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El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el semen de individuos ovinos criollos colombianos de pelo en la granja de la Universidad de Sucre. El estudio se llevó a cabo en la granja “El Perico” de la Universidad de Sucre, a 50 msnm, clima cálido seco y con formación vegetal de bosque seco tropical. Se utilizaron cuatro ovinos criollos adultos, no emparentados, los cuales fueron colectados cuatro veces a intervalos de cinco días, mediante la técnica de electroeyaculación y se evaluaron las características seminales macroscópicas y microscópicas. Se encontró que el color predominante es el blanco mate (66,7%) seguido del blanco brillante (33,3%) (p

This study evaluated the effects of varying amounts of melon with high sugar content offered to sheep without prior melon experience and that were not adapted to consuming it. We used 12 eight-month-old, rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep weighing 25 kg each. The animals received a base diet of roughage, and then half were randomly selected to have 25% of their diet replaced with melon (G25%) and the other half had 75% of their diet replaced with melon (75%). Ruminal fluid was collected before administration of melon and at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the administration of the fruit. Sheep from the G25% group presented volatile fatty acid ruminal acidosis (sub-acute) between 3 and 6 h after consumption. This acidosis was characterized by a rumen pH slightly lower than 5.6, increased discrete L-lactic acid content, and increased redox potential (RP) and methylene blue redox (MBR) time of the ruminal fluid. The G75% group presented lactic ruminal acidosis at T6h, characterized by a rumen pH lower than 5.0, high lactate-L content, increased RP and MBR time, and increased ruminal fluid osmolarity. Therefore, offering large amounts of melon (75% of dry matter (DM)) is not recommended but 25% of DM of this fruit can be used safely.

This study aimed to determine the energy requirements of Dorper crossbred sheep that have been used for meat production in China. Thirty-five 1/2 Dorper×1/2 thin-tailed Han crossbred noncastrated ram lambs [34.1±0.6 kg body weight (BW)] were used in a comparative slaughter trial. Seven ram lambs were randomly selected as the baseline group and slaughtered at 35 kg BW. The remaining 28 lambs were randomly divided into four groups of seven lambs each. Three of the four groups were fed a mixed diet either for ad libitum intake, 60% or 45% of the ad libitum intake. The three groups were slaughtered when the ram lambs that were fed ad libitum reached 50 kg BW. The ram lambs from the fourth group were also fed ad libitum as an intermediate group and slaughtered at 43 kg BW. Total body energy, nitrogen, fat, ash, and moisture content were measured. In a digestibility trial, another 15 ram lambs (41.3±0.8 kg BW) were housed in metabolism cages to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) value of the diet at the three levels of feed intake. The daily net energy (NE) requirement for maintenance was 263 kJ/kg 0.75 of BW or 278 kJ/kg 0.75 of shrunk BW (SBW), with a partial efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance of 0.69. The NE requirement for growth ranged from 1.12 to 5.31 MJ/d for daily gains of 100–400 g BW, or from 1.29 to 6.18 MJ/d for daily gains of 100–400 g SBW. The partial efficiency of ME utilization for growth was 0.46. The energy requirements of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred ram lambs were lower than those recommended by the British or American nutritional systems.

The present study evaluated the effect of replacing elephant grass (EG) with moist pineapple by-product silage (PS) on the apparent digestibility, consumption of digestible nutrients and performance of 25 castrated male lambs Santa Ines crossbreds. The lambs had an initial body weight of 20.2 ± 3.5 kg and were housed in individual pens in a completely randomised design with five treatments (replacement of EG by PS at five proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) and five replicates during 74 days. There was no significant effect of PS replacement proportions on the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates or total digestible nutrients (TDN). The consumption of crude protein (CP) decreased linearly with the inclusion of PS in the diets. The digestibility of DM, OM and TCs as well as levels of TDN increased linearly with the addition of PS. The use of PS in the diets had no significant effect on the digestibility of CP and neutral detergent fibre corrected for ashes and protein (NDFom(n)). These results demonstrated that there was no difference in the performance of animals fed diets with or without PS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate increasing inclusions of soybean molasses on feed intake and rumen fermentation parameters of crossbred sheep. Nine crossbred ruminally cannulated male sheep (71.1 ± 12.8 kg BW) were distributed in a triple Latin square 3 × 3 design. Treatments consisted of isonitrogenous (18.5% CP) and isoenergetic (2.7 Kcal ME/kg) diets, containing 0, 10 or 20% SM (DM basis). Before subsequent feeding, samples of orts were collected to monitor daily intake. After 14-d adaptation period rumen fluid samples were collected in each experimental period, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after feeding, to measure pH, and evaluate NH(3)-N and VFA concentrations. The pH was measured immediately after rumen fluid sampling, and NH(3)-N concentrations was determined using a micro-Kjeldhal apparatus. The concentration of VFA was determined by gas chromatography. Data were evaluated with a Mixed procedure of SAS, with repeated measures over time. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of SM inclusions, as well as the contrast Control × SM treatments. There was no interaction of time of sampling × treatment for all variables evaluated (P > 0.05). The increasing inclusion of SM did not alter the feed intake and ruminal parameters of feedlot sheep (P > 0.05). In average, the DM, NDF and CP intakes were, respectively, 1.32, 0.434 and 0.235 kg/d. The average values of pH and concentrations of NH(3)-N, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and valeric acids were, respectively, 6.1, 13.0 mg/dL, 33.4 mM/L, 16.7 mM/L, 6.5 mM/L, 0.9 mM/L, 1.0 mM/L and 0.6 mM/L. The results indicate that the inclusion of soybean molasses at up to 20% (DM basis) in the diets for feedlot crossbred sheep does not affect the feed intake and ruminal parameters.

In eight closely recorded Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks, all lamb deaths were examined and the cause of deaths identified if possible. Dystocia was identified as one of the major causes of lamb death and this study examined factors that could be used to identify ewes at high risk of dystocia, either to avoid dystocia or to assist with early intervention where possible. Dystocia was least common in lambs of ~4.8 kg, but there was a higher risk at both lower and higher birthweights. Dystocia with both low and high birthweight was more common in older ewes, ranging from negligible low birthweight dystocia in ewes less than 3 years old at lambing, to 5% in older ewes. Low birthweight dystocia increased with increasing litter size, with 40% dystocia in ewes at least 4 years of age with triplets. In contrast, high birthweight dystocia was not affected by litter size. A previous record of low birthweight dystocia was a risk factor for future low birthweight dystocia, but the same relationship was not observed for high birthweight dystocia. A high lambing ease score (difficult birth) with high birthweight was a risk factor for future high birthweight dystocia, but this was not the case for low birthweight dystocia. These differences between the risk factors for low and high birthweight dystocia suggest that they have different causes. High ewe liveweight and condition score during pregnancy may be additional indicators of the risk of dystocia, particularly for ewes with high liveweight in the first 60 days of pregnancy. For most ewes dystocia was difficult to predict, but there was a small proportion of ewes with a very high risk of dystocia and if these could be identified in advance they could be monitored much more closely than the rest of the flock.

In eight well-managed Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks the adult ewes were monitored frequently for flystrike. Occurrences of flystrike and severity of strike scores were recorded, whereas bodyweights and condition scores were recorded regularly across two wool production and reproduction cycles. In these unmulesed flocks, 17% of Merino and 5% of crossbred ewes were struck, with 2% of those struck dead within 7 days of detection of the strike. For those adult ewes that survived the immediate period of the strike, the rate of loss over the following year was slightly greater than for ewes that were never struck, particularly for those with a high severity strike. Flystrike also contributed to losses of up to 2.7 (Merino ewes) and 5.2 (crossbred ewes) kg of bodyweight, and 0.3 condition score units at the time of the strike. Bodyweights were still 2 kg lower by 3 months after the strike occurred for Merinos, although condition scores returned to average levels. For ewes struck between mating and lambing, flystrike was associated with significant losses of lambs. Flystrike at severity level 1 (light) had only minor effects on wool production, but severity score 3 (heavy) reduced clean fleece weight.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of crossbred groups and anatomical muscle positions on the chemical composition and fatty acid profiles in the loin (M. longissimus dorsi) and chump (M. semimembranosus) muscles of the short-haired and long-haired crossbred sheep. Five sheep per group with the 25 kg initial body weight were fed with 2 kg/d TMR and free choice grass (Brachiaria mutica), and those were raised 84 days. After slaughter, loin and chump were used to examine the chemical composition and fatty acid profiles. The results showed that the loin from the short-haired and long-haired crossbreds had Palmitic acid at the highest level among the other saturated fatty acid (SFA), whereas this fatty acid was not detected in the chump. However, the highest SFA in the chump of both crossbreds was the Stearic acid. Furthermore, the fatty acids in both groups were detected in the chump more than in the loin. There was found that the nutritional values were not affected by sheep crossbred groups (P>0.05). The loin and chump had affected the percentage of crude protein (P0.05).

Many consumers perceive lamb meat from mountain pastures to be of superior quality, a quality that may be altered if lambs are kept for a longer period on cultivated pastures before slaughtering. The objective of this experiment was to compare sensory profile and fatty acid composition in meat from lambs slaughtered directly from unimproved mountain pastures with meat from lambs raised on unimproved mountain pastures and fattened on biodiverse cultivated pastures for 26, 39 and 42days before slaughtering. The experiment was conducted at two different locations in Norway in 2006 and 2007, with a total of 124 Norwegian Crossbred Sheep lambs. Loin samples of M. Longissimus dorsi from lambs above a body weight of 40kg were selected and analysed for sensory attributes. Fatty acid composition was determined in the subcutaneous fat over the Longissimus dorsi. Small but significant differences were found in hardness, tenderness, fattiness, metallic and rancid flavour, and in polyunsaturated fatty acids. This indicates that to a small extent pre-slaughter fattening on cultivated pastures alters meat characteristics.

The goal of the present work was to analyze the Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Logistic and Gompertz functions in order to describe the growth in crossbred sheep Dorper × Morada Nova (DMN), Dorper × Rabo Largo (DRL) and Dorper × Santa Ines (DSI). After defining the best adjusted model, the absolute growth rate was calculated and the influence of both environmental and genetic features on curve parameters was evaluated. The data were based on 156 F1 animals (36 DMN, 61 DRL and 59 DSI), weighed quarterly from birth up to 210 days of age. Both Gompertz and Logistic functions presented the best adjustment, being the latter slightly superior. The mature weight was statistically similar among the three genetic groups. However, the DSI group presented a faster growth during the pre-weaning period, with a remarkable fall from the inflection point on. The weight gain within such group was lower to those from DRL and DMN groups from 150 days of age on. Only the birth month has significantly influenced the asymptotic weight (A). The growth rate (k) was affected by birth month, type of parturition, sex, genetic group and parturition type vs. genetic group interaction. The estimated correlation between the parameters A and k were negative (−0.58 for DMN, −0.39 for DSI and −0.38 for DRL), indicating that more precocious animals are less likely to reach higher weights when adults.

The study was carried out to compare the voluntary intake, digestibility, mean retention times (MRTs) and rumen fermentation parameters in sheep and cashmere goats offered three pellet diets. Four Mongolian and Han crossbred sheep and four Inner Mongolian white cashmere goats, each fitted with a rumen cannula, were used in this study. The results showed that there were differences between sheep and goats in voluntary intake (P

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FecB genotypes on body weight, average daily gain (ADG), ewe's productivity efficiency (EPE) and litter size in FecB introgressed GarolexMalpura (GM) crossbred sheep. A total of 235 GM lambs were selected randomly and screened for FecB mutation using forced RFLP-PCR. The majority (69.8%) of GM individuals were carriers (BB and B+) for the FecB mutation and frequency of the FecB allele was about 0.40. The FecB genotypes were significantly (P0.01) associated with the lamb's body weights from birth to 12 months of age. The generation wise (F(1), F(2) and F(3)), lamb's body weight did not differ significantly at birth, 6 and 12 months of the age, while it differed significantly (P0.05) at 3 and 9 months of age. The ADG1 (0-3 months) was significantly associated (P0.05), but not the ADG2 (3-6 months) and ADG3 (6-12 months) between genotypes. Type of birth and sex significantly (P0.01) affected the body weight from birth to 12 months of age; and body weight of single born lambs was significantly higher (P0.01) than that of twins and triplets from birth to 12 months of age. Type of birth significantly (P0.01) affected the ADG1, but had no significant effect on ADG2 and ADG3. Year of birth did not affect the birth and weaning weights, but it significantly affected (P0.01) the body weight and ADG's after weaning ages. The EPE was affected significantly (P0.01) by the FecB genotypes at birth, 3 and 12 months of age. The EPE of B+ and BB ewes were 7.86 kg (36.9%) and 2.32 kg (10.9%) higher as compared to ++ ewes at 12 months of age, respectively. The mean litter size of BB ewes (2.17+/-0.24) was significantly higher (P0.01) than that of B+ ewes (1.73+/-0.04) and ++ ewes (1.03+/-0.23). The present study indicated that the body weight and ADG of carrier lambs (BB and B+) was comparatively lower than that of non-carriers (++), while EPE of B+ ewes was comparatively higher than that of BB and ++ ewes. Further, it is interesting to note that heterozygous and homozygous state of individuals increased 0.70 and 1.14 extra lambs as compared to non-carriers (++), respectively.

International audience; Background The objectives of this study were to investigate the accuracy of genotype imputation from low (12k) to medium (50k Illumina-Ovine) SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) densities in purebred and crossbred Merino sheep based on a random or selected reference set and to evaluate the impact of using imputed genotypes on accuracy of genomic prediction.MethodsImputation validation sets were composed of random purebred or crossbred Merinos, while imputation reference sets were of variable sizes and included random purebred or crossbred Merinos or a group of animals that were selected based on high genetic relatedness to animals in the validation set. The Beagle software program was used for imputation and accuracy of imputation was assessed based on the Pearson correlation coefficient between observed and imputed genotypes. Genomic evaluation was performed based on genomic best linear unbiased prediction and its accuracy was evaluated as the Pearson correlation coefficient between genomic estimated breeding values using either observed (12k/50k) or imputed genotypes with varying levels of imputation accuracy and accurate estimated breeding values based on progeny-tests.ResultsImputation accuracy increased as the size of the reference set increased. However, accuracy was higher for purebred Merinos that were imputed from other purebred Merinos (on average 0.90 to 0.95 based on 1000 to 3000 animals) than from crossbred Merinos (0.78 to 0.87 based on 1000 to 3000 animals) or from non-Merino purebreds (on average 0.50). The imputation accuracy for crossbred Merinos based on 1000 to 3000 other crossbred Merino ranged from 0.86 to 0.88. Considerably higher imputation accuracy was observed when a selected reference set with a high genetic relationship to target animals was used vs. a random reference set of the same size (0.96 vs. 0.88, respectively). Accuracy of genomic prediction based on 50k genotypes imputed with high accuracy (0.88 to 0.99) decreased only slightly (0.0 to 0.67 % across traits) compared to using observed 50k genotypes. Accuracy of genomic prediction based on observed 12k genotypes was higher than accuracy based on lowly accurate (0.62 to 0.86) imputed 50k genotypes.

Objetivou-se avaliar as respostas produtivas de 30 ovinos mestiços ½Santa Inês + ½Dorper, com idade média de quatro meses, 15 com pelame preto e 15 com pelame branco, submetidos a estresse térmico. Os animais sofreram exposição à radiação solar direta durante uma hora (14h00 – 15h00) por semana durante oito semanas. Foram feitas as medições de altura do dorso, altura da garupa, largura do tórax, largura da garupa, perímetro do tórax, perímetro da coxa, perímetro da garupa e perímetro escrotal. Os animais foram abatidos e houve a pesagem dos seguintes componentes: sangue, pele, fígado, coração, rins, cabeça, patas, pulmão, trato gastrointestinal e vazio, testículos e pênis/uretra. Foram avaliados os pesos de carcaça quente e carcaça fria e calculadas as perdas por resfriamento e rendimento de carcaça quente e carcaça fria, além dos cortes comerciais: paleta, perna, pescoço, lombo e costela. Também foram avaliados o acabamento e conformação da carcaça e avaliação da cor, marmoreio, textura e espessura de gordura subcutânea. Os ovinos pretos apresentaram maior peso de rins e menor peso de testículos, carcaça quente, paleta, perna, costela e menor medida de largura da garupa em relação aos animais de pelame branco. O estresse térmico pode provocar distúrbios no metabolismo dos ovinos, afetando sua condição corporal e alterando seu desenvolvimento. The aim of this research was to evaluate the yield responses of crossbred sheep Santa Ines with Dorper, with an average age of four months, 15 of dark coat and 15 of white coat, under heat stress. The animals were exposed to solar radiation for one hour per week (14.00 - 15.00) for eight weeks. Measurements of height of the dorsum, rump height, chest width, rump width, thoracic perimeter, thigh perimeter, hind perimeter and scrotal perimeter were made. The animals were slaughtered and were weighed the following components: blood, skin, liver, heart, kidneys, head, legs, lungs, testicles and penis / urethra. The gastrointestinal tract was weighed full and empty. The hot carcass weight and cold carcass weight and calculated cooling losses and hot carcass yield and cold were evaluated; beyond of the commercial cuts: palette, leg, neck, loin and rib. Finishing and carcass conformation and color assessment, marbling, texture and subcutaneous fat thickness were also evaluated. Black sheeps had heavier kidneys than the white sheeps. Testicles, the hot carcass, palette, leg, rib and rump width of black sheeps were lighter towards animals white fur. Heat stress can cause disturbances in the metabolism of sheep, affecting their body condition and altering its development.

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on pre-weaning and post-weaning growth were studied in West African crossbred sheep. Effects of lamb genotype (7/8 Sahelian–1/8 Djallonke, 3/4 Sahelian–1/4 Djallonke and 1/2 Sahelian–1/2 Djallonke; hereafter denoted 7/8Sa, 3/4Sa and 1/2Sa, respectively), parity, type of birth, sex of lamb and year-season of lambing on birth weight, weaning weight, 8-month weight and pre- and post-weaning growth rates were determined. At birth 7/8Sa and 3/4Sa lambs were heavier (p < 0.01) than 1/2Sa lambs. Lambs born to first-parity ewes were lighter (p < 0.01) at birth than lambs of older ewes. At weaning and 8 months of age, lambs born to fourth-parity ewes were heavier (p < 0.05) than those born to ewes of the other parities. Parity did not have any significant effects on pre-weaning growth rate. Lambs born in the rainy season of 2001 were significantly heavier at birth and at 8 months of age than those born in the dry season of 2001/02, but there was no difference between the two groups at weaning. Pre-weaning growth rate was significantly faster in lambs born in the dry season of 2001/02 but the reverse was true for post-weaning growth rate.

Data spread over 11 years (1986-1996) pertaining to a synthetic population developed by inter se mating of half-breds of Corriedale and Russian Merino with Nali maintained at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar were utilized for the estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits. The means for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), six month body weight (SWT), yearling weight (YWT), preweaning daily gain (PRW) and post weaning daily gain (POW) were 3.35 kg, 10.79 kg, 13.28 kg, 18.96 kg, 82.6 gm and 27.6 gm, respectively. The effects of year and season of birth and sex of lamb were significant for all the traits under study except the effect of season of birth for WWT, SWT and PRW. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. Lambs born during the spring season performed better for BWT, WWT and PRW while the performance of lambs born during autumn was better for the other traits included in the study. The male lambs were heavier than the females for body weight at all stages and gain in weight. The heritability estimates for WWT and PRW were low; for BWT and SWT were moderate and for YWT and POW were high. Birth weight had high heritability and high genetic correlations with subsequent body weights and gains but due to the presence of a maternal effect on BWT and WWT, a sequential selection procedure is recommended for the improvement of growth rate in sheep.

Carrying multiple foetuses leads to a decline in lamb birth weight. The rate of litter size-dependent birth weight decline (LSDBD) in a population can be obtained by calculating the linear relationship between the reciprocal of lamb's birth weight and the respective litter size. Based on published data on lamb birth weight and by using the reciprocal approach, LSDBD rate was calculated for 70 purebred and crossbred sheep populations in which birth weight of lambs born as singles ranged from 1·3 to 6·3 kg. High variability in LSDBD was found. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the variability of this trait.

Meat from lambs raised on mountain pastures without any supplementary feeding or treatment is often considered to be of superior quality. Hence, the objective of this study was to compare the quality of meat from lambs grazing on unimproved mountain range (1000 m above sea level) with meat from lambs grazing on cultivated lowland pastures. The experiment was undertaken in Hardanger on the Western Coast of Norway with 150 Norwegian Crossbred Sheep (Norsk Kvitsau) randomly allocated to “Lowland” and “Mountain” groups. Twenty lambs from each group were selected for final evaluation. Slaughtering and grading were performed at a commercial slaughterhouse. Thereafter, loin samples of M. longissimus dorsi were analyzed for sensory traits and other meat quality. For further comparisons, loin samples were also taken from lambs slaughtered at two other locations in Norway. Significant differences between the groups were found in grading, fat content and fatty acid composition, meat colour, and meat flavour. Differences in sensory traits were in general small and most likely not noticed by the consumer. Still the results suggest that meat from lambs raised in extensive systems on mountain range has certain qualities that might be used in promotion of local and regional products.

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of five sire breeds (Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale), two dam breeds (Composite III [CIII] and northwestern whiteface [WF]), and three shearing seasons (December, February, and April, corresponding to August, October, and December breeding seasons) and their interactions on wool and other characteristics of F1 ewes. Fleeces were collected and characterized from six 2-yr-old F1 ewes representing each of the 90 sire breed x dam breed x shearing season x year (three) subclasses. Characteristics measured objectively were grease and clean fleece weights, clean yield, mean fiber diameter and SD, and mean staple length and SD. Visual assessments of fleece color were also made. Data collected on the F1 ewes were analyzed using a mixed model analysis of variance procedure. The model included fixed effects of year of birth, sire breed, dam breed, shearing season, six two-way interactions, and the three-way interaction of sire breed x dam breed x shearing season. The random effect of individual sire within year of birth x sire breed was also fitted. Texel- and Montadale-sired ewes produced more clean wool (P < 0.05) (approximately 0.24 kg) than Dorset-, Finnsheep-, and Romanov-sired ewes. Texel-sired ewes produced the coarsest wool (28.7 microm) (P < 0.05), whereas Romanov-sired ewes produced the finest (24.9 microm) and longest (9.12 cm) fleeces (P < 0.05). Ewes from WF dams produced more and finer wool (0.15 kg and 2.7 microm) than ewes from CIII dams (P < 0.001). Ewes shorn in December produced more, coarser, and longer wool (P < 0.05) than those shorn in February and April. This trend in wool production is opposite to that in conception rate (reported previously). Romanov-sired ewes produced the lowest percentage of white fleeces (62.6%), whereas Dorset-sired ewes produced the most (P < 0.001) white fleeces (96.3%). Estimates of heritability were calculated for grease and clean fleece weights (0.36), percentage of clean yield (0.31), average fiber diameter and SD (0.86 and 0.42, respectively), and average staple length and SD (0.49 and 0.00, respectively). Although necessary for a thorough evaluation of these 10 types of crossbred ewes, it is estimated that wool income would only constitute a small portion (1 to 5%) of overall income from sheep of this type.

Summary Data for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and pre-weaning average daily body weight gain (ADG) of seven different genotypes of lambs (pure Awassi (A), n = 80, pure local (L), n = 3300, lambs with 10 to 50 – 75% A × L n = 904) were used to estimate genetic parameters. Fixed effects included in the model were genotype (with or without), type of birth, sex, season × year of birth combination. All fixed effects were significant. (Co)variance component estimates were obtained from bivariate animal model analysis including maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. Direct additive (co)variances and correlations among the traits were positive. Genetic antagonism existed between direct and maternal effects for all traits. Direct heritabilities (h) for BW, WW and ADG were 0.39, 0.33 and 0.25 (with genotype) and 0.28, 0.31 and 0.25 (without genotype). The corresponding maternal heritabilities (h) were 0.13, 0.18 and 0.19 and 0.19, 0.18 and 0.18, respectively. Both, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were important. Zusammenfassung Schatzung genetischer Parameter fur Geburtsgewicht, Absetzgewicht und tagliche Zunahmen fur rein gezuchtete und gekreuzte Schafe in Athiopien Fur sieben verschiedene Genotypen von athiopischen Schafen (reine Awassi (A), n = 80, reine lokale Rasse (L), n = 3300, Lammer mit Genanteilen von 10 bis 50% A × L n = 137, genau 50% A × L n = 1142, 50–75% A × L n = 273, genau 75% A × L n = 800, und mehr als 75% A × L n = 904) wurden genetische Parameter fur die Merkmale Geburtsgewicht (BW), Absetzgewicht (WW) und durchschnittliche tagliche Zunahmen bis zum Absetzen (ADG) geschatzt. Im Modell wurden die fixen Effekte Genotyp (mit und ohne), Geburtstyp, Geschlecht und Saison × Geburtsjahr berucksichtigt. Alle fixen Effekte waren signifikant. Varianzkomponenten wurden auf Basis eines Tiermodells geschatzt, wobei auch der genetische maternale und der maternale permanente Umwelteinfluss berucksichtigt wurden. Die genetischen Korrelationen zwischen den direkten und maternalen Effekten waren fur alle drei Merkmale negativ. Die Heritabilitaten fur den direkten Effekt von BW, WW und ADG lagen bei 0.39, 0.33 und 0.25 (mit Berucksichtigung des Genotyps) bzw. bei 0.28, 0.31 und 0.25 (ohne Berucksichtigung des Genotyps). Die dazugehorigen maternalen Heritabilitaten betrugen 0.13, 0.18 und 0.19 bzw. 0.19, 0.18 und 0.18. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sowohl der maternale als auch der permanente Umwelteffekt von Bedeutung sind.

Twenty mid side wool samples of crossbred sheep were collected and their characteristics were determined. Data analyzed by SAS software and Duncan’s multiple range tests was used for comparison of mean wool characteristics. Average fleece weight, yield, wool diameter, Fine fiber and staple length were: 431.59 ± 38.95 gr, 65.14%, 14.24 ± 0.67 μm, 48.67 ± 5.59, and 43.65 ± 4.15 mm respectively. Mean fleece weight was significantly affected (p 1 and F2 generation 11.84 ± 0.58, 16.27 ± 0.72 μm respectively. There were effective differences among ages (12.55 ± 0.74, 14.47 ± 0.58 and 13.11 ± 0.64 μm for 1, 2 and 3 yr old respectively). Wool diameter of younger animals, males and F1 was so fine (12.55, 12.87 and 11.84 μm respectively). Staple length of F2 crosses was significantly longer than F1 crosses (p 1 was significantly finer than F2, but length and down fiber percentage was less than second generation. As wild sheep shed his fiber in winter, the first filial crosses also shed their fibers from the end of winter to early spring. Shedding was seldom observed in F2 generations. It seems likely that wool from crossbred sheep could be used for those applications for which cashmere is suitable. This study indicates that, such crossbred sheep have a superfine wool and could be used in pure or blend for textile industry.

Thirty-four non-pregnant 2-year-old ewes (17 Chokla (native) and 17 Avivastra (67.5% Chokla and 32.5% Rambouillet), of similar body weight, were maintained under the same management conditions with 8 hours daily grazing in an area with bushes, trees and miscellaneous other forage. The periods of active grazing, resting, resting while standing and lying, ruminating while standing or lying, walking time while grazing and bites per minute were recorded. The resting time differed significantly between the breeds, except in the winter. Both breeds spent more time standing during the summer and least during the spring. The crossbred animals spent more time lying in all the seasons except in the rainy season and almost the same pattern was observed for rumination time. A higher bite rate occurred in the crossbred ewes during the rainy and winter seasons, this being three times more than that for the native ewes.

This study aim to evaluate the effectiveness of moxidectin (cydectin), ivermectin (Neomec), doramectin (dectomax) and fenbendazole (Panacur) against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected sheep at central sheep breeding farm, Hisar, Haryana. The study includes 50 crossbred sheep divided randomly into five groups (group A, B, C, D and E) of 10 animal in each. Group A, B and C were treated with moxidectin, ivermectin, doramectin (@10 mg/kg BW) and group D with fenbendazole (@5 mg/kg BW) and group E served as the untreated control. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through determination of epg, body weight gain/loss and Hb concentration. Fecal, body weight and blood were collected before treatment on day 0, and on 7, 14 and 21 day post-treatment. The results showed that the fecal egg count reduction percentage in group A, B, C, D compared to control were 100, 90, 100 and 80 respectively on 21 day post treatment. The body weight of the treated group A, B, C sheep were slightly increased on 21 day post treatment but the differences was non-significantly (P

The effect of phenobarbitone against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity was studied in 26 male crossbred sheep. Grazing on signal grass significantly decreased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes, viz. aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-4-hydroxylase, UDP- glucuronyltransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidneys of affected sheep. Oral administration of phenobarbitone (30 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days before grazing on B. decumbens pasture, and thereafter, for three consecutive days every two weeks, resulted in significant increases in hepatic and renal activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of drug metabolizing activity in sheep grazing on signal grass group was found to be lower than in animals given phenobarbitone alone. Induction by phenobarbitone provided a degree of protection against the toxic effects of B. decumbens as indicated by the delay in the appearance of signs of toxicity. Furthermore, these were much milder compared to those in the sheep not treated with phenobarbitone. The present study suggests that phenobarbitone-type cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme-induction may increase resistance against signal grass (B. decumbens) toxicity in sheep.

Objective—A model system was developed to objectively assess the quality of articular cartilage after surgical reconstruction of focal defects in the medial femoral condyle using osteochondral dowel grafts. Study Design—The surgical technique was developed and customized to reproducibly minimize surgical trauma and graft instability in order to improve the survival of the transplanted cartilage and the long-term integrity of the joint surfaces. Animals or Sample Population—24 adult female Suffolk-Romanoff crossbred sheep. Methods—Biomechanical creep testing, paravital staining for chondrocyte viability, histological analysis, and gross morphological analysis were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively to compare fresh autografted osteochondral dowels with allografts that had been subject to a freezing protocol known to kill chondrocytes. The latter was used to investigate the time course of cartilage degeneration after injury. These two groups were also compared with normal unoperated control tissue. Results—Biomechanical behavior, chondrocyte survival, and cartilage histology differed significantly between fresh grafts and those that had been frozen. Conclusions—Indentation testing and paravital staining were able to identify degenerative changes earlier than other methods of assessment. The technique developed here reproducibly and reliably transplanted osteochondral dowel grafts while minimizing the confounding effects of surgical trauma and graft instability. Clinical Relevance—The technique provides both a promising surgical technique for the repair of focal defects of the medial femoral condyle and a sensitive model for the future study of cryopreservation strategies for articular cartilage.

Thirty-two mature crossbred (Fine Wool Synthetic, FWS) sheep developed for fine wool production in India were treated for superovulation and oestrus synchronization in spring season. The ewes were randomly allocated to four treatment groups in a factorially designed experiment. For induction of superovulation, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) was administered alone (group 1), in combination with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) (group 2) or with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (group 3) and with both (group 4). Oestrus was synchronized in all the ewes by two injections of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF, 10 mg each) administered at an interval of 10 days. Superovulation treatment started 48 h prior to the second PGF injection. The proportion of ewes in oestrus did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) in the four groups. The use of GnRH set the ewes into oestrus earlier than the ewes in the other groups. Treatment with PMSG (800 IU) in conjunction with 4 micrograms of Buserilin (GnRH) increased the ovulation rate (9.1 +/- 2.6 corpora lutea (CL)) above that observed when PMSG was used alone (3.0 +/- 0.7 CL). The use of FSH (0.5 U ovagen) in conjunction with PMSG was characterized by a decrease in the proportion of ewes with 0.05). The interaction between treatments of FSH and GnRH was not significant (p > 0.05). It is concluded that use of GnRH, in conjunction with either PMSG alone or PMSG plus FSH treatment, advanced the onset of oestrus and increased the ovulation rate in FWS sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate performance and economic viability of producing sheep fed different levels of roughage, concentrate, and water. Forty Santa Inês crossbred sheep with an average initial weight of 18.85 ± 2.80 kg and an average age of 5.0 ± 2.0 months were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement composed of two proportions of roughage and concentrate (30:70 and 70:30) and two levels of water supply (ad libitum, and 50% restriction), with 10 replicates. Water restriction had a negative effect (P0.05) feed conversion or feed conversion. Total weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency were influenced by the proportions of roughage and concentrate. In conclusion, the diet with 70% roughage, associated with a water restriction of 50%, reduced the uptake of energy and protein, compromising the animal performance. The combination of the diet plus concentrate and water restricted to 50% of the free consumption provides a better cost-benefit ratio.

Heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations (rc) involving body weights, measures of testes size and ewe lamb reproduction were calculated using 953 spring-born lambs produced during formation of a three-breed composite population containing 0·50 Dorset, 0·25 Rambouillet and 0·25 Finnish Landrace breeding. The h2of body weight ranged from 0·2 to 0·3 between 45 and 150 days of age, but increased to 0·41 at the start of breeding of ewe lambs at about 6 months of age. Additive maternal effects were not important, perhaps because intensive housing encouraged cross-suckling. Testes size was measured as scrotal circumference (SC), SC with linear adjustment for weight (SCW) and SC divided by the one-third power of body weight (RSC). The h2of SC traits was highest at 90 days (0·52 for SC, 0·62 for RSC and 0·57 for SCW), and h2for age at maximum SC growth rate (i.e. TI, the inflexion point of a logistic SC growth curve) was 0·49. The h2of ewe lamb fertility in autumn was 0·09 but the h2for frequency of remating the following spring was 0·41. The h2for ewe lamb litter size in these data was zero. At 90 days, rcbetween alternative measures of testes size exceeded 0·86; rGwith body weight were 0·67 for SC, 0·53 for RSC and –0·74 for TI. The rGwith ewe lamb fertility for 90-day weight, SC, RSC and SCW and for TI were –0·25, 0·20, 0·25, 0·38 and –0·32, respectively. The rcfor these traits with spring remating were 0·34, 0·34, 0·26, 0·10 and –0·48, respectively.

Several milk protein polymorphisms have been considered as potential tool for selection of dairy animals. β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is one of the major whey proteins in ruminant milk. A study was aimed to identify the genetic variants of β-LG gene in Garole (G), Malpura (M), Patanwadi (P) and their crosses i.e. GM, GMM, GMMxP (A), PxGMM (B) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Two genetic variants and three genotypes were found in all the breeds and crossbreds. Overall frequency of alleles A and B in the breeds and crossbreds were 0.55 and 0.45, respectively. Allele ‘A was more frequent than allele ‘B ’in all the breeds and crossbreds except Patanwadi and GM cross. The GMM crossbred had the highest frequency of ‘A ’allele (0.64) while Patanwadi and GM crossbred had the lowest (0.40). There was predominance of ‘AB ’genotype in these breeds and crossbreds. BB genotype predominated in Patanwadi and GM crossbred with genotypic frequencies of 0.45 and 0.49, respectively. All the genetic groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except Malpura, Patanwadi and GM crosses. It can be concluded that variation exist in the Indian sheep breeds/strains at studied locus of β lactogloublin and these variation can be utilized in future to study the effects of different variants on the milk production and quality traits.

Neste artigo realizou-se a avaliação de ovinos mestiços Santa Inês com pododermatite infecciosa, verificando as alterações no leucograma e proteínas de fase aguda. No primeiro experimento, 70 fêmeas foram separadas em três grupos de acordo com o seu escore podal: Grupo controle (G1) com escore 0; Dermatite interdigital (G2) com escore 1 ou 2 e Pododermatite necrosante (G3) com escore 3, 4 ou 5. Durante dois meses observou-se a evolução clínica e efeitos no leucograma em cinco momentos: M1 (dia 0), M2 (dia 15), M3 (dia 30), M4 (dia 45) e M5 (dia 60). A intensidade do resultado do leucograma foi de baixa magnitude, observando-se alterações significativas (p

Background This study was conducted to investigate the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in mediating acute kidney injury in endotoxemic sheep using the selective TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242. Methods A randomized, controlled, experimental study was performed with 20 adult Texel crossbred sheep. Before an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide infusion (3 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1) for 24 h), sheep were randomized to receive a bolus dose (2 mg/kg), followed by a continuous infusion (4 mg · kg(-1) · 24 h(-1)) of either TAK-242 (n = 7) or vehicle (n = 7). A third group of lipopolysaccharide-treated sheep (n = 6) received norepinephrine, titrated to maintain baseline arterial blood pressure. Results Endotoxin infusion established a state of hyperdynamic circulation, with an increased cardiac index, hypotension, and tachycardia. Urine output and creatinine clearance decreased throughout the experiment, together with increasing plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and arterial lactate concentrations. After 24 h, TLR4 inhibition had significantly (P ≤ 0.001) attenuated the mean ± SEM decrease in arterial pressure (97 ± 3 vs. 71 ± 4 mmHg), urine output (1.16 ± 0.15 vs. 0.13 ± 0.05 ml · kg(-1) · h(-1)), and creatinine clearance (126 ± 13 vs. 20 ± 7 ml/min) compared with vehicle-treated animals. Furthermore, arterial lactate, plasma creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly lower in the TAK-242 group versus the vehicle-treated animals. Compared with TLR4 inhibition, norepinephrine caused similar effects on arterial pressure, cardiac index, and heart rate; however, it did not attenuate the decrease in urine output or creatinine clearance. Conclusions These results indicate a critical role for TLR4 in impairing renal function during ovine endotoxemia that is independent of changes in central hemodynamics.

This investigation was carried out to reveal the comparative production performances and effect of some environmental factors on the wool characteristics of Arkharmerino × Ghezel and Arkharmerino × Moghani crossbred sheep in third generation. The research material consisted of fleece samples taken during a period of two years (2007-2008) from the midside region of the animals. Each sample was measured for average fibre diameter, fibre diameter variability, staple length, proportion of medullated fibre, proportion of kemp and comfort factor. The comparative values for these fleece characteristics in F3th Arkharmerino × Ghezel were 28.78 ± 0.48µ, 36.84 ± 1.16%, 11.94 ± 0.35 cm, 7.07 ± 0.93%, 1.02 ± 0.23% and 68.93% and for, Arkharmerino × Moghani were, 29.79 ± 0.43µ, 41.86 ± 1.16%, 11.96 ± 0.37 cm, 8.13 ± 1.06%, 2.71 ± 0.45% and 63.33 ± 3.66% respectively. The effects of genotype, sex, birth type, and year of birth were studied. Genotype had a significant (P < 0.01) effect on average fibre diameter and proportion of kemp and Arkharmerino × Ghezel crossbreeds had lower diameter with a smaller proportion of kemp. The two differences in fibre characteristics that were attributable to sex were fibre diameter variability and proportion of medullated fibre and females had higher amounts than males for both trait. As a result of the statistical analysis, it was found that crossing with Arkharmerino generally had positive effects on the fleece, favouring its use in the hand-woven authentic carpet industry.

The effects of four generations of inbreeding, to achieve inbreeding coefficients (F) of 0·25, 0·375, 0·50 and 0·59, on conception rate, prolificacy, litter weight at birth and survival of breeding females, have been studied in sheep. Crosses of inbred lines were also examined. Three breeds, Scottish Blackface, Cheviot and Welsh Mountain, and the crosses among these breeds, were involved. Analyses were carried out both for the data overall and within inbred lines.Conception rate at the first oestrus at which the ewe was mated (in each year) declined almost linearly from 0·71 (F2 generation - inbreeding F = 0·0) to 0·44 (F = 0·59) with line crosses showing 0·78 conception rate. The corresponding results following up to three rounds of services at successive oestrous periods were 0·91, 0·74 and 0·97 respectively. Analyses within lines showed a steeper rate of decline in conception rate to 0·33 (F = 0·59) following first services and 0·63 following up to three successive periods. This indicates that the lines with the best conception rates survived the inbreeding process better.Prolificacy, the number of lambs born per ewe lambing, dropped from 1·73 (F = 0·0) to 1·37 (F = 0·25) and thereafter more slowly to 1·24 (F = 0·59). Line crosses were no better than the initial non-inbred generation (F2 and the purebred equivalent O2). Within-line analysis gave the same results.The effects of inbreeding on litter weight at birth mirror closely those for prolificacy.Ewe survival declined linearly with inbreeding. There was a 1·2-fold increase in the risk of death for every increase in the inbreeding coefficient (F) of 0·1 (analysed by using a proportional hazard model).In general, there were no significant differences between purebred and crossbred sheep in the effects of inbreeding. For conception rate, prolificacy and litter weight (for which the point was examined) the changes with inbreeding could not be explained, statistically, in terms of dominance alone, suggesting, therefore, that epistasis is also involved.

A commercial crossbreeding experiment at the Research Farm of Cukurova University in Adana with Ile-de-France, Rambouillet, Chios and Awassi sheep is reported. The Chios breed was chosen for prolificacy and high milk production potential, the Ile-de-France for early growth and carcass quality, and the Rambouillet for early growth; the Awassi is the local sheep which is to be improved. The objective was to increase meat production by exploiting the reproductive efficiency of crossbred sheep. Firstly, Awassi ewes were mated with Chios rams, producing the F1 generation. Secondly, the F1 ewes were mated with Ile-de-France sires to obtain F1 ram lambs (designated IlF1), and F1 ewes were also mated with Rambouillet sires to obtain F1 ram lambs (designated RF1). Rambouillet (Rmb) and Awassi (Aw) sheep served as the control lines. Lambing rate (lambs born per mated ewe) was 1.65, 1.16, 1.05 and 1.03 for Il × F1, R × F1, Aw × Aw and Rmb × Rmb matings respectively. Twelve ram lambs in the IlF1, RF1 and Aw groups, and eight Rmb ram lambs were used in a fattening trial. Ram lambs weighing 38–40 kg were slaughtered and the chilled carcass was divided into eight primal cuts. Average daily gains were 311.6, 253.2, 281.2 and 226.0 g for IlF1, Aw and Rmb lambs, respectively, and feed efficiency was 3.8, 4.2, 3.7 and 5.4. Dressing percentage was higher for IlF1 lambs than for other groups. For cold carcasses of IlF1, RF1 Rmb and Aw lambs, the total bone percentage was 18.8, 19.5, 19.5 and 19.7 respectively, total muscle percentage 54.9, 53.5, 54.3 and 54.1, total subcutaneous fat percentage 12.3, 14.1, 11.6 and 16.6, and total intermuscular fat percentage 10.5, 9.5, 10.1 and 6.6. Fat thickness and rib-eye areas at the 12th rib were generally largest for IlF1 ram lambs.

The FecB gene of Garole was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FecB genotypes on cumulative lifetime (three lamb crops) litter size (CLS), cumulative number of weaned lambs (CWL) and cumulative ewe's productivity efficiency (CEPE) in 51 Garole x Malpura (GM) crossbred sheep. The GM ewes of F(1) were selected and screened for FecB mutation using forced RFLP-PCR technique. The majority (78.4%) of F(1) GM individuals were carriers (FecB(B+)) for the FecB mutation. In first parity 55% FecB(B+) ewes gave births to multiple lambs. The FecB genotypes were significantly (P

Menz sheep are indigenous to the highlands of Ethiopia, and highly valued for their meat and wool production. The area is characterized as a low input mixed barley-sheep production system. In 1998, a selection experiment was set up to evaluate the response of Menz sheep to selection for yearling live weight (WT12) and greasy fleece weight (GFW) combined in an economic index. In this paper, we report the results of this breeding program obtained between 1998 and 2003. Average annual genetic selection responses for WT12 and GFW were 1.506 and 0.043 kg in the selected flock and 0.392 and −0.008 kg in the control flock. Annual genetic trends in the selected flock, estimated by regressing BLUP estimated breeding values on year of birth, were 0.495 ± 0.053 kg for WT12, 0.012 ± 0.002 kg for GFW, and Birr 5.53 ± 0.55 for the aggregate breeding value (1 Ethiopian Birr = 0.115 USD). Corresponding values for the control flock were 0.276 ± 0.065 kg, 0.003 ± 0.002 kg and Birr 2.93 ± 0.69. Correlated responses in birth weight (WT0), weaning weight (WT3), 6-month weight (WT6) and staple length (STPL) in the selected flock were 0.038 ± 0.005 kg, 0.271 ± 0.03 kg, 0.388 ± 0.039 kg and 0.011 ± 0.017 cm, respectively. Heritabilities, estimated by fitting a multitrait individual animal model were 0.464 ± 0.014, 0.477 ± 0.016, 0.514 ± 0.017, 0.559 ± 0.019, 0.393 ± 0.016 and 0.339 ± 0.014 for WT0, WT3, WT6, WT12, GFW and staple length (STPL), respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between all traits were positive, except for STPL and WT12. Estimates of genetic parameters and observed genetic trends confirm that selective breeding can lead to significant genetic improvement in Menz sheep.

Data on 4186 lambs pertaining to 94 rams of Rambouillet and their crosses over the ten years (1998–2007) at Government Sheep Breeding and Research Farm, Reasi, Jammu, were studied. The averages were 1.49±0.009 kg, 5.52±0.02 cm and 21.25±0.01 μ for greasy fleece weight (GFW), staple length (SL) and fiber diameter (FD) respectively. The highest CV (%) was observed for greasy fleece weight where as the lowest CV (%) was observed for fiber diameter. The least-squares means were 1.51±0.02 kg, 5.64±0.04 cm and 21.27±0.03 μ for greasy fleece weight, staple length, and fiber diameter respectively. The effect of year of lambing had significant effect (P

Data on growth traits of 401 animals used in the present study were collected from history sheet of crossbred sheep maintained at Government Sheep Breeding Farm Panthal, Reasi, J&K, India. Traits included in the study were birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6-month body weight (6-BW), 12-month body weight (12-BW), mature body weight (MBW) and annual wool production (AWP). The statistical analysis was carried out using LSMLMW computer programme. The overall least-squares means were 2.857 ± 0.058 kg, 15.269 ± 0.296 kg, 17.034 ± 0.258 kg, 22.315 ± 0.298 kg, 29.375 ± 0.237 kg and 0.651 ± 0.012 kg, respectively for BWT, WWT, 6-BW, 12-BW, MBW and AWP. The co-efficient of variations for different traits were low to moderate. Period of lambing had significant effect on all the traits except for BWT. Moreover, there was no definite trend for different traits over different periods except for 12-BW, where increasing trend was obtained. Season of lambing had significant effect only on WWT and MBW. Genetic group had non-significant effect on all the traits under study although, 50% genetic groups were superior for most of the traits. Sex had significant effect on all the traits except for 6-BW and 12-BW. It can be concluded from the study that growth traits and production traits are influenced by different non-genetic factors like period, season and sex.

Objective—To evaluate the respiratory excretion and elimination kinetics of organic and inorganic selenium after oral administration in sheep. Animals—38 crossbred sheep. Procedures—Selenium was administered PO to sheep as a single dose of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 mg/kg as sodium selenite or selenomethionine. Expired air was collected and analyzed from all sheep at 4, 8, and 16 hours after administration. Results—Clinical signs consistent with selenium intoxication were seen in treatment groups given sodium selenite but not in treatment groups given the equivalent amount of selenium as selenomethionine. However, a distinct garlic-like odor was evident in the breath of all sheep receiving 2 to 4 mg of selenium/kg. The intensity of odor in the breath did not correlate with clinical signs in affected animals receiving sodium selenite treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The concentration of selenium in expired air was greater in sheep receiving selenium as selenomethionine than sodium selenite. The concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving high doses of selenium (3 and 4 mg of selenium/kg) was larger and selenium was expired for a longer duration than the concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving low doses of selenium (1 and 2 mg of selenium/kg). (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:2142–2148)

(Tropical Journal of Animal Science: 2003, 6(2): 71-78)

Using a step-cooling cryopreservation protocol that held the tissue 60 min at -4 degrees C, 30 min at -8 degrees C, and 10 min at -40 degrees C before plunging into liquid nitrogen, we were able to get a substantial improvement in the magnitude and pattern of chondrocyte recovery following cryopreservation, achieving postthaw recoveries of 62 +/- 13%. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ice growth within articular cartilage is planar, but they provide no direct support for that hypothesis. Transplanting (step-cooled) cryopreserved osteochondral allografts into adult Suffolk/Romanoff crossbred sheep for periods of 3 months and 1 year further tested the efficacy of the cryopreservation protocol. Unfortunately, the cryoinjury sustained by the chondrocytes during cryopreservation, although apparently nonlethal immediately after thawing in many cases, was not innocuous in the long term. The presence of large clusters of chondrocytes at 1 year after transplantation illustrates that cryoinjury not detectable with a membrane integrity assay can still have far-reaching effects on transplanted tissue.

Two experiments on the effect of breech bareness on flystrike are reported here. Sires from commercial sources (n = 2) and from a mixed breed flock selected for breech bareness (n = 5) were mated to ewes from the same flock and Romney ewes. Lambs (n = 211) were run as one mob from docking to weaning. Within 2 days before weaning, flystrike affected several lambs. At weaning the lambs were inspected for breech bareness score and dag score. Flystruck lambs were recorded, treated and removed at weaning. The remaining lambs (n = 185) were regularly inspected and treated for flystrike, and the incidence of flystrike was recorded again 1 month later. There were no significant differences between sire groups, but the progeny of Romney dams were more likely to be flystruck (18.7 vs 3.4% and 24 vs 3.7%) on both occasions (P < 0.05). Flystrike increased with increasing dag score (P < 0.001) but dag score decreased with increasing breech bareness (P < 0.001). The ewe progeny (n = 800) of 17 Romney sires were run as one flock following weaning on a commercial farm in the North Island of New Zealand. The lambs were inspected for breech bareness, dag score and the incidence of flystrike following a brief period of fly challenge. As breech bareness score increased, dag score declined (P < 0.001) with a significant effect of sire on dag score (P < 0.001). Breech bareness had a significant influence on the proportion of lambs with flystrike (P = 0.028), most likely through dag score which explained a greater proportion of variation in flystrike in multiple linear regression (P < 0.001). Selection against dags in New Zealand crossbred sheep could lower flystrike risk, but selection for increasing breech bareness will reduce both dagginess and flystrike risk.

The area of naturally bare skin around the perineum was scored at weaning in lambs (n = 2152) from a composite flock of New Zealand crossbred sheep. Breech bareness was scored on a range from 1, where wool was growing right to the edges of the anus, to 5, where a large bare area surrounded the perineum. Bareness on the under surface of the tail was measured on a linear scale at tail docking. Dag score (degree of breech soiling) was recorded at weaning, on a scale of 0–5, where an increasing score indicated more dags. Dag score was taken as a measure of the risk of flystrike in the breech. Female lambs tended to have slightly greater (P < 0.001) breech bareness score (mean score 2.7) than males (mean score 2.6), whereas mean dag score of females was lower than that of males (0.45 v. 0.53; P < 0.05). Breech bareness score had a heritability of 0.33 ± 0.06, and the length of bare skin under the tail had a heritability of 0.59 ± 0.06. The genetic correlation between breech bareness score at weaning and length of bare skin under the tail at docking was positive (0.35 ± 0.10). These 2 traits had phenotypic correlations with dag score of –0.17 ± 0.02 and –0.03 ± 0.03, respectively, and genetic correlations with dag score of –0.30 ± 0.13 and 0.03 ± 0.12, respectively; negative values indicated a favourable relationship. Tails were removed at docking, so the phenotypic correlation of about zero between tail data and dag score at weaning was of little utility. Our results suggest that selecting for these 2 bareness traits could reduce dag formation and the associated risk of breech strike.

Eighteen male crossbred sheep were assigned to three groups and fed corn silage (CS), corn silage and dicalcium phosphate (CS-DP) or corn silage and rock phosphate (CS-RP). The rock phosphate originated from an igneous deposit located in Cargill Township in Northern Ontario. The endogenous fecal loss of phosphorus (P) was estimated by the isotope dilution method using 32P as a tracer. The total fecal P and total fecal endogenous P increased with increasing P intake. However, the percentage of endogenous fecal P was in the order: CS > CS-DP > CS-RP. The true absorption of P was 75.1, 67.3 and 48.1% for CS, CS-DP and CS-RP, respectively. The availability of P from rock phosphate supplement is much lower than that from dicalcium phosphate supplement. Key words: Sheep, phosphorus, true absorption, corn silage, dicalcium phosphate, rock phosphate

In 2 experiments ewe milk production, lamb water turnover, and lamb growth were measured during early lactation in Romney, Dorset, and crossbred sheep at pasture. Water turnover began to exceed milk production during Weeks 2– 4 of lactation in single lambs reared by crossbred and Dorset ewes and in twins reared by Dorsets. In contrast, lambs suckling Romney ewes appeared to face a milk deficit during the first 3 weeks of lactation, particularly twins, when up to 34% of their food intake was from herbage. Despite large differences between ewe breeds in milk production, differences in lamb water turnover and growth rate were small. For ewes rearing twin lambs, Dorsets produced 58% more milk than Romneys but their lambs had only 19% greater average water turnover and were 15% heavier at 3 1/2 weeks-of-age. Within breeds, rearing status markedly affected milk production but not water turnover. Water turnover was more closely related to final lamb liveweight for single lambs (r2 = 0.35 to 0.74) than w...

The effects of different husbandry systems on production characters of 616 purebred and crossbred sheep are reported. The Cyprus Fat-tailed (L), Chios (C) and Awassi (A) breeds were evaluated under intensive, semi-intensive and extensive production systems. The performance of crossbred (C × L, A × L and A × C) Cyprus Fat-tailed and Awassi sheep was compared under extensive husbandry conditions. Ewes on the intensive systems produced more milk, fat and protein (P

Field strains of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia circumcincta, designated PF4 and PF5 respectively, were recovered from a farm on which the sole use of levamisole over a preceding 12 year period led to the development of anthelmintic resistance. The results of field observations and preliminary critical trials in both Merino and crossbred sheep showed that both species have varying degrees of resistance to three major anthelmintics; levamisole, morantel tartrate and thiabendazole. Mean worm count reductions for adult T colubriformis (PF,) for therapeutic doses of morantel tartrate, thiabendazole and levamisole in crossbreds were 45·7 per cent, 97·3 per cent and zero respectively, and for Merinos 80·7 per cent, 88·3 per cent and 92·0 per cent respectively. Against O circumcincta the corresponding reductions for crossbreds were 51·4 per cent, 95·4 per cent and 20·3 per cent and for Merinos, 52·5 per cent. 73·1 per cent and 29·8 per cent. There was no statistically significant difference in the responses of both parasite species to either levamisole or morantel. This result suggests that resistance to the two chemically unrelated drugs maybe co-inherited.

The reproductive performance of crossbred sheep maintained in total confinement was compared after artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen. Estrus was synchronized with progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges and pregnant mares’ serum gonadotropin. Inseminations were performed 54 and 60 h after sponge removal. The fertility of ewes inseminated with fresh semen was significantly higher than of ewes inseminated with frozen semen. Conception rates, lambing rates and litter size were 83%, 78% and 2.2 using fresh semen and 65%, 43% and 1.8 using frozen semen. In a group of similar ewes bred by natural service, the lambing performance was comparable to that obtained with fresh semen. The difference between conception and lambing rates suggests an increase in early embryonic mortality when breeding with frozen semen and confirms the need for improved frozen semen technology.