• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1348-1352
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• 2005

Most breeds of sheep in Iran are adapted to their agro ecological niches where it is likely that they were also artificially selected by their owners. In general, most of sheep breeds are multipurpose producing lambs, wool and milk. To compare the physical and chemical composition of the carcasses of ten Iranian native fat-tailed sheep breeds, 243 male lambs (6-7 months of age) of ten fattailed, Iranian breeds of sheep, Sanjabi (S), Ghezel (G), Afshari (A), Mehrabani (M), Lori (L), Lori Bakhtiari (LB), Kordi Khorasan (K), Sangesari (Sa), Baluchi (B) and Chal (C) were studied. Lamb breed group had a significant (p<0.05) effect on all the carcass traits measured. The LB and C lambs showed the same live weight which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the other breeds. Carcass dressing- out percentage in S lambs was lowest (p<0.05), but not different from G lambs. K and Sa breeds showed the highest (p<0.05) carcass dressing-out percentage. The S lambs had the highest (p<0.05) lean meat percent. Lean meat percentage was not significantly (p>0.05) different in the G, A, M and C breeds. The Sa and K breeds showed the lowest lean meat percent. The S lambs showed the lowest (p<0.05) fat percent in their carcass, while K and Sa showed the highest (p<0.05). Subcutaneous fat in K, Sa and B was higher (p<0.05) than the other breeds. Lambs of S, G, A and M breeds had the lowest subcutaneous fat in their carcasses (p>0.05). Intramascular fat was significantly (p<0.05) lower in M, S and C despite the fact that this values were highest in B and K lambs. The K and Sa breeds had highest fat-tail percentage (p<0.05) in their carcass, whereas S and G showed lowest. Lambs of G, S and A breeds had higher bone percent than other breeds (p<0.05). Lowest bone percent (p<0.05) was seen in K and Sa lambs. The carcass moisture percent was not significantly (p>0.05) different in S, G, A, M, L and C breeds. M lambs showed the lowest crude protein percentage and S breed the highest (p<0.05). There were no significant (p>0.05) differences among other lamb breeds for this trait. Chemical fat percentage was the same in S, G, A, C and M breeds, but significantly (p<0.05) lower from LB, K, Sa and B. Ash percent in S, G and A had no significant (p>0.05) difference. According to higher lean meat and lower fat percentages in the carcass, the ranking of breeds would be S, G, A, M and C.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.858-861
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• 2018

The freemartinism syndrome affects almost all female calves born as co-twins to male calves, whereas little is known about this phenomenon in female sheep. Within this context, 1,185 ewe-lambs from the Ripollesa sheep breed were genotyped for the presence of oY1 polymorphism (a non-autosomal region of the Y chromosome). Neither ewe-lambs from single births (856) nor ewe-lambs from all-female multiple births (170) were revealed as freemartins, whereas five of 159 ewe-lambs from multiple births with male co-twins were freemartins ($3.15{\pm}1.38%$). All freemartin ewe-lambs were confirmed by physical examination of external genitalia. The results confirm a low incidence of freemartinism from heterosexual twin pregnancies in Ripollesa sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.785-790
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• 2000

The effect of formaldehyde treatment of solvent and mechanical extracted cottonseed meal on the performance, digestibility and nitrogen balance was assessed in lambs. Four total mixed rations viz., A, B, C and D containing 40% untreated and treated solvent and mechanical extracted meal were prepared. Sixteen male lambs with average BW of 20-22 kg were randomly allocated to experimental rations and were fed individually during ninety days growth trial. The treatment of solvent extracted cottonseed meal resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal protein degradation. Maximum decrease (64%) in protein degradation was observed at 4 h incubation time with 0.3% formaldehyde treatment. Highest daily BW gain was observed in lambs fed on rations Band D compared to lambs fed on rations A and C. Daily BW gain was higher on rations having 0.3% for fromaldehyde treated cottonseed meals. Higher DM digestibility was observed on ration D compared to other rations. Higher (p<0.05) CP and CF digestibility was observed on rations Band D compared to rations A and C. Nitrogen retention as % age of nitrogen intake was (p<0.05) higher for lambs fed rations B and D compared to rations A and C. Similar pattern was observed for nitrogen retention as percent of nitrogen absorbed. The present study suggested that oil extraction methods of cottonseed did not alter their meal utilization in lambs, however, formaldehyde (0.3%) treatment of meals enhanced its efficiency for growth, digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1611-1618
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of different amylose/amylopectin ratios on rumen fermentation and development of fattening lambs. Methods: Forty-eight 7-day-old male Small-tailed Han sheep${\times}$Northeast fine wool sheep were randomly assigned to four treatments of dietary amylose/amylopectin ratios (0.12, 0.23, 0.24, and 0.48 in tapioca starch, corn starch, wheat starch and pea starch diets, respectively). Three lambs from each treatment were slaughtered at 21, 35, 56, and 77 days of age to determine the rumen fermentation and development. Results: Compared with tapioca starch diet, the pea starch diet significantly increased the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the ruminal fluid of lambs but significantly decreased the bacterial protein content. At 56 and 77 d, the rumen propionate concentration tended to be greatest in the tapioca starch group than in other groups. The rumen butyrate concentration was the greatest in lambs fed on pea starch compared with those fed on other starch diets. Furthermore, the pea starch diet significantly stimulated rumen development by increasing the papillae height, width and surface area in the rumen ventral or dorsal locations in lambs. However, different amylose/amylopectin ratios diets did not significantly affect the feed intake, body weight, average daily gain, the relative weight and capacity of the rumen in lambs with increasing length of trial periods. Conclusion: Lambs early supplemented with a high amylose/amylopectin ratio diet had favourable morphological development of rumen epithelium, which was not conducive to bacterial protein synthesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1749-1754
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• 2006

Two slaughter experiments were conducted to determine the effects of rumen escape starch, by altering dietary starch concentration and corn particle size, on ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the pancreas and the small intestinal digesta of lambs. In experiment 1, 18 wether lambs (28.5${\pm}$1.6 kg) were fed low, medium or high starch diets for 35 d and slaughtered. Dietary starch concentrations linearly increased rumen escape starch (p<0.05). Pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity was lower (p<0.05) in lambs fed the low starch diet. When expressed per gram of digesta, ${\alpha}$-amylase activity was lower in lambs fed the low starch diet. However, expressed as total activity, ${\alpha}$-amylase in the digesta was greater in lambs fed the medium starch diet. In experiment 2, 12 wether lambs (23.5${\pm}$0.3 kg) were fed diets with finely cracked corn, coarsely cracked corn and whole corn. These dietary treatments continued for 35 d before tissue collection. Rumen escape starch increased with increasing corn particle size (p<0.05). ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the pancreas and the small intestinal digesta was significantly greater (p<0.05) in lambs fed the coarsely cracked corn. These data suggest that increasing rumen escape starch results in a quadratic increase in total ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the pancreas and the small intestinal digesta. Maximum ${\alpha}$-amylase activity is reached when rumen escape starch is about 100-120 g/d in 25-30 kg lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.527-532
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• 2019

Objective: Phosphorous (P) sources with greater bioavailability might increase animal production efficiency and decrease environmental pollution. The objective of current study was to determine animal performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and fecal P concentration in finishing lambs fed a diet with either di-calcium phosphate (DCP) or di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) as a P source. Methods: Twelve 4-month-old male lambs (initial body weight $24.87{\pm}3.4kg$) were randomly allocated to a diet with either DCP or DAP (~261 g/kg of total diet P) fed ad libitum for 93 days. Diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic and had same calcium (Ca) and P concentrations. Results: The DAP contained 19.7 g/kg of dry matter (DM) Ca, 185.4 g/kg DM P and 14,623 ppm fluorine, while DCP contained 230.3 g/kg DM Ca, 195.2 g/kg DM P and 1,039 ppm fluorine. The diet with DAP contained 60 ppm fluorine while the diet with DCP contained 13 ppm fluorine. Lambs fed the diet with DAP tended to have a greater daily DM intake compared to those fed diet with DCP (p = 0.09). Lambs fed DAP had greater plasma P concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity ($p{\leq}0.01$) compared with lambs fed DCP. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility of the diets were similar between two treatments at days 60 and 90, while they were greater in lambs fed DCP (p<0.05) at day 30 of the trial. Feeding DAP increased P digestibility (58.7% vs 50.2%; p<0.05) and decreased fecal P concentration in lambs compared with feeding DCP (3.1 vs 3.8 g/kg DM; p<0.05). Conclusion: Providing ~261 g/kg of total diet P as DAP in the diet of finishing lambs improved the bioavailability of P in the body and decreased excretion of P in feces without affecting lamb performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.211-213
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• 1996

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of feeding early weaning diets based on different vegetable protein sources fed to Afghani lambs. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete formula diets viz., A, B and C were prepared having cottonseed meal, soybean meal and canola meal; respectively as major source of protein. Eighteen 30-35 days old Afghani male lambs were randomly allotted to three experimental diets. Lambs were fed individually twice a day for a period of 60 days. Daily feed intake and weekly weight gain was recorded. Results indicated that weight gain was significantly(p<0.05) higher(282 g/lamb/day) in lambs fed diet B as compared to lamvs fed on diets A(231 g/lamb/day) and C(242 g/lamb/day). No significant difference was found in feed intake among the diets. Significant difference(p<0.05) were noticed in feed efficiency in lambs fed on diets A(6.88), B(5.41) and C(6.17).The economic efficiency was observed to be the best on diet B as compared to diets A and C. It was concluded that Afghani lambs(30-35 days) can be reared on early weaning diets and soybean meal was found comparatively better protein source for early weaning diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2003

In order to find the feasibility of feeding raw or processed cotton (Gossypium) seed meal (CSM), 30 male crossbred lambs were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 6 animals each. Lambs were fed each of the isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures containing 30% deoiled groundnut cake (DGNC) (reference diet), 40% raw, 45 minute cooked, 1% $Ca(OH)_2$ or iron (1 part free gossypol:0.3 parts iron) treated CSM (replacing about 50% nitrogen moiety of reference concentrate mixture). The concentrate mixture was fed to meet 80% of CP requirements (NRC, 1985) along with ad libitum maize (Zea mays) hay for 180 days. Incorporation of raw or processed CSM did not affect the palatability of diets as evidenced by higher (p<0.01) or comparable overall daily intakes of DM and protein (CP and Digestible CP) per kg $W^{0.75}$ by lambs in comparison to reference group. Intakes of DE and ME increased (p<0.01) due to inclusion $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM in diets, while the intakes were lower (p<0.01) on iron treated CSM based diet when compared with reference diet. The intakes of DM, CP, TDN, DE and ME by reference and experimental lambs were higher than the requirements stipulated by NRC (1985). The growth rate was highest (p<0.01) in lambs fed on diets with cooked CSM followed by those fed raw or $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM based diets. The growth of lambs fed on iron treated CSM diets was depressed (p<0.01) in comparison to that of other experimental lambs probably due to increased iron intake (889 mg/kg DM of diet) which was much higher than the toxic levels of 500 ppm (NRC, 1980). The lambs on various diets utilized DM with similar efficiency while the utilization of energy (TDN, DE and ME) was more efficient (p<0.01) when the diets contained raw or cooked CSM in comparison to that of reference diet. The lambs fed raw and $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM incorporated diets utilized DCP with higher (p<0.01) efficiency than the lambs fed reference diet. The feed cost per kg weight gain was lower (p<0.01) on raw, cooked and $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM based diets in comparison to reference diet. Cooking of CSM for 45 minutes further reduced the feed cost of weight gain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1848-1857
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• 2020

Objective: An experiment was designed to determine if behaviour traits expressed by twin- and triplet-bearing lambs and their dams at 3 to 18 hours of age (after the immediate ewe-lamb bonding had occurred) were associated with lamb survival to weaning. Methods: The behaviour of twin and triplet lambs and their dams was assessed in the paddock at 3 to 18 hours after birth. Observations were made of the number of high- and low-pitched bleats, time to stand, make contact with dam, suck from dam and follow dam were recorded for each lamb. The maternal behaviour score of each dam was assessed. A random sub-sample of lambs were assessed during a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 hours of age. Traits included time spent standing, sitting, walking, time taken to reach the ewes and time spent with the ewes as well as the number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the lamb. Results: In the paddock, for each additional second required for twin-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 1.004 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.008) times more likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). The opposite relationship, however, was seen in triplet lambs. For each additional second required for triplet-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 0.996 (95% CI 0.993 to 0.999) times as likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). During the maternal recognition test, twin-born lambs were 0.989 (95% CI 0.979 to 1.000) times as likely to survive to weaning for every additional second they took to reach the contact zone (p<0.05). Similarly, triplet-born lambs were 0.994 (95% CI 0.989 to 0.999) as likely to survive for every additional second they took to reach their dam (p<0.05). Conclusion: All ewe behaviours and the majority of lamb paddock and test behaviours were not associated with the survival of twin- or triplet-born lambs and, therefore, are of little use as indicators of lamb survival to weaning.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1991-2000
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• 2018

Objective: Triplet-born lambs are less likely to survive to weaning than twin-born or single-born lambs. Appropriate ewe-lamb bonding behaviours and lamb vigour behaviours are necessary for survival of lambs. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether maternal nutrition during late pregnancy influenced behaviour of the ewe and her lambs soon after birth, and to determine whether mid-pregnancy body condition score (BCS) influenced any behavioural response. Methods: The experiments included ewes that were in BCS 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 in mid-pregnancy and were fed either ad libitum or to pregnancy-maintenance requirements in late-pregnancy (day 115 until 136 in experiment one, and day 128 until 141 in experiment two). The time taken for lambs to stand, contact dam, suck from dam and follow dam was recorded three to 18 h after birth. The number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the ewe and lambs was recorded, along with maternal behaviour score (MBS) of the ewe. Lambs in experiment two underwent a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 h. Results: There were significant effects of feeding treatment on bleating behaviour of ewes and lambs, but these were inconsistent among BCS groups and between experiments. Lamb vigour behaviours were not affected by feeding treatment. In experiment one, there was no effect of feeding treatment or BCS on MBS, but in experiment two, ewes in BCS3 in mid-pregnancy had greater MBS than ewes in BCS2 in mid-pregnancy (MBS 3.1/5 vs MBS 2.1/5; p<0.05). Conclusion: Given there were no repeatable effects on behaviour of ewes and lambs, ad libitum feeding rather than feeding for pregnancy-maintenance requirements cannot be used to improve behaviours soon after birth of triplet-bearing ewes in BCS 2-3 and their lambs in extensive pastoral conditions.