Nine male and nine female lambs each from the Karagouniko (K), Chios (C) and East Friesland (F) breeds were weaned at a mean age of 50 days and were killed over a commercial range of live weight from 16 to 44 kg (carcass weights 6 to 22 kg).Carcass weight was linearly related to fasted live weight prior to slaughter (r = 0-994). There were significant but small differences between breeds in mean weight of lungs, pelt and internal fat. The carcass components of bone, muscle and fat tissues were related to carcass weight by linear or quadratic regression. Adjusted to mean carcass weight, the mean weight of bone did not differ between breeds (2-82 kg, s.e. = 0-056 at 12-8 kg carcass). The K and C lambs had significantly less muscle than the F lambs (6-77, 6-63 and 8-20 kg, respectively, s.e.d. = 0-094) and more fat (2-87, 2-95 and 1-29 kg, respectively, s.e.d. = 0-017) when compared at mean carcass weight. The breed differences were significant over the whole range whether compared at equal weight or at an equal proportion of estimated mature weight. At the same proportion of carcass fat, corresponding to the United Kingdom market average (250 g/kg) the calculated carcass weights were 16, 17 and 30 kg, respectively, for K, C and F lambs.It is concluded that the Friesland breed differs from many others in the proportions of muscle or fat at corresponding carcass weights but this difference is not a general characteristic of dairy sheep. Comparison of breeds at defined proportions of carcass components, as determined by market standards, can be effectively achieved by serial slaughter over a suitable weight range.

There are many locally-named breeds in Greece, all of which are derived from Zackel or Tsigai types in various combinations. One of the most numerous is the Karagouniko, described as a medium-sized, hardy breed of Zackel origin, probably with some introduction of a fat-tail breed. A ewe in good body condition weighs about 60 kg. In most regions there is little consistent breeding policy except to improve milk production and fecundity of the local breed by crossbreeding to the semi-indigenous Chios or, less commonly, the imported East Friesland. The Chios is reputed to be derived from a Turkish fat-tail breed crossed with ingenous sheep of Zackel and/or Tsigai origin. Adult ewes in good condition weigh around 65 kg.The traditional marketing period for lambs is December to Easter and 80% are sold off milk at an age of 30 to 50 days and a carcase weight (including head) of 5 to 9 kg. Despite the highest, number of sheep per head of population in the EEC, some 16% of consumption is imported, usually in the 13 to 15 kg carcase range. The consumer discriminates against fat but there is no recognised standards of assessment or grading.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the use multiple ovulation and embryo transfer techniques in an indigenous Greek dairy breed of sheep. We stimulated selected donor ewes of the Karagouniko breed to produce large numbers of embryos after the induction of multiple ovulations by gonadotropin treatment (superovulatory response). A total of 50 Greek Karagouniko ewes were synchronised into oestrus using progestagen pessaries and superovulated for embryo transfer using ovine FSH. Six days following laparoscopic insemination with fresh semen ewes were flushed surgically and embryos collected. Subsequently, the embryo recovery, along with embryo cryopreservation, embryo survival and quality were assessed. The Karagouniko donor ewes achieved a mean ovulation rate of 11.9 (SE. 0.89). The ova Recovery rate was 80,9% and 87,6% of the ova recovered being fertilised. A total of 327 (77,5%) of the viable embryos were assessed as being of sufficient quality for cryopreservation. The embryos ranged from late morulae to expanded blastocyst and were frozen via a 3-step process in 1.5 M ethylene glycol following repeated washing and trypsination. Cryopreserved embryos were frozen and then transported to Scotland, UK. There, embryos were thawed rapidly and re-hydrated via a 2 step sucrose/ethylene glycol gradient. A total of 92.4% of embryos frozen remained suitable for transfer semi-surgically into synchronized Scottish Blackface ewes. 183 embryos were transferred in total with a 66.1% survival rate. The survival rate of frozen thawed blastocysts(75%) was significantly greater than (P<0.01) that for morulae (48%). It was concluded that MOET could be successfully applied in Greek dairy breeds of sheep as a means for genetic improvement. Frozenembryos could be a successful medium for the transportation of ovine genetic material from and to Greece, however, most likely the choice of embryonic stage for cryopreservation is crucial.