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1.
AIM: To determine the effects of liveweight (LW) and use of teaser rams prior to mating on both the mating performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Romney hoggets (n=841) were weighed and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups; either exposed to seven harnessed, vasectomised (teaser) rams for 17 days prior to the breeding period (n=283); or not exposed to teaser rams (unteased, n=558). Harnessed Perendale rams were then introduced for two oestrous cycles. Using crayon marks, hoggets were identified as having been mated during the first 17 days only, during the second 17 days only, during both periods, or not mated. All mated hoggets were then scanned for pregnancy using ultrasound, 48 days after the end of the breeding period, and identified as being either non-pregnant, or as single-, twin or triplet-bearing. RESULTS: Hoggets mated in either the first 17 days only or in both the first and second 17-day periods were heavier than those mated in the second period only (p<0.001). Those mated in the first or second 17-day period only, and those mated in both periods were all heavier prior to mating than those not mated at all (p<0.001). Twin-bearing hoggets were heavier than both their single-bearing and non-pregnant counterparts (p<0.001). A greater proportion of the teased hoggets were mated in the first 17 days only compared with unteased hoggets (62.6 vs 32.1%; p<0.001). In contrast, more of the unteased hoggets were marked in the second 17-day period only (p<0.001). A greater proportion of mated, unteased hoggets were found to be non-pregnant in comparison to their teased counterparts (17.8 vs 11.2%; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Heavier hoggets at breeding were more likely to be mated in the first 17 days of the breeding period and more likely to be twin-bearing. Use of teaser rams for 17 days prior to the breeding period increased the proportion of hoggets mated in the first 17 days, increased conception rates, and thus increased the proportion of pregnant hoggets. These results indicate that farmers should utilise teasers for 17 days prior to commencement of the breeding period and avoid mating hoggets that weigh below 36 kg. 相似文献
2.
AIM: To determine the effects of liveweight (LW) and duration of teasing with vasectomised rams prior to breeding on both the mating performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Five hundred and forty-six (1/2) Romney x (1/4) Texel x (1/4) Finnish Landrace ewe hoggets were weighed and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: either exposed to five harnessed vasectomised (teaser) rams for 17 days prior to the breeding period (T17; n =181); exposed to five harnessed teaser rams for 8 days prior to the breeding period (T8; n = 184); or not exposed to teasers (unteased; n = 181). Harnessed entire rams of the same breed were then introduced for the duration of two oestrous cycles. Using crayon marks, hoggets were identified as having been mated in the first 5 days, Days 6-10, Days 11-17, during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not mated. All hoggets that were mated were scanned for pregnancy, using ultrasound, 48 days after the end of the breeding period, and identified as being either non-pregnant, or as singleton- or twin-bearing. RESULTS: Hoggets mated in the second 17-day period only were significantly lighter than those mated in either the first 17-day period only (p < 0.001), or in both the first and second 17-day periods (p < 0.02). At Day 1, twin-bearing hoggets were heavier than singleton-bearing hoggets (p < 0.001) and tended to be heavier (p = 0.06) than non-pregnant hoggets. At Day 18, twin-bearing hoggets were heavier than non-pregnant (p = 0.01) and singleton-bearing (p < 0.01) hoggets. A lesser proportion (p < 0.001) of unteased hoggets was mated in the first 17-day period only, compared to T17 hoggets. Conversely, a greater proportion of unteased hoggets was mated in the second 17-day period only, compared to either T8 (p < 0.01) or T17 (p < 0.001) hoggets. A lesser proportion of unteased hoggets was mated in the first 17 days of breeding, regardless of whether they returned to oestrus or not, in comparison to either T8 (p = 0.001) or T17 (p < 0.001) hoggets. Of those mated in the first 17 days of the breeding period, T8 hoggets were less likely (p < 0.05) to be mated in the first 5 days of that period but more likely to be mated in the last 7 days, compared to unteased and T17 hoggets. T17 hoggets had higher pregnancy rates to the first 17 days of breeding compared with either unteased (p = 0.01) or T8 hoggets (p = 0.06), and were more likely (p < 0.05) to be twin-bearing. In addition, the scanning percentage of T17 hoggets was higher than either unteased or T8 hoggets (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heavier hoggets at breeding are more likely to be mated during the first 17 days of breeding and to be twin-bearing. While teasing for just 8 days increased the numbers mated in the first 17 days of breeding it did not increase the numbers of hoggets pregnant to that period. In contrast, teasing for 17 days did increase the numbers pregnant to the first 17 days of breeding and also increased the overall scanning percentage. It is recommended that farmers use a 17-day period of teasing before the breeding of ewe hoggets. 相似文献
3.
AIM: To determine the effects of the ratio of vasectomised (teaser) rams to ewe hoggets used prior to breeding on the breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Romney-composite ewe hoggets (n=1,180), 7-8 months of age, were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups (Day 1) and either exposed to harnessed teaser rams at a teaser-ram:ewe-hogget ratio of 1:32 (n=193 hoggets), 1:66 (n=199), 1:98 (n=197), or 1:197 (n=395), for 17 days prior to the breeding period, or not exposed to teasers (unteased; n=196). Harnessed entire rams were then introduced for the duration of two oestrous cycles (34 days). Using crayon marks, ewe hoggets were identified as having been mated during the first 17 days only, during the second 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, or not mated. Hoggets were weighed on Days 1 and 18. All ewe hoggets were scanned for pregnancy using ultrasound, 57 days after the end of the breeding period. RESULTS: Hogget groups did not differ in liveweight at Day 1, but at Day 18 hoggets exposed to teasers at a ratio of 1:66 were lighter, and those exposed to teasers at a ratio of 1:32 were heavier than all other groups by up 3.0 kg (p<0.05). Unteased ewe hoggets were less likely to be pregnant to the first 17 days of breeding compared with all teased groups, by at least 16.4% (p<0.05). Over the entire 34-day breeding period, however, only those teased at a ratio of 1:32 were more likely to be pregnant, by 11.9%, than unteased hoggets (p<0.05). Within the teased hogget groups, there were no differences between groups for either the percentage mated in the first 17 days of breeding only, or those pregnant to either the first 17 days of breeding only or the entire breeding period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that teaser-ram:ewe-hogget ratios as high as 1:197 can increase the percentage of ewe hoggets bred in the first 17 days of mating by at least 16.4%. Across the range of ratios used there was little difference in breeding pattern or pregnancy rate, although results might suggest ratios 1:98. 相似文献
4.
Abstract AIM: To determine the effect of age and prior use of mature rams at a given ram-to-ewe ratio, and the effect of body condition on breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Ewe hoggets (n=733) aged 7–8 months were weighed and their body condition scored, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Day 0) and joined with either four two-tooth rams (20 months of age) not used previously (n=244; Two-tooth), four mixed-aged mature rams that had not been used earlier in the season (n=244; Mature-fresh), or four mixed-aged mature rams that had been used with mature ewes immediately prior to joining with hoggets (n=245; Mature-used). The breeding period was 34 days. Ewe hoggets were identified as having been marked during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not marked. Hoggets were re-weighed on Day 34, and pregnancy status determined using ultrasound on Day 92. The breeding soundness of the rams was assessed on Days ?34 and ?1. RESULTS: Semen samples obtained from the rams did not differ significantly in any of the parameters measured (p>0.05). Ewe hoggets joined with Mature-fresh rams were less likely (p<0.05) to be marked in the second 17 days of breeding only than those joined with either Two-tooth or Mature-used rams. No other breeding parameters were affected by breeding group (p>0.05). Hoggets marked in the first 17 days only were heavier (p<0.05) at Day 0 than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked. Hoggets diagnosed as twin-bearing were heavier (p<0.05) than non-pregnant or single-bearing hoggets. Those hoggets marked in the first 17 days only had a greater (p<0.05) body condition score (BCS) than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked at all. These differences were no longer apparent after correction for liveweight (LW).Correction for LW at Day 0 or change in LW during the breeding period did not affect the results for breeding performance. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, two-tooth rams and mature rams that had been used previously were just as suitable as mature rams that had not been used previously for breeding with ewe hoggets. Further studies are warranted to verify this result. The re-use of rams without reducing breeding performance would reduce breeding costs and may make breeding hoggets a more viable option for farmers. The BCS of ewe hoggets affected breeding performance, and can thus be used to identify those animals most suitable for breeding. 相似文献
5.
AIM: To determine the effect of the age of rams, used at a standardised ram-to-ewe ratio, on the breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Ewe hoggets ((1/2) Romney x (1/4) Texel x (1/4) Finnish Landrace; n=582) aged 7-8 months were exposed to nine two-tooth, harnessed, vasectomised teaser rams for a period of 17 days (Days 1-17). The ewe hoggets were then weighed and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (on Day 18) and joined with either four ram hoggets not used previously (n=194), four two-tooth rams not used previously (n=196), or four mixed-age mature rams (n=192) that had been used previously to mate mature ewes immediately before breeding with the ewe hoggets. The breeding period was 34 days. Ewe hoggets were identified as having been mated during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not mated. All ewe hoggets were scanned for pregnancy using ultrasound, 54 days after the end of the breeding period. RESULTS: Liveweights of ewe hoggets did not differ between treatment groups. More ewe hoggets were mated by the mature rams in the first 17 days than by either ram hoggets or two-tooth rams (p<0.05). However, more of the ewe hoggets mated by mature rams returned to service (failed to conceive), and the percentage of ewe hoggets bred in the first 17 days only or pregnant from a service in the first 17 days did not differ significantly between groups. Fewer of the ewe hoggets joined with ram hoggets were diagnosed as pregnant after 34 days of breeding compared with those joined with either two-tooth or mature rams (p<0.05), as more ewe hoggets failed to be mated at all by ram hoggets compared with those joined with mature rams (p<0.05). There was also a tendency for more ewe hoggets joined with ram hoggets not to be mated at all compared with those joined with two-tooth rams (p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Two-tooth rams previously unused and mature rams previously used for mating were a better option than unused ram hoggets to maximise the pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets to a 34-day breeding period. However, further work is required as it was unclear why lower conception rates were observed in ewe hoggets joined with mature rams which had been used previously. As a result, the advantage of using mature rams may have been underestimated. 相似文献
6.
PR Kenyon GL Pinchbeck NR Perkins ST Morris DM West 《New Zealand veterinary journal》2013,61(6):371-377
AIM: To identity perceptions of farmers with respect to advantages of hogget lambing and to identify optimal management strategies for hogget lambing used in New Zealand. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 1,038 sheep farmers in New Zealand who had indicated their hoggets would be lambing in 2002. Information was gathered on the practice of hogget lambing in New Zealand, in particular on the numbers and breeds of hoggets and rams used, selection criteria used for hoggets, use of teasers (vasectomised rams), length of mating period, use of mating crayons, vaccinations, medications and mineral supplements given, level of feed offered, use of pregnancy scanning, management during pregnancy and lambing, number of lambs present at docking, and shearing policies for hoggets. Farmers were also asked to indicate the relative importance of five stated reasons for choosing to have their hoggets mated in 2002. RESULTS: A total of 629 (60.6%) responses were incorporated in the analysis, and the average percentage of hogget lambing was 60%. Use of vaccinations, length of the mating period, number of rams used, breed of hogget, weight at mating, management during lactation, and shearing policy were associated (p<0.05) with the lambing performance of hoggets, in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that to ensure high lambing percentages (LP) in hoggets in New Zealand, sheep farmers should: vaccinate hoggets against toxoplasmosis and campylobacteriosis; utilise a 40-day mating period; use 2.6–3.5% of rams during mating; incorporate Finn or East Friesian genetics; ensure liveweights at mating are as high as possible; manage single- and multiple-bearing/-rearing hoggets separately during the lambing and lactation periods; and shear hoggets pre-mating. 相似文献
7.
DO Kleemann JM Kelly LJ Arney IL Farley AJ Tilbrook SK Walker 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2014,49(6):894-898
Poor reproductive performance of Merino ewe flocks when mated to Border Leicester rams during spring may be due to seasonality of the Border Leicester breed. Two approaches were taken to test this assumption. Six young (12 months old) or six mixed‐age (12, 24 and ≥36 months old) Border Leicester rams were either treated or not treated with melatonin implants (2 × 2 design) 6 weeks before the four groups of rams were each put with approximately 300 Merino ewes for an 8‐week mating period. Implants were inserted in early September (experiment 1). The second approach was to yard or not yard ewes and mixed‐age rams on several occasions during the first 3 weeks of the mating period (experiment 2). Pregnancy rate and twinning percentage were assessed by ultrasonography. In experiment 1, melatonin treatment in young rams increased (p < 0.001) pregnancy rate from 5.0% to 92.6%, but mixed‐age rams did not respond (90.7% vs 89.5% for melatonin and non‐melatonin treatments, respectively). Twinning rate was similar (p > 0.05) for ewes mated to either melatonin or non‐melatonin‐treated young rams (36.8% vs 40.0%, respectively), whereas melatonin significantly improved (p < 0.05) twinning rate in those ewes mated to mixed‐age rams (49.1% vs 36.1%). After 6 weeks of melatonin treatment, scrotal circumference was greater (p < 0.05) in both young and mixed‐aged rams than in untreated counterparts. In experiment 2, yarding of ewes and rams overnight on several occasions early in the mating period reduced (p < 0.001) pregnancy rate compared with non‐yarded counterparts (89.5% vs 65.5%). Twinning rate was not affected (37.7% vs 36.1%, respectively). In summary, melatonin treatment of Border Leicester rams significantly improved flock reproductive performance in spring due to improved pregnancy rates with young rams and improved litter size with mixed‐age rams. 相似文献
8.
Kenyon PR Pinchbeck GL Perkins NR Morris ST West DM 《New Zealand veterinary journal》2004,52(6):371-377
AIM: To identity perceptions of farmers with respect to advantages of hogget lambing and to identify optimal management strategies for hogget lambing used in New Zealand. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 1,038 sheep farmers in New Zealand who had indicated their hoggets would be lambing in 2002. Information was gathered on the practice of hogget lambing in New Zealand, in particular on the numbers and breeds of hoggets and rams used, selection criteria used for hoggets, use of teasers (vasectomised rams), length of mating period, use of mating crayons, vaccinations, medications and mineral supplements given, level of feed offered, use of pregnancy scanning, management during pregnancy and lambing, number of lambs present at docking, and shearing policies for hoggets. Farmers were also asked to indicate the relative importance of five stated reasons for choosing to have their hoggets mated in 2002. RESULTS: A total of 629 (60.6%) responses were incorporated in the analysis, and the average percentage of hogget lambing was 60%. Use of vaccinations, length of the mating period, number of rams used, breed of hogget, weight at mating, management during lactation, and shearing policy were associated (p<0.05) with the lambing performance of hoggets, in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that to ensure high lambing percentages (LP) in hoggets in New Zealand, sheep farmers should: vaccinate hoggets against toxoplasmosis and campylobacteriosis; utilise a 40-day mating period; use 2.6- 3.5% of rams during mating; incorporate Finn or East Friesian genetics; ensure liveweights at mating are as high as possible; manage single- and multiple-bearing/-rearing hoggets separately during the lambing and lactation periods; and shear hoggets pre-mating. 相似文献
9.
AIMS: To determine the effects of liveweight (LW) and condition score (CS) of ewes at mating on both mating performance and scanning percentage, and to determine if effects of CS were independent of LW. METHODS: Two groups of ewes, comprising 1,780 mixed-aged Romney (Rom MA) and 692 composite two-tooth (1/8 East Friesian 1/16 Finn 13/16 Romney, Comp TT) ewes were grazed separately with harnessed rams for two reproductive cycles. Romney rams were used for the first 17 days of mating and then replaced on the morning of Day 18 by Suffolk rams. Ewes were weighed and CS assessed on a scale of 0-5 before the introduction of the rams. Ewes were identified as having been mated during the first cycle only, during both cycles, during the second cycle only, or not mated. All mated ewes were scanned using ultrasound, 50 days after the end of mating, and identified as being either non pregnant, single-, twin- or triplet-bearing. RESULTS: Linear relationships (R2=0.99) between mean LW and CS at mating were evident for both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes and the mean increase in LW per unit increase in CS was greater in the Rom MA ewes (7.88 kg) than the Comp TT (4.78 kg) ewes (p<0.05). Ewes mated in the second cycle only were significantly (p<0.05) lighter than those mated in the first cycle only. In Rom MA ewes, a greater proportion were mated in the first cycle only if CS was >/=2.0 than if CS was <2.0, and the proportions of ewes mated in the first cycle only or in both cycles did not differ if CS was >/=2.5. In Comp TT ewes, there was no difference in the proportions mated in the first cycle or both cycles, if CS was >/=2.0. Triplet-bearing ewes were heavier than twin-bearing ewes, which were in turn heavier than both singleton-bearing and non pregnant ewes. Twin-bearing ewes had higher CS than both single-bearing and non pregnant ewes (p<0.05) but differences were not significant if LW was included as a covariate. In both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, greater proportions were non pregnant and lower proportions had twins if CS was <2.0 than if CS was >/=2.0. In Rom MA ewes only, a greater proportion again had twins and a lower proportion had singletons if CS was >/=3.0 than if CS was <3.0. In Comp TT ewes, the proportion that were non pregnant or twin-bearing did not vary with CS if CS was >/=2.0. Reproductive performance was maximal for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes that had CS at mating >/=3.0 and >/=2.0, respectively, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In both groups of ewes, CS and LW at mating positively affected reproductive performance measured at the time of mating and at scanning, however, no reproductive advantage was evident above a minimum CS of 3.0 and 2.0, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, respectively. Sheep farmers should direct management to ensure that no ewes are below these minimum targets rather than ensuring high average LW and/or CS of a mob. 相似文献
10.
Abstract AIMS: To determine the effects of liveweight (LW) and condition score (CS) of ewes at mating on both mating performance and scanning percentage, and to determine if effects of CS were independent of LW. METHODS: Two groups of ewes, comprising 1,780 mixedaged Romney (Rom MA) and 692 composite two-tooth (? East Friesian 1/16 Finn 13/16 Romney, Comp TT) ewes were grazed separately with harnessed rams for two reproductive cycles. Romney rams were used for the first 17 days of mating and then replaced on the morning of Day 18 by Suffolk rams. Ewes were weighed and CS assessed on a scale of 0–5 before the introduction of the rams. Ewes were identified as having been mated during the first cycle only, during both cycles, during the second cycle only, or not mated. All mated ewes were scanned using ultrasound, 50 days after the end of mating, and identified as being either non pregnant, single-, twin- or triplet-bearing. RESULTS: Linear relationships (R2=0.99) between mean LW and CS at mating were evident for both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes and the mean increase in LW per unit increase in CS was greater in the Rom MA ewes (7.88 kg) than the Comp TT (4.78 kg) ewes (p<0.05). Ewes mated in the second cycle only were significantly (p<0.05) lighter than those mated in the first cycle only. In Rom MA ewes, a greater proportion were mated in the first cycle only if CS was .2.0 than if CS was <2.0, and the proportions of ewes mated in the first cycle only or in both cycles did not differ if CS was ≥2.5. In Comp TT ewes, there was no difference in the proportions mated in the first cycle or both cycles, if CS was ≥2.0. Triplet-bearing ewes were heavier than twin-bearing ewes, which were in turn heavier than both singleton-bearing and non pregnant ewes. Twin-bearing ewes had higher CS than both single-bearing and non pregnant ewes (p<0.05) but differences were not significant if LW was included as a covariate. In both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, greater proportions were non pregnant and lower proportions had twins if CS was <2.0 than if CS was ≥2.0. In Rom MA ewes only, a greater proportion again had twins and a lower proportion had singletons if CS was ≥3.0 than if CS was <3.0. In Comp TT ewes, the proportion that were non pregnant or twin-bearing did not vary with CS if CS was ≥2.0. Reproductive performance was maximal for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes that had CS at mating ≥3.0 and ≥2.0, respectively, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In both groups of ewes, CS and LW at mating positively affected reproductive performance measured at the time of mating and at scanning, however, no reproductive advantage was evident above a minimum CS of 3.0 and 2.0, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, respectively. Sheep farmers should direct management to ensure that no ewes are below these minimum targets rather than ensuring high average LW and/or CS of a mob. 相似文献
11.
Relationships among Puberty,Muscle and Fat,and Liveweight Gain during Mating in Young Female Sheep 
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下载免费PDF全文 CA Rosales Nieto MB Ferguson H Thompson JR Briegel CA Macleay GB Martin AN Thompson 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2015,50(4):637-642
Greater depths of muscle are associated with better reproductive performance in ewe lambs, but, in adult ewes, reproductive performance also seems to vary with liveweight gain during the mating period. Therefore, in a large field study with Merino ewe lambs, we tested whether the relationships among eye muscle depth (EMD), fat depth (FAT) and reproductive performance depend on liveweight gain during the mating period. We selected lambs with a wide range in phenotypic values for depths of eye muscle (EMD) and fat (FAT) and assigned them to dietary treatments designed to achieve low (LOW, n = 244) or high (HIGH, n = 237) rates of liveweight gain during a 28‐day mating period. The LOW treatment maintained live weight, whereas the HIGH treatment gained 179 ± 3.8 g/day (p < 0.001). From those ewe lambs that attained puberty, first oestrus was detected at live weight 37.8 ± 0.2 kg and age 232 days. The proportion of ewes that attained puberty increased with EMD (p < 0.01). Ewes from the HIGH treatment were more fertile (pregnant ewes per 100 ewes exposed to rams) and had a higher reproductive rate (foetuses in utero per 100 ewes exposed to rams; p < 0.001) than those from the LOW treatment. Fertility and reproductive rate were positively correlated with weight gain during mating as well as live weight at the start of mating, FAT and EMD (p < 0.05 to <0.001). We conclude that faster growth, due to either extra nutrition during mating or higher phenotypic potential for fat and muscle, will increase reproductive performance in ewe lambs mated at 8 months of age. 相似文献
12.
Aims: To determine the reproductive performance of cows diagnosed as anoestrus prior to the planned start of mating (PSM) when they were either treated when first diagnosed, or left untreated until 16 days after the PSM. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 breeding seasons involving 823 anoestrous dairy cows in 14 herds. On Day-8 (PSM = Day 0), cows in one group (Treated) were each treated with an intravaginal device containing 1.9 g of progesterone (CIDR).The CIDR device was removed on Day-2, and on Day-1 each cow was injected intramuscularly with 1 mg oestradiol benzoate. Cows in the second group (Control) remained untreated at the time of first examination. All cows detected in oestrus after the PSM were mated by artificial insemination (AI) or a bull. Sixteen days after the PSM, all cows that had not been mated were presented for veterinary examination, and those which were still classified as anoestrus were treated with the previously described CIDR regimen. Pregnancy status and approximate date of conception were determined by palpation per rectum 10-13 weeks after the PSM or 6 weeks after the end of the mating period. Results: Treatment of anoestrous cows 8 days before the PSM significantly increased the number of cows detected in oestrus (95.0% vs 63.1%;p < 0.001) and conceiving (59.5% vs 38.8%;p < 0.001) during the first 21 days of mating, and reduced the interval from PSM to conception by 7.5 days (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the conception rate of cows mated following the CIDR treatment regimen compared to cows mated at their first spontaneous oestrus after calving (52.4% vs 58.3%; p = 0.143). Conclusion: Diagnosis and treatment of anoestrous dairy cows prior to the start of mating significantly improves their reproductive performance under the seasonal mating conditions typical of spring-calving New Zealand dairy herds. 相似文献
13.
AIMS: To determine the reproductive performance of cows diagnosed as anoestrus prior to the planned start of mating (PSM) when they were either treated when first diagnosed, or left untreated until 16 days after the PSM. METHODS: A clinical trial was conducted during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 breeding seasons involving 823 anoestrous dairy cows in 14 herds. On Day -8 (PSM = Day 0), cows in one group (Treated) were each treated with an intravaginal device containing 1.9 g of progesterone (CIDR). The CIDR device was removed on Day -2, and on Day -1 each cow was injected intramuscularly with 1 mg oestradiol benzoate. Cows in the second group (Control) remained untreated at the time of first examination. All cows detected in oestrus after the PSM were mated by artificial insemination (AI) or a bull. Sixteen days after the PSM, all cows that had not been mated were presented for veterinary examination, and those which were still classified as anoestrus were treated with the previously described CIDR regimen. Pregnancy status and approximate date of conception were determined by palpation per rectum 10 -13 weeks after the PSM or 6 weeks after the end of the mating period. RESULTS: Treatment of anoestrous cows 8 days before the PSM significantly increased the number of cows detected in oestrus (95.0% vs 63.1%; p<0.001) and conceiving (59.5% vs 38.8%; p<0.001) during the first 21 days of mating, and reduced the interval from PSM to conception by 7.5 days (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the conception rate of cows mated following the CIDR treatment regimen compared to cows mated at their first spontaneous oestrus after calving (52.4% vs 58.3%; p = 0.143). CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and treatment of anoestrous dairy cows prior to the start of mating significantly improves their reproductive performance under the seasonal mating conditions typical of spring-calving New Zealand dairy herds. 相似文献
14.
Recurrent 3‐day cycles of water deprivation for over a month depress mating behaviour but not semen characteristics of adult rams 下载免费PDF全文
下载免费PDF全文 S. Khnissi N. Lassoued M. Rekik H. Ben Salem 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2016,100(1):85-92
This study aimed to investigate the effect of water deprivation (WD) on reproductive traits of rams. Ten mature rams were used and allocated to two groups balanced for body weight. Control (C) rams had free access to drinking water, while water‐restricted rams (WD) were deprived from water for 3 consecutive days and early on the morning of day 4, they had ad libitum access to water for 24 h, similar to C animals. The experiment lasted 32 days, that is eight 4‐day cycles of water deprivation and subsequent watering. Feed and water intake were significantly affected by water deprivation; in comparison with C rams, WD rams reduced their feed intake by 18%. During the watering day of the deprivation cycle, WD rams consumed more water than C rams on the same day (11.8 (SD = 3.37) and 8.4 (SD = 1.92) l respectively; p < 0.05). Glucose, total protein and creatinine were increased as a result of water deprivation. However, testosterone levels were lowered as a result of water deprivation and average values were 10.9 and 6.2 (SEM 1.23) ng/ml for C and WD rams respectively (p < 0.05). Semen traits were less affected by treatment; WD rams consistently had superior sperm concentrations than C animals; and statistical significances were reached in cycles 5 and 8 of water deprivation. Several mating behaviour traits were modified as a result of water deprivation. When compared to controls, WD rams had a more prolonged time to first mount attempt (p < 0.001), their frequency of mount attempts decreased [6.8 vs. 5.2 (SEM 0.1); p < 0.001] and their flehmen reaction intensity was negatively affected (p < 0.05). Water deprivation may have practical implications reducing the libido and therefore the serving capacity of rams under field conditions. 相似文献
15.
Congenital abnormalities of the reproductive tract of male sheep were surveyed at three abattoirs in the south west of England during the period June 2000-January 2004. A total of 7307 rams were examined [6521 lambs (prepubescent) and hoggets (aged from their first autumn after birth until first shorn) and 786 adult rams mature rams that had been exposed to ewes]. A total of 156 congenital lesions were detected, 87 of which occurred in lambs. Testicular hypoplasia was the most common lesion occurring in 69 lambs as well as eight hoggets ('microtestes' were recognized in nine other animals in which the testis was disproportionately smaller than the epididymis). The second most common lesion found was notched scrotum occurring in 34 animals (27 young rams and seven adults). Some cases of notched scrotum were accompanied by hypospadias which was seen in a total of seven lambs and eight hoggets. Other lesions, detected in five or less animals (less than approximately 0.05% of the animals examined), included cryptorchidism and various abnormalities of the epididymis (segmental aplasia of the epididymis, blind efferent ducts and epididymal cyst) and congenital scrotal hernia. The overall prevalence of congenital lesions of 2.21% emphasizes the importance of undertaking breeding soundness examinations of young rams before they are put with the flock. 相似文献
16.
AIMS: To determine the effects of liveweight and condition score of ewes at mating, and shearing mid-pregnancy, on birthweights and growth rates of twin lambs from birth to the time of weaning, and; to determine whether any effect of condition score is independent of liveweight. METHODS: Romney ewes (n=435) which conceived within a 17-day mating period and successfully gave birth to and reared twin lambs to weaning were used. Ewes were managed during pregnancy so that their total liveweight increased at a level equivalent to the expected growth of the conceptuses. Approximately half of the ewes were shorn 70 days after the mid-point of mating, and the remainder were left unshorn, at which time they had 6-months' wool growth. All lambs were weighed within 12 h of birth and again at weaning. RESULTS: There was a significant linear relationship (R2=0.99) between mean group liveweight and condition score of ewes at mating (difference of 7.3 kg per 1.0 unit condition score). Liveweight of ewes at mating had small but significant (p<0.05) positive effects on both birthweights and growth rates of twin lambs to weaning. Ewes that had condition scores of 3.5–4.0 (scale 0–5) at mating gave birth to significantly (p<0.05) lighter lambs than ewes that had condition scores <3.5. The condition score of ewes at mating was positively associated with growth rates of lambs, although this effect was largely explained by variation in the liveweight of ewes at mating. Twin lambs born to ewes shorn mid-pregnancy were significantly (p<0.05) heavier at birth (by 0.4 kg) and at weaning (p<0.05) than those born to unshorn ewes. The heavier weaning weights of lambs born to ewes shorn mid-pregnancy were due to a heavier birthweights rather than increased growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: Liveweight and condition score of ewes at mating had small positive effects on growth rates to weaning of twin lambs. Shearing mid-pregnancy increased birthweights and weaning weights of twin lambs. To achieve high weaning weights of twin lambs, farmers should ensure ewes attain high liveweights and condition scores at mating and shear mid-pregnancy. It is speculated that the effects of liveweight and condition score of ewes at mating on weaning weights of twin lambs would be greater than those observed in the present study under conditions in which nutrition of the dam is below optimum. 相似文献
17.
W T Cushwa G E Bradford G H Stabenfeldt Y M Berger M R Dally 《Journal of animal science》1992,70(4):1195-1200
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) 相似文献
18.
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. 相似文献
19.
Sixty-four crossbred gilts were used to study the effect of mating at the first oestrus period following puberty. Puberty was induced at different ages by the introduction of the gilts to boars at either 160 or 200 days of age. Mating was delayed until second oestrus, when the mean age of the two groups was 197.8 and 237.2 days respectively. The difference of 39.4 ± 5.14 days was significant (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of weight of pigs born or reared in any of the first five parities. Thirty four sows (seventeen from each treatment) completed five parities. The gilts mated at 237 days of age consumed 159 ± 38 kg (P < 0.01) more food between 160 days of age and weaning their fifth litters. The gilts mated at the younger age consumed 6.2% less food per unit of weaner liveweight over the five litters. Initial differences in liveweight between the two groups had disappeared by the middle of the second pregnancy. 相似文献
20.
The effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes mated out of the normal breeding season was studied in a 2 (no Se supplementation vs Se supplementation) × 2 (ewes mated at natural oestrus vs synchronized oestrus) factorial design with 50 ewes per treatment combination. Synchronization of oestrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 40 mg cronolone sponges for 14 days and administration of 440 IU PMSG at sponge withdrawal. Se supplementation was by the addition to the concentrate with 0.5 mg/kg of Se in the form of selenomethionin, for the 3 months prior to the mating and during gestation. Ewes were kept under range conditions in south‐west Spain, and exposed to Merino rams at a female: male ratio of 4 : 1 from 2 days following sponge withdrawal, or the equivalent time, for 21 days. Se supplementation alone did not improve significantly ewe fertility or lamb birth weight, but there was a positive effect of synchronizing ewes mated out of the breeding season as more of these ewes lambed and produced more lambs than those not synchronized. However, a strong interaction was found between synchronization and Se supplementation, causing a deleterious effect on the reproductive performance of ewes. This negative effect, presumably related to high embrionary mortality caused by Se toxicity, should be taken into account for oestrus synchronizing in Se‐deficient areas. The supplementation with Se, for the prevention of nutritional myodystrophy degeneration in lambs, should be conducted in a fashion which does not generate high levels of Se in the ewes around the mating period. 相似文献