Abstract
Lambs of 8 multiparous and eight primiparous Merino ewes were delivered by Caesarian section on the 143rd–149th day of gestation. Seven multiparas showed maternal behaviour and accepted lambs within 6 h of delivery and the other accepted its lamb by 3 days. No primiparous ewe showed maternal behaviour within 3 days, and only 2 came to tolerate the presence of their lambs by 5 and 8 days. The study shows that stimulation of the birth canal by passage of the lamb during birth is not essential for the onset of maternal behaviour in multiparas, but may be necessary in primiparas. The results indicate a deficiency in current knowledge about the hormonal priming necessary to induce the onset of maternal behviour; they also indicate that previous maternal experience plays a major role in this induction.
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