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A study of relationships of breed, time of mating, level of nutrition, live weight, body condition, and face cover to embryo survival in ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. A. Cumming ,
M. A. de B. Blockey ,
C. G. Winfield ,
R. A. Parr  and
A. H. Williams
I. A. Cumming
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, S.S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Victoria, 3030
M. A. de B. Blockey
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, S.S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Victoria, 3030
C. G. Winfield
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, S.S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Victoria, 3030
R. A. Parr
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, S.S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Victoria, 3030
A. H. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, S.S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Victoria, 3030
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Summary

Embryo survival was studied in flocks of 500 Saxon Merino and 500 Border Leicester × Merino ewes introduced to rams in either summer or autumn. The ewes were fed 200, 100 or 25% of a maintenance diet from day 2 to day 16 after mating. Embryo survival was greatest in ewes fed the maintenance diet. There was no suggestion that live weight, face cover or condition score were important factors affecting embryo survival. Embryo survival in the twin ovulating cross-breds was higher than in the twin ovulating Merinos, but there was no significant difference in embryo survival in ewes with single ovulations. Embryo survival in ewes with twin ovulations was significantly higher at the autumn mating than in summer.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 84 , Issue 3 , June 1975 , pp. 559 - 565
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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