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Alternative Ways of Oestrus Induction in Early Lambing Ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2017

B J Keeling
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
G J Gunn
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
M E King
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
D N Logue
Affiliation:
West of Scotland College of Agriculture Auchincruive AYR KA6 5HW
A Gill
Affiliation:
West of Scotland College of Agriculture Auchincruive AYR KA6 5HW
R G Rodway
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Leeds
M Ibrahim
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
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Extract

The majority of early lambing flocks in the UK consist of crossbred ewes which do not normally cycle at a time consistent with an early January lambing. Oestrus stimulation is therefore necessary and is generally achieved by the use of progesterone-impregnated sponges and Pregnant Mares Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG). Alternative techniques to sponges and PMSG to induce oestrus may become increasingly important in the future if restrictions are placed on the use of synthetic hormones. The present study aimed to

  • a) Investigate alternative ways of advancing the breeding season naturally using vasectomised males and ovariectomised, oestrus-induced females. (Teasing).

  • b) Assess whether treatment of ‘teased’ ewes with melatonin would enhance any effect of teasers.

Type
Sheep Production
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1987

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