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González-García E, Gindri M, Durand C, Lafon N, Douls S, Bonafe G, Coulon V, Hazard D, Bonnal L, Tesnière A, Llach I, Parisot S, Puillet L. Short-term responses of meat ewes facing an acute nutritional challenge in early-mid lactation. Transl Anim Sci 2023; 8:txad141. [PMID: 38221960 PMCID: PMC10782914 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Simulating a consequence of a climate change event on feed availability, responses of Mediterranean meat ewes facing an acute undernutritional challenge (CHA; i.e., fed only low nutritional value cereal straw) were evaluated at a sensitive physiological stage (i.e., early suckling). Forty Romane ewes were chosen at early-mid pregnancy (around 2 mo) according to parity (20 primiparous, PRIM; 20 multiparous, MULT); feed efficiency genetic line of their sires (residual feed intake [RFI]; efficient, RFI-, n = 10 per parity; inefficient, RFI+, n = 10 per parity); litter size (i.e., bearing twins, diagnosed by ultrasonography); body weight (BW, kg) and body condition score (BCS) (initial BW and BCS [mean ± SD]: 51.6 ± 7.41 kg; 2.5 ± 0.20, respectively; representing flock' averages per parity). Effects on dry matter intake (DMI), ewes' BW and BCS, subcutaneous dorsal fat thickness (DFT), energy metabolism (plasma non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA], β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), glucose, urea, triiodothyronine [T3]), and lambs' growth (BW and average daily gain [ADG]; g/d) were examined before, during and after CHA. Individuals' profiles of the response-recovery to CHA were described using a piecewise mixed-effects model. The fixed effect of parity and genetic line and the random effect of individual (ewe) were considered. A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to explore the effects on lambs' growth. The 2-d straw-only CHA had significant effects on most of the recorded parameters. Meaningful drops and recoveries were observed on ewes' DMI, BW, and DFT with effect on postchallenge levels. BW, BCS, DFT, or DMI were also affected by parity (MULT > PRIM) but not by genetic line. Plasma NEFA, β-OHB, glucose, urea, and T3 responded well to CHA with drops in T3, urea, and glucose levels, whereas NEFA and β-OHB significantly increased after CHA. MULT ewes presented sharper β-OHB recovery from CHA than PRIM (P ≤ 0.05). With this study, we provide tangible and necessary data for an emerging field of research. Our results give new insights into how such a short and abrupt CHA affects some key zootechnical and physiological parameters, and to what extent the impacts of CHA and the ewes' response-recovery are influenced. It also revealed potential between-individual differences in the adaptive capacities of ewes, which require further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliel González-García
- SELMET, INRAE, CIRAD, L’Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Marcelo Gindri
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | | | - Noëllie Lafon
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, France
| | | | - Gaëtan Bonafe
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, France
| | | | - Dominique Hazard
- INRAE UMR1388 GENPHYSE Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Laurent Bonnal
- SELMET, CIRAD, INRAE, L’Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Tesnière
- SELMET, INRAE, CIRAD, L’Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Irene Llach
- SELMET, INRAE, CIRAD, L’Institut Agro Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Parisot
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, France
| | - Laurence Puillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
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Macé T, González-García E, Foulquié D, Carrière F, Pradel J, Durand C, Douls S, Allain C, Parisot S, Hazard D. Genome-wide analyses reveal a strong association between LEPR gene variants and body fat reserves in ewes. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:412. [PMID: 35650533 PMCID: PMC9158286 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08636-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the adaptive capacities of animals, the management of energetic body reserves (BR) through the BR mobilization and accretion processes (BR dynamics, BRD) has become an increasingly valuable attribute for livestock sustainability, allowing animals to cope with more variable environments. BRD has previously been reported to be heritable in ruminants. In the present work, we conducted genome-wide studies (GWAS) in sheep to determine genetic variants associated with BRD. BR (i.e. levels) and BRD (i.e. changes over time) were obtained through body condition score measurements at eight physiological stages throughout each productive cycle in Romane ewes (n = 1034) and were used as phenotypes for GWAS. After quality controls and imputation, 48,593 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were included in the GWAS. RESULTS Among the 23 QTL regions identified, a major QTL associated with BR during pregnancy and lactation was identified on chromosome 1. In this region, several significant SNPs mapped to the leptin receptor gene (LEPR), among which one SNP mapped to the coding sequence. The point mutation induces the p.P1019S substitution in the cytoplasmic domain, close to tyrosine phosphorylation sites. The frequency of the SNP associated with increased BR levels was 32%, and the LEPR genotype explained up to 5% of the variance of the trait. Higher fatness levels in ewes carrying the LEPR p.P1019S mutation were observed all along the productive cycle. CONCLUSIONS These results provide strong evidences for involvement of LEPR in the regulation of BR in sheep and highlight it as a major candidate gene for improving adaptive capacities by genetic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Macé
- GENPHYSE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 24 chemin de Borde Rouge, CS 52627, F-31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Eliel González-García
- SELMET, INRAE, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro, Univ. Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Foulquié
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Fabien Carrière
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Julien Pradel
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Christian Durand
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Sebastien Douls
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Charlotte Allain
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Sara Parisot
- UE321 Domaine de la Fage, INRAE, 12250, Saint-Jean Saint-Paul, France
| | - Dominique Hazard
- GENPHYSE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 24 chemin de Borde Rouge, CS 52627, F-31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123486. [PMID: 34944262 PMCID: PMC8697994 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This experiment examined the impact of breeding heavier ewe lambs on lamb production and the ability of a ewe to produce a high number and heavier lambs (i.e., efficiency) over the first three breeding seasons. Two groups of ewe lambs were bred at seven months of age at an average live weight of either 47.9 ± 0.36 kg (n = 135) or 44.9 ± 0.49 kg (n = 135). Ewe live weight, number of lambs born and weaned, and lamb live weights were recorded, and ewe efficiency was calculated for each ewe. The weight and number of lambs at weaning over the three-year period did not differ between treatments, however, when data were pooled, heavier ewe lambs at breeding had a greater number and lamb weaning weight over the three-year period. Breeding heavier ewe lambs had no effect on ewe efficiency. There was a positive relationship between ewe lamb breeding live weight and their mature weight. These results suggest that breeding heavier ewe lambs increased the total lamb production over the three-year period, however, it had no effect on ewe efficiency. Before final recommendations can be made, ewe lifetime performance and longevity of heavier ewe lambs at breeding are required. Abstract This experiment examined the effect of breeding heavier ewe lambs on lamb production and their efficiency over their first three breeding seasons. Two groups of ewe lambs were bred at seven months of age at an average pre-breeding live weight of either 47.9 ± 0.36 kg (heavy; n = 135) or 44.9 ± 0.49 kg (control; n = 135). Ewe live weight, number of lambs born and weaned, and lamb live weight were recorded until 39 months of age, and efficiency was calculated for each ewe. Although the number and lamb weaning weight did not differ between treatments over three years, when data were pooled, heavier ewe lambs at breeding weaned a greater number of lambs over the three-year period. The total lamb weaning weight over the three-year period increased by 2% for each additional kilogram at ewe lamb breeding. Breeding heavier ewe lambs had no effect on efficiency. These results suggest that although breeding heavier ewe lambs had a positive effect on lamb production over the three-year period, it had no effect on efficiency. Before final recommendations can be made, lifetime performance and longevity to five years of age of heavier ewe lambs at breeding are required.
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González-García E, Alhamada M, Nascimento H, Portes D, Bonnafe G, Allain C, Llach I, Hassoun P, Gautier JM, Parisot S. Measuring liveweight changes in lactating dairy ewes with an automated walk-over-weighing system. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:5675-5688. [PMID: 33663858 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring liveweight (LW) is an important part of sound management practices at the individual and flock level (e.g., controlling for nutritional status based on body condition, reproduction, and health-related issues), but it is time consuming and stressful. To our knowledge, no literature has reported on the evaluation of automated weighing systems in dairy sheep as an alternative to conventional static scales. The objective of this research was to evaluate the practical feasibility of using an automated walk-over-weighing (WoW) prototype to measure daily LW changes in dairy ewes without human intervention. We used adult Lacaune dairy ewes in 2 complementary trials conducted indoors. Trial 1 aimed at evaluating the repeatability, precision, and accuracy of LW measures recorded using WoW scales compared with a static scale (the gold standard). Forty-two adult ewes (LW ± standard deviation = 71.3 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly drafted from the main flock and used in a 1-day session. The trial included 3 passages. In each passage, ewes were weighed first on a static scale; once a static position was achieved and LW recorded, they continued the circuit and immediately traversed the WoW scale for an automated LW record. Trial 2 aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using the WoW device under real-world conditions in a dairy sheep-farming system. The WoW scale was installed in the exit race of the milking parlor and evaluated over 7 wk with adult ewes in mid lactation (n = 93; LW 78.5 ± 8.1 kg). Once the ewes were acclimated to the WoW system, 1 group of ewes (n = 48) continued to receive the same feeding regimen (controls), and the other group (n = 45) underwent a nutritional challenge [challenged; 2 wk of undernutrition and then back to control regimen (refeeding) for 1 wk]. We evaluated the ability of the WoW to detect small changes in LW. We collected LW data (2 weighings per ewe per day) from the WoW after each of the 2 milking sessions (morning and evening). We also obtained LW values by weighing the ewes using a static scale once a week. The automated WoW system showed substantial agreement with the gold standard when assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland and Altman's method, largely due to high repeatability. The WoW system was adequate for detecting small daily variations in LW during undernutrition and refeeding periods. Misbehaviors resulted in spurious WoW values in trial 2, requiring us to use filtration methods to exclude outlier weights and allow meaningful assessment of small LW changes. The WoW system evaluated here is an alternative to the static scales conventionally used on dairy sheep farms. If sound filtration of raw data is applied, WoW could contribute to the close (daily) monitoring of individual LW without operator intervention (i.e., voluntary weighing) and taking animal welfare into account (i.e., no stress related to the weighing session on static scales).
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Affiliation(s)
- E González-García
- SELMET, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France.
| | - M Alhamada
- SELMET, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - H Nascimento
- Animal Science Faculty, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - D Portes
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France
| | - G Bonnafe
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France
| | - C Allain
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France
| | - I Llach
- SELMET, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - P Hassoun
- SELMET, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - J M Gautier
- IDELE (Institut de l'Elevage), Sensors, Equipments, Facilities, 31321 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - S Parisot
- INRAE UE321 La Fage, 12250 Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France
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Macé T, Hazard D, Carrière F, Douls S, Foulquié D, González-García E. Relationships between body reserve dynamics and rearing performances in meat ewes1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:4076-4084. [PMID: 31433048 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to study the relationships between body reserve (BR) dynamics and rearing performance (PERF) traits in ewes from a Romane meat sheep flock managed extensively on "Causse" rangelands in the south of France. Flock records were used to generate data sets covering 14 lambing years (YR). The data set included 1,146 ewes with 2 ages of first lambing (AGE), 3 parities (PAR), and 4 litter sizes (LS). Repeated measurements of the BW and BCS were used as indicators of BR. The ewe PERF traits recorded were indirect measurements for maternal abilities and included prolificacy, litter weight and lamb BW at lambing and weaning, ADG at 1, 2, and 3 mo after lambing, and litter survival from lambing to weaning. The effects of different BW and BCS trajectories (e.g., changes in BW and BCS across the production cycle), previously been characterized in the same animals, on PERF traits were investigated. Such trajectories reflected different profiles at the intraflock level in the dynamics of BR mobilization-accretion cycles. Genetic relationships between BR and PERF traits were assessed. All the fixed variables considered (i.e., YR, AGE, PAR, LS, and SEX ratio of the litter) have significant effects on the PERF traits. Similarly, BW trajectories had an effect on the PERF traits across the 3 PARs studied, particularly during the first cycle (PAR 1). The BCS trajectories only affected prolificacy, lamb BW at birth, and litter survival. Most of the PERF traits considered here showed moderate heritabilities (0.17-0.23) except for prolificacy, the lamb growth rate during the third month and litter survival which showed very low heritabilities. With exception of litter survival and prolificacy, ewe PERF traits were genetically, strongly, and positively correlated with BW whatever the physiological stage. A few weak genetic correlations were found between BCS and PERF traits. As illustrated by BW and BCS changes over time, favorable genetic correlations were found, even if few and moderate, between BR accretion or mobilization and PERF traits, particularly for prolificacy and litter weight at birth. In conclusion, our results show significant relationships between BR dynamics and PERF traits in ewes, which could be considered in future sheep selection programs aiming to improve robustness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Macé
- INRA UMR1388 GENPHYSE, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Eliel González-García
- SELMET, INRA, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, France
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Intra-flock variability in the body reserve dynamics of meat sheep by analyzing BW and body condition score variations over multiple production cycles. Animal 2019; 13:1986-1998. [PMID: 30667350 DOI: 10.1017/s175173111800352x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Breeding for resilience requires a better understanding of intra-flock variability and the related mechanisms responsible for robustness traits. Among such traits, the animals' ability to cope with feed fluctuations by mobilizing or restoring body reserves (BR) is a key mechanism in ruminants. The objective of this work was to characterize individual variability in BR dynamics in productive Romane ewes reared in extensive conditions. The BR dynamics profiles were characterized by combining individual longitudinal measurements of BW and body condition scores (BCS) over several production cycles. Historical data, including up to 2628 records per trait distributed in 1146 ewes, underwent cluster analysis. Two to four trajectories were observed for BW depending on the cycle, while three trajectories were found for BCS, whatever the cycle. Most trajectories suggested that BR dynamics were similar but the level of BR may differ between ewes. Nevertheless, some trajectories suggested that both BR dynamics and levels were different for a proportion of ewes. Clustering on BW and BCS profiles adjusted for individual level trends, resulted in differences only in the level of BW or BCS, rather than differences in trajectories. Thus, the overall shape of trajectories was not changed considering or not the individual level trend across cycles. In addition to individual variability, the ewe's age at first lambing and litter size contributed to the distribution of the ewes between the trajectories. Regarding the entire productive life, three trajectories were observed for BW and BCS changes over three productive cycles. Increase in BW at each cycle suggested that ewes kept growing up until 3 to 4 years old in our conditions. Similar alternation of BCS gains and losses across cycles suggested BR dynamics might be repeatable. Many individual trajectories remained the same throughout a ewe's life, whatever the age at first lambing, parity or litter size. Our results demonstrate the relevance of using BW and BCS changes for characterizing the diversity of BR mobilization-accretion profiles in sheep in a long timespan perspective.
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Macé T, González-García E, Pradel J, Parisot S, Carrière F, Douls S, Foulquié D, Hazard D. Genetic analysis of robustness in meat sheep through body weight and body condition score changes over time. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:4501-4511. [PMID: 30085118 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal robustness may be defined as a complex trait characterizing the ability of an individual to be adapted, productive and healthy under contrasted and fluctuating environmental situations. Such a trait is now considered an essential criterion in order to meet the more ambitious goals of farming sustainability. In ruminants, one of the key mechanisms via which robustness is expressed is the capacity to mobilize or restore body reserves (BR) to cope with the challenges of negative energy balances. The objectives of this work were as follows: 1) to estimate the genetic parameters related to BR dynamics in ewes over successive production cycles and 2) to investigate BR management relationships between different physiological stages. For this, historical individual BW and BCS data from 2,920 phenotyped ewes were used for genetic analysis. The changes in BW (∆BW) and BCS (∆BCS) over time were analyzed. Eight physiological stages were considered to investigate these changes over time: mating, early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy, lambing, early suckling, mid-suckling, weaning, and postweaning. The estimated heritability were low for both ∆BW (h2 = 0.13 to 0.18) and ∆BCS (h2 = 0.04 to 0.16). Moderate to high positive genetic correlations (from 0.48 to 0.91) were obtained between BR mobilization phases and between BR accretion phases. Similarly, moderate to high negative genetic correlations (from -0.36 to -0.75) were estimated between the BR mobilization and accretion periods, suggesting that mechanisms driving BR mobilization and accretion processes were genetically correlated. This is the first study in ruminants that demonstrate that the extent and temporal changes in profiles of BR mobilization and accretion are heritable and genetically linked, indicating that such traits could be considered in genetic programs aimed at improving robustness. Nevertheless, further research is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of BR dynamics, notably by including other physiological parameters (i.e., metabolites and hormones) and additional information on the productive and reproductive life of the ewe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sara Parisot
- INRA UE321 La Fage, Roquefort-sur-soulzon, France
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Cam MA, Garipoglu AV, Kirikci K. Body condition status at mating affects gestation length, offspring yield and return rate in ewes. Arch Anim Breed 2018. [DOI: 10.5194/aab-61-221-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. The present study was planned to determine the effect of ewe
body condition score (BCS) and parities on fertility, return rate, gestation
length, fecundity, litter size and lamb birth weight. Data were collected
from 284 heads of ewes with first to fifth parity and raised at a state farm
for three consecutive (2002–2004) years. Teaser rams were used to monitor
estrus twice daily in the morning and in the evening from September to
October. BCSs and body weights (BWs) were recorded at mating and postpartum.
The ewes, at mating time in breeding season and within first 6 h after the
expulsion of fetal membranes, were divided into four groups on the basis of
their BCS: thin (BCS = ≤ 2.0; n=70; 38), medium
(BCS = 2.5–3.0; n=122; 142), fat (BCS = 3.5–4.0; n=72; 59) and
very fat (BCS = ≥ 4.5; n= 20;17). BCSs and BWs of ewes at
postpartum were highly correlated with lamb birth weight (R=0.486,
P < 0.01, and R=0.130, P < 0.05, respectively). BCSs and BWs of
ewes at postpartum had positive effects on lamb birth weight
(Y=3.43 ± 0.10 + 0.130 + 0.047 ewe body condition score
(EBCS), P < 0.01;
Y= 2.92 ± 0.42 + 0.018 ± 0.009 ewe body weight
(EBW), P < 0.05 kg of lamb birth weight
per BCS and kilogram of ewe live weight, respectively). The fertility rate,
litter size and fecundity were higher in the medium and fat groups than thin
and very fat groups (χ2= 10.607, P < 0.01). The BW and BCS at
postpartum affected gestation length positively (P < 0.05). Return rate
or number of coitus for conception were higher (P < 0.05) in thin and
very fat groups than medium and fat groups. The data revealed that the ewes
with medium and fat body condition (BCS = 2.5–4.0) scores were
profitable.
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