Ram effect in pubertal Bharat Merino ewe lambs.

摘要

A study was conducted to advance the age at first lambing in pubertal Bharat Merino ewe lambs through the ram effect. 48 lambs (8.5-10 months of age) were divided into experimental (n=42) and control groups (n=6). A vasectomized ram was placed with the experimental group for 55 days. Some parous ewes were also placed together with this group. It was shown that no lamb was found to be in oestrus until the withdrawal of the ram. Even in the typical breeding season, only 8 (19%) of the ewe lambs were in oestrus. The mean time for onset of oestrus following ram introduction was 73.4+or-4.64 days (58-88 days). These results show that the presence of rams could not induce oestrus in pubertal ewe lambs..