In this study phenotypic and genetic factors affecting the reproductive efficiency of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes were determined using 8202 reproductive records of 2478 ewes collected at Shooli research station in the southwestern part of Iran (Shahrekord) during 1989 to 2012. Reproductive efficiency over all consecutive lambing opportunities were calculated by adding the total reproductive efficiency...

a full termed local ewe with the history of continuous straining with labored breathing for last 24 hours was presented. the animal was disinclined to move with tense and round abdomen which developed rapidly during last two weeks. caesarean section revealed hydrallantois accompanied by multiple fetal congenital abnormalities. the ewe was under observation for four weeks. metritis developed 12 ...

Trace elements often accumulate in keratin-rich tissues. Hair, nails, and horns grow steadily but once formed are metabolically inactive and provide an archive of trace element exposure when analyzed in segments. Here we demonstrate the use of laser ablation ICP-MS for the high-resolution monitoring of trace elements in the horns of seaweed-eating sheep from North Ronaldsay, which live on grass...

Space availability is essential to grant the welfare of animals. To determine the effect of space availability on movement and space use in pregnant ewes (Ovis aries), 54 individuals were studied during the last 11 weeks of gestation. Three treatments were tested (1, 2, and 3 m2/ewe; 6 ewes/group). Ewes' positions were collected for 15 minutes using continuous scan samplings two days/week. Tota...

Puberty: For the gilt and filly, the first corpus luteum (CL) appears to have a normal lifespan. For both species, first CL usually is associated with estrus but can form in the absence of estrus. For the ewe and cow, a transient (1 to 4 d, ewe; 3 to 10 d, cow) rise and fall of ovarian derived progesterone (P4) is detected in peripheral blood (80% of ewes; 50% of heifers) prior to first "normal...

Many environmental factors applied postnatally are known to affect milk production of the dam, but to date, the effects of different fetal environments on subsequent first lactational performance of the offspring have not been reported. Four hundred fifty heavy (H; 60.8 kg +/- 0.18) and 450 light (L; 42.5 kg +/- 0.17) dams were randomly allocated to ad libitum (A) or maintenance (M) nutritional...