The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of nutrient flux across portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver in ewes with varying numbers of fetuses. Catheters were placed in the hepatic portal vein, a branch of the hepatic vein, a mesenteric vein, and the abdominal aorta of each ewe. Plasma flow and net cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and glycerol release across the P...

This paper concerns the likely origin of three mutations with large effects on ovulation rate identified in the Belclare and Cambridge sheep breeds; two in the BMP15 gene (FecX(G) and FecX(B)) and the third (FecG(H)) in GDF9. All three mutations segregate in Belclare sheep while one, FecX(B), has not been found in the Cambridge. Both Belclare and Cambridge breeds are relatively recently develop...

The present study was undertaken to investigate to what extent pregnancy diagnoses made by transrectal ultrasonography could be confirmed by measurements of plasma concentration of ovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (ovPAG). A total of 424 Awassi x Merino ewes were synchronized for estrus and examined by transrectal ultrasonography. In Experiment 1, the ewes (n = 156) were repeatedly scan...

Ewes selected for fertility in autumn lambing were used to evaluate correlated responses in nocturnal hormone levels. Four jugular blood samples were obtained during nighttime in August from each of 113 selected and 69 control ewes. Melatonin levels were lower for selected ewes (143 +/- 14 pg/mL) than for control ewes (184 +/- 13 pg/mL), and melatonin levels decreased with increases in estimate...

Sources of variation in Finnish Landrace and Targhee birth weights from pregnancies following natural matings and intra-breed, inter-breed and 2-breed embryo transfers were studied. Birth weights were recorded on 94 lambs from naturally mated ewes and 117 transfer lambs. Two analyses were done, one on observed weights, and one on deviations of observed weights from weights predicted from litter...

The aims of the present study were to diagnose toxoplasmosis in pregnant ewes and women serologically and molecularly, treat naturally infected ewes, and diagnose congenital toxoplasmosis. Blood samples were taken from 30 and 60 pregnant ewes and women, respectively, and used for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis through Latex agglutination test (LAT). Seropositive samples were confirmed by PCR for de...

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of histologic thyroids lesions and the respective thyroid hormones changes of ewes in an endemic goiter region and to find out any impact of this condition on the fetal thyroid structures and serum thyroid hormones. In the present study a total number of 100 pregnant ewes and their fetuses slaughtered at slaughterhouse were...

Reduced pregnancy rates often occur in ruminants grazing endophyte-infected (EI) tall fescue. The objectives were to characterize basal and oxytocin-induced PGF2a concentrations in serum and reproductive function in ewes fed tall fescue seed and to determine whether addition of fish meal (FM) to a diet of EI fescue would alter PGF2a production. Ewes were fed a diet with novel or non-toxic endop...

The effect of the melatonin receptor 1a (MTNR1A) gene on fertility and litter size in autumn lambing was studied with 373 ewes from a population of sheep selected for 10 yr for fertility in May and June matings. Animals were from a composite line of 50% Dorset, 25% Rambouillet, and 25% Finnsheep. Two restriction fragment length polymorphisms were present in the population, with allelic frequenc...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential benefits of grazing lactating ewes and their lambs on chicory (Cichorium intybus). Fifty-six certified organic twin-rearing ewes were either drenched with an anthelmintic or not, within 2 days after parturition and were grazed upon either grass/clover or chicory pastures. Around 12 weeks after parturition a subset of 12 lambs per tre...