Abstract
Fifteen mature Merino ewes were fattened with a maize grain/alfalfa chaff diet while an equal-sized group of similar ewes were maintained in store (score 2) condition (mean BW difference 11 kg). All sheep were then fed a maintenance diet of oat chaff. Following synchronization of all sheep with intravaginal sponges containing 40 mg progestagen, half of each group were fed a lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) grain supplement of 750 g/head/d from d 8 onwards of progestagen treatment. Ovulation rate following removal of the sponges was 64% higher (P<0.05) in the lupin-supplemented group but was not affected (P>0.05) by the condition score of the ewes. Plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen and some plasma amino acids were higher (P<0.05) in the lupin-supplemented group. These results indicate that nutritional flushing may increase ovulation rate of ewes regardless of their body condition.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 27-32 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Small Ruminant Research |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1994 |
Keywords
- Body condition
- Lupin
- Ovulation
- Sheep
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Animals
- Animal Science and Zoology