Mammary Gland Structures Are Not Affected by an Increased Growth Rate of Yearling Ewes Post-Weaning but Are Associated with Growth Rates of Singletons

The experiment aimed to examine the impacts of an increased growth rate ewes between three and seven months age on udder development using ultrasound establish whether ultrasonography could be used identify ewe mammary structures that may indirect indicators singleton weaning. Udder dimensions, depths gland cistern (GC), parenchyma (PAR) fat pad (FP) were measured in late pregnancy (P107), early lactation (L29), at weaning (L100) 59 single-bearing yearling selected from two treatments. ‘heavy’ group (n = 31) was preferentially fed prior breeding achieving average live-weight 47.9 ± 0.38 kg age. ‘control’ 28) had 44.9 0.49 kg. GC, PAR FP did not differ Lamb L100 positively associated (p < 0.05) with P107 GC L29. There no evidence negative effects gain treatments as by ultrasonography. results suggest this method has potential pregnant which would wean heavier singletons.