camal using Dorset ewes (Cornell 1978 to 1981), were evaluated for first lambing ages, interlambing intervals and conception probabilities. Morlam ewes were continuously exposed to rams over the year, while Camal Dorset ewes were exposed every other month. Morlam lambs were mated as early as 367 d of age and Camal Dorset lambs as early as 340 d. Early lambing was associated with higher rates of perinatal mortality (P greater than .05) and smaller litter size (P less than .01). Lambing years among Morlam ewes and season of birth of Camal Dorset ewes influenced (P less than .01) their first lambing ages. Lambing intervals averaged 293 and 303 d among Morlam and Camal Dorset ewes, respectively. Age at first lambing and season in which the previous lambing occurred with influential factors (P less than .01) on lambing intervals of Morlam ewes; longer intervals resulted when ewe lambs were mated at early ages (less than 12 mo), and when the previous lambing occurred in winter. Estimates of conditional probabilities of conception by month given the occurrence of estrus, reflected seasonal changes in both systems. The overall probability of conception for the Morlam system (P = .16) was relatively higher than that for the Camal Dorset system (P = .14); numbers of lambings per ewe per yr were 1.28 and 1.21, respectively. Estimates of heritability for age at first lambing, lambing interval and conception probability were .31, .06 and .30, respectively.     

Breed group differences in testicular growth patterns in spring-born ram lambs

Three groups of spring-born ram lambs were used to assess breed group differences in testicular growth patterns through 5 mo of age. Group 1 included 20 3/4-Finnish Landrace (Finn), 1/4-Rambouillet rams and 31 1/8-Finn, 7/8-Rambouillet rams. Group 2 included 23 3/4-Finn, 1/4-Dorset rams and 19 1/8-Finn, 7/8-Dorset rams. Group 3 included 21 black-faced (BF) rams (six Hampshire and 15 Suffolk) and 46 whitefaced (WF) rams (nine Dorset, 20 Barbados Blackbelly X Dorset, 10 Finn X Dorset and six Dorset X Finn). Scrotal circumference (C) was measured at 19, 43, 72, 100, 128 and 153 d in Group 1; at 20, 48, 76, 93 and 153 d in Group 2 and at 40, 60, 81, 103, 124 and 158 d in Group 3. Breed group X age interaction was tested to assess breed group differences in testicular growth patterns, and logistic curves were used to describe increases in scrotal circumference with age. In Group 1, 3/4-Finn and 1/8-Finn rams were similar in estimated final scrotal circumference at 150 d of age (260 and 259 mm, respectively), but rapid testicular growth began earlier in 3/4-Finn rams. The estimated age at which the growth rate in scrotal circumference was maximum was 81 d for 3/4-Finn rams and 93 d for 1/8-Finn rams. No differences were observed in testicular growth in Group 2 rams. However, in Group 3, smaller WF rams matured more rapidly than larger BF rams. Growth in scrotal circumference was most rapid at 99 d in BF rams and 88 d in WF rams. Within WF rams, Barbados Blackbelly X Dorset and Finn X Dorset rams matured earlier than Dorsets. In all groups, the primary breed difference was associated with age differences during the period of rapid testicular growth.     

Use of melengestrol acetate and gonadotropins to induce fertile estrus in seasonally anestrous ewes.

Ewes of three genotypes (Hampshire, n = 59; Rambouillet, n = 36; crossbred, n = 57) were used to determine the efficiency of melengestrol acetate (MGA) and(or) PG-600 (a combination of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin) in inducing fertile estrus in seasonally anestrus ewes. Ewes were assigned randomly, within genotype, to treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were control, .125 mg of MGA given twice per day for 9 d (MGA), a single 5-mL injection of PG-600 (PG-600), and the combination of treatments MGA and PG-600 (MGA/PG-600). Feeding of MGA began on May 14, 1990, and ended on May 23. Injections of PG-600 were given immediately after the last feeding of MGA or vehicle on May 23. All ewes were exposed to fertile, brisket-painted rams on May 24 (d 0) for 40 d. Ewes were checked for estrus twice daily for 9 d. Laparoscopy was performed, to assess ovulation rate (OR), on d 6 for ewes that were not detected in estrus and on d 12 for ewes that exhibited estrus. Percentage of ewes mated was increased by MGA (P less than .001). Ovulation rate of ewes exposed to rams was increased by PG-600 (P less than .01) and this effect was enhanced by MGA (P less than .05), whereas MGA alone tended to decrease OR (P less than .10). Melengestrol acetate decreased the interval to lambing by 6.5 d (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Straightbred comparison of a composite population and the Suffolk breed for performance traits of sheep

A terminal sire Composite population was formed by mating Columbia rams to Hampshire-Suffolk crossbred ewes. Subsequent generations were produced by inter se mating. The objective was to compare Composite sheep to purebred Suffolks for numerous performance traits. Young ewes lambing at 1 yr of age were evaluated separately from mature ewes (2, 3, 4, and 5 yr old) of each population. Composite and Suffolk populations did not differ significantly in components of litter weaning weight per young ewe joined. Mature Composite ewes produced more wool than Suffolk ewes. Fertility of mature ewes did not differ significantly between populations. The greater prolificacy (P less than .01) of mature Suffolk ewes was offset by a lower survival to weaning (P less than .01), particularly for twin-born lambs. Consequently, mature Composite and Suffolk ewes did not differ for number weaned and litter weaning weight per ewe joined. The average birth weight of lambs born to young and mature Composite ewes was greater (P less than .02) than the average birth weight of Suffolk lambs. The average weaning weight of lambs born to young Composite ewes was greater (P less than .05) than that of lambs born to young Suffolk ewes. Breed differences were not detected for preweaning daily gains, weaning weights, and postweaning daily gains of ewe lambs born to mature ewes. Likewise, weights of ewes at 125 d of age and weights of mature ewes at breeding did not differ significantly between breeds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Progesterone plus PMSG Priming in seasonally anovulatory lactating Sarda ewes exposed to the ram effect

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness (fertility and lambing) of priming with a single injection of progesterone plus PMSG in anovulatory lactating Sarda ewes subjected to the ram effect (RE) in spring. Thirty ewes (P4 group) were i.m. injected with 30 mg progesterone and 500 IU PMSG 36 h before ram introduction (d 0). This treatment was compared to a 12-day treatment with fluorogestone acetate intravaginal sponges that was followed by injections of 350 IU PMSG upon sponge withdrawal (FGA group, n=30). All ewes responded to RE, showing plasma progestrone concentrations >1 ng/mL between d 6 and 12 (FGA) or 6 and 9 (P4). Eighty-nine percent of the P4 ewes conceived at first ovulation, and 11% conceived following a short estrus cycle. Lambings occurred on d 150.4 +/- 3.9, and the lambing rate was 100%. The fertility of the FGA ewes was 83% for the induced ovulation and was 7% for the second ovulation after a normal cycle. The FGA ewes lambed on d 149.8 +/- 4.4, and the lambing rate was 83%. Two abortions were recorded for the FGA ewes, which had higher prolificacy than the P4 group (2.2 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.4, respectively; P<0.05). Both fertility and the lambing rate were high in both groups, with a high degree of estrus synchronization, and there were no significant differences between the groups. We concluded that priming of lactating Sarda ewes in spring with P4+PMSG before RE is an effective and competitive method (cheaper and more practical than FGA+PMSG) of inducing fertile ovulations in these ewes.     

Comparison of Finnish landrace crossbred ewes with Columbia, Rambouillet and Targhee ewes on western range

The objective of this study was to compare reproductive efficiency and wool production of 1/4 Finn crossbred ewes with straightbred Columbia, Rambouillet and Targhee ewes. In Phase I, white-faces ewes (WF; Columbia, Rambouillet and Targhee) were bred to either rams of their own breed or Finnish Landrace X Rambouillet rams (F X R) to produce 821 lambs from 563 lambings. Ewes bred to F X R had similar average litter size and individual lamb weights at birth, 60 d and weaning as those bred to WF. Lambs sired by F X R had 7% higher (P less than .01) lamb weaned per ewe lambing for ewes bred to F X R rams. For Phase II, approximately equal numbers of F X R-sired (1/4Fx) and WF-sired female lambs produced in Phase I each year were exposed to Suffolk rams at yearly intervals beginning at 7 mo of age. At 1 yr of age, 1/4Fx had higher fertility (P less than .01) than WF (37.7% vs 1.3%), resulting in 14.0 kg more lamb weaned per ewe exposed to breeding. Mature (ages 2 to 6 yr) 1/4Fx ewes had similar fertility to mature WF ewes, but litter size, number of lambs at 60 d and weaning was .36, .24 and .22 lambs higher (P less than .01), respectively, for mature 1/4Fx. Progeny of 1/4Fx were lighter at birth (P less than .01), but not different (P greater than .05) at 60 d and weaning than those of WF. Survival to 60 d unadjusted and adjusted for birth weight was 4.6% (P less than .05) and 7.6% (P less than .01) higher, respectively, for 1/4Fx progeny than for WF progeny.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of intramuscular administration of recombinant bovine interferon-alpha I1 during the period of maternal recognition of pregnancy

One hundred ewes were utilized to determine the effects of interferon supplementation on the number of ewes pregnant and embryonic survival. Ewes were checked twice daily (0700 and 1600) for estrus using fertile rams. On d 12 through 16, ewes received twice-daily i.m. injections of either recombinant bovine interferon alpha I1 (2 mg IFN) or vehicle. Ewes remained penned with rams and were observed for subsequent estrous activity for at least 35 d after mating. To determine the number of fetuses and corpora lutea, all ewes were subjected to one surgery during mid-pregnancy (d 45 to 80). More (P less than .05) ewes were pregnant after treatment with IFN vs vehicle (45 of 49, 92% vs 37 of 49, 76%, respectively). The interestrous interval for ewes that were treated with IFN and did not conceive was longer (P less than .05) than for ewes given vehicle (26 +/- 1 vs 17 +/- 2 d, respectively). Embryonic survival (98.2 vs 87.9%; P less than .05), calculated as the number of fetuses present at the time of laparotomy and expressed as a percentage of the ovulation rate, and percentage of ewes with 100% fetal survival (96 vs 76%; P less than .05) were greater after treatment with IFN. It was concluded that supplementation of IFN increased both the number of ewes pregnant and embryonic survival.     

Ovulation rate in sheep selected for weaning weight or litter size

Ovulation rate was measured by laparoscopy at two consecutive cycles on 366 ewes 2 yr old and over and 85 yearling ewes of five lines of Targhees from the base base population; 53 yearling linecross ewes were also included. The lines were two unselected controls (HCl and DC), two selected for 21 yr for increased 120-d weight (HW and DH) and one selected for 19 yr for multiple births (T). Ewes were synchronized in late July or early August at the start of the normal breeding season with intravaginal pessaries impregnated with 60 mg methylacetoxyprogesterone and examined at first and second estrus. Ovulation had occurred in both cycles in 327 (89%) and 177 (85%) of the mature and yearling ewes, respectively. Overall mean numbers of corpora lutea at first and second estrus were 1.42 and 1.63, respectively for ewes 2 yr and over and 1.20 and 1.44 for yearlings, indicating an effect of synchronizing treatment, season, flushing, or a combination of these. Among mature ewes, ovulation rate was higher (P less than .05) in DH (+.20), HW (+.19) and T (+.16) than in controls at first estrus, and in HW (+.29) and T (+.21) but not DH (-.04) at second estrus. Among yearlings, differences were significant only at second estrus (HW, +.40; T, +.35) and again not for DH (+.08). The failure of line DH to increase in ovulation rate from first to second estrus as did other lines was transmitted to linecross progeny. Body weight within line affected ovulation rate significantly, with a greater effect at second estrus, in both age groups. Adjustment for body weight removed the difference between HW and controls but not between T and controls. Repeatability of corpora lutea count was .27 and .25 for mature and yearling ewes, respectively.     

Year-round breeding of crossbred Dorset or Finnish landrace ewes using a synthetic light regimen

A group of crossbred Dorset or Finnish Landrace ewes maintained under a synthetic light regimen (Light Treatment, 4 mo long days - 16 h light, 4 mo short days - 8 h light) and exposed to rams every 8 mo (January 1, September 1, May 1) was compared for lamb production over a period of 4.5 yr with two other comparable groups under natural daylight conditions, one exposed to rams once a year in the fall (Control I) and the other every 8 mo (Control II). Conception rates across breed type of ewe were 92% for Control I, 66% for Control II and 83% for Light Treatment ewes. Conception rates for May breedings only were 16% in Control II and 88% in Light Treatment ewes. Prolificacies of crossbred Finn ewes were higher (P less than .05) than those in crossbred Dorset ewes of Control I (258 vs 193%), Control II (187 vs 165%) and Light Treatment (238 vs 163%). The annual production at lambing from the crossbred Finn and Dorset ewes in Control I was 251 and 206 lambs/100 ewes exposed to rams, respectively. Corresponding productions were 231 and 178 for Control II and 296 and 211 for Light Treatment ewes. Mortality of lambs from the crossbred Finn ewes (27%) was higher (P less than .01) than that from the crossbred Dorset ewes (12%). Annual attrition of the crossbred Dorset ewes in Control I, Control II and Light Treatment groups was 5.2, 5.4 and 5.4%, respectively. Corresponding percentages of the crossbred Finn ewes were 7.0, 8.8 and 11.2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Accelerated lambing using exogenous progesterone and the ram effect.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether controlled internal drug release devices-type G (CIDR-G) could be used in conjunction with the ram effect to advance the breeding season and lambing and thereafter could be reapplied to stimulate breeding of ewes to produce a second lambing in late summer. Finn crossbred and Columbia ewes were treated with CIDR-G from July 6 to 18. Rams, which had been isolated from ewes, were joined with the flock upon CIDR-G removal. All 59 CIDR-G-treated ewes exhibited estrus, and 55 lambed from breeding within a 30-d period after CIDR-G withdrawal. Eighteen of 19 contemporary control ewes (no CIDR-G) were bred, and 16 lambed. Ewes that had lambed from the CIDR-G and control groups were retreated as before, with CIDR_G inserted March 1 and withdrawn March 13, concomitant with sudden exposure to rams. Of 55 CIDR-G-treated sheep, 53 were bred and 45 lambed. All 16 control ewes were bred and lambed. A second experiment was conducted to determine whether treatment with CIDR-G and the ram effect was effective in mid-spring. The CIDR-G were applied for 12 d and removed on May 1 or 6 from Finn crossbred, Columbia, and Polypay ewes. Rams were introduced upon CIDR-G withdrawal. Of 59 CIDR-G-treated ewes, 58 exhibited estrus and 45 lambed. Twenty-three of 30 contemporary control ewes were bred, and 20 lambed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Performance of Polypay, Coopworth, and crossbred ewes: II. Survival and cumulative lamb and wool production over 4 years.

Six ewe genotypes, generated by mating Coopworth (C), Polypay (P), and Suffolk (S) rams to P and Coopworth-type (Ct) ewes, were exposed to Hampshire rams for spring lambing from 1987 through 1990. Data from 1,013 exposures and 973 resultant lambings were used to analyze reproductive traits and cumulative ewe productivity over 4 yr. Ewe body and fleece weights were also analyzed. Ewes from S sires weaned the heaviest lambs and ewes from P sires weaned the largest number of lambs, resulting in similar total weight of lamb weaned per ewe mated. Coopworth-sired ewes weaned the least total weight of lamb per ewe mated. Ewes weaning twins produced 54% more total litter weight per ewe than those weaning singles. Annual ewe survival averaged 95%, ranging from 93% for S x P and C x P ewes to 97% for P x Ct and C x Ct ewes. When cumulative number and weight of lamb produced was assessed on the basis of all ewes starting the trial, P-sired ewes were highest, followed in order by daughters of S and C sires. Suffolk-sired ewes (67 kg) were 13% heavier than daughters of P rams and 19% heavier than daughters of C rams. Adjustment of lamb production for ewe metabolic body size resulted in C-sired ewes being more efficient than the heavier S-sired ewes. Coopworth-sired ewes produced 32% more wool than ewes sired by the other two breeds. Differences in wool production between ewes weaning one or two lambs were small.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of the ovine callipyge locus: IV. Genotypic effects on reproductive traits

A resource population of ewes derived from Dorset and Romanov grandparents was generated over 5 yr to provide genotypic and phenotypic data to estimate effects of each callipyge genotype on component traits of reproduction. Effects on ovulation rate were estimated from data recorded by examination of ovaries from serially slaughtered ewe lambs (n = 174) born in 1994 and 1995. Productivity and longevity through 5 yr of age were recorded on a total of 265 F2 ewes produced in 1996 through 1998. Number of lambs born, birth weights, and weaning weights of lambs were calculated for each ewe. Weaning weight was recorded for each lamb and adjusted for age to 56 and 32 d for dam- and nursery-reared lambs, respectively. Longevity was determined as a binary trait based on the presence or absence of the ewe in the breeding flock at 5 yr of age. Ewes generated 937 records for breeding weight and 925 records for conception rate, which was determined on ewes exposed and still present at the start of each lambing season. Seven hundred seventeen records were analyzed for traits based on the number of ewes lambing. Genotypes for the causative callipyge mutation were determined using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry assay. Each ewe was classified into 1 of 4 genotypes; NMatNPat, NMatCPat, CMatNPat, or CMatCPat, where N represents wild type and C represents the mutant allele. The mean ovulation rate of the ewe lambs genotyped NMatNPat was greater (P < 0.02) than that exhibited by NMatCPat; however, the estimated difference of 0.25 ovum in the ewe lambs did not affect the number born. The live weight of NMatCPat ewes at breeding was 2.5 kg less than that of other genotypes (P < 0.01). The callipyge genotype class did not significantly affect conception rates, fecundity, maternal ability, or ewe longevity. Maintaining a ewe flock to produce homozygous mutant rams for use in terminal sire mating systems presents no unusual problems from a reproduction standpoint.