• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.13.1-13.6
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the behavioral and physiological changes of heat stressed Corriedale ewes exposed to water deprivation. Nine Corriedale ewes (average $BW=45{\pm}3.7kg$) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned into three groups (9 sheep per treatment) according to a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design for 3 periods with 21-d duration for each period. The control (CON) group was given free access to water, 2 h water deprivation (2hWD), and 3 h water deprivation (3hWD) following feeding. No differences were found in fecal excretion frequency, standing frequency (number/d), and sitting frequency among the groups (p > 0.05). Measurements of standing duration (min/d) and urine excretion frequency (number/d) showed a significant decrease whereas sitting duration (min/d) showed a significant increase in the 2hWD and 3hWD groups when compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). Fecal score and heart rate (number/min) were not different among the groups (p > 0.05). However, respiratory rate (number/min) and panting score were found to be significantly higher in the 2hWD and 3hWD groups than in the CON group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that water deprivation following feeding intensifies physiological heat stress related indicators such as respiratory rate and panting score and changes behavioral parameters such as water intake and urine excretion frequency in heat stressed ewes. Daily adaptation to the extreme environmental conditions may occur actively in ewes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1435-1441
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to total mixed ration (TMR) on fresh water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol, and blood indices in Corriedale ewes under hot and humid conditions. Methods: Nine non-pregnant Corriedale ewes (ave. body weight = $41{\pm}3.5kg$) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned to three treatment groups according to a triplicate $3{\times}3$ Latin Square design for 3 periods of 21 days duration each (9 ewes per treatment, 27 replications). Treatments were TMR (crude protein [CP] = 16.1, total digestible nutrients = 69.1%) moisture levels for 40%, 50%, and 60%. Results: No differences were found in body weight gain among all treatment groups (p>0.05). Nitrogen balance including digestible N, retained N, and urinary and fecal N showed no change among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Fresh water intake was the lower in 50% TMR moisture group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Other than ether extract which was higher in 60% TMR moisture group (p<0.05) the differences among nutrient digestibilities including CP, organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate were not significant (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed for serum protein, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and triglyceride among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Wool and blood cortisol were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Blood hematology including red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, basophils, and eosinophils were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that TMR moisture at 40%, 50%, and 60% had no effects on N balance parameters, and nutrient digestibilities except for the ether extract under hot and humid conditions. Additionally there were no effects on stress conditions include wool cortisol, as well as blood cortisol levels of ewes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of imported 0.25 ml straw frozen semen on fertilizing capacity after artificial insemination. A total of 57 ewes of Corriedale were inseminated at the Namwon Branch, National Anirnal Breeding Institute. Lambing percentage and twinning percentage were 12.3% and 114. 3%, resepectively. Average weight at birth and weaning of 120 days old were 4.5kg and 21.9 kg, respectively. Gestation period was 152.6 days.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1023-1029
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• 2007

Inhibins participate in the regulation of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and secretion, follicular maturation and steroidogenesis in the female. Inhibin ${\beta}_A$ gene (INHBA) was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of sheep. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the entire coding region and partial 3' untranslated region of INHBA were detected by PCR-SSCP in two high fecundity breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and six low fecundity breeds (Dorset, Texel, German Mutton Merino, South African Mutton Merino, Chinese Merino and Corriedale sheep). Only the PCR products amplified by primers 3, 4 and 5 displayed polymorphisms. For primer 3, genotype CC was only detected in Chinese Merino sheep, genotype AA was detected in the other seven sheep breeds. Genotype BB was only detected in Hu sheep. Only Hu sheep displayed polymorphism. Eight or four nucleotide mutations were revealed between BB or CC and AA, respectively, and these mutations did not result in any amino acid change. For primer 4, genotypes EE, EG and GG were detected in Dorset and German Mutton Merino sheep, genotypes EE, EF and FF were detected in Chinese Merino sheep, only genotype EE was detected in the other five sheep breeds. Only Dorset, German Mutton Merino and Chinese Merino sheep displayed polymorphism. Sequencing revealed one nucleotide mutation ($114G{\rightarrow}A$) of exon 2 of INHBA gene between genotype FF and genotype EE, and this mutation did not cause any amino acid change. Another nucleotide change ($143C{\rightarrow}T$) was identified between genotype GG and genotype EE, and this mutation resulted in an amino acid change of $serine{\rightarrow}leucine$. For primer 5, genotypes KK and KL were detected in German Mutton Merino and Corriedale sheep, genotypes KK, LL and KL were detected in the other six sheep breeds. Genotype MM was only detected in Hu sheep. All of these eight sheep breeds displayed polymorphism. Sequencing revealed one nucleotide mutation ($218A{\rightarrow}G$) of exon 2 of the INHBA gene between genotype LL and genotype KK, and nine nucleotide mutations between genotype MM and genotype KK. These mutations did not alter amino acid sequence. The partial sequence (395 bp for exon 1 and 933 bp for exon 2) of the INHBA gene in Small Tail Han sheep (with genotype KK for primer 5) was submitted into GenBank (accession number EF192431). Small Tail Han sheep displayed polymorphisms only in the fragment amplified by primer 5. The Small Tail Han ewes with genotype LL had 0.53 (p<0.05) or 0.63 (p<0.05) more lambs than those with genotype KL or KK, respectively. The Small Tail Han ewes with genotype KL had 0.10 (p>0.05) more lambs than those with genotype KK.