Anestrous ewes respond to the introduction of rams with either an ovulation within 2-3 days that may be followed by luteal phases of normal or short length, with delayed ovulations (5-6 days later), or with the luteinization of follicles. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between the growth status of the largest follicle present when rams are introduced and the type of ovarian ...

The objectives were to determine the effects of short-term feeding of a toxic endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-infected tall fescue seed (Festuca arundinacea, cultivar 'Kentucky 31') on fecal shedding and intestinal concentrations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the concentrations of prolactin, cortisol, and NEFA in experimentally inoculated ewes. Twelve ewes (mean BW = 46 +/- 2 kg) were f...

The effects of exogenous melatonin on reproductive performance of 737 Polypay and Polypay-cross ewes were evaluated during a late March and April breeding period. Different concentrations (2 or 10 mg) routes of administration (fed vs implanted) and durations of administration (20 or 40 d before breeding) were studied. Estrus was synchronized in all ewes using 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (...

The effects of fat supplementation and weaning system on commercial milk yield and milk composition were determined on 129 East Friesian crossbred ewes. Prior to lambing, ewes were randomly assigned to one of two weaning systems. The DY1 system involved weaning of ewes from their lambs within 24 to 36 hr post-partum and then twice-daily machine milking. In the MIX system, ewes had access to the...

We describe the discovery of HAT-P-4b, a low-density extrasolar planet transiting BD+36 2593, a V = 11.2mag slightly evolved metal-rich late F star. The planet’s orbital period is 3.056536 ± 0.000057d with a mid-transit epoch of 2, 454, 245.8154± 0.0003 (HJD). Based on high-precision photometric and spectroscopic data, and by using transit light curve modeling, spectrum analysis and evolutionar...

The analysis focused on model fitting of 2 ewe reproductive traits, litter size, and days to lambing (interval between the introduction of the ram into the flock and the subsequent parturition of the ewes). The experimental data set of the Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona flock was used, including 1,598 records of litter size and 1,699 records of days to lambing from 376 Ripollesa ewes between...

First cross Booroola Merino x Romney (B x R) ewes born in 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979 were classified as being heterozygous (F+) or non carriers (++) for the Booroola fecundity gene. Their performance as hoggets (< 1 year of age) I and to six years of age (1975 and 1976 bornonly) was compared with contemporary Romney (R) ewes. As hoggets, the F+ ewes had ovulation rates about 0.5 higher than ++ B...

Background: Seminal plasma of mammals is a complex fluid, which serves as a carrier for the spermatozoa on their journey from the male testes to their target, the oocyte. Seminal plasma contains a variety of biochemical components, some of which are relatively specific for the regulation of sperm function. The objective of this study was to investigate enzyme activities aspartate-amino-transfer...

We studied the possible effects of bacterial populations within the teat duct, in the pathogenesis of ovine mastitis. In experiment I, 32 ewes were allocated into group A (ewes from which we isolated (+++ growth) coagulase-negative staphylococci), B (ewes from whose duct we isolated (+ growth) coagulase-negative staphylococci) or C (ewes from which we isolated Bacillus spp.) and subdivided into...