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Comparison of luteal function between ewe lambs and ewes during breeding and non breeding season

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

T.H. Khan
Affiliation:
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AL, UK
N.F.G. Beck
Affiliation:
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AL, UK
M. Khalid
Affiliation:
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AL, UK
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Extract

Reproductive performance of ewe lambs is lower than that of adult ewes (Quirke. 1979). This is mainly the result of preimplantation losses which can exceed 50% in ewe lambs as compared with 20-30% in ewes (Quirke et al.,1981). Previous evidence from this laboratory suggests that these losses may be associated with inadequate luteal function in ewe lambs (Davies and Beck, 1993). Inadequate luteal function may not only delay the embryo development but also impair the ability of the embryo to communicate its presence to the maternal system. There is also a possibility that inadequate corpora lutea may be refractory to luteotrophic factors produced by the developing embryo. The present study was designed to investigate whether the luteal function varies between ewe lambs and ewes. Another objective of this study was to compare the luteal response to hCG challenge between ewe lambs and ewes and its variation with season.

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Programme
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1998

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References

Davies, M.C.G. and Beck, N.F.G. 1993. A comparison of plasma prolactin,LH and progesterone concentrations during oestrus and early pregnancy in ewe lambs and ewes. Animal Production 57: 281286.Google Scholar
Quirke, J. F. 1979. Control of reproduction in adult and ewe lambs and estimation of wastage in ewe lambs following treatment with progestagen impregnanted sponges and PMSG. Livestock Production Science 6: 295305.10.1016/0301-6226(79)90047-2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Quirke, J.F., Hanrahan, J.P. and Gosling, J.P. 1981. Duration of oestrus, ovulation rate, time of ovulation and plasma LH, total oestrogen and progesterone in Galway adult ewes and ewe lambs. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 61: 265272.10.1530/jrf.0.0610265CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed