Determining the factors affecting the gestational length in sheep

Abstract

Abstract. This research aimed to determine the effects of body weight, the body condition score (BCS), body measurements, birth type (single offspring or twin birth), birth weight and sex on the gestational length in sheep (n=111). Karayaka sheep raised on a private farm were used in the study. Progeny yield characteristics in sheep were also determined (n=139). Estrus was monitored daily using teaser rams from August to September 2016. According to our findings, the pregnancy rate, infertility rate, fecundity, and twin and single birth rates were 93.52 %, 6.48 %, 93.52 %, 14.62 % and 85.38 % respectively. The effect of age on the BCS in sheep at mating was found to be significant (P<0.05): BCS decreased as age increased. It was determined that there was a positive association between the BCS and live weight during the mating period (P<0.001). The chest circumference, front shin circumference and body length were found to be higher in sheep with a BCS ≥ 4.5 at mating time (P<0.01). The middle rump width was significantly affected by the BCS (P<0.001). In this study, the lowest and highest gestational lengths were found to be 148.90 and 151.41 d respectively. The gestational length in sheep was not found to be affected by age, the BCS, body measurements, sex or birth type (P>0.05); however, it was observed that the gestational lengths for male offspring and single offspring (non-multiple births) were longer. In addition, it was detected that the gestational length was different in sheep with a BCS ≥ 4.5. The time spent in the womb is important with respect to obtaining a healthy lamb. For profitable production, a BCS of between 2.5 and 4 is recommended in sheep. It is thought that the use of body condition scoring, which is easy information for the breeder to utilize, will have a positive effect on determining the bodily reserves of sheep and the reproductive efficiency as well as on obtaining a healthy lamb. More studies on the gestational length in sheep are required.

Reproductive Performance of Ewes, Fed Flushing Diet at Different Management Feeding Program

“…This result supported by previous flushing study by using different kinds of fat at does 14 . The length of gestation in this study (141-144 days) shorter than data (148-151) reported by Celik et al 43 . The gestational length is affected by litter size, where higher litter size will have shorter gestational length compare to singlet one.…”

Pregnancy Rate and Number of Fetuses of White-Tailed Deer Related to Body Measurements and Serum Metabolites

“…Body measurements, such as thoracic circumference have been used in the definition of adult size, nutritional status, and physiological maturity in cattle (Rocha et al, 2003) and white-tailed deer (Uvalle- Sauceda et al, 2013), which allow the establishment of the relationship between body conformation and functionality and length of productive life of animals (Strapák et al, 2010). The thoracic circumference is related to body condition score (Tozlu Celik et al, 2021) and body weight (Worku, 2019;Chay-Canul et al, 2019) in sheep. Thus, apparently, in the present study greater thoracic circumference was linked with greater body energy reserves, and greater body fat of deer at about the middle of pregnancy predicted the number of fetuses they carry (Johnstone-Yellin et al, 2009).…”