Hostname: page-component-6bf8c574d5-956mj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-21T20:15:15.648Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of management history on oestrus cyclicity in mule ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

Margaret E King ,
Linda M Mitchell ,
R P Aitken  and
Jacqueline M Wallace
Margaret E King
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, 581 King Street, Aberdeen, AB9 1UD
Linda M Mitchell
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, 581 King Street, Aberdeen, AB9 1UD
R P Aitken
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Jacqueline M Wallace
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Get access

Extract

Extensive research has been focused on advancing the breeding season of the ewe but little is known about the duration of the natural breeding season and if this is influenced by previous breeding management. Lambing percentage declines after the winter solstice but it would appear conception rate is maintained or improved (King, 1990). Oestrus cycles also appear to become naturally synchronised at this time giving a compact lambing without the use of teaser rams or exogenous substances. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of management history on the onset and duration of ovarian activity in the commercially important Mule (Bluefaced Leicester x Blackface/Swaledale) ewe and on ovulation rate measured on three occasions during the natural breeding season.

Type
Sheep & Goats
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1995 , March 1995 , pp. 94
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

King, M. E., Mitchell, L. M., Hutchinson, J. S. M., Glatt, R., Ibraheem, M. F. (1990). Animal Production 50, 594 (Abstract).Google Scholar