Eight ewes in each of four groups were injected subcutaneously immediately prior to natural mating with 0, 30, 150, or 750 /ag of estradiol-17/3. The ewes were necropsied 3 days after mating and the ova were examined. None of the three doses of estradiol reduced ovum fertilization significantly, but the 750-/ag dose decreased the number of accessory sperm ceils in the zonae pellucidae. Eight ot...

Studies to investigate the relative value of sight, hearing and smell in mutual recognition between ewes and lambs are described. The method used was to alter clues that could aid in recognition, rather than interfering with the animal's sensory perception. When lambs were coloured with powdered dyes to change appearance, this produced marked avoidance by the dams of the treated lambs. When lam...

Article history: Received 11 December 2009 Received in revised form 14 April 2010 Accepted 16 April 2010 Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) continue to plague the small ruminant industry, especially in parts of the world with warm, humid climates. Alternatives to chemicals are needed for GIN control because of anthelmintic resistance and a desire to reduce chemical residues in meat products. Thre...

Parous ewes were treated orally with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) or melengestrol acetate (MGA), subcutaneously with progesterone, or intra-vaginally with MAP, MGA or progesterone. Treatment was begun on day 8 of an estrous cycle and continued for 17 days. When the ewes were in estrus after progestagen withdrawal, they were inseminated artitlcally and their vulvo-vaginal junctions were lig...

AIM The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of intramammary infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil (EO) on milk somatic cell count (SCC), milk composition parameters and selected hematology and serum biochemical parameters in 20 Awassi ewes affected with subclinical mastitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The dried leaves of sage were used to extract the EO by hydrodistillati...

Objectives were to investigate the effects of maternal Se supply and nutritional plane during gestation on offspring visceral tissues and indices of intestinal growth, vascularity, and function at 180 d of age. Rambouillet ewe lambs (n = 82, approximately 240 d of age; 52 ± 0.8 kg BW at breeding) were allocated to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments included dietary Se [adeq...

This study aimed to establish P4 and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and ovarian activity as approaches to monitor the cyclicity of ewes under postpartum anestrus after the male effect approach. Santa Inês females (n = 66) were evenly distributed into experimental groups where they were brought into contact with an intact male during the postpartum period of 35 to 40 days (T1) and 55 and 60 day...

Under- and over-nutrition during gestation may influence fetal hypothalamic development resulting in individuals predisposed to adverse health effects. This study examined fetuses from obese and control ewes to determine whether dam obesity alters hypothalamic expression of fetal appetite regulatory genes. A second objective was to contrast the expression of appetite regulatory genes in ewes th...

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are essential for placental growth and angiogenesis. However, little is known about changes in polyamine synthesis associated with development of the ovine conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated placental membranes). We hypothesized that rates of placental polyamine synthesis were maximal during the rapid placental growth that occurs in the firs...