Hormones of Female Reproduction

A Modified Surgical Gradle for Mass Laparotomy of Ewes

“…With the cradle in the horizontal loading plane (Figure l ) , one or two men can load the cradle with less effort than that required to position ewes in the cradles designed by Lamond and Urquhart (1961) and Lang (1969). After the fore and hind limbs of the ewe are restrained, the cradle is tilted into the inclined position and the abdominal area of the ewe is prepared for midventral laparotomy.…”

“…The hind limb clamps are released by opening the finger lever on each clamp. These clamps have only three com onent parts and are less prone to the cradles of Lamond and Urquhart ( 1961) and Lang (1969). After releasing the forelegs, the cradle is tilted rapidly into the inclined position mechanica P failure than the clamps used on and the ewe levered out on to its feet, mis Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol.…”

“…A mid-ventral laparotomy and examination of the genital tract is the most convenient technique in many situations for estimating ovulation rate, fertilisation rate and embryonic survival rate. Cradles for restraining ewes during laparatomy have been described by Lamond and Urquhart (1961), Hulet and Foote (1968) and Lang ( 1969). However, within the facilities available on farms, the loading of large numbers of ewes into the cradles designed by Lamond and Urquhart (1961) and Lang (1969) become laborious and tiring.…”

“…Cradles for restraining ewes during laparatomy have been described by Lamond and Urquhart (1961), Hulet and Foote (1968) and Lang ( 1969). However, within the facilities available on farms, the loading of large numbers of ewes into the cradles designed by Lamond and Urquhart (1961) and Lang (1969) become laborious and tiring. Furthermore the static cradles of Lamond and Urquhart (1961) and Hulet and Foote (1968) are not suitable for use in a shearing shed, where it is preferable for the purposes of sterility and speed of operation to have the preparation area separated from the surgical area.…”