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The relationships between genotype and placental traits, parity and litter weight (LW), and factors affecting these characteristics were investigated in this study. In total, 112 ewes (Romanov crossbred and local breeds) were utilized. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical comparison, and a Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships between the variables. Significant differences in parity weight within genotype and breed have been determined. A negative correlation was revealed between placental weight (PW) and placental efficiency (r = -0.743, P < 0.01; and r = -0.732, P < 0.01). There was no relationship between litter sex and placental traits. Birth type had a significant effect on PW (P < 0.05), and significant differences within sex-birth type interactions occurred (P < 0.05). The results of the present study have shown a positive correlation between cotyledon density and placental efficiency among all genotypes and breeds that were used in the study. In conclusion, it has been determined that placental traits were affected by LW and Romanov crossbreed ewes had greater PW than local breeds. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship between parity and placental traits in sheep.

This paper deals with the effects of structural, governmental and socio-economic conditions linked to small ruminant production, especially goat production. The number of small ruminants in Turkey fell from almost 51,530 in 1990, to 31,761 in 2007. In 1990, the number of small ruminants started to decrease due to structural, genetic and economic reasons such as a lack of state support policies, high costs of inputs, poor performance of local breeds, socio-economic conditions, and migration. In Turkey, the socio-economic and geographical structure make small ruminant production an important profession; it is also a significant source of income in rural regions. 35% of red meat and 12% of milk production is obtained from small ruminants. Although, Turkey has the highest goat population among its border and EU countries, ranks low with milk production. Reasons for the present situation are well evaluated; changes and tendencies in sheep and goat production as well as milk and meat production that are examined and associated with the population of Turkey are widely discussed. In addition, in order to improve the present situation, some technical and structural suggestions are mentioned.

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