Pre and postpartum feed supplementation in ewes; effect on puberty and reproductive activity of the ewelambs

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Published: Jun 29, 2001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/S0301-732X2001000100010
Keywords:
- feed supplementation
- puberty
- sheep

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N. G. SEPÚLVEDA
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.
J. RISOPATRÓN
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.
J. OBERG
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.
A. NEUMANN
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.

Abstract

Fifty mature pregnant Romney Marsh ewes were used to investigate the influence of feed supplementation during the pre and post lambing period and subsequent ewe-lambs growth rates and pubertal events and reproductive activity during their first breeding season. Ewes were maintained in a pasture and divided into two groups: one group (n=25) was supplemented (OS) for 50 days after and 50 days before lambing with 2 kg of grassland silage/day, and the other group (n=25) was not-supplemented (OC). Ewe liveweight, body condition score (BCS), lamb birthweight and ewe-lamb reproductive performance at first reproductive season was evaluated trough progesterona measurement in blood serum, using RIA technique. Lamb birthweight were not statistically different (P>0,05) from the OC and OS groups. There was, however, significant improvement (p<0,05) of weights (OC=31,2 kg and OS=35,8 kg), age of puberty of ewe-lambs (210 days and 178 days), and lambing rate for ewe lamb (33% v/s 58%) for OC and OS groups. In conclusion the ewe-lambs from supplemented dams improved their growing rate and reproductive indexes during the first breeding season.

Article Details

How to Cite
SEPÚLVEDA, N. G., RISOPATRÓN, J., OBERG, J., & NEUMANN, A. (2001). Pre and postpartum feed supplementation in ewes; effect on puberty and reproductive activity of the ewelambs. Archivos De Medicina Veterinaria, 33(1), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0301-732X2001000100010
Issue
Vol. 33 No. 1 (2001)
Section
ARTÍCULOS ORIGINALES
Author Biographies

N. G. SEPÚLVEDA, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.

M.V., Mg. Sc., Dr. Vet.

J. RISOPATRÓN, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.

Mg. Sc.

J. OBERG, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.

Ing. Agr.

A. NEUMANN, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales, Centro de Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar N°01145, casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.

Ing. Agr.