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A note on the effect of continuous contact with ewes showing regular oestrus and of post-weaning growth rate on the sexual activity of Corriedale rams

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

C. G. Winfield  and
A. W. Makin
C. G. Winfield
Affiliation:
Animal Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
A. W. Makin
Affiliation:
Animal Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Abstract

Thirty-six Corriedale rams were weaned at 3 months of age and subjected to four treatments until 2½ years of age. The treatments consisted of two levels of nutrition, with rams on the high level of nutrition being maintained approximately 15% heavier than those on the low level, and two levels of sexual experience. Sexually experienced rams were kept throughout with ewes that were infertile but showed regular oestrus and inexperienced rams were reared in monosexual groups isolated from females except during periodic mating tests. These 2-h tests were carried out at intervals of 3 to 4 months commencing when the rams were 6 months old. Up to 17 months of age there were no significant differences between treatment groups in the development of ability to serve ewes, except that low nutrition reduced the number of rams which had served ewes at 10 months of age. Between 17 and 28 months of age, rams kept with ewes tended to achieve more serves per test during the breeding season than rams kept without ewes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , December 1978 , pp. 361 - 364
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1978

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References

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