Records from 2,525 adult Targhee ewes and 10,099 lambs were used to estimate genetic parameters in an animal model for ewe stayability (STAY), productive life (PL), adult BW (AW) and BCS, fleece characteristics, and number of lambs born (NLB) and for lamb BW at birth and approximately 45 d, 120 d (120W; weaning), 12 mo, and 18 mo of age. Stayabilities were analyzed as overall stayability (STAYn...

Hair sheep ewes were used to evaluate the influence of various levels of mating stimuli on the duration and timing of estrus and LH concentrations around estrus. Ewes were treated with PGF2alpha (15 mg, im) 10 d apart. At the time of the second PGF2alpha treatment (Day 0) ewes were placed in groups and exposed to different types of mating stimuli. One group of ewes (n = 16) was exposed to an ep...

A 4-year interdisciplinary study was performed to compare two organically managed sheep production systems, using 118 ewes and 24 ha each. The systems differed in the ewes' reproduction rhythm: one lambing per ewe per year (1L/1Y), with the aim of balancing feed self-sufficiency and lamb marketing periods v. three lambings over 2 years (3L/2Y), with the aim of maximising ewes' productivity. The...

Studies of leptin in large domestic ruminants have been limited to measurements of gene expression because methods to measure circulating levels are not available. To develop a bovine leptin radioimmunoassay, we produced recombinant bovine leptin and used it to immunize rabbits, and to prepare bovine leptin tracer and standards. A single antiserum with sufficient affinity and titer was identifi...

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects of dietary restriction and Se on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones. In Exp. 1, pregnant ewe lambs (n = 32; BW = 45.6 +/- 2.3 kg) were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments. Diets contained (DM basis) either no added Se (control), or supranutritional Se added as high-Se wheat at 3.0 mg/kg (Se-wheat), or sodium selenate at 3 (Se3) an...

Pregnancy disease (pregnancy toxemia, twin lamb disease, lambing sickness, lambing paralysis or lambing ketosis) typically affects ewes during the last 2 to 4 weeks of pregnancy and is a common cause of ewe and lamb loss in Michigan flocks. Overconditioned or thin ewes, usually pregnant with multiple fetuses, are most commonly affected and clinical cases are generally limited to older ewes duri...

Given that fermented dairy products exhibit high bioactivities against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the anti-thrombotic properties, fatty acid profiles and sensory properties of cow, goat and ewe derived Greek yogurts have been assessed and compared. The total lipids (TL), total polar lipids (TPL), total neutral lipids (TNL) were obtained and the polar lipid fractions were further separated ...

A benign cartilaginous tumor, chondroma, occurred in a 3.5 year-old ewe that was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University. The tumor mass was in the form of a massive hard swelling at the right shoulder region. The ewe was not able to bear weight on the right forelimb that was abducted laterally. Exploration of that swellin...

A 3-yr study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate Columbia, Suffolk, USMARCComposite (Composite), and Texel breeds as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system. The objective was to estimate breed-of-ram effects on ewe fertility, prolifi cacy, and dystocia, and sire breed effects on lamb survival and growth until weaning at approximately 132 d of age. Data were from 22 Col...

A 3-yr study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate Columbia, Suffolk, USMARC-Composite (Composite), and Texel breeds as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system. The objective was to estimate breed-of-ram effects on ewe fertility, prolificacy, and dystocia, and sire breed effects on lamb survival and growth until weaning at approximately 132 d of age. Data were from 22 Col...