Effect of ewe and lamb genotype on gestation length, lambing ease and neonatal behaviour of lambs

摘要: To distinguish between ewe and lamb breed effects on prenatal growth, ease of parturition early behaviour, an embryo-transfer study was carried out using a hill (Scottish Blackface; liveweight: 54.25 +/- 1.03 kg, mean s.e.m.) lowland (Suffolk; 80.33 1.52 kg) to obtain the four possible combinations lamb. Data were collected from 38 Blackface ewes (18 with lambs 20 Suffolk lambs) 41 (20 21 lambs); all given single embryos. had significantly longer gestation than (1.5 days, P < 0.01), regardless breed. also labour min, 0.05) more likely require birth assistance (17/21, 81% assisted deliveries; 0.001), as male (19/21, 90%; 0.01). These variables independent active in first 2 h after birth; little effect behaviour. stood twice quickly (13 min v. 24 min; suckle within (92% 66%; 0.05). The behavioural retardation may be consequence their difficulty which increases likelihood suffering trauma hypoxia at parturition. Together, these factors increase probability neonatal death lambs.