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The effects of ‘adequate’ and ‘low’ sodium intake on reproductive performance of Scottish Blackface ewes and growth of their lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Isobel C. Vincent ,
H. Ll. Williams ,
A. R. Michell  and
R. Hill
Isobel C. Vincent
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Health and Production, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
H. Ll. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Health and Production, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
A. R. Michell
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Health and Production, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
R. Hill
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Health and Production, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
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Summary

A low sodium diet was given to Scottish Blackface ewes over two reproductive seasons. It provided a total of 3–7 mmol sodium per day, except during lactation when the intake was about 11 mmol sodium per day. Control ewes were given the same diet supplemented with sodium chloride to Agricultural Research Council recommended concentration which was about ten times greater than that in the experimental diet.

The ewes remained clinically healthy throughout the experiment. The length of gestation and the birth weight of lambs were unaffected by diet. The number of lambs born alive per ewe lambing was unaffected by year or diet.

The percentage of ewes producing twins was similar in control ewes in both years at about 64; in treatment ewes this was 70% in year 1, and 50% in year 2. Lamb mortality was higher in both years in the treatment ewes than in control ewes. None of these differences reached significance.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 106 , Issue 2 , April 1986 , pp. 383 - 387
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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References

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