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Mammary gland and its secretion around parturition show different changes. The objective of the study conducted here was to examine the changes in the physical and chemical properties of the milk before, during, and after lambing. A total of 40 local Iraqi breed ewes, 2 to 4 years-old, confirmed pregnant by B-mode ultrasonography was used in this study. Milk was collected from each study ewe at 3 consecutive times, (i) on day 135 of pregnancy, (ii) at the time of lambing, and (iii) on day 5 postpartum. Milk examinations included colour, consistency, density, specific gravity, chloride contents, pH, light transmittance percentage, and light extinction coefficient. Results indicated changes of colour and consistency during different study periods. Milk density and specific gravity decreased as ewes approached lambing time and started lactation. Milk pH was low at the time of lambing. Mean of light transmittance percentage became zero at the time of lambing and later. The light extinction coefficient increased at the time of lambing and later. In conclusion, although signs of parturition could be simply observed, changes in milk properties can prompt owners to closely observe ewes whether they have already lambed or not.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age at first service ( 50), breeding season (all the year vs. specific season), housing system (shelter vs. grazing and shelter), manager education level ( 200), flock size ( 200) and their interactions on kidding, twining, abortion and stillbirth rates of Ardi goats in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from 34 goat flocks containing 3700 heads. GLM procedures were used for analysis. The dependent variables in the model were lambing, twining, abortion, and stillbirth rates, while the main effects in the model were age at first service, male/females ratio, breeding season, housing system, manager education level, flock size, and worker/animals ratio. Barren does (n = 104) were examined for the causes of infertility. The results revealed that the means of kidding, twining, abortion and stillbirth rates were 91.5 ± 1.2%, 50.09 ± 5.24%, 3.5 ± 1.4% and 9.47 ± 2.2%, respectively. Does mated by or after 8 months had more twins than those mated before this age (P = 0.006). Flocks with male/females ratio of 1:>50 showed higher stillbirth rate (P = 0.01). Shelter-raised goats had a higher twining rate (P = 0.01) and a lower abortion rate (P = 0.001). Flocks raised in a shelter system with a worker/animal ratio of 1:100 had a higher kidding rate (P = 0.02) and lower abortion rate (P = 0.0001) than those with the same ratio but raised in a mixed grazing and shelter system. Flocks with managers with a ≥ secondary school education had a higher twining rate (P = 0.002). The most common findings in barren goats were pyometra, ovarian inactivity, abnormal vaginal discharges, and hydrometra. In conclusion, management has a profound effect on the reproductive performance of Ardi goats in Saudi Arabia and should be always considered when attempting to improve their production.

Ovine pre-partum vaginal prolapse (known as bearings in sheep) occurs within a few weeks prior to lambing and unless treated both ewes and unborn lambs will die. It is a worldwide problem with no clear aetiology. Rates of prolapse in New Zealand typically vary from 0.1 to 2% per annum, varying between seasons and farms. In order to determine preclinical changes leading to prolapse, blood samples were collected prior to prolapse occurring and analysed for changes in both protein and specific hormone and vitamin levels. 650 ewes were ear tagged and blood samples were taken one month prior to the beginning of lambing; 28 of these ewes subsequently prolapsed. Using an improved proteomic method plasma samples were subjected to 2D DIGE (two dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis) to determine if there were differences between the pre-prolapse and non-prolapsing ewes. Acidic isoforms of haptoglobin, a major acute phase protein in ruminants, increased approximately 3-fold in ewes prior to prolapse occurring. Total haptoglobin quantitation was confirmed with an independent assay. Although another plasma protein, α-1B-glycoprotein, was down regulated close to prolapse, the biological significance of this is unknown. While vitamin D levels were not associated with subsequent prolapse there was, however, a negative correlation between cortisol and days to prolapse from sampling (r2 = 0.36); i.e. ewes sampled closest to prolapse had higher plasma cortisol concentrations than controls. This raises the possibility that the ewes which prolapsed may have been suffering from chronic stress. Further research is needed.

Context In extensive grazing sheep systems, pregnant ewes undergo periods of undernutrition because gestation coincides with winter when natural pasture is of lowest quantity and poorest quality. The lamb’s weight and thermoregulatory capacity, and the ewe–lamb bond at birth, may be compromised. Maternal melatonin treatment during gestation may reverse these effects. Aim The aim was to determine the effects of melatonin treatment of single-lambing, undernourished ewes during the last third of gestation on lamb birthweights and body temperatures, and on ewe–lamb interactive behaviour after birth. Methods At Day 100 of gestation, 39 single-bearing ewes received a subcutaneous melatonin implant, and 54 ewes served as controls with no implant. Throughout gestation, the ewes remained under extensive conditions grazing on natural pasture. Measurements were made of lamb birthweight, body temperatures (surface temperature by infrared thermography and rectal temperature), and ewe–lamb behaviours during a handling test at 6–17 h after lambing. Key results There was no effect of melatonin treatment on lamb birthweight or rectal temperature, or on ewe–lamb interaction behaviours. Hip minimum surface temperature was greater in lambs from melatonin-treated ewes than lambs from control ewes (21.2°C ± 0.9°C vs 18.8°C ± 0.8°C; P = 0.05), and there was a similar trend for hip mean surface temperature (24.6°C ± 0.9°C vs 22.3°C ± 0.7°C; P = 0.06). Rump surface temperatures were greater in male than female lambs: maximum (27.9°C ± 1.2°C vs 22.9°C ± 1.2°C; P = 0.01), minimum (22.2°C ± 1.5°C vs 16.7°C ± 1.5°C; P = 0.02) and mean (25.4°C ± 1.3°C vs 20.5°C ± 1.3°C; P = 0.02). Conclusion Melatonin treatment during the last third of ewe pregnancy slightly enhanced the surface temperature of lambs at birth but did not influence ewe–lamb interaction behaviour after birth (i.e. after establishment of the ewe–lamb bond). Implications Further study in more depth is warranted into the possible effects of maternal supplementation with commercial melatonin implants on lamb development, thermoregulatory capacity, behaviour and survival rates in extensive grazing systems, including the effect on ewe–lamb behaviours immediately after birth for both singletons and twins.

Ewe deaths affect the productivity and profitability in sheep farming systems and have potential animal welfare and market perception implications. Internationally, there is scant data on the timing and causes of ewe deaths in extensive grazing systems. There is no published literature on the incidence and risk factors associated with casting (ewe in late gestation accidentally immobilised, often in dorsal recumbency). This study, undertaken using a cohort of 1789 ewes on a New Zealand farm, reports on the timing and risk factors associated with production parameters for ewe deaths through an almost two-year period, along with causes of death during both peripartum periods. Ewe deaths occurred throughout both years but were most frequent during the peripartum (pre-lambing to mid-lactation) period. Casting was the most commonly identified cause of death in both years, responsible for approximately a quarter to a third of potential annual mortality. Few risk factors for death or casting were identified. In conclusion, the peripartum period is a high-risk time period for ewe deaths (and, by extension, will also contribute to lamb perinatal mortality). In extensively grazed flocks where casting events occur, it is recommended that all ewes are monitored daily during the peripartum period.

A respiratory disease epizootic at the National Bison Range (NBR) in Montana in 2016–2017 caused an 85% decline in the bighorn sheep population, documented by observations of its unmarked but individually identifiable members, the subjects of an ongoing long‐term study. The index case was likely one of a small group of young bighorn sheep on a short‐term exploratory foray in early summer of 2016. Disease subsequently spread through the population, with peak mortality in September and October and continuing signs of respiratory disease and sporadic mortality of all age classes through early July 2017. Body condition scores and clinical signs suggested that the disease affected ewe groups before rams, although by the end of the epizootic, ram mortality (90% of 71) exceeded ewe mortality (79% of 84). Microbiological sampling 10 years to 3 months prior to the epizootic had documented no evidence of infection or exposure to Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae at NBR, but during the epizootic, a single genetic strain of M. ovipneumoniae was detected in affected animals. Retrospective screening of domestic sheep flocks near the NBR identified the same genetic strain in one flock, presumptively the source of the epizootic infection. Evidence of fatal lamb pneumonia was observed during the first two lambing seasons following the epizootic but was absent during the third season following the death of the last identified M. ovipneumoniae carrier ewe. Monitoring of life‐history traits prior to the epizootic provided no evidence that environmentally and/or demographically induced nutritional or other stress contributed to the epizootic. Furthermore, the epizootic occurred despite proactive management actions undertaken to reduce risk of disease and increase resilience in this population. This closely observed bighorn sheep epizootic uniquely illustrates the natural history of the disease including the (presumptive) source of spillover, course, severity, and eventual pathogen clearance., This case report provides unprecedentedly detailed animal observations before, during, and after a severe bighorn sheep pneumonia outbreak and includes molecular detection of the causative primary pathogen, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, in its putative source, a nearby domestic sheep operation. As a result, this case report serves to advance our understanding of critical aspects of this important disease.

Data of the current stud, were collected on 32 Iraqi native sheep aged 2-5 years maintained on commercial flock. At lambing, the 32 ewes were divided into two equal groups, lambs in the 1st group were left with their dams till weaning and then were milked twice daily till they dry off (Continuous), whereas the 2nd group, lambs were separated at night for 12 hr. and the ewes were milked once daily at morning (Restricted). Then each main group was subdivided into two group to be weaned their lambs when they reached 3 or 4 times of their birth weight (WB1 and WB2). Results revealed that ewes of restricted suckling produced significantly (P < 0.05) more post weaning (80.80 vs.49.44 L), total milk yield (135.01 vs. 109.94 L) and sealable milk (99.86 vs. 49.44 L) and had significantly longer lactation period (169.3 vs. 140.2 days) compared ewes in continuous suckling. Also, results obtained indicate that daily gain in weight averaged 0.23 kg from birth to weaning and from birth to marketing and 0.24 kg from weaning to marketing and neither suckling system nor weaning weight affected these trait significantly. It can be concluded that restricted suckling resulted in an increase in sealable milk without any adverse effect on growth of lambs.

Lamb survival is an important welfare and productivity issue for sheep industries worldwide. Lower lamb survival has been reported for primiparous ewes, but the causes of this are not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine causes of perinatal deaths for lambs born to primiparous ewes in Western Australia, and identify if infectious diseases are implicated. Lamb mortality from birth to marking were determined for 11 primiparous ewe flocks on 10 farms in Western Australia. Lamb mortality from birth to marking averaged 14% for single-born and 26% for multiple-born lambs. Lamb necropsies (n = 298) identified starvation–mismosthering–exposure (34%), dystocia (24%) and stillbirth (15%) as the most common causes of perinatal lamb death. There was no evidence of exotic abortigenic pathogens in aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 35). Chlamydia pecorum was detected by qPCR in 15/35 aborted and stillborn lambs on 5/6 farms. Preliminary molecular characterisation of C. pecorum detected in samples from aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 8) using both Multilocus Sequence Typing and ompA genotyping indicated all strains were genetically identical to previously described pathogenic livestock strains, denoted ST23, and dissimilar to gastrointestinal strains. High frequency of detection of a pathogenic C. pecorum strains ST23 associated with ovine abortion and stillbirth on multiple farms located across a wide geographic area has not been previously reported. Chlamydia pecorum may contribute to reproductive wastage for primiparous sheep in Western Australia. Further investigation to understand C. pecorum epidemiology and impact on sheep reproduction is warranted.

The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions underlying milk production traits in the Valle del Belice dairy sheep using regional heritability mapping (RHM). Repeated measurements for milk yield (MY), fat percentage and yield (F% and FY) and protein percentage and yield (P% and PY), collected over a period of six years (2006-2012) on 481 Valle del Belice ewes, were used for the analysis. Animals were genotyped with the Illumina 50k SNP chip. Variance components, heritabilities, and repeatability within and across lactations were estimated, fitting parity, litter size, season of lambing, and fortnights in milk, as fixed; and additive genetic, permanent environment within and across lactations, flock by test-day interaction, and residual as random effects. For the RHM analysis, the model included the same fixed and random effects as before, plus an additional regional genomic additive effect (specific for the region being tested) as random. While the whole genomic additive effect was estimated using the genomic relationship matrix (GRM) matrix constructed from all SNPs, the regional genomic additive effect was estimated from a GRM matrix constructed from the SNPs within each region. Heritability estimates ranged between 0.06 and 0.15, with repeatabilities being between 0.14 and 0.24 across lactations and between 0.23 and 0.39 within lactation for all milk production traits. A substantial effect of flock-test-day on milk production traits was also estimated. Significant genomic regions at either genome-wide (P

Introduction The aim of the study was to determine how the spread of contagious agalactia in sheep and goats in the Odesa region depended on the age of the animals and the season. Material and Methods From January 2016 to December 2018, 1,964 ewes and 1,484 nanny goats of different age groups were studied by ELISA for antibodies to Mycoplasma agalactiae. Results The highest incidence of contagious agalactia was registered in one-year-old animals and was 59.7‒83.0%, two-year-old ruminants showed 17.0‒40.3% prevalence, in livestock at the age of 3–4 years no serological evidence of the disease was registered and in ewes and nanny goats older than 5–6 years 1.5–3.6% were infected. The most susceptible were young animals at the age of one-month (11.6‒14.5%). The first peak of the disease was recorded in March‒April (21.0‒26.1%), in the lambing period, which coincided with the beginning of lactation and the suckling period, and the second peak occurred in June–July (28.9‒34.2%), the period of maximum lactation and of manual milking of sheep and goats. Conclusion The results of serological investigations indicate the circulation of M. agalactiae in small ruminants in the south of Ukraine. To avoid greater dissemination of the pathogen, appropriate measures should be applied and strategies for its control need to be drawn up.

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-14 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.75-79 In this study we observed the effect of peroral and parenteral supplementation of Selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VTE) on the selected antioxidant parameters in blood and on the incidence of mastitis in ewes after the first lambing. Of the 350 sheep of Improved Walachian and Lacaune breeds, situated in eastern Slovakia under standard zootechnical and animal hygiene conditions, we selected thirty one-year-old ewes before their first lambing. The ewes were divided into three groups according to the method of supplementation of Se and VTE. The blood samples from vena jugularis were collected on day 30 before lambing (control sampling) and on days 3 and 30 after lambing. Ewes were checked for mastitis on days 10 and 30 after lambing. On the day of the control sampling the ewes from the B1 group were perorally supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg/DM in the form of Na2SeO3 and 50 IU/vitamin E/kg/DM, while ewes from the B2 group were injected subcutaneously Se with VTE at a dose of 6.6 mg/Se and 1,000 IU/VTE. Changes in the concentration of Se and VTE in the blood plasma of ewes were determined only in the perorally supplemented group (B1) on day 3 after lambing. At 30 days after lambing the the incidence of mastitis in this group was half as lower (10%) as in the control group (20%). Keywords: sheep, mastitis, supplementation, glutathione peroxidase, selenium, bacteria References Cohen, RD a kol. (1991). Ucinky parenteralnej suplementacie tehotných hovadzich krav selenom / vitaminom E na selen kravy a teľaťa a produktivitu. Konzerva. Vet. Jour . 32,113-115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17423734 Gresakova, L. a kol. (2013). Retencia selenu u jahniat kŕmených krmivom doplneným selenom z anorganických zdrojov. Výskum malých prežuvavcov , 111, 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.10.009 Fthenakis, GC (1995). Kalifornský test na mastitidu a Whitesideov test na diagnostiku subklinickej mastitidy mliecnych bahnic. Výskum malých prežuvavcov, 16, 271–276. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0921448895006382 Hess, D. et al. (1991). Simultaneous determination of retinol, tocopherols, carotenes and lycopene in plasma by means of high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed phase. International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research , 61, 232–238. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1794952/ Kafilzadeh, F. et al. (2014). Comparing the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin E, injective vitamin E and selenium or both during late pregnancy on production and reproductive performance and immune function of dairy cows and calves. The Scientific World Journal , 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/165841 Misurova, L. et al. (2009). Selenium metabolism in goats – maternal transfer of selenium to newborn kids. Veterinarni Medicina 54, 125–130. https://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/05520.pdf Paglia, D. E, Valentine, W. N. (1967). Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erytrocyte glutathione peroxidase. The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine , 70, 158–169. http://garfield.library.upenn.edu/classics1989/A1989T143200001.pdf Persson, W. K. et al. (2007). Supplementation of RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate to periparturient dairy cows in commercial herds with high mastitis incidence. Journal of Dairy Science , 90, 3640–3646. http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-421 Pavlata, L. et al. (2002). Selenium status of cattle in the Czech Republic. Acta Veterinaria Brno , 71, 3–8. https://actavet.vfu.cz/71/1/0003/ Pavlata, l. et al. (2012). Direct and indirect assessment of selenium status in sheep – a comparison. Veterinarni Medicina , 57, 219–223. http://vri.cz/docs/vetmed/57-5-219.pdf Smith, K. L. et al. (1997). Dietary vitamin E and selenium affect mastitis and milk quality. Journal of Animal Science , 75, 1659–1665. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9250530/ Spears, J. W., Weiss, W. P. (2008). Role of antioxidants and trace elements in health and immunity of transition dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal , 176, 70–76. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18325801/ Vasiľ, M. a kol. (2018). Patogeny stožiar izolovane izolovane od vzoriek mlieka v chove oviec nachadzajucich sa v okrajových castiach Slovenska. V infekcne a parazitarne choroby zvierat, 6. rocnik medzinarodnej vedeckej konferencie , 13.-14. Septembra, Kosice. s. 244–248. ISBN 978-80-8077-583-4

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-06 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.122-126 The artificial insemination and the oestrus cycle synchronization are some of the most frequently used biotechnical methods of reproduction not only for sheep, but also for the other spieces of livestock. They are used mainly to achieve the shortening of the lambing period and to achieve easier breeding. An exact estimation of the lambing period is essential for the breeding process optimization, as it allows better preparation for the lambing period. This experiment monitors 48 Zwartbles sheep. Before the artificial insemination itself, the oestrus cycle of the sheep was synchronized using intravaginal sponges Ovigest and the subsequent intracervical insemination was performed using fresh, diluted and chilled semen extracted from rams of the Zbysek and Zachari lineages. The pregnancy rates after insemination and after the subsequent breeding of the barren ewes in a harem were determined according to the pregnancy detection and the subsequent lambing times. Marking the exact date and time of insemination and lambing allowed to determine the overall pregnancy lengths in the inseminated animals. The overall pregnancy rate after insemination was 41.7% and the overall pregnancy rate after the subsequent breeding in a harem was 93.8%. The overall pregnancy period in animals after insemination varied between 141.6 and 147.8 days and the peak of lambing took place between 144.1 and 146.8 days. Keywords: insemination, pregnancy, reproduction, synchronization, oestrus References Cunat, L. et al. (2013). Využiti inseminace ovci v chovatelske praxi. Praha: Ceska zemědělska univerzita. Gajdosik, M. & Polach, A. (1984). Chov oviec. Bratislava: Priroda. Gootwine, W. (2016). Sheep: Reproductive Management. Husbandry of Dairy Animals, 1(1), 887–892. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.21239-0 Horak, F. et al. (2012). Chovame ovce. Praha: Brazda. Ingoldby, L. & Jackson, P. (2001). Induction od parturition in sheep. In Practice, 23(4), 228–231. http://doi.org/10.1136/inpract.23.4.228 Iyiola-Tunji, T. et al. (2010). Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses. Animal Production, 12(3), 135–138. http://doi.org/10.20884/1.anprod.2010.12.3.282 Kadlecik, O. & Kasarda, R. (2006). Vseobecna zootechnika, Nitra: Slovenska poľnohospodarska univerzita v Nitre. Kuchtik, J. et al. (2007). Chov ovci. Brno: Mendelova univerzita v Brně. Louda, F. et al. (2001). Inseminace hospodařských zviřat. Praha: Ceska zemědělska univerzita v Praze. Louda, F. & Ježkova, A. (2002). Biotechnicke metody v reprodukci ovci a koz. Nas chov. Retrieved August 17, 2020 from https://naschov.cz/biotechnicke-metody-v-reprodukci-ovci-a-koz/. Louda, F. & Hegedusova, Z. (2009). Inseminace ovci – intenzifikacni faktor slechtitelske prace. Certifikovana metodika. Rapotin: Agrovýzkum Rapotin. Mala, G. et al. (2011). Chov dojných ovci. Zasady spravne chovatelske praxe, Praha: Výzkumný ustav živocisne výroby. Mavrogenis, A. P. (1992). Breed group and parity effects on gestation duration and litter size at birth of sheep. Technical Bulletin Cyprus Agricurtural Research Institut, 42(1992), 3–6. Ntemka, A. et al. (2018). Current status and advances in ram semen cryopreservation. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 69(2), 911–924. https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.18014 Reckova, Z. & Filipcik, R. (2020). An analysis of Selected Aspects of Sperm Quality in Fresh and Cooled-Storage Stallion Semen. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science, 10(3), 405–408. Retrieved October 23, 2020 from http://ijas.iaurasht.ac.ir/article_675315_c1a9e1ab03a577c5ca5580877afaaa06.pdf Řiha, J. (1999). Biotechnologie v chovu a slechtěni hospodařských zviřat. Rapotin: Asociace chovatelů masných plemen. Sandor, K. et al. (2011). Artificial Insemination of Sheep - Possibilities, Realities and Technique at the Farm Level In Artificial Insemination in Farm Animals, Iran: IntechOpen, pp. 27–50. Salamon. S. & Maxwell, W. M. C. (2000). Storage of ram semen. Animal Reproduction Science, 62(1–3), 77–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00155-X Tzanidakis, N. et al. (2014). Dairy sheep breeding. LowInputBreeds technical note, 1(1), 1–6. Vallejo, D. A. et al. (2019). Pregnancy rates in hair sheep after Ovsynch synchronization and a combined intracervical fixed-time artificial insemination and 10-day mating period. Veterinary World, 12(11), 1779–1783. www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2019.1779-1783 Vaněk, D. & Stolc, L. (2002). Chov skotu a ovci: (přednasky pro Bc). Praha: Ceska zemědělska univerzita.

An appraisal of mineral status of twice-yearly lambing Yankasa ewes was carried out in order to trace any evidence of mineral deficiency in the diet and to obtain baseline information of clinical, physiological and nutritional interest. A total of thirty pregnant and lactation ewes, weighing between 27 - 37kg was sampled for mineral profile in blood serum. The basal and supplemental diets were also analysed for chemical and mineral composition. Average daily dry matter intakes ranged from 0.92 to 1.5kg per head per day. Higher concentration of magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc were obtained in the serum of both pregnant and lactating ewes than values obtained for temperate breeds. Average calcium concentrations (mg/100ml) in the blood serum during gestation and lactation were 10.0 ± 1.7 and 6.1 æ 1.3respectively. The values were higher during gestation than lactation. The differences were significant (P 0.05). On the other hand, the mean concentration (mg/100ml) was 12.6 æ 2.2 during gestation and increased to 17.4 æ 3.2 during lactation. The differences were also significant. (P < 0.01). The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus (mg/100ml) were observed to be influenced by parturition.

The aim of present study was to assess the effect of the gender on growth and carcass traits in lambs of the Romney Marsh breed. The experimental animals were male lambs (n = 12) and female lambs (n = 12) of the Romney Marsh breed. All lambs were twins and all their mothers were on the second parity. With regard to body weights and daily gains (DGs), the gender had a significant effect only on birth weight and DG from birth to the slaughter, while in all monitored intervals the DGs were higher in male lambs (MLs). The lamb gender did not have a significant effect on the easy of lambing, body condition score, depth of musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (DMLLT) and thickness of backfat (TBF). However, values for DMLLT and TBF were higher in female lambs (FLs), which in case of DMLLT was not expected. Regarding the carcass traits, the gender had a significant effect only on the weights of kidney, kidney fat, leg and shoulder and on the proportions of kidney fat and shoulder. Interestingly, the gender had no significant effect on the conformation and fatness, while slightly better carcass conformation and slightly higher fatness were found in FLs. It can be concluded that FLs of the Romney Marsh breed showed comparable values for both the growth and carcass traits with MLs. Moreover, a slightly higher fatness of FLs is a prerequisite for better juiciness and tenderness of their meat, when this fact can be considered as a benefit in the marketing.

The complex anatomical structure of the ewe reproductive tract accompanied with low quality of frozen ram semen for artificial insemination, resulted in a challenge with regard to using superior genotypes for reproductive ovine performance. Hence, improved genetics in ovine management has not been efficiently and widely used especially in undeveloped countries. Therefore, intrauterine semen deposition by laparoscopic insemination should be adopted in the current sheep production systems. Thus, this study aimed to assess the pregnancy rate and lambing rate of ewe inseminated by laparoscopic insemination techniques using frozen-thawed semen. The research used imported frozen semen from two rams of the Lacaune breed. Ewes were grouped according to age in years (1, 2 and 4). Before insemination, the semen was examined microscopically for its motility and viability and thereafter the laparoscopic artificial insemination technique was performed to 19 Lacaune breed ewes using frozen-thawed semen. The overall pregnancy and prolificacy rates were 31.57% and 42.10% respectively. Out of 2 ewes in the 1-year age group that were inseminated, only 1 ewe lambed representing 50%. However, from 16 ewes inseminated of four-year age group, 5 ewes lambed representing 31.25%. Significant difference based on age group was not evaluated due disproportionate of the data, (such that the data included 2 ewes in one-year-old age, 1 ewe in 2-year-old age and 16 ewes in 4-year-old age). Based on the ram semen, 33.33% and 30% of the inseminated ewes were pregnant from ram A and ram B semen respectively. However, in the case of prolificacy rate, 44.44% and 40 % of the ewes lambed from using semen of ram A and B, respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in pregnancy and prolificacy rates based on semen from the two rams. In conclusion, in this research study, ram semen had no significant effect on pregnancy and prolificacy rates using laparoscopic AI on Lacaune sheep. This could be due to the fact that the rams had very good quality semen. Evaluation of ram semen, accompanied with appropriate ewe selection based on age and rightful deposition of semen could lead to better and more consistent results. Overall this could contribute to the successful application of laparoscopic artificial insemination in Lacaune sheep production systems for enhanced productivity.

Clinical records of all 212 ewes undergoing emergency caesarean surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital between January 2008 and December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Their age ranged from 1 to 10 years (median = 4 years), with German merino the predominant breed (48.1% of cases). The most frequently diagnosed indications were insufficient cervical dilatation (n = 94, 44.3%), uterine torsion (n = 50, 23.6%), foetopelvic disproportion (n = 31, 14.6%) and vaginal prolapse intra partum (n = 11, 5.2%). Fifty-four (25.5%) of the 212 ewes additionally suffered from one or more concurrent, pre-existing conditions. Overall ewe mortality until hospital discharge was 10.8% (23/212), and 3.8% (n = 6) for the 158 ewes without a history of concurrent disorders. Mortality during hospitalization increased to 31.5% (17/54) for those with pre-existing conditions. Total lamb mortality was 49.1% (173/352) until hospital discharge. Pre-existing conditions (p = .001) and the presence of post-surgical complications (p = .025) were identified as significant factors influencing dam mortality, while delayed presentation for veterinary attention with an observed duration of labour of >12 hr was identified as the most influential factor on total lamb mortality (p = .010). The presence of dead or emphysematous foetuses was not significant for ewe mortality. Follow-up information on further outcomes was available for 156 (82.5%) of the 189 discharged ewes. Eighty-nine animals (57.1%) were re-bred in the following season and achieved a 93.3% (83/89) pregnancy rate, while the remainder had either been slaughtered (n = 56, 35.9%), sold (n = 5, 3.2%) or had died of unknown causes (n = 3, 1.9%). The subsequent incidence of dystocia was 15.6% (n = 12) in the 77 ewes with available information on lambing ease. Adequate management of underlying conditions and timely intervention are important factors for best possible short-term outcomes. In the long term, the subsequent pregnancy rate was good and the incidence of subsequent dystocia was within the normal range.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different methods (a bovine rapid visual PAG ELISA test and transabdominal ultrasonography) for early diagnosis of pregnancy in Awassi sheep. The ewes used in this study (n=50) were hand-mated in June of 2019 and lambed in October of 2019. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 34-38 days after mating by rapid visual PAG ELISA test and transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position. The diagnostic test characteristics of both methods were calculated using lambing results as a gold standard. Kappa analysis was conducted to analyze the agreement between each pregnancy diagnosis method and the lambing results. McNemar's analysis and the comparison of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the pregnancy diagnosis methods and lambing results (p ≤ 0.05). According to the lambing results, it was determined that, of the 50 ewes, 42 (84%) were pregnant and 8 (16%) were not. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of rapid visual PAG ELISA and transabdominal ultrasonography were 97.6%, 62.5%, 93.2%, 83.3%, 92% and 95.2%, 100%, 100%, 80%, 96%, respectively. The Kappa coefficient was 0.669 (good agreement) between rapid visual PAG ELISA and lambing, and 0.865 (very good agreement) between transabdominal ultrasonography and lambing. In McNemar’s analysis, no difference was found between the pregnancy diagnosis methods and lambing results. ROC analysis revealed that the areas under the curves were 0.801 and 0.976 for rapid visual PAG ELISA and transabdominal ultrasonography, respectively, and the difference between the two pregnancy diagnosis methods was statistically insignificant. In conclusion, both rapid visual PAG ELISA and transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position proved to be practical and reliable methods for pregnancy diagnosis as of day 34 post-mating in Awassi ewes.

Nutrition in fetal and postnatal life can influence the development of several biological systems, with permanent effects in adult life. The aim of this work was to investigate in dairy sheep whether diets rich in starch or fiber during intrauterine life (75 d before lambing) and postnatal life (from weaning to first pregnancy; growth phase) program glucose and insulin metabolism in the female offspring during their first pregnancy. Starting from intrauterine life, 20 nulliparous Sarda ewes were exposed to 4 dietary regimens (n = 5 per group) based on different dietary carbohydrates during their intrauterine life and their subsequent growth phase: (1) the fiber (FI) diet during both intrauterine and growth life, (2) the starch (ST) diet during both intrauterine and growth life, (3) the FI diet in intrauterine life followed by the ST diet in the growth phase, and (4) the ST diet in intrauterine life followed by the FI diet in the growth phase. After the end of the growth phase, all growing ewes were fed the same diet and naturally mated. When ewes were pregnant, on average at 124 ± 2 d of gestation they were challenged with an intravenous glucose tolerance test, and peripheral concentrations of glucose and insulin were determined. Basal insulin concentrations were higher in ewes exposed to the ST diet (0.97 μg/L) than in ewes exposed to the FI diet (0.52 μg/L) in intrauterine life. After glucose infusion, glucose and insulin concentrations were not affected by intrauterine diet. Insulin resistance, determined by the homeostasis model assessment, was affected by the intrauterine × growth phases interaction. Insulin sensitivity, assessed by the quantitative insulin check index, was lower in ewes exposed to the ST diet than in those exposed to the FI diet in intrauterine life (ST = 0.28; FI = 0.30). Diet in growth life had no effect on glucose and insulin metabolism. In conclusion, starchy diets offered during intrauterine life but not during postnatal life increased basal insulin level and lowered insulin sensitivity during the first pregnancy. Nutritional strategies of metabolic programming should consider that exposure to starchy diets in late fetal life might favor the programming of dietary nutrient partitioning toward organs with high requirements, such as the gravid uterus or the mammary gland.

The effect of prostaglandin and gonadotrophins (GnRH and hCG) combined with the ram effect on the progesterone (P4) concentrations and reproductive performance of Karakul ewes was investigated during non‐breeding season. Ewes (n = 93) received a male effect and were divided into two treatment groups including GnRH ‐ hCG (hCG, n = 32), GnRH ‐ GnRH (GnRH, n = 30) and a control (n = 31) group. This study was carried out from April (hormonal injection) to October (lambing). The first doses of GnRH (4.2 μg, Buserelin) were injected at the beginning of the study in treatment groups. These ewes were treated with hCG (250 IU) or the second GnRH dose five days later. All animals received two injections (ten days apart) of 150 μg PGF2α five days after the hCG or the second GnRH injection. Mating was initiated two days after the second prostaglandin injection and lasted for 34 days. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture on days −10, −5, 0 (first PGF2α injection), 17 and 30 during the study. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed through transabdominal ultrasonography on day 40 after the removing of ram. Conception rate was 93.8, 90 and 87.1% in the hCG, GnRH and control groups, respectively. Lambing rate tended to increase in the hCG group compared with the control group (87.1 versus 58.1%; p .05). In conclusion, the administration of prostaglandin and hCG in combination with the ram effect tended to decrease lambing period. In other words this protocol tended to increase lambing rate at the first cycle. Treatment with hCG or GnRH did not increase serum P4 concentrations of treated Karakul ewes during the non‐breeding season., The administration of prostaglandin and hCG in combination with the ram effect may reduce lambing period and tended to increase lambing rate at the first cycle during the non‐breeding season. Administrations of double injection of GnRH not only had no effect on the progesterone concentrations but also couldn’t improve the reproductive performance of treated ewes. Treatment with hCG or GnRH on Day 5 after the GnRH administration did not increase serum P4 concentrations of treated Karakul ewes during the non‐breeding season

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether dairy sheep during the transition period are affected by their parity numbers with regard to (1) body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and production performance (milk yield and composition) and (2) metabolic, inflammation, and stress biomarkers. For this purpose, 30 Sarda dairy ewes [15 primiparous (PRP) and 15 multiparous (MUP) ewes] were recruited on d 90 of gestation. Each group was homogeneous according to age, BW, and BCS. Sampling was carried out at -60, -30, -7, 0, +30, and +60 d from lambing. The MUP ewes showed a higher BW (46.32 vs. 38.71 kg) and larger litter size (1.45 vs. 1.06 kg) but a lower BCS (2.47 vs. 2.70) than the PRP ewes. Furthermore, the MUP ewes had lower concentrations of glucose (3.49 vs. 4.27 mol/L), cholesterol (1.63 vs. 1.81 mmol/L), free fatty acids (0.47 vs. 0.62 mmol/L), and triglycerides (0.22 vs. 0.25 mmol/L) compared with PRP ewes. With regard to inflammation and oxidative stress parameters, the PRP group had higher haptoglobin (0.48 vs. 0.18 g/L) and paraoxonase (187.90 vs. 152.11 U/L) activity than the MUP group. Overall, the MUP ewes were characterized by greater milk production performance and greater feed intake, resulting in a better energy balance, than the PRP ewes. Interestingly, these findings highlighted a different metabolic and inflammatory response over the transition period between PRP and MUP ewes, with the latter displaying lower concentrations of inflammatory-related biomarkers.

Primiparous ewes and multiparous ewes show physiological differences during pregnancy, which can have an impact on the development of their offspring. The objective of this study was to compare the changes in the metabolic profile and in the size of some foetal bones throughout gestation between primiparous and multiparous ewes. Twelve primiparous (PM) ewes and 14 multiparous (MT) ewes were used. According to the dates of lambing, two groups of ewes were formed: Group 1 (G1, n = 6 PM and n = 7 MT) and Group 2 (G2, n = 6 PM and n = 7 MT). The body weight, body condition score, metabolic and foetal morphometric parameters were determined from before conception until the end of gestation. After lambing, the body weight and survival rate during the first 72 hr of life of lambs, as well as the maternal behaviour score were recorded. The PM ewes were lighter (p < .01) and had a greater mobilization of body reserves during gestation, mainly evidenced by a greater serum concentration of NEFAs and lower serum concentration of total proteins (p < .05) compared with the MT ewes. The parity did not affect the foetal morphometric variables. The lambs of MT ewes were heavier at parturition (p = .002) and tended to have a greater survival rate than those lambs of PM ewes (p = .09). In conclusion, PM ewes and MT ewes differ in their metabolic profile throughout the gestation. However, in the present study, we did not find parity differences in the dimensions of foetal bones during growth in gestation.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using long-acting medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to delay the lambing season in communal wool sheep ewes. The study was conducted in three phases. In phase 1, a random assessment was made to determine whether the hormone had any effect on delaying the onset of the lambing season. In the second phase, the administration of the hormone at different times during the perceived mating season was assessed. In the third phase, it was investigated whether the use of the hormone had residual effects in the subsequent lambing season after the treatment was discontinued. From the results it is evident that the administration of 150 mg MPA before conception could delay lambing between two and three months. November seems to be the optimum month for hormone administration. However, administration of the hormone did not guarantee effective prevention of conception in all treated ewes and discontinuation of treatment resulted in ewes reverting to pre-treatment lambing patterns. In conclusion, long-acting MPA can be used selectively as an effective method to delay the lambing season in communal ewes and to manipulate it towards more favourable environmental conditions for ewes and lambs. There can be a seasonal effect on time of conception in communal ewes and this should be considered when timing a hormonal treatment protocol. Keywords: communal sheep farming, lambing season, manipulation, medroxyprogesterone acetate

Context Mating ewe lambs at ~7 months of age is viewed as a way to increase the profit of sheep farms in south-west Victoria, Australia. For a successful mating and high reproductive rate, ewe lambs need to be of >40 kg liveweight and condition score 3 at mating. The region has a temperate Mediterranean climate, and as such, dry summer pastures do not provide adequate nutrition for the weight gain required over summer and autumn if ewe lambs are to be mated early. There is limited economic information on the whole-farm benefits and risks associated with different feeding strategies for meeting the feed requirements of mating ewe lambs. Aims The aims were to test, for a prime-lamb system, whether profit would be increased by the mating of ewe lambs and whether there would be a reduction in whole-farm business risk. We hypothesised that different forage systems would offer profit and risk advantages over current dry-pasture and supplement systems for growing out ewe lambs. Method The biophysical and economic characteristics of a prime-lamb case-study farm were modelled to examine how six different pasture and forage systems for mating ewe lambs would perform under varying seasonal, price and cost conditions. Systems 1 and 2 were based on perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover pastures. System 1 compared lambing at 2 years of age, and System 2 lambing at 1 year of age. The other four systems simulated the use of different forages on a portion of the farm to grow out the ewe lambs for lambing at 1 year of age: System 3, spring-sown forage brassica rape; System 4, spring-sown winter-type canola; and System 5, lucerne; System 6, as for System 4 but at a higher lamb marking rate. Results and conclusions Lambing at 1 year of age increased profit and reduced business risk compared with lambing at 2 years of age. Use of spring-sown canola or lucerne forage for ewe-lamb mating provided the best returns on capital relative to the risk involved. Use of spring-sown canola reduced variability of annual returns, in part because of the diversification of income received from both lamb and canola. Implications The results of this modelling study indicate that some feed systems can increase farm profit and reduce business risk.

Environmental cues in the different seasons might influence the estrus and lambing percentages. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of environmental factors on estrus synchronization (ES) and artificial insemination success in sheep. During the period from 2012 to 2017, a total of 1,197 ewes of Kheri and Malpura breeds of 34 farms originating from 10 villages were synchronized for estrus and then fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) was done. Oestrous synchronization was done by intravaginal progesterone sponges and eCG protocol. Fixed-time cervical insemination was performed 48 and 56 hr after sponge removal in ewes exhibiting estrus, using liquid chilled semen containing 100 million sperm per dose of Patanwadi/Malpura rams. Mean sunshine hours, maximum and minimum ambient temperatures, temperature amplitude, mean relative humidity (RH), temperature-humidity index (THI), mean temperature during sponge-in to sponge-out-12-day period, sponge-out and next day, AI day and AI to next 15 days have been calculated. The estrus response and lambing percentage were higher (p < .05) when ES and FTAI were done during hot-humid with rainfall season. Successful (p < .05) ES occur when the minimum temperature was higher in cold-humid season, and the sunshine hour was higher in hot-humid with scanty rainfall season during sponge-in to sponge-out period. The success of the lambing percentage was higher (p < .05) when maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature and THI was higher on the day of AI and the next 15-day period, irrespective of the season. The success of FTAI indicates the adaptability of the local breed to tolerate the harsh climate of the hot semi-arid region without much hindrance in lambing percentages.

The recumbent ewe around lambing time is a common presentation. There are a number of nutritionally-related conditions often seen in sheep at this critical time during the production cycle which may cause recumbency including hypocalcaemia, pregnancy toxaemia, listeriosis and hypomagnesaemia. Differentiation of these various conditions can be achieved on the basis of detailed clinical examination and history, backed up by appropriate laboratory biochemical analyses using parameters such as β-OH butyrate and calcium. However there will often have been prior treatment by the farmer which may complicate a clinical diagnosis, and there is often overlap between the various conditions in terms of clinical presentation and disease incidence. The focus is therefore on achieving a correct diagnosis, giving the farmer a simple treatment plan for recumbent ewes, and implementing preventative measures.

Colostrum is the first product secreted by the mammary gland to transfer immunity to the newborn, especially through immunoglobulins (Ig) G. Melatonin is an immunomodulatory factor and there is evidence that it has a direct effect on IgG production. To evaluate the effects of melatonin treatment during pregnancy, litter size and offspring sex on colostrum quality, sixty pregnant Rasa Aragonesa ewes were divided into three groups: one group received a melatonin implant at the third month of pregnancy (3M, n = 13), another group at the fourth month (4M, n = 18) and the remaining ewes were not implanted (Control, C, n = 29). Immediately after lambing, a sample of colostrum was collected and IgG, crude protein and fat content analysed. Timing of melatonin implantation (p < .001), and offspring sex (p < .01) had a significant effect on IgG concentration. Colostrum of treated ewes had a higher mean (±SEM) IgG concentration than that of the control ewes (55.54 ± 3.09 and 49.50 ± 4.36 mg/ml, respectively; p < .05), mainly because the concentration in the 4M group was significantly (p < .001) higher than it was in the other groups. The relationship between lamb sex and IgG (p < .01) and %CP (p < .05) was evident in singletons (ewes with a male lamb: 54.57 ± 5.37 mg IgG/ml, 15.42 ± 0.82%CP; ewes with a female lamb: 34.66 ± 4.30 mg/ml, 13.18 ± 0.73%CP). The presence of a female in the litter was associated with significantly (p < .01) lower colostrum IgG levels (litters with at least one female: 49.33 ± 3.42 mg/ml; litters with no females: 58.24 ± 4.00 mg/ml). Among 4M ewes, female foetuses had significantly (p < .01) lower IgG levels whether they carried singletons or multiple lambs. In conclusion, treatment with melatonin implants at the fourth month of pregnancy resulted in a higher colostrum quality based on IgG concentration.

Karakul sheep in Turkey is an endangered breed according to the total number of ewes. Two herds of Karakul sheep in Tokat Province, reared similar environmental conditions, kept in situ in vivo conservation as a gene resource. This study aimed to determine various performance traits of Karakul sheep reared in breeder conditions as a gene resource. Least squares means for lambing rate (LR), litter size (LS) and lamb production (LP) were found 95.8±0.60%, 1.04±0.01 and 100.0±0.80%, respectively. It was determined that farm and age had significant effect on LR and LP, while farm and year had significant impact on LS. Survival rate in lambs were found 95.2 and 94.1%, respectively on 90th and 180th days. Means of least squares for live weights of lambs at birth and on 90th and 180th days were identified as 3.35±0.02, 21.52±0.27 and 30.34±0.32 kg, respectively. Live weight after shearing and greasy fleece weight values were 40.73±0.12 and 2.04±0.01 kg for females and 62.65±0.53 and 3.48±0.06 kg for males. Lactation milk yield (LMY) was 104.85±3.73 kg in ewes and lactation duration was 159.01±1.70 days. LMY was affected by the lactation number and farm while lactation duration was affected by lactation number. Results revealed that various performance traits of Karakul sheep conserved in breeder conditions were similar to or better than those previously reported for this breed. Also, the breed is similar to medium size native sheep breeds in terms of growth and mature live weight.

This case report details an outbreak of neonatal lamb deaths, in which 84 of the 1203 potential lambs (from scanning) died and 70 developed septic polyarthritis. Investigation of the Scottish lowland flock of 650 breeding ewes revealed good lambing-time hygiene; poor ewe nutrition was suspected to have led to poor colostrum quality or quantity, resulting in failure of passive transfer of immunity in lambs. Ewe body condition at lambing was poor, with low blood urea nitrogen and albumin levels in pre-lambing ewe metabolic blood profiles.

The study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal variations in semen parameters of Zulu rams preserved at 10°C for 72 h. The study site was the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Irene, during the breeding season and the non-breeding season. Zulu rams (n = 6, age = 3 years and average weight = 35 kg ±2.29) were used in this study. Semen was collected with the aid of artificial vagina. Macroscopic (volume and pH), microscopic (sperm concentration, progressions, velocities and velocity ratios and morphology) semen parameters were evaluated immediately after semen collection. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) in Minitab 17®. Semen volume was higher during breeding season (0.97±0.25 mL) than non-breeding season (0.72±0.5 mL). Total sperm motility was higher (92.01±1.40%) at 24h during breeding season than non-breeding season (88.69±1.40%), thereafter declined drastically in both seasons. However, non-breeding season yielded a high progressive motility (50.86±1.63%, 33.77±1.63% and 27.56±1.63%) after 24, 48 and 72 h than breeding season (21.32±1.63%, 11.89±1.63% and 10.29±1.63%). It was concluded that, semen parameters from Zulu rams does vary with seasons. Nevertheless, despite seasonal variations observed, Zulu rams’ semen quality is acceptable in both breeding and non-breeding season hence can breed throughout the year. Notwithstanding, studies involving fertility are recommended and the nutrition effect of lambing during dry period should be considered.

The objectives of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics of toltrazuril and its metabolites in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes following a single oral dose and to determine the plasma concentrations of these compounds in milk, allantoic fluid, and newborn plasma. Eighteen healthy ewes were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6 each): pregnant ewes at 12-13 weeks of gestation (group A), nonpregnant ewes (group B), and pregnant ewes at 1-2 weeks before expected lambing date (group C). Ewes in all groups received a single oral dose of toltrazuril at 20 mg/kg body weight. In groups A and B, blood samples were collected at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18 hr, every 6 hr to day 3, every 12 hr to day 7 and thereafter every 24 hr to day 14 post-toltrazuril administration. In group C, parturition was induced 24-36 hr after toltrazuril administration then milk, allantoic fluid, and newborn plasma samples were collected immediately after birth. Drug metabolites were assayed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection method (UHPLC-UV). The maximum concentration (Cmax ), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) , AUC to 24 and 48 hr (AUC0-24 ), and (AUC0-48 ) were significantly higher in pregnant ewes. Longer apparent half-life (T1/2 ), significantly higher apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) and total clearance (Cl/F) were observed in nonpregnant ewes. The time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax ), mean residence time (MRT) and elimination rate constant (Kel ) were similar in both groups. The AUC0-24 and AUC0-48 were significantly higher in nonpregnant ewes. The AUC0-t was significantly higher in pregnant ones. The ratio of plasma toltrazuril concentrations in ewes and toltrazuril concentrations in newborn lambs' plasma, allantoic fluid, and milk were 68%, 2.3%, and 5.3%, respectively. Results of this study showed that toltrazuril is well absorbed after a single oral dose in ewes with widespread distribution in different body tissues.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of administration of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) hormones on ewe estrus synchronization during summer season in Egypt. The study was performed on thirty four non-pregnant or lactating local ewes, 2 - 4 years old and 42.1 ± 1.8 kg average live body weight. Ewes were randomly divided into three groups as follows: natural estrus (control n = 10), intervaginal progesterone sponges (P4 = 12 ewes) for 12 days and two injections of PGF2α (12 ewes) 12 days apart. Parameters of estrus, conception and body weight of lambs were measured. Results showed that the percentage of estrus signs exhibition in PGF2α group reached 83.3%, while the lowest percentage (60%) was observed in control group (P

Royal jelly (RJ) is one of the furthermost valuable curative products mentioned by natural medicine scientists due to its promising medical and nutritional purposes. It possesses many impacts, including antioxidants, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions in human and animal that benefit their health and welfare, resulting in its widespread use in medical and commercial products and healthy food. Recently, favourable functions of RJ on male fertility have been reported in different animals. According to earlier literatures, the level of RJ supplementation in animal diet ranged from 100 to 200 mg/kg. Oral exposure to RJ has been reported to have oestrogenic influences in the adult female rats. Also, RJ may be influential in improvement of pregnancy and lambing rates of ewes. Oral administration of RJ at 100 mg/kg diet before sexual maturity enhanced sexual behaviour and semen quality of male rabbits. Moreover, RJ administration (up to 400 mg/kg diet once weekly) for male rabbits exposed to heat stress can counteract "summer infertility" and improve physiological responses. Furthermore, supplementation of freezing extender media with 0.1 or 3% RJ had a protective influence on cryopreserved and chilled spermatozoa of buffalo and ram respectively. However, the high dose of RJ oral administration (800 mg/kg) by pubescent male rats for 1 month had an undesirable effect on the reproductive system; however, the somewhat unfavourable influences were mitigated by the discontinuation of the administration. This review shows the chemical composition, favourable applications and health benefits of RJ and its effects on reproductive aspects, semen quality and in vitro fertilization outcomes which are advantageous for scientists, researchers, nutritionists, physiologists, embryologists, pharmacists, veterinarians, pharmaceutical industries and animal's breeders.

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of pre-breeding vitamin E and selenium (ESe) injections on the reproductive performance, antioxidant status, and serum progesterone (P4) concentration in estrus-synchronized Mehraban ewes. During the breeding season, 38 ewes (3–4 years) were divided into two groups (n = 18), and the synchronization of estrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 0.3 g progesterone CIDR device for 13 days followed by 350 IU eCG at CIDR withdrawal. Ewes were kept under pasture conditions and exposed to Mehraban rams 48 h following CIDR withdrawal. The experimental treatments were control and ESe injection. The ESe group was received three intramuscular (5 mL) injections of Ese (0.5 mg/mL of selenium as sodium selenite and 50 IU vitamin E as DL-α- tocopheryl) once every 2 weeks. Specifically, Ese was administered at 2 weeks before CIDR insertion, at the times of CIDR insertion and CIDR withdrawal. Fertility, prolificacy, lambing rate, and birth weight were recorded after parturition. Blood samples were collected at CIDR insertion, CIDR withdrawal, 5, 10, and 15 days after ram exposure. Fertility, prolificacy, lambing rate, and birth weight did not improve by Ese treatment, but viability of lambs was higher in ESe than control (P

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T16:56:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-09-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2022-04-28T17:11:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0103-84782022000100701.pdf: 567911 bytes, checksum: a792132670d288f2b0120defec86f4f2 (MD5) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) O sistema hematopoiético sofre mudanças durante a gestação para atender o desenvolvimento fetal e as necessidades maternas. Este estudo comparou os parâmetros hematológicos entre ovelhas com gestação simples e gemelar durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto. O estudo foi realizado em 60 ovelhas Dorper prenhes, saudáveis, divididas em dois grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 (G1) com gestação simples (n = 30); e Grupo 2 (G2) com gestação gemelar (n = 30). Amostras de sangue foram colhidos de todas as ovelhas em diferentes momentos: imediatamente antes da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IA); nos dias 30, 90, 120, 130 e 140 de gestação; imediatamente após o parto; e às 24h e 48h pós-parto. A análise estatística comparou os dois grupos nos diferentes momentos (P < 0,05). Anemia leve, normocítica e hipocrômica foi detectada desde a IA e ao longo da gestação, nas ovelhas de ambos os grupos, mas não houve relevância clínica. Na fase periparto (do 140º dia de gestação às 48h pós-parto), as ovelhas com gestação gemelar (G2) mostraram valores do eritrograma e proporção neutrófilos: linfócitos mais elevados do que as ovelhas com gestação simples (G1). Isso indicou maior adaptação hematopoiética da ovelha para o desenvolvimento de dois fetos. Com exceção do número de eosinófilos, todos os parâmetros do leucograma foram influenciados pela gestação de forma semelhante em ambos os grupos, e foi caracterizada principalmente por leucocitose com neutrofilia no periparto devido ao alto nível de cortisol endógeno no parto. Assim, os achados mostraram que a gestação foi um evento fisiológico estressante que aumentou a contagem de leucócitos com leve alteração no eritrograma de ovelhas Dorper. The hematopoietic system changes during the pregnancy to carry fetal development and maternal needs. This study compared the hematological parameters between ewes with single and twin pregnancies during gestation, delivery, and postpartum. The experiment was conducted on 60 healthy pregnant Dorper ewes that were divided into two experimental groups: Group 1 (G1), with single pregnancies (n=30), and Group 2 (G2), with twin pregnancies (n=30). Blood samples were collected from all ewes at different times: immediately before fixed-time artificial insemination (AI); on day 30, 90, 120, 130, and 140 of pregnancy; immediately after delivery; and at 24h and 48h postpartum. Statistical analysis compared the two groups at different times (P

Simple Summary In ovine species, transcervical artificial insemination is not easy to apply, due to the tortuous lumen of the cervix that does not allow the passage of routinely used catheters. Moreover, the quality of frozen–thawed semen in small ruminants is poor and these factors negatively affect the wide spreading of superior genotypes. The aim of this study was therefore to preliminarily test three newly designed insemination catheters, with bent tips of different lengths, in terms of reproductive performances in pluriparous ewes inseminated with frozen–thawed semen. Afterwards, the outcomes of insemination with the best performing catheter were compared to those obtained in ewes previously submitted to surgical incision of cervical folds, a technique that allows transcervical intrauterine deposition of semen. The results obtained indicated that a catheter with a bent tip of 5.0 mm allowed deep and fast intrauterine insemination, leading to pregnancy rates similar to those obtained following surgical incision of the folds. Further tests on the efficiency of the catheter are needed in field conditions and on a larger number of animals to assess the feasibility of the method in wide commercial insemination campaigns. Abstract In ovine species, transcervical artificial insemination (TCAI) is limited by the poor quality of frozen–thawed semen and by the convoluted cervical lumen hampering the passage of inseminating devices. The aim of the study was to test the efficiency of three newly designed catheters with bent tips of 3.5 mm, 5.0 mm or 8.0 mm in terms of reproductive performances (experiment 1) and to compare the results of TCAI with the best performing catheter of experiment 1 to those obtained in ewes submitted to surgical incision of cervical folds (SICF) prior to insemination (experiment 2). The following parameters were assessed: time to pass the cervix; depth of cervical penetration; site of deposition of semen; pregnancy (PR); and lambing rates (LR). The results of experiment 1 indicated that the 5.0 mm tip catheter resulted in deeper and faster TCAI and higher PR and LR compared to 3.5 mm and 8.0 mm tip catheters (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, TCAI with the 5.0 mm catheter did not differ from TCAI after SICF in terms of depth of semen deposition, time to pass the cervix, PR and LR (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a catheter that allowed transcervical uterine deposition of semen without excessive manipulation led to satisfactory pregnancy rates.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ewe genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. The study consisted of three genetic merit groups (New Zealand [NZ], High Irish, and Low Irish) and ran from 2016 to 2019, inclusive. Each genetic merit group contained 30 purebred Suffolk and 30 purebred Texel ewes, which were selected based on their maternal genetic indexes in their country of origin, namely Ireland (€uro-star Replacement index) or New Zealand (New Zealand Maternal worth). Ewe body condition score (BCS), ewe body weight (BW), milk yield, milk composition, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency parameters were all analyzed using linear mixed models. Ewe BW was similar across all genetic merit groups at each time point (P > 0.05). In comparison to both High and Low Irish ewes, NZ ewes had a higher BCS at mating, mid-pregnancy, lambing, week 10 post-lambing (PL, P < 0.05). Ewe BW change was similar across genetic merit groups, except between mating and mid-pregnancy where ewe BW loss was greater for NZ ewes than Irish ewes (P < 0.05) and between weeks 6 PL and 10 PL, where NZ ewes gained BW and High and Low Irish ewes lost BW (P < 0.01). Ewe milk yield, milk fat, total solids, and gross energy content were superior for milk produced by NZ ewes at week 6 PL in comparison to milk produced by High Irish and Low Irish ewes (P < 0.01). NZ ewes produced a greater quantity of milk solids/kg of BW at week 6 PL compared with High Irish ewes (P < 0.01), whereas Low Irish ewes did not differ from either NZ or High Irish (P > 0.05). Low Irish ewes had a greater daily DMI than High Irish ewes in late lactation (week 10 PL, P < 0.05) and had a greater DMI/kg of ewe BW compared with the High Irish ewes at the same time point (P < 0.05). NZ ewes weaned a litter BW equivalent to 60.4% of their mating BW, which was more than the Low Irish ewes who weaned 57.1% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P < 0.01), whereas the High Irish ewes did not differ from either the NZ or Low Irish ewes at 59.3% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P > 0.05). This study presents a range of parameters across ewes of high and low genetic merit, demonstrating the ability to achieve gains through selection of animals of high genetic merit. Sheep producers should consider genetic indexes as a tool to assist in the decision-making process of selecting replacement ewes and/or breeding rams, once satisfied the animal is correct, and meeting the breeding objectives of the system.

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is an obligate myiasis-causing fly of livestock that is widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. A total of 73 683 sheep from 122 flocks in Albacete Province (southeastern [SE] Spain) were examined to detect active traumatic myiasis. The influence of several individual and flock factors on the prevalence was also assessed. The overall flock prevalence of traumatic myiasis was 95.9%, with an individual prevalence of 7.1%. Wohlfahrtia magnifica was identified in all of the positive animals except one that was infested by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Adults of both genders showed a higher risk of infestation than juveniles, whereas males of all ages displayed an increased risk of infestation than females of all ages; the existence of a lambing building on the farm, poor husbandry facilities and the location area were also identified as risk factors. Prevalence was highest in the summer, and the fly season lasted from March to November. Genitalia were the main location of infestation in males (94.4%) and females (76.3%). Our results reveal that traumatic myiasis by W. magnifica is widespread in southeastern Spain, hence preventive measures minimizing the attractiveness of sheep to gravid flies are necessary to avoid health and welfare problems and significant production losses in sheep flocks SI

Background and Objectives: Enzootic abortion in sheep and goats, also called ovine enzootic abortion (OEA) or enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), is caused by Chlamydia abortus. The disease has a major economic impact as it represents the most important cause of lamb loss in sheep in parts of Europe, North America and Africa. This serious and potentially life-threat- ening zoonosis can also affect pregnant women after contact with lambing ewes, leading to severe febrile illness in pregnancy and loss of the foetus. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted to the Phylogenetic and Molecular Analysis based on Genes 16S-rRNA, OmpA and POMP of C. abortus in milk samples collected from sheep and goats in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. During 2018, a total number of 360 milk samples were collected from sheep (n = 180) and goats (n = 180) of different regions of the province. All milk samples were subjected to DNA extraction and examined by PCR. Results: Among 360 milk samples collected from sheep and goats, 31 (8.611%; 95% CI=6.13-11.96) were positive for Chlamydia spp. The helicase, 16S-rRNA and ompA genes were examined and resulted in 8, 31, 31 of positive samples re- spectively. The accession numbers have been deposited in GenBank (NCBI) (MT367602 and MT367603). Conclusion: Phylogenetic analysis based on the gene of helicase showed that most of the isolates shared similarity > 99.97%.

Few studies on mRNA expression of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) isoforms in different tissues of sheep were reported. The objective of this study was to analyze the gene sequence and mRNA expression of PRLR isoforms in the uterus, mammary gland, ovary, spleen and lymph tissue of ewes during the lactation and post-weaning periods. Ten lactating crossbred ewes (Dorper×Hu sheep) with twin lambs were used in this study. Five ewes were chosen randomly and slaughtered at mid-lactation (35 days after lambing). The remaining five ewes were slaughtered on the 5th day after weaning. Samples of uterus, mammary gland, ovary, spleen and lymph tissue were collected from each ewe to determine the mRNA expression of long PRLR (L-PRLR) and short PRLR (S-PRLR) by RT-qPCR. The physical and chemical properties, the similarity of the nucleotides L-PRLR and S-PRLR genes and the secondary and tertiary structure of the L-PRLR and S-PRLR proteins of sheep were analyzed. The results indicated that the predicted protein molecular weights of L-PRLR and S-PRLR are 65235.36 KD and 33847.48 KD, respectively, with isoelectric points of 5.12 and 8.34, respectively. The secondary protein structures of L-PRLR and S-PRLR are different. For L-PRLR these include alpha helix, extended strand and random coils and β-turns for which the content was 16.01%, 21%, 59.55% and 3.44%, respectively, whereas the secondary protein structures of S-PRLR contain only alpha helices, extended strand and random coils, comprising 18.24%, 30.07% and 48.99%, respectively. The L-PRLR and S-PRLR genes of the sheep (Ovis aries) had nucleotide sequences showing much similarity among ruminants. In these sheep, mRNA expression of L-PRLR and S-PRLR was highest in the uterus and differed between the uterus, ovary, mammary gland, spleen and lymph tissue. The mRNA expression of L-PRLR in lymph tissue was higher during lactation than in the post-weaning period (P < 0.01), whereas mRNA expression of S-PRLR in the uterus and the mammary gland was lower during lactation than during the post-weaning period (P < 0.01). In the uterus, mRNA expression of L-PRLR was higher than that of S-PRLR during lactation (P < 0.01) but there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) for the other five tissues. This study that the L-PRLR and S-PRLR proteins in ewes are mainly composed of extended fragments and random coils. The data also indicate that mRNA expression of L-PRLR and S-PRLR genes varies among different tissues in sheep and is higher in the uterus than in the ovary, spleen, mammary gland and lymph tissue throughout lactation and the post-weaning period.

The objectives of this study were to identify the management strategies, reproductive characteristics, and causes of the infertility in sheep flocks in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Reproductive data were collected from 43 Awassi flocks containing 12,012 heads and 16 Najdi flocks having 2867 heads. Reproductive tracts of females culled from breeding from these flocks (Awassi, n = 127; Najdi, n = 32) were collected from slaughterhouses to detect the common pathological lesions. The results showed that most flocks contained large number of animals housed mainly in shelters and involved small number of workers. Few managers had high school education and very few farms relied on breeding records, regular veterinary visits, and the use of modern reproductive techniques. Sheep flocks with large number of animals; low-educated and less-experienced managers showed higher stillbirth rate than other flocks (P = 0.02). Sheep housed in shelter demonstrated greater lambing rate than sheep managed between grazing and shelter systems (P = 0.03). Ewes bred seasonally had greater lambing rate than those bred all year (P = 0.03). Non-functioning ovaries, pyometra, and ovarian-bursal adhesion were the common findings in the culled barren ewes. In conclusion, reproductive efficiency of sheep in the central area of Saudi Arabia could be improved by reforming some management approaches, justifying workers/animals ratio, instructing sheep breeders, and controlling genital diseases.

This study was conducted to review the effects of CIDR vitamin A, E + Se administration on fertility and lamb performance on Kivircik ewes during anestrus season. The ewes were randomly assigned into 5 groups. Animals in group 1 served as CIDR containing 0.33 g progesterone were inserted into vagina and then removed after 14 days. Following the removal of vaginal apparatuses and PGF2α injection, intramuscular 500 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) was injected in 20 head of ewes. Animals in group 2 were administered CIDR + Vitamin A + Vitamin E in 20 head of ewes. Animals in group 3 were administered Vitamin A (2ml/head) in 20 head of ewes. Animals in group 4 were administered Vitamin E + Se (2ml/head) in 20 head of ewes. Animals in group 5 served as control in 18 head of ewes. After 24 hours as of application, rams were added in the herd. Results of pregnancy rate (95.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 83.3%), lambing rate (95.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 83.3%) and prolificacy (21.1, 30.0, 5.0, 10.0, 0.0) were found for ewes of CIDR, CIDR + Vitamin A, E + Se, Vitamin A, Vitamin E + Se administered ewes and control groups, respectively. It can be concluded that administration of CIDR, Vitamin A and E + Se alone and in combination improved reproductive performance on Kivircik ewes.

During pregnancy there are modifications in the metabolic profile of sheep that may predispose to the occurrence of metabolic disorders, of which pregnancy toxaemia (PT) is highlighted. Blood gas analysis is detects changes in acid-base and electrolyte balance effectively. The objectives of this study were to study the acid-base and electrolyte balance of sheep during gestation and in the immediate peripartum (up to 48 hours postpartum), comparing single gestation with twins. Sixty healthy sheep of Dorper breed, two to five years old were raised in a semi-intensive system and were divided in two experimental groups: Group 1: 30 ewes, with ultrasonographic diagnosis of single fetus gestation; Group 2: 30 ewes, with ultrasonographic diagnosis of twin pregnancy. The experimental moments were defined as: MI-immediately after artificial insemination (control); MG30 - 30 days of gestation; MG90 - 90 days of gestation; MG120 - 120 days of gestation; MG130 - 130 days of gestation; MG140 - 140 days of gestation; MP - lambing; MPP1 - 24h postpartum; MPP2 - 48h postpartum. At all times 1mL of blood was collected per jugular vein puncture for blood gas evaluation in a portable equipament (I-Stat®). The pH, carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3-), base excess (BE), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), ionized calcium (Ca+2), lactate, anion gap (AG) were mensured and strong ion difference (SID) were calculed. This work showed that there were changes in acid-base and electrolyte balance in pregnant ewes, due to the decrease in BE, HCO3-, TCO2 and increase of lactate and AG during gestation, but the pH remained normal and did not present any difference among moments in both groups. Comparing the groups, single-gestation ewes presented higher alkaline expenditure at delivery than twin-gestation, evidenced by lower levels of BE and HCO3-. Lower Na+ levels were observed in prepartum; drop in K+ values with advancing gestation; hyperchloremia and hypocalcemia during gestation according to the reference standards for species; decreased iCa+2 levels in the final third of gestation in both groups. It was concluded that the ewes of this study were healthy until the last moment analyzed (48h postpartum), although have shown greater consumption of the alkaline reserve in the peripartum, being more explicit in the single gestation animals. In addition, this situation can be physiological and result in increased energy demand during gestation, more exacerbated by peripartum. RESUMO: Durante a gestação ocorrem modificações metabólicas nas ovelhas que podem predispor a ocorrência de transtornos metabólicos, dos quais se destaca a toxemia da prenhez (TP). A hemogasometria é um exame que detecta alterações nos equilíbrios ácido-básico e eletrolítico de forma eficaz. Os objetivos deste estudo foram estudar os equilíbrios ácido-básico e eletrolítico de ovelhas durante a gestação e no periparto imediato (até 48 horas pós-parto), comparando-se gestação única com gemelar. Foram utilizadas 60 ovelhas criadas em manejo semi-intensivo, hígidas, da raça Dorper, com dois a cinco anos de idade. Foram constituídos dois grupos experimentais: Grupo 1: 30 ovelhas, com diagnóstico ultrassonográfico de gestação de feto único; Grupo 2: 30 ovelhas, com diagnóstico ultrassonográfico de gestação gemelar. Os momentos experimentais foram definidos como: MI - imediatamente após a inseminação artificial (controle); MG30 - 30 dias de gestação; MG90 - 90 dias de gestação; MG120 - 120 dias de gestação; MG130 - 130 dias de gestação; MG140 - 140 dias de gestação; MP - dia do parto; MPP1 - 24h pós-parto; MPP2 - 48h pós-parto. Em todos os momentos foi colhido 1mL de sangue por punção da veia jugular para avaliação hemogasométrica em aparelho portátil (I-Stat®). Foram analisados os parâmetros: pH, pressão de dióxido de carbono (PCO2), bicarbonato (HCO3-), excesso de bases (EB), sódio (Na+), potássio (K+), cloreto (Cl-), cálcio ionizado (iCa+2), lactato, ânion gap (AG) e diferença de íons fortes (SID). Este trabalho mostrou que houve mudanças nos equilíbrios ácido-básico e eletrolítico nas ovelhas prenhes, pela diminuição do EB, HCO3- e aumento do lactato e AG no decorrer da gestação, porém o pH se manteve dentro da normalidade e não apresentou diferença ao longo dos momentos em ambos os grupos. Comparando os grupos, as ovelhas de gestação única apresentaram maior consumo da reserva alcalina no momento do parto do que as de gestação gemelar, evidenciado menores níveis de EB e HCO3-. Foram observados níveis mais baixos de Na+ no pré-parto; queda dos valores de K+ com o avanço da gestação; hipercloremia e hipocalcemia durante a gestação segundo os padrões de referência para espécie e diminuição dos níveis de iCa+2 no terço final da gestação nas ovelhas de ambos os grupos. Concluiu-se que as ovelhas deste estudo apresentaram-se saudáveis até o último momento analisado (48h pós-parto), embora tenham mostrado maior consumo da reserva alcalina no periparto, sendo mais evidente nos animais de gestação única. Apesar disso, essa ocorrência pode ser considerada fisiológica e consequência do aumento da demanda energética durante a gestação, mais exacerbada no periparto.

Ovine anaplasmosis is caused by the obligate intraerythrocytic bacteria Anaplasma ovis and the disease is characterized by anaemia, weight loss and weakness. A severe outbreak of ovine anaplasmosis was diagnosed for the first time in Spain in 2014 and, subsequently, a research was developed in order to increase de knowledge of this not-well-known disease. An experimental infection with Anaplasma ovis was carried out in three lambs and the evolution of the disease was assessed during a period of three years and two production cycles (gestation, birth and lactation). Clinical and haematological parameters were analyzed through all the period and detection of Anaplasma ovis by qPCR and Giemsa staining of blood smears was performed periodically as well as cELISA test for the detection of antibodies against Anaplasma spp. Finally, Anaplasma ovis vertical transmission and transfer of immunity through the colostrum were studied and evaluation of the immune response against infection of lambs born from infected dams was likewise analyzed by means of a new experimental infection. The results showed that A. ovis induces a severe normocytic and normochromic anaemia, however, evident clinical signs were not observed until the first lambing. Molecular identification of Anaplasma ovis by qPCR revealed that the three animals started to test positive between day 4 and 8 post-infection and afterwards, the bacterial load increased progressively until reaching a peak on day 36 post-infection. The presence of antibodies against A. ovis was detected from day 10 after inoculation in the three animals. Ruminal atony, paleness of mucous membranes, weakness and fever were observed after the first delivery, followed by a chronic condition with a relevant loss of body weight that led to a state of cachexia. The three animals showed severe anaemia after delivery, coinciding with a peak in the bacterial load and relevant decrease in the humoral response. In the second production cycle, the animals presented very slight clinical signs, with minor variations in the erythrocyte count, however, the high percentage of inhibition of the humoral response was not modified at the time of delivery, indicating in this case, a good immune response of the animals against A. ovis. All the blood samples taken to the lambs born from infected dams tested negative to A. ovis by qPCR in all the analyzed period, discarding the vertical transmission of the disease. Further, the analysis performed by cELISA test to the colostrum taken from the infected sheep evidenced the presence of antibodies against A. ovis, thus, all the lambs born from these ewes and naturally nursed showed antibodies against A. ovis after colostrum intake. Finally, in the experimental infection carried out in lambs born from infected ewes no clinical findings were observed and only a slight anaemia with a fast erythrocytic regenerative response was detected. In contrast with the first experimental infection, these animals tested antibody positive by cELISA the first day after infection. The studies shown in this article shed some light on how A. ovis infection occurs and how immunity is generated at the flock level. However, new studies are needed with a greater number of animals to be able to corroborate all these promising results.

Previous researches have shown that MTNR1A plays an essential role in sheep reproduction. However, most researches focused more on the reproductive seasonality of sheep, and few scientists had studied the association of polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene with ovine litter size and reproductive seasonality. Therefore, we chose MTNR1A gene to detect its novel sequence polymorphisms and population genetics and analyse their association with seasonal reproduction and litter size in ewes. The mRNA expression level in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary was also detected. In this study, five polymorphisms (g.15118664G > T, g.15118683C > T, g.15118756C > T, g.15118774C > T and g.15118951G > A) were identified in exon 2. Most importantly, the g.15118683C > T and g.15118951G > A were significant difference between year‐round oestrous sheep and seasonal oestrous sheep (p T had a great effect on litter size of Small Tail Han sheep (p

MIP and CPAF from Chlamydia have been shown to be effective in inducing immune responses important in clearing chlamydial infections. This study evaluates the protection conferred by MIP and CPAF as novel vaccines in pregnant C. abortus challenged ewes. Fifty C. abortus sero-negative sheep were randomly allocated into 5 groups of 10 according to the treatment they were to receive (1) 100 µg of MBP-MIP (2) 100 µg CPAF (3) 50 µg MBP-MIP and 50 µg CPAF (4) Tris-buffer (negative control) (5) Enzovax (positive control). Booster inoculations were administered 3 weeks after primary inoculations. Blood samples were taken pre-vaccination and weekly for 5 weeks. Five months after vaccination the ewes were mated. Pregnant ewes were then challenged on day 90 of gestation. Blood samples taken at four time-points post challenge were analysed for IFNγ levels, TNFα and IL-10 expression and anti-chlamydial antibody levels. Vaginal swabs, placental and foetal tissue and bacterial shedding were analysed using qPCR to quantify levels of C. abortus. Enzovax was 100% effective with no abortions occurring. The MIP/CPAF combined vaccine offered the greatest protection of the novel vaccines with 67% of ewes giving birth to one or more live lambs equating to a 50% vaccine efficacy rate. MIP and CPAF administered singly did not confer protection. Enzovax and MIP/CPAF vaccinated ewes had longer gestations and lambs with higher birth weights than negative control ewes. Aborting ewes shed higher numbers of C. abortus than ewes that had live lambs, all vaccinated ewes demonstrated lower levels of bacterial shedding than negative control ewes with Enzovax ewes shedding significantly fewer bacteria. Ewes that went on to abort had significantly higher levels of IFNγ and IL-10 at day 35 post challenge and significantly higher levels of anti-chlamydial antibodies at 24 h post lambing compared to ewes that had live lambs.

The aim was to explore the impact of periconceptional folic acid or flaxseed oil (FXO) supplementation on fertility, progesterone profile, and blood chemistry in pregnant ewes during the breeding season. In total, 54 Ossimi ewes were divided into three groups (18 animals each). The control treatment (CON) fed a basal diet only, while the others fed the basal diet and supplemented every other day with a single bolus of folic acid (FO 500 μg/head) or flaxseed oil (FX 50 ml/head). During the early stage of pregnancy, the FO and FX groups showed significantly higher serum antioxidant activity (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) as compared with the control CON group (P = 0.012 and 0.007, respectively). Although no significant variations were detected in the serum nitric oxide levels during the early stage and mid-stage of pregnancy, the FO and FX groups showed significantly lower serum nitric oxide concentration in the late stage of pregnancy (P = 0.001). The FO and FX groups showed significantly higher serum progesterone concentrations during the early stage (10.9 and 11.4 ng/ml, respectively) and mid-stage (22.2 and 23.4 ng/ml, respectively) of pregnancy as compared with the CON group (7.72 and 13.9 ng/ml, respectively). The FX group exhibited a significantly higher lambing rate (P = 0.034), as well as the proportion of female lambs (P = 0.029) as compared with the CON group. In conclusion, supplementing Ossimi ewes with folic acid or FXO significantly improved the progesterone profile during pregnancy. Moreover, the FXO supplementation significantly increased the lambing rate and the female lamb rate as compared with the control group.

In this study, fertilization parameters of 102 head Norduz and 583 head Awassi with fresh and undiluted semen by artificial insemination were determined. Morning, evening and total estrus detection were respectively; In the Norduz, 47 ± 0.23 head (47.96 %) - 34 ± 0.16 head (34.69 %) and 81 ± 0.20 head (82.65 %), In the Awassi, 359 ± 0.97 head (61.58 %) - 197 ± 0.63 head (33.79 %) and 556 ± 0.8 head (95.37 %). Those who show no estrus in Norduz and Awassi were respectively; 17 ± 0.18 head and (17.35 %) - 27 ± 0.21 head (4.63 %). After 11.0 hours of estrus detection artificial insemination with fresh and undiluted semen of 0.3 ml / head dose into the cervical mouth (os cervical) were performed. Mean yield parameters, Norduz and Awassi in respectively; ate on lambing rate the length of pregnancy 157.6±3.38 - 153.1±1.81day, the single lambing 51±1.17 head (62.97 %) - 387±1.13 head (69.60 %), the twins lambing 12±1.06 head (14.82 %) - 103±1.22 head (18.53 %), and the total lambing head and rate on 63±1.12 head (77.79 %) - 490±1.18 head (88.13 %) rate were determined. In terms of fertilization parameters of artificial insemination with fresh and undiluted semen, Awassi yearling were significantly higher than Norduz ewe (P≤0.01). According to this, it can be said that Awassi yearlings can be used as effective breeding material in the breeding of domestic sheep breeds with their high adaptability, milk and progeny yield characteristics., Bu araştırmada, 102 baş Norduz ve 587 baş İvesi kullanılarak,taze ve sulandırılmamış sperma ile yapay tohumlama döl verim parametreleri belirlenmiştir.Sabah, akşam ve toplam kızgınlık tespitleri sırası ile; Norduz’larda 47 ± 0.23baş (% 47.96) - 34 ± 0.16 baş (% 34.69) ve 81 ± 0.20 baş (% 82.65), İvesi’lerde359 ± 0.97 baş (% 61.58) - 197 ± 0.63 baş (% 33.79) ve 556 ± 0.8 baş (% 95.37) belirlenmiştir.Hiç kızgınlık göstermeyen, Norduz ve İvesi’ler sırası ile; 17 ± 0.18 baş (%17.35) ve 27 ± 0.21 baş (% 4.63) belirlenmiştir. Kızgınlık tespitinden, 11.0saat sonra, serviks ağzına (os cervical) 0.3 ml/baş doz taze ve sulandırılmamışsperma ile yapay tohumlama yapılmıştır. Döl verim parametreleri ortalamaları, Norduzve İvesilerde sırası ile; gebelik süresi 157.6±3.38 - 153.1±1.81 gün,tek doğum 51±1.17 baş (% 62.97) - 387±1.13 baş (% 69.60), ikiz doğum 12±1.06 baş (% 14.82) - 103±1.22 baş (%18.53) ve genel kuzulama oranı 63±1.12 baş (% 77.79) - 490±1.18 baş (%88.13) olarak belirlenmiştir. Taze ve sulandırılmamış sperma ile yapay tohumlamadöl verim parametreleri bakımından, İvesi toklular, Norduz koyunlarından, istatistikiolarak önemli düzeyde yüksek bulunmuştur (P≤0.01). Buna göre, İvesi’lerinyüksek adaptasyon, süt ve döl verim özellikleri ile, yerli koyun ırklarınınıslahında, etkin damızlık materyali olarak kullanılabilecekleri söylenebilir.

The results of morphological and biochemical parameters of blood of ewes in the period of pregnancy and after childbirth for 3 periods of lambing in Yakutia are presented. It was found that an increase in the content of red blood cells in the blood after childbirth caused an increase in the concentration of hemoglobin in sheep of both breed groups. At the same time statistically significant increase of hemoglobin concentration was revealed in 1 and 3 lambs. Thus, the increase in the value of the studied index in 1 lamb, in sheep of the Romanov breed was 117.5 ± 1.12 g/l or 3.8 % ( p≥ 0.95), in TRANS - Baikal fine - wool - 118.8 ± 0.99 g/l (P ≥ 0.99), in 3 lambs: in Romanov sheep-119.4 ± 0.91 g/l or 2.8 % ( P≥ 0.95 ), in TRANS-Baikal-119.9 ± 1.99 g/l or 8.6 % ( P≥ 0.95).0.95). According to the biochemical parameters of blood it was found that during the period of pregnancy the ewes of both breed groups differed by the maximum level of total protein for the periods of research. After delivery, there was a decrease in the concentration of total protein in the serum of experimental animals. Thus, the level of total protein reduction in 1 lamb - in sheep of the Roma breed was 7.55 g/l or 10.9% (p ≥ 0.99), in TRANS-Baikal – 0.8 g/l or 1.1 %; in 2 lambs – 6.39 g/l (9.09%) with a significant difference (p ≥ 0.99), and 0.58 g/l (0.78 %); in 3 lambs – 3.13 g/l (4.49%) (P ≥ 0.99), and 1.14 g/l (p 1.45 %). At the same time, attention is drawn to the fact that the level of total blood protein quite clearly expresses the physiological state of the Romanov sheep breed and is less susceptible to changes in the TRANS-Baikal sheep. In General, biochemical parameters of ewes for 3 periods of lambing were within physiological norms and significant deviations were not revealed and are caused by the manifestation of the General biological regularity of the physiological state of sheep during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Aims: To examine a range of udder and teat traits in Romney ewes and to describe the frequency with which different scores occur, and to investigate associations between lamb survival to weaning an...