140 likes | 252 Views
Reproduction. Sheep are seasonal polyestrous rams and ewes fall breeders day length cool temperatures ? continuous short days Impact on industry ??. Reproductive facts. Ewes Gestation length 143 -147 days Estrous cycle 16-17 days Estrus 12-30 hrs
E N D
Reproduction Sheep are seasonal polyestrous rams and ewes fall breeders day length cool temperatures ? continuous short days Impact on industry ??
Reproductive facts Ewes Gestation length 143 -147 days Estrous cycle 16-17 days Estrus 12-30 hrs Ovulation near end of estrus Puberty 6-18 months
Hormones Melatonin - Pineal Gland Progesterone - Corpus Luteum Estrogen - Follicles GNRH - Hypothalamus FSH & LH - Anterior Pituitary Prolactin - Anterior Pituitary Prostaglandin - Uterus
Stages of Estrous Cycle Estrus Postestrus Diestrus Proestrus Estrus ect.
Rams Testosterone - Leydig Cells Temperature Regulation 5-7° below body T of 102° > 99° Problems Cremaster Tunica Dartos Pampiniform Plexus
Rams Epididymis - four functions Transport Concentration Maturation Storage
Breeding Capacity Spermatogenesis - 42 days 1 billion sperm per cc Each Ejaculate - .5 - 1.5 cc 5.5 billion sperm produced per day
Tremendous Variation in Libido Duds and Studs, US Sheep Station 38% Rated as Low Performers @ 10% Showed no interest in Ewes 28% of unexposed ram lambs are inactive Environmental Temperatures above 770
Ram : Ewe ratios Varies from 1-25 to 1-200 First service conception High Medium 1:50 77 58 1:200 50 33 More estrus ewes = more services 6-20/day
Ram staying power 20 ejaculates per day for 20 days did not deplete semen concentration below acceptable levels
Multiple Sire Mating Groups Dominant ram - Harem Subordinates - In and Outers Why Increase Mating Activity Goal: minimum of 3 services/ewe
Physically Fit Rams exercised 1.8 miles per day for 40 days pre-breeding Increased lambs born by 10%
Sheep Flock Math % ewes lambing of ewes exposed Lambs born per ewe lambing Lambs born per ewe exposed Lamb survival birth to weaning Pounds weaned/ee
Reproductive efficiency Critical to flock profit Genetics or management???