• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2014

Background: Artificial insemination (AI) can serve as a powerful tool to the sheep owners for making rapid genetic progress of their flock. The AI in sheep is mostly performed using fresh semen with two reasons i) lambing rate following trans-cervical AI with frozen semen is limited by the inability of frozen-thawed sperm to transit the cervix and ii) the need of circumventing the cervical barrier through laparoscope aided intrauterine AI. Therefore, AI with frozen-thawed semen is not as widespread in sheep as it is in other domestic species. However, to get maximum benefits through the use of AI, frozen-thawed semen is a prerequisite because instead of high fertility, the short shelf life of fresh semen coupled with a limitation on the number of insemination doses achievable per unit time restricts the widespread use of individual sires. Therefore, in order to enhance lambing rate, a total of 240 trans-cervical artificial inseminations with frozen-thawed semen were performed in Bharat Merino ewes during autumn season either once in the evening (G-I, 10 h after onset of estrus, n = 100) or twice (G-II, 14 h and 22 h after onset of estrus, n = 140) i.e. once in the morning and again in the evening. Results: The pregnancy rate (proportion of pregnant ewes confirmed by ultrasonography at day 40) and lambing rate (proportion of ewes lambed) were higher in G-II as compared to G-I (26.4 vs 20% and 19.3 vs 10%, respectively). The difference in lambing rates was statistically (P < 0.05) significant. The depth of insemination within cervico-uterine tract had no significant effect on pregnancy and lambing rates. Conclusions: The results indicate that lambing rate in sheep following TCAI with frozen-thawed semen was significantly influenced by time of inseminations. Two inseminations after 14 and 22 h of onset of estrus enhanced the lambing rates of Bharat Merino sheep as compare to single insemination after 10 h of onset of estrus. The TCAI technique with frozen-thawed ram semen is promising and may serve as a valuable tool for genetic improvement of sheep breeds. Research efforts are going on worldwide to overcome the poor fertility following TCAI with frozen-thawed semen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1188-1193
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• 2005

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of two housing systems on physiological responses and energy expenditure of sheep in a semi-arid region of India. Two types of housing management were adopted. First was a shed- $6{\times}3\;m^2$ structure with all the four sides of 1.8 m chain link fencing with a central height of 3 m. The roof was covered with asbestos sheets and with mud floorings. Second was an open corral- $6{\times}3\;m^2$ open space with all the four sides covered with 1.8 m chain link fencing. Thirty-four (32 ewes and 2 rams) sheep of native Malpura breed aged about 18 months (body weight 28 kg ewes; 35 kg rams) were grazed together on a 35 ha plot of native range. All the sheep were grazed as a flock from 08.00 to 17.00 h during a yearlong study. The flock was divided into two groups (16 ewes+1 ram) in the evening and housed as per the systems (Shed and Open Corral). Dry and wet temperatures were recorded at 06.00 h and 21.00 h using a wet and dry bulb-thermometer both inside the shed and in the open corral and temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in the THI between shed and open corral in all the seasons, indicating that shed was always warmer compared to open corral. Rectal temperature (RT) of both the groups of sheep was similar during morning as well as evening throughout the seasons. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the skin temperature (ST) and respiration rate (RR) between the two groups at both the measurements in all the seasons. Highest energy expenditure (EE) was recorded inside the shed at 21.00 h (224 kJ/h) during monsoon and lowest at 6.00 h during winter (119 kJ/h). There was a significant (p<0.05) difference between the EE inside the shed and that in the open corral. It was concluded that housing had significant effects on the physiological responses and EE of sheep. Provision of housing at night was stressful during monsoon (with less rainfall) and summer, whereas it was protecting the sheep from acute cold during winter in a semi-arid region of India.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.14.1-14.12
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• 2018

Background: Sheep production is a major component of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. The country owing to the large population of 30.70 million estimated numbers of sheep in the country and out of which about 72.14% are females, and 27.86% are males with diverse genetic resources. The real value of indigenous breeds was often under-estimated mostly due to their poor appearance and relatively low productivity. Developing countries in most cases opt for exotic breeds to increase animal productivity through crossbreeding or breed substitution without properly investigating the production potential of the indigenous breeds. The main objective of the research was to identify sheep flock composition and structure, farmers' traits of interest and breeding objective of Wollo highland sheep, and their $F_1$ crossbreed progenies. Results: Smallholder farmers' flock synthesized from breeding ewes, breeding rams, pre-weaned ewe lambs, pre-weaned ram lambs, unproductive ewes, castrated and fattened rams, with the percentage coverage of 29.2, 13.3, 15.5, 16.5, 12.4, and 12.5%, respectively. The maximum number of flock size was 289.0 sheep per flock and higher in the third stratum. The off-take rate percentage of the three strata presented as 21.9% in 1st stratum, 12% in the 2nd stratum, and 16.4% in the 3rd stratum and higher off-take rate recorded in the first stratum. Sheep producer's traits of interest ranked by growth rate (first), body size (second) and marketing value was third rank. Communal breeding (random mating), village based controlled breeding, mixed type and private ram controlled breeding practice were comprised of 39.7, 61.7, 52 and 71.3%, respectively. The percentages of ewes per flock composition were presented as 36.5, 27.1 and 25.5%, respectively in the 3rd stratum, 2nd stratum and 3rd stratum in the order of their importance's. Conclusion: Genetic improvement practices at smallholder sheep producers situation was showing promising outcome with indigenous Washera $F_1$ crossbred lambs and which designated for weaning rate, body size, marketing age, age at first lambing, good temperament and large litter size in the order of their rank. The contemporary breeding practice tendency indicated that, reduced flock size to improve flock productivity via crossbreeding practices.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of imported 0.25 ml straw frozen semen on fertilizing capacity after artificial insemination. A total of 57 ewes of Corriedale were inseminated at the Namwon Branch, National Anirnal Breeding Institute. Lambing percentage and twinning percentage were 12.3% and 114. 3%, resepectively. Average weight at birth and weaning of 120 days old were 4.5kg and 21.9 kg, respectively. Gestation period was 152.6 days.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1119-1126
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the goodness of fit of four lactation curve models: Wood's Gamma model (WD), Wilmink (WL), and Pollott's multiplicative two (POL2) and three parameters (POL3) and to determine the environmental factors affecting the complete lactation curve of F1 dairy sheep under organic management. A total of 5,382 weekly milk yields records from 150 ewes, under organic management were used. Residual mean square (RMS), determination coefficients ($R^2$), and correlation (r) analysis were used as an indicator of goodness of fit for each model. WL model best fitted the lactation curves as indicated by the lower RMS values (0.019), followed by WD (0.023), POL2 (0.025) and POL3 (0.029). The four models provided total milk yield (TMY) estimations that were highly correlated (0.93 to 0.97) with observed TMY (89.9 kg). The four models under estimated peak yield (PY), whereas POL2 and POL3 gave nearer peak time lactation estimations. Ewes lambing in autumn had higher TMY and showed a typical curve shape. Higher TMY were recorded in second and third lambing. Season of lambing, number of lambing and type of lambing had a great influenced over TMY shaping the complete lactation curve of F1 dairy sheep. In general terms WL model showed the best fit to the F1 dairy sheep lactation curve under organic management.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.371-375
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on lamb birth weight. 45 Mongolian ewes, synchronized for oestrus and then mated, were divided into four groups and offered 0.86 MJME/kgw-0.75d-1 (control group; CG : ad libitum access to feed), $0.44MJME/kgw^{-0.75}d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group 3; R3), $0.33MJME/kgw^{-0.75}d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group 2; R2) and $0.20MJME/kgw^{-0.75}d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group 1; R1) respectively during late pregnancy (90-150 days). During restriction, maternal net body weight loss, insulin and NEFA concentrations and lamb birth weight were measured. The results indicated that loss of maternal body weight in R3, R2 and R1 was 4.42, 7.23, 11.13 kg respectively, which was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that in CG (0.93 kg). Insulin concentrations of the ewes in R1, R2 and R3 were lower and were significantly different (p<0.05) between restricted groups and CG at 124 d of pregnancy. NEFA concentrations in all groups tended to decrease from 90d of gestation to parturition and in R1 were significantly (p<0.05) lower than in CG at 124 d of gestation. Lamb birth weight in R1 was significantly lower than in R2, R3 and CG (p<0.05). In conclusion, with decreasing supply of maternal nutrition, the retardation of fetal growth became worse. When the plane of nutrition was below $0.33MJME/kgw^{-0.75}d^{-1}$, significant effects of maternal undernutrition on lamb birth weight were observed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1179-1183
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• 2011

The incidence of mutation in three loci of GDF9, BMP15 and BMP15-1B and their effects on litter sizes was evaluated in Baluchi sheep. Wild-type alleles were detected for BMP15 and BMP15-1B loci and all individuals were found to be as non-carriers for FecB and $FecX^G$ mutations but, a G to A nucleotide substitution was found in GDF9 locus. The frequency of $FecG^+$ (0.82) wild type allele was higher than the frequency of $FecG^l$ (0.18) mutant allele and the frequencies of $FecG^+/FecG^+$, $FecG^+/FecG^1$ and $FecG^1/FecG^1$ genotypes were 0.72, 0.20 and 0.08, respectively in GDF9 locus. The heterozygous ($FecG^+/FecG^1$) and homozygous ($FecG^+/FecG^+$) non-carrier ewes had 0.35 and 0.21 more lambs than the homozygous ($FecG^1/FecG^1$) carrier ewes, respectively (p<0.05). In addition to the finding of segregation of non-additive gene effect on litter size in the previous study in Baluchi sheep, these findings for the first time shows that the $FecG^1$ gene has a major effect on litter size in this breed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.872-879
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• 2007

A study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes in nutrient composition of pasture, voluntary intake and digestibility of sheep grazing an introduced Leymus chinensis pasture located in western Jilin Province, China. The whole-plant of L. chinensis and the samples simulating ingestion by sheep (simulating sample) were collected in spring (May, 2004), summer (July, 2004), autumn (September, 2004) and the end of winter (April, 2005). The contents of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and alkanes were determined. Voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of the nutrients in each season were also examined using 6 mature Chinese Northeast Merino ewes (differed among the seasons) grazing on a paddock of 1 ha size. The apparent digestibilities of GE, dry matter (DM), OM, CP, NDF and ADF of L. chinensis were significantly greater (p<0.05) in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. Metabolizable energy (ME) content was 12.13, 11.62, 8.66 and 10.40 MJ/kg DM for L. chinensis in spring, summer, autumn and winter respectively, and the corresponding voluntary feed intakes were 91, 119, 59 and 58 g/d per kg metabolic weight ($LW^{0.75}$). The ME contents and DM intakes in autumn and winter were significantly lower than in spring and summer (p<0.05). The intake of L. chinensis pasture was sufficient to provide ME requirements for maintenance by the dry ewes in all the seasons, but inadequate for maintenance protein requirement in winter. (Supported by funds from National Basic Research Program of China, Grant No. 2007CB106800).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.945-949
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• 2012

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a tea known for its high antioxidant content, was supplemented to 30 of 60 ewes for 13 wks to assess its effect on their productive performance. A 2.5% inclusion rate of Yerba Mate (YM) in a pelleted concentrate diet decreased feed intake and live weight (LW) during the first few weeks post partum (p<0.001). Overall, the YM group ate less ($2,092{\pm}78g/d$) pellet than the control (CTRL) one ($2,434{\pm}83g/d$); similarly, LW was lower in the YM group compared to the CTRL one, $64.9{\pm}1.6kg$ and $67.3{\pm}1.4kg$, respectively. Lambs' birth weight and growth rates were not affected. At birth, lambs' LW were similar between the Yerba Mate and control groups ($4.2{\pm}0.5kg$ and $4.1{\pm}0.4kg$, respectively. At the end of the trial, Yerba Mate lambs weighed $15.7{\pm}0.4kg$ while CTRL lambs weighed $16.1{\pm}0.4kg$. Average daily growth rate was similar between the two groups and ranged from $176{\pm}19$ to $234{\pm}24g/d$. The inclusion of Yerba Mate in a pelleted diet increased milk fat, protein and total solids content while it decreased milk lactose content. Further work is required to investigate the mechanisms by which Yerba Mate supplementation affects feed intake and milk composition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1297-1302
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• 2003

To determine whether the feeding of different species of hay affects the dry-matter intake and the serum cortisol level of sheep, 6 non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes were offered alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay (Al), oats (Avena sativa) hay (Ot) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hay (Pr) under 6 kinds of treatment including 1) change from Al to Ot, 2) Al to Pr, 3) Ot to Al, 4) Ot to Pr, 5) Pr to Al, and 6) Pr to Ot. The experimental design was a 6${\times}$6 Latin square with a 14 day period of which 9 days were a preliminary period and 5 days as a digestion trial period. The change in hay feeding was done abruptly on the first day of each period without an adaptation period. The blood from the jugular vein was collected on the first, third and the last day of each period through a sterile catheter for the analysis of cortisol. The dry-matter intake was recorded daily throughout the period. The mean daily intake of dry matter (DM, g/kg live weight) was significantly different among the 3 species of hay (Al>Ot>Pr; p<0.05). The digestibility of DM for Al and Ot was the same, but that for Pr was significantly lower than Al and Ot (p<0.05). The mean serum cortisol levels were significantly different among the hays (p<0.05). The level for Pr was the highest and that for Al was the lowest. The abrupt change of hay feeding of 6 treatments produced a significant change in the serum cortisol levels. The DM intake was inversely related to the change of the cortisol level. It is suggested that the animal' intake response to different species of hay may be partly motivated by the psychological feelings toward the hay offered.