Lamb Birth Research Articles

Influence of birth type on body weight of lambs from birth to weaning in various strains of sheep pramenka

The dynamics of increasing of bodyweight of lambs is conditioned by genetic factors, environmental factors and their interaction. The aim of this work was study variability of bodyweight of lambs related to type of birth of lambs in sheep genotype of four different strains of pramenka type and four growth stage: at the birth time, at the 30, 60 and 90 days of age after birth. For this investigation used lambs of four strains (Svrljiski, Pirotski, Sjeni?ki, Sarplaninski) of sheep type Pramenka (450 lambs per strain) for study dinamics of bodyweight at the time of birth, 30, 60 and 90 days after birth during three years of experiment (2011-2013). The results showed that the bodyweight of lambs born singles was higher than bodyweight of lambs born twins in studied four sheep genotypes i.e. Pirotski (4.00 kg : 3.40 kg), Svrljiski (3.90 kg : 3.79 kg), Sjeni?ki (3.73 kg : 3.61 kg), Sarplaninski (3.81 kg : 3.74 kg). The differences of bodyweight between lambs born singles and twins was significant for genotypes Pirot pramenka and Svrljig pramenka, on the level of significance for Sjenica pramenka and was not significant in Sarplanina pramenka. At the age of 30 days, the influence of birth type on the bodyweight of lambs was not statistically significant in any of the examined strains. The difference of bodyweight between singles and twins was statistically significant at the 60 days old of lambs in Svrljig pramenka and in lambs at 90 days old of Svrljig pramenka. On the base of results is established that type of born associated with significant differences of bodyweight at the birht time expressed later at the 60 and 90 day old lambs.

Nature, nurture, and vegetation management: Studies with sheep and goats

Diet selection and preference by grazing animals are determined by genetic and environmental factors (i.e., nature and nurture) that interact and affect their efficacy for managing vegetation as targeted grazers. The effect of rearing environment on the consumption of leafy spurge by sheep and goats was investigated. We hypothesized that although rearing environment will affect the preference for chemically defended plants ultimately, the inherent ability to detoxify or eliminate phytotoxins will limit an animal’s preference for them. The objective of this study was to determine if sheep would consume more of the invasive weed leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) if they were raised by goat compared to sheep raised by sheep and goat raised by goat. Sheep were raised on leafy spurge-infested pastures by either their ewe (S) or a goat doe (FS) on which they were fostered within 24 hours of birth and parturition of lamb and doe, respectively. Does that fostered lambs also raised their own goat offspring (G) such that the same doe raised the FS and G animals. The rearing environment’s effect on leafy spurge consumption was tested the following growing season by simultaneously grazing all animals on the same leafy spurge-infested rangeland and estimating percentage leafy spurge in their diet with either fecal near-infrared spectroscopy (f.NIR) or bite count. Goats consumed more leafy spurge as determined by either f.NIR (62.8%, P < 0.06) or bite count (71.9%, P < 0.01) than FS (35.2 % f.NIR, 39.3% bite count) or S (10.1 % f.NIR, 18.2% bite count). The FS consumed over twice as much leafy spurge as S and were numerically intermediate to G and S for leafy spurge consumption but not significantly different from the S sheep, most likely because one FS sheep did not eat leafy spurge during the evaluation period. Because leafy spurge is aversive to sheep but not goats, higher leafy spurge consumption by FS sheep is hypothesized to result from inoculation of their rumen microbes with microbes from the does capable of denaturing aversive phytotoxins in leafy spurge. The higher consumption of leafy spurge by G compared to FS shows that genetically determined physiological differences influence an animal’s ability to ameliorate phytotoxins and determine the upper limit of an animal’s preference for a chemically defended plant. It also indicated that in addition to the animal’s genome, the genome of an animal’s microbiome, which the mother may influence, can play an important role in diet selection.

A Survey of Farm Management Practices Relating to the Risk Factors, Prevalence, and Causes of Lamb Mortality in Ireland.

Simple SummaryA reduction in lamb mortality would benefit farmers both economically and ethically. The major causes of lamb mortality are similar worldwide. Targeting the specific causes can result in reduced lamb mortality. This involves identifying underlying factors associated with lamb mortality and subsequently recommending changes to management practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with lamb mortality on Irish sheep farms to provide a greater understanding of the necessary management practices required to reduce lamb mortality. This was achieved by identifying relationships between on-farm practices and risk factors of lamb mortality associated with these practices. Predators, lamb birth weight, and diseases were perceived by farmers to be the main causes of lamb mortality. Individual lambing pens were used on most sheep farms but were not cleaned and/or disinfected on 26% of them. Lamb mortality tended to be lower on farms that used best-known practices. Full-time farmers that used hospital and individual pens had a higher gross margin (€18/ewe). Management systems affect both lamb mortality and flock gross margin. Every 1% decrease in average lamb mortality across Irish flocks is worth ~€3 million annually to the Irish sheep sector.Lamb mortality is a key factor influencing ewe productivity and profitability. The current study investigated risk factors associated with and management practices implemented on sheep farms to reduce lamb mortality. A survey consisting of 13 multiple-part questions (57 separate questions) was administered to all sheep farmers participating in the Teagasc National Farm Survey, representative of the Irish national population of sheep farms. A total of 60% of respondents identify mating or lambing date, and this practice tended to be associated with reduced lamb mortality (1.2%, p = 0.08). Individual lambing pens were used by 88% of farmers, but 26% did not clean or disinfect them. A total of 79% and 9.5% of farmers applied iodine to all lambs’ navels and administered antibiotics to all lambs to treat and/or prevent diseases, respectively. Most farmers vaccinated their ewes (86%) and lambs (79%) against clostridial diseases and/or pasteurellosis; 13% vaccinated against abortion agents. Lamb mortality tended to be lower (Kruskal–Wallis (KW) = 2.749; p = 0.09) on farms that used stomach tubing, heat box, iodine, hospital, and individual pens compared with farms that do not implement all those practices. Predators, lamb birth weight, and diseases were perceived by respondents to be the three main causes of live-born lamb mortality. The gross margin is significantly higher on lowland farms by €37 per ewe compared with hill farms (Kruskal–Wallis (KW) = 4.056; p < 0.001). The combination of full-time farming and the use of hospital and individual pens improved gross margin (€18/ewe, p = 0.028). It is concluded that on-farm management practices affect both lamb mortality and flock gross margin.

Effects of Increased Growth Rates Prior to the First Breeding as Ewe Lambs and Pregnancy Rank on Mammary Glands of Two-Year-Old Ewes

This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months of age on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe mammary structures and the growth of their progeny. Ewe live weight and mammary ultrasound measures were recorded at 119 days of pregnancy, 29 days of lactation (L29), and weaning of the progeny (L79) in 64 two-year-old ewes selected from two treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed prior to their first breeding at seven months of age, achieving an average live weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. The control group (n = 32) weighed an average of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg at breeding. Lambs (n = 74) were weighed at birth, L29 and L79. Udder ultrasound measures did not differ (p &gt; 0.10) between treatments, indicating no carry-over effects of treatments on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes. The association between ultrasound measures and lamb growth seemed to differ depending on lamb birth rank. More research is needed to further investigate these associations and determine whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewes whose progeny would have greater growth rates based on birth rank.

Voluntary intake, milk and colostrum production and lamb growth when ewes are fed high-NaCl diets during pre- and post-lambing

Nutritional requirements at the end of gestation in ewes carrying multiple fetuses are rarely fully met in pasture production systems. Thus, concentrate feeds entail an alternative for increasing herd productivity. However, daily offer of complementary feed in extensive livestock production systems is not always possible due to climatic or geographic constraints or to labor shortages. One alternative is to offer large amounts of concentrate feed with the addition of NaCl that limits voluntary consumption, eliminating the need for daily supplement delivery. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of high salt levels added to concentrate feed on pre- and post-lambing twin-gestating ewes and their responses on feed intake, colostrum and milk production and composition, plasma biochemical profile variation and lamb growth. Twenty-four adult Corriedale females were housed in individual stalls and divided into four treatments: S13: ad libitum concentrate feed plus 13 % of salt; C13: the same amount of concentrate feed consumed by S13 ewes the day before, but without salt; S17: ad libitum concentrate feed with 17 % of salt, and C17: the same amount of concentrate feed consumed by S17 ewes the day before, but without salt. Fresh water and forage were offered in ad libitum amounts. Treatments were applied in the period of highest ewe nutrient demand, from day 123 of pregnancy to day 21 of lactation. The four percentage points in salt content resulted in a decrease of organic matter daily intake of concentrate (23 % of reduction in pre-lambing and 35 % of reduction in post-lambing for S17 relative to S13; P = 0.0134 and P = 0.0164, respectively). Lamb birth weights were similar between S13 and C13 (P = 0.1002) and between S17 and C17 (P = 0.8449) treatments. Colostrum and milk production did not differ between S13 and C13 (P = 0.9776 and P = 0.8928, respectively) or between S17 and C17 groups (P = 0.4943 and P = 0.7705, respectively). Plasma insulin, hematocrit and total protein levels were not influenced by the treatments and these parameters remained within normal physiological limits. Thus, the addition of 13 or 17 % of salt to concentrate feed did not affect the reproductive capacity of ewes or offspring growth, showing that ewes are able to withstand high doses of NaCl and supporting the potential of salt as a limiter of voluntary intake in pre- and post-lambing diets.

Sheep abortion – a roundtable discussion

Foreword Abortion takes a heavy toll on the sheep industry, not only economically, but in emotional terms too. Enzootic abortion in ewes is consistently the most frequent diagnosis followed in descending order by infection with Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. Causes of abortion also lead to increased barren rates, and the birth of weak lambs, so the impact of these pathogens is greater than just abortion. Fortunately there are vaccines for the two most common causes of abortion, providing farmers and the veterinary surgeons advising them with effective and sustainable tools in the control of enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis. The uptake of these vaccines, however, remains lower than might reasonably be expected. In this roundtable discussion the barriers to the implementation of the extant measures of abortion control were discussed and suggestions made as to how abortion can better be prevented.

İkizliğin İleri gebe koyunlar ve bunların kuzularında mineral madde, immunglobulin G ve kuzu doğum ağırlığı üzerine etkisi

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of twinship on the mineral matter, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and lamb birth weight in late pregnant ewes and their lambs. The material of the study consisted of the 18 Kıvırcık breed ewes, which were 130-150 days pregnant, and their 27 newborn lambs. The ewes included in the study were divided into two groups by ultrasound as those carrying a single pregnancy (n=9) and a twin pregnancy (n=9). Body Condition Scores (BCS) were determined and then their blood samples were taken. The lambs born from these ewes were weighed with precision scales as soon as they were born, and blood samples were taken 24 hours after birth. Mineral substance determination from blood samples was made by ICP-OES, and IgG determination was made by ELISA. It was found that serum IgG and mineral matter levels were not affected by twinship in ewes (p&gt;0.05). Calcium (Ca) level was significantly higher in twin lambs compared to single lambs (p0.05). Total protein and globulin values were significantly higher in single lambs than twin lambs (P

Vaccination of Sheep with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Vaccines Does Not Protect against Fetal Infection after Challenge of Pregnant Ewes with Border Disease Virus.

Border Disease (BD) is a major sheep disease characterized by immunosuppression, congenital disorders, abortion, and birth of lambs persistently infected (PI) by Border Disease Virus (BDV). Control measures are based on the elimination of PI lambs, biosecurity, and frequent vaccination which aims to prevent fetal infection and birth of PI. As there are no vaccines against BDV, farmers use vaccines directed against the related Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). To date, there is no published evidence of cross-effectiveness of BVDV vaccination against BDV infection in sheep. We tested three commonly used BVDV vaccines, at half the dose used in cattle, for their efficacy of protection against a BDV challenge of ewes at 52 days of gestation. Vaccination limits the duration of virus-induced leukopenia after challenge, suggesting partial protection in transient infection. Despite the presence of BDV neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated ewes on the day of the challenge, fetuses of vaccinated and unvaccinated sheep were, two months after, highly positive for BDV RNA loads and seronegative for antibodies. Therefore, BVDV vaccination at half dose was not sufficient to prevent ovine fetal infection by BDV in a severe challenge model and can only be reconsidered as a complementary mean in BD control.

Biomechanical characterization of the passive response of the thoracic aorta in chronic hypoxic newborn lambs using an evolutionary strategy

The present study involves experiments and modelling aimed at characterizing the passive structural mechanical behavior of the chronic hypoxic lamb thoracic aorta, whose gestation, birth and postnatal period were carried at high altitude (3600 masl). To this end, the mechanical response was studied via tensile and pressurization tests. The tensile and pressurization tests measurements were used simultaneously to calibrate the material parameters of the Gasser–Holzapfel–Ogden (GHO) hyperelasctic anisotropic constitutive model through an analytical-numerical optimization procedure solved with an evolutionary strategy that guarantees a stable response of the model. The model and procedure of calibration adequately adjust to the material behavior in a wide deformation range with an appropriate physical description. The results of this study predict the mechanical response of the lamb thoracic aorta under generalized loading states like those that can occur in physiological conditions and/or in systemic arterial hypertension. Finally, the novel use of the evolutionary strategy, together with the set of experiments and tools used in this study, provide a robust alternative to validate biomechanical characterizations.

Effects of mid-gestational l-citrulline supplementation to twin-bearing ewes on umbilical blood flow, placental development, and lamb production traits.

The objective of the study was to examine how l-citrulline supplementation to ewes during mid-gestation influences placental activity, placental blood flow, lamb body weight, and carcass characteristics. Two studies were completed. A pharmacokinetic study to compare circulating plasma amino acid concentrations after a single intravenous injection of 155 µmol/kg BW l-citrulline or after an isonitrogenous amount of l-alanine (control; 465 µmol/kg BW). Increases (P < 0.05) in circulating citrulline concentrations were detected for 8 h after l-citrulline injection versus the control. Similarly, increases (P < 0.05) in circulating arginine concentrations were detected for 24 h after l-citrulline treatment. The second study used 12 ewes with twin pregnancies. Daily intravenous injections of either l-citrulline or l-alanine were administered for 39 d from d 42–45 to 81–84 of gestation. Ewes were limit-fed at 85% daily energy requirements during the injection period. A decrease (P < 0.0001) in body weight was observed in both treatment groups during this period. No treatment differences were observed in circulating pregnancy-specific protein B concentrations or placental blood flow during the treatment and post-treatment gestational period. No treatment differences were observed in lamb survival nor in lamb birth, weaning and slaughter weights. Treatment did not influence lamb carcass composition or organ weights. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.10) for an increase in antral follicle numbers in ovaries from ewe lambs derived from ewes treated with l-citrulline. In summary, a daily l-citrulline injection increased both circulating citrulline and arginine concentrations in ewes, but daily l-citrulline injections during mid-gestation did not produce any detectable changes in placental activity and blood flow, neonatal and postnatal lamb development, and lamb carcass composition at slaughter. In conclusion, no benefits in placental function and lamb development were observed after providing l-citrulline during mid-gestation in ewes exposed to a mild energy restriction, but there was an indication that follicle numbers in ewe lambs were positively influenced by l-citrulline treatment during fetal development.

Lying behaviour of housed and outdoor-managed pregnant sheep

Lying behaviour has been shown to be highly valuable in supporting the productivity and welfare of cattle. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of biological and physical factors on the lying behaviour of sheep. Ninety-six Bluefaced Leicester x Welsh Mountain crossbred (Mule) ewes managed to lamb indoors, and 80 Welsh Mountain (WM) ewes managed to lamb at grass were used for the study. Acceleration values were collected for the two flocks from accelerometers fitted vertically to the outside of the rear right leg and set to record at 1-min intervals for at least 14 d prior to parturition. Ewes were simultaneously recorded using video equipment to identify lambing and to verify predictions of lying (total lying time, mean lying bout duration and total number of lying bouts) using data collected from 10 randomly selected ewes from the indoor flock on day -10 prior to lambing. Linear regression was used to evaluate predicted behaviours with video footage. Predictions of total lying time (R2 ≥ 0.99; P > 0.05 for slope = 1, intercept = 0), mean lying bout duration (R2 ≥ 0.99; P > 0.05 for slope = 1, intercept = 0) and total number of lying bouts (R2 ≥ 0.98; P > 0.05 for slope = 1, intercept = 0) were strongly associated with video footage (P < 0.001) demonstrating that a 1-min sampling interval provides reliable estimates of ewe lying behaviours. Measures of lying (mean daily lying time, mean lying bout duration and mean daily lying bouts) were calculated for all ewes using averages taken across days -10, -9 and -8 prior to lambing. Linear regression was used to test for effects of independent variables (pregnancy scan result (single- or twin-bearing), ewe age, ewe BCS, lambing ease, lamb sex and lamb birth weight) on each measure of lying. Significant associations (P < 0.05) were found between measures of lying and pregnancy scan result, ewe age, sex of singleton lambs and twin birth weight for housed, Mule ewes. Only ewe age and twin birth weight were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with measures of lying for WM ewes managed at grass. This information could help guide further research on sheep behaviour for management purposes (e.g., to optimise stocking densities and welfare for pregnant ewes). Further work should also consider evaluating measures of lying as proxies for imminent parturition.

Early extubation to noninvasive respiratory support of former preterm lambs improves long-term respiratory outcomes.

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and exposure to oxygen-rich gas during early postnatal life are contributing factors for long-term pulmonary morbidities faced by survivors of preterm birth and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The duration of IMV that leads to long-term pulmonary morbidities is unknown. We compared two durations of IMV (3 h vs. 6 days) during the first 6-7 days of postnatal life in preterm lambs to test the hypothesis that minimizing the duration of IMV will improve long-term respiratory system mechanics and structural outcomes later in life. Moderately preterm (∼85% gestation) lambs were supported by IMV for either 3 h or 6 days before weaning from all respiratory support to become former preterm lambs. Respiratory system mechanics and airway reactivity were assessed monthly from 1 to 6 mo of chronological postnatal age by the forced oscillation technique. Quantitative morphological measurements were made for smooth muscle accumulation around terminal bronchioles and indices of alveolar formation. Minimizing IMV to 3 h led to significantly better (P < 0.05) baseline respiratory system mechanics and less reactivity to methacholine in the first 3 mo of chronological age (2 mo corrected age), significantly less (P < 0.05) accumulation of smooth muscle around peripheral resistance airways (terminal bronchioles), and significantly better (P < 0.05) alveolarization at the end of 5 mo corrected age compared with continuous IMV for 6 days. We conclude that limiting the duration of IMV following preterm birth of fetal lambs leads to better respiratory system mechanics and structural outcomes later in life.

Disease surveillance in England and Wales, April 2021

Disease surveillance in England and Wales, April 2021

Toxoplasmosis outbreak in sheep in northern-central Paraná, Brazil

In this study, we aimed to investigate an outbreak of abortion in a herd of beef sheep on a property in Ivaiporã, north central Paraná, Brazil. A total of 64 blood samples were collected from the sheep, 33 of which were mothers with reports of abortion or stillbirth, and 7 with weak lamb birth. For epidemiological investigation of the parasite, fourteen samples were collected from different sources on the property, six from water, three from soil, one from trough, and four from feed. Indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) analysis and polymerase chain reaction were performed for detecting anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the sheep and molecular identification of the protozoan in the environment, respectively. The IFI results showed that 95.3% of the sheep were seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies; however, the environmental samples tested negative. During the visit to the property and interview with the owner, free-roaming cats were observed on the property for biological control of rodents that had access to the food deposits. This type of management may have triggered the outbreak, which reinforces the importance of preventive management and veterinary medical monitoring on sheep farms.

Handling and milking frequency affect milk yield and behavior in dairy ewes

The effects of human handling (friendly versus aversive) and milking frequency (once versus twice daily) on productive and behavioral parameters of two Greek dairy sheep breeds (Karagouniko and Chios) were examined. The experiment started a week after lamb weaning (50 ± 5 days after lamb birth) and lasted for ten weeks. Milk yield, milk flow rate and number of kick responses during milking were weekly recorded. Each milking was alternatively performed by a friendly or an aversive milker. At the end of 4th and 9th week, an isolation - flight distance test was also applied. As shown, Karagouniko ewes had lower daily milk yield but higher milk flow rate than Chios ewes. Higher milk yield was also observed in ewes milked twice compared to those milked once per day. Aversive handling increased the number of kick responses during milking and decreased milk yield. At the same time, ewes exhibited a preference for a specific position in the milking parlor. During the isolation - flight distance test, Karagouniko ewes bleated less, but had longer flight distances compared to Chios ones. Multiparous had a shorter flight distance than the primiparous ewes. Finally, ewes milked once per day displayed more jumps and less bleats compared to those milked twice. It is suggested that specific training programs targeted at the handling improvement with the intention to reduce fear responses could improve productivity in dairy ewes.

Passive immunity in lambs: Colostral and serum γ-glutamyltransferase as a predictor of IgG concentration and related to the diseases from birth to 12 weeks of life

The main goal of this study was to find a link between colostrum and the 1-day-old lamb serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and their relation with neonatal diseases and beyond. Further, to set a linear relationship between the serum GGT activity (SGGTA) and the IgG concentration (SIgGC) in different days of the neonatal period, thereby determining the feasibility of the GGT activity in the prediction of the colostrum quality and passive immunity and to define a cut-off point for the SGGTA associated with an increased risk of illness or death in lambs. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from the lambs before the colostrum intake (day 0) and on different days (1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28) in the neonatal period. The colostrum was collected from the respective ewes (n = 254) related to the lambs. The most accurate (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; = 0.652) model for predicting the SIgGC or passive immune status was the multiple regression model developed to calculate ln[IgG] from ln[GGT] in healthy neonatal lambs using the serum GGT and IgG values of day 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28. The In[GGT] activity at 24 h after birth in lambs that died or became ill during the neonatal period accounted for approximately 77% and 88% of the variation in the ln[IgG] concentration at 24 h after birth, respectively. The study revealed that SGGTA-24 &amp;gt; 500 IU may be considered as a critical cut-off point for the adequate colostral passive transfer. This study also disclosed that the colostral GGT activity might be used as an indicator to determine the colostrum quality.

SEASONAL EFFECTS ON LAMB PRODUCTION UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS

Observations were made over a period of three years on a total of 336 West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes that were mated to four rams in rotation. Out of a total of 753 lambs obtained, 459 (61%) were produced in the wet season as compared to 294 (39%) produced in the dry season. More lambs were produced as a result of multiple birth (twins and triplets) in the wet than in the dry season. Consequently, the average birth weight of the wet season lambs (1.58kg) was lower than the average birth weight (1.66 kg) of the dry season lambs. Despite this initial disadvantage, the wet season lambs had a higher average weaning weight (9.11 kg) than the dry season lambs (7.83 kg). The effects of season on pre weaning lamb mortality was minimal while the effects of type of birth were quite apparent. Lowest pre-weaning lamb mortality values were recorded for single lambs, followed by twins and triplets, in ascending order. The data also showed that a slightly higher proportion of the male lambs reached weaning age than female lambs. This observation could be associated with reported inverse relationship between lamb birth weight and mortality found in literature.

INFLUENCE OF BIRTH WEIGHT, YEAR AND PARITY ON PREWEANING MORTALITY IN YANKASA SHEEP

The influence of lamb birth weights, year of&#x0D; birth, and parity on pre-weaning death were observed in Yankasa sheep over a period of 4 years (1989-1992) in Misau, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Of the 150 lambs observed, birth weight fell into 4 categories; upto 1.5; 1.6-2.0; 2.1-23 and 2.6 -3.0 Kg, with percentage deaths in each being 33, 34,16 and 0, respectively. The overall mean birth weight was 23±0.03, and overall percentage mortality was 18%. Significant correlation (p &lt; 0.05, r = 0.49) was observed between birth weights and deaths incidence. Significant year and parity differences existed in lamb birth weights (P.&lt; 0.05). 90% of the ewes lambing were in their 1st parity, while 6% and 4% respectively were in the 2nd and 3rd parities. Mean birth weights were heaviest for lambs with ewes in their 2nd parity 2.6 (0.46), followed by those in their 1st parity 23 (0.27) and those in their 3rd parity 2.2(0.27). Percentage mortality increased with parity, being 14,27 and 50 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd parities respectively. Chi-square analysis showed no significant differences between the ratio of ram to ewe lambs, though ram lambs were significantly heavier than ewe lambs. Low lamb birth weight was found to be a major cause of pre-weaning mortality in Yankasa sheep in Misau, Nigeria.

The Effects of Energy Intake During late Pregnancy on Lamb Birth Weights and Lactation of Nigerian Dwarf Sheep

EIGHTEEN Nigerian Dwarf ewe lambs about eight months of age and weighing between 15 and 20 kg were divided into three groups, A, B, and C, and fed diets supplying 75, 100 and 125% of the ARC energy standards (1965) from the 15th week of pregnancy through lactation. Mean daily intakes during the last seven weeks of pregnancy were: dry matter 569, 748 and 826g: digestible organic matter 260, 496 and 593; and calculated metabolizable energy 0.99, 1.81 and 2.16 Mcal for groups A, B and respectively. The daily intakes during lactation were: 660, 748 and 857g of dry matter; 287, 593 and 690g of digestible organic matter and 1.05, 2.16 and 2.51 Mcal of calculated metabolizable energy for groups A, B and C respectively. Mean daily liveweight gains during the last seven weeks of pregnancy were 14.2, 99.0 and 90.0g and during lactation — 43.0, 7.9 and 10.4g for groups A, B and respectively, the differences being highly significant (P &lt;0.01). Mean birth weights of lambs were 1.18, 1.78 and 1.82kg for groups A, B and C respectively, the differences not being significant. Weight gains of lambs were highly significantly correlated with milk yield of their ewes. During a 10-week lactation period the differences in milk yields were highly significant between groups, with average daily yields of 312, 480 and 533g, for A, B and respectively. Peak yields were 481, 697 and 670 g for the respective groups between the second and third weeks of lactation. The mean values for milk composition were: fat, which remained relatively constant throughout lactation, 6.00, 6.36 and 6.40%; protein 4.82, 5.63 and 5.78%; lactose 4.15, 4.30 and 4.34%; total solids, which showed no definite trends during lactation, 15.98, 16.88 and 16.95%; and gross energy, which decreased with advancing lactation, 6.12, 6.18 and 6.38kcal/g for groups A, B and C respectively, the differences not being significant.

Spontaneous poisoning by Ateleia glazioviana (leg. Papilionoideae) in sheep and goats in the West region of Santa Catarina

ABSTRACT: This study reported the epidemiological data and the clinical and pathological conditions of spontaneous poisoning by Ateleia glazioviana in sheep and goats in the West region of Santa Catarina. The small ruminants were located in a place where there was a large amount of young plants of A. glazioviana and showing signs of consumption. The stock of sheep was composed of 250 animals, of which 45 died. In the goat herd, there were 28 animals, and of these, 27 died, and one was sacrificed. The main clinical signs were weight loss, fatigue, slow-walk, and eventually submandibular and facial edema. Some animals were found dead, and others died suddenly after being moved. Abortions and the birth of weak lambs were also observed. In total, five sheep and one goat were necropsied. The main macroscopic lesions were associated to eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and moderate, multifocal white areas in the epicardium and myocardium. Two sheep showed marked edema in the subcutaneous tissue of the head and neck and it could be noted hydrothorax and hydroperitoneum and liver with a nutmeg-like appearance. Histological changes were relevant in the myocardium. They consisted of fibrosis and myofiber necrosis associated with macrophage infiltrate, multifocal, low and marked swelling of cardiomyocytes with loss of fibrillarystriae, and increased nuclear volume. In two sheep, there was still congenital hepatic, as well as marked centrilobular and diffuse areas.