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The effect of stage of breeding season or pre-mating oestrogen and progestagen therapy on fertility in ewe lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

N. F. G. Beck  and
M. C. G. Davies
N. F. G. Beck
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3DD
M. C. G. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3DD
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Abstract

An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of mating at puberty or third oestrus or after pre-mating oestrogen and progestagen therapy, designed to mimic the changes that occur in plasma oestrogen and progesterone concentrations during the 1st, 2nd or 3rd oestrous cycles, on fertility in ewe lambs. Twenty-five ewe lambs were mated at puberty on mean date of 18 October and 21 were mated at third oestrus on 3 December. Of these, 28% and 81% of animals mated at puberty and third oestrus lambed, respectively (P < 0·05). A similar number of ewe lambs were mated within 24 h of ram introduction in the groups given one, two or three consecutive applications oestrogen and progestagen (25 μg oestradiol benzoate followed 48 h later by a progestagen pessary left in situ for days). Of the 43 corpora lutea, 21 were represented by viable embryos in the 37 animals holding to service after one application compared with 34 out of 46 corpora lutea in 40 animals given three applications (P < 0·05). Furthermore, embryo crown-rump length, embryo weight and amniotic sac width was greater (P < 0·05), on day of pregnancy, in animals given one compared with three applications of oestrogen and progestagen. These results demonstrate that fertility is improved in ewe lambs mated on third oestrus or after progestagen and oestrogen therapy designed to simulate three oestrous cycles.

Keywords

breeding seasonewe lambsfertilityhormone therapy
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 59 , Issue 3 , December 1994 , pp. 429 - 434
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1994

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