The Effect of Level of Feeding on the Reproductive Capacity of the Ewe

Abstract

A study was made, in 1953 and 1954, of the effect of feed level on the reproductive capacity of yearling ewes. Ewes (short-yearlings) were divided at random into two groups; one group was fed on roughage-plus-grain, and the other was fed on roughage-only beginning in January of both years. The feeding regimen was continued until the time of slaughter in the fall. Half of the ewes on each feed level was slaughtered 3 days post-coitum, and the other half at 40 days post-coitum (except some ewes that showed a second heat after breeding and were rebred and killed 3 days later). The study includes observations on ovulation rate, fertilization rate, normality of the ova as well as measurements and weights of structures and organs of the reproductive tract, and weights of embryos, embryonic membranes and fluids. The results were as follows: Copyright © . .