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The effect of level of pre-mating nutrition on ovulation rate in Scottish Blackface ewes in different body conditions at mating

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. G. Gunn
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
J. M. Doney
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
W. F. Smith
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
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Abstract

In two experiments over 2 years, 181 Scottish Blackface ewes were differentially group-fed indoors to achieve moderately-good (score 2·5), moderate (score 2) or poor (score 1·5) body condition. Over 5 weeks prior to mating, ewes in moderately-good condition were either maintained or brought down to moderate condition by restricted feeding and ewes in moderate and poor condition were raised, respectively, to moderately-good and moderate condition by a high level of feeding. After mating, ewes were maintained in condition until slaughtered for a count of corpora lutea relating to first service. Ovulation rate was positively and significantly related to the level of pre-mating food intake at the moderate level of condition but not significantly so at the moderately-good level. It is postulated that ewes of this breed are more sensitive to the level of pre-mating food intake when in moderate condition at mating than they are when condition has risen to a moderately-good level.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

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References

REFERENCES

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