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The effect of management history and time of mating on ovulation and lambing rates in mule ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

Linda M Mitchell ,
Margaret E King ,
R.P. Aitken  and
Jacqueline M Wallace
Linda M Mitchell
Affiliation:
The Scottish Agricultural College, 581 King Street, Aberdeen, AB9 1UD
Margaret E King
Affiliation:
The Scottish Agricultural College, 581 King Street, Aberdeen, AB9 1UD
R.P. Aitken
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Jacqueline M Wallace
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
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Extract

There is increasing interest in the development of later lambing systems for crossbred ewes which more closely match ewe nutritional requirements with herbage growth (Stone, 1988; Mitchell, 1990). It has long been recognised however that at extremes of the natural breeding season fecundity is reduced, a possible consequence of seasonal variations in ovulation rate, fertilisation and/or embryo survival (Hammond, 1944). Daylength is the factor which entrains the endogenous rhythm of reproduction in sheep (Donovan, O’Callaghan, Karsh, Boland and Roche, 1992) and daylength changes per se may be responsible for variations in reproductive response throughout the breeding season. Associated environmental and management factors may also be of importance. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of management history and month of mating on ovulation and lambing rates in Mule ewes.

Type
Sheep & Goats
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1995 , March 1995 , pp. 95
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1995

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References

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