Effects of Increased Growth Rates Prior to the First Breeding as Ewe Lambs and Pregnancy Rank on Mammary Glands of Two-Year-Old Ewes

This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months age on mammary glands two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe structures their progeny. Ewe live weight ultrasound measures were recorded 119 days pregnancy, 29 lactation (L29), weaning progeny (L79) in 64 selected from treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed first age, achieving an average 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. control weighed 44.9 0.49 kg breeding. Lambs 74) birth, L29 L79. Udder did not differ (p > 0.10) treatments, indicating no treatments ewes. lamb seemed depending birth rank. More research is needed further investigate these associations determine whether ultrasonography could be used identify whose would have greater based