• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.226-227
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• 1989

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2014

Background: Artificial insemination (AI) can serve as a powerful tool to the sheep owners for making rapid genetic progress of their flock. The AI in sheep is mostly performed using fresh semen with two reasons i) lambing rate following trans-cervical AI with frozen semen is limited by the inability of frozen-thawed sperm to transit the cervix and ii) the need of circumventing the cervical barrier through laparoscope aided intrauterine AI. Therefore, AI with frozen-thawed semen is not as widespread in sheep as it is in other domestic species. However, to get maximum benefits through the use of AI, frozen-thawed semen is a prerequisite because instead of high fertility, the short shelf life of fresh semen coupled with a limitation on the number of insemination doses achievable per unit time restricts the widespread use of individual sires. Therefore, in order to enhance lambing rate, a total of 240 trans-cervical artificial inseminations with frozen-thawed semen were performed in Bharat Merino ewes during autumn season either once in the evening (G-I, 10 h after onset of estrus, n = 100) or twice (G-II, 14 h and 22 h after onset of estrus, n = 140) i.e. once in the morning and again in the evening. Results: The pregnancy rate (proportion of pregnant ewes confirmed by ultrasonography at day 40) and lambing rate (proportion of ewes lambed) were higher in G-II as compared to G-I (26.4 vs 20% and 19.3 vs 10%, respectively). The difference in lambing rates was statistically (P < 0.05) significant. The depth of insemination within cervico-uterine tract had no significant effect on pregnancy and lambing rates. Conclusions: The results indicate that lambing rate in sheep following TCAI with frozen-thawed semen was significantly influenced by time of inseminations. Two inseminations after 14 and 22 h of onset of estrus enhanced the lambing rates of Bharat Merino sheep as compare to single insemination after 10 h of onset of estrus. The TCAI technique with frozen-thawed ram semen is promising and may serve as a valuable tool for genetic improvement of sheep breeds. Research efforts are going on worldwide to overcome the poor fertility following TCAI with frozen-thawed semen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1674-1680
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• 2000

A study was conducted to compare the feeding value of urea treated and untreated mustard straw (MS) for sheep. Treated MS was prepared by adding urea-N at 1.84% and followed by packing in a pit silo for 21 days. Two groups of six empty Avikaline ewes were fed untreated (UTMS) and treated (TMS) mustard straw along with 200 g concentrate per head daily for 90 days. Untreated MS had 0.41% N and the urea treatment increased its N value to 1.58 %. The cell wall constituents were decreased in the TMS except for cellulose which remained unaffected. Dry matter intake of TMS was consistently higher than that of UTMS. Digestibility of DM, OM and fibre fractions of MS improved by the urea treatment. Ewes in both groups were in positive N balance while % N retention was lower in UTMS (26.30%) than in TMS (52.14%). The TMS fed group on average consumed 30.2 g DM, 2.9 g digestible crude protein and $0.2MJ\;DE\;per\;kg\;BW\;day^{-1}$ and maintained their weight whereas, the UTMS fed ewes lost weight. The VFA concentration in rumen liquor was higher in TMS than in UTMS. Total-N, ammonia-N and TCA-precipitable-N were also higher in TMS fed ewes. Blood glucose concentrations in the two groups were similar at initiation of the study. However the glucose concentration of UTMS fed group was significantly (p<0.01) lower than those fed UTMS at the termination of the study. Urea-N concentration was also higher in TMS fed group after 90 days of feeding period. It is concluded that urea treatment of MS improved N value of MS from 0.41% to 1.58% along with sizable improvement in nutritive value and in conjunction with 200 g concentrate, TMS can serve as maintenance ration for sheep. ($ME_{lakt}/ME_{m}=1.46$).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.1127-1132
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• 2000

Forty yearling Tswana sheep and goats (20 sheep and 20 goats) of both sexes were used in a feeding trial conducted in Botswana College of Agriculture (B.C.A) Content Farm in Gaborone for three months. The animals were randomized into four treatment groups of five animals per species balancing for weight and sex such that average initial weights were not statistically different. The sheep and goats were individually housed and fed under a common roof. All the animals were fed on Lablab purpureus L. as a protein supplement which was 40% of the ration. In addition to L.purpureus L. the control groups of both species were fed on 60% Cenchrus ciliaris L. as basal diet. The other three treatment groups were fed on different forages namely; sorghum forage (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf), millet forage (Pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf and Hubb.) and veldt grass mainly Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) as basal diet (60%). Water was provided individually to all the animals on ad lib. basis. Daily intakes of feed and water were recorded and weighing of the animals was done every two weeks. The collected data were analysed statistically for differences. Average daily weight gain by Tswana sheep was significantly different (p<0.05), sheep fed on millet forage had a higher daily weight gain $(120.24{\pm}8.91g)$ compared with sheep fed on veldt grass $(92.86{\pm}6.94g)$. Treatment effects on daily total DM intake by sheep were significant, the control group (C. ciliaris L.) had higher intake $(705.77{\pm}10.22g)$ and those fed on sorghum forage had the least intake $(668.10{\pm}10.70g)$. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the average daily weight gain by Tswana goats and it was 84.52, 73.81, 83.33 and 78.57 g for goats fed on C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively. Average daily total DM intake by goats was 655.27, 652.64, 650.07 and 650.94 g for C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was 8.00, 8.98, 7.93 and 8.34 for goats fed on C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively and were not significantly different (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.1238-1244
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• 2001

Two calorimetric experiments were performed to investigate the effects of two diets with same concentrate: roughage ratio (70:30) but varying in composition on energy metabolism and methane production in faunated (F) and defaunated (DF) Muzaffarnagari sheep. For experiment I, ten animals were divided equally into two groups of which one was kept normally F as such while other was DF using 10% sodium lauryl sulphate. All the animals were offered diet I which comprised of oat hay and concentrate mixture I (CM I) containing maize grain (93%) as a major ingredient in 70:30 ratio. Similarly, the experiment II was conducted for which four F and four DF sheep (same as used for experiment I) were switched to diet II that consisted of maize hay and CM II (maize grain 59% + molasses 36%). Through diet II, DM intake in DF sheep was significantly (p<0.05) lower. Intake of GE through both the diets was similar in F and DF sheep. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP and GE and also metabolisability (ME/GE) was similar in F and DF sheep on both the diets. Total urinary energy loss did not differ in F and DF on both the diets, but methane energy loss as a percent of GE in DF was significantly (p<0.05) lower on diet I (3.75 vs 2.48), while it did not differ on diet II (3.20 vs 3.60). Heat production was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in DF on both the diets. Although, efficiency of utilisation of ME for maintenance calculated as per ARC (1984) did not differ in F and DF on both the diets, efficiency for maintenance and growth was higher (0.60 vs 0.672) on diet I in DF. It was inferred that methane production in DF sheep reduces on good quality hay-based diet supplemented with slowly fermentable carbohydrate (maize grain) but supplementation of molasses (rapidly fermentable CHO) nullify this effect when sheep were fed diets with concentrate: roughage ratio of 70:30.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1527-1533
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• 2001

Garole is a prolific, rare, less known and small size Indian sheep breed found in low and humid Sunderban region of West Bengal. Although information on stored Garole ram liquid semen upto 24 h is available, but there is a need to further investigate the short-term and long-term preservability of Garole ram semen for extensive utilization of this valuable germplasm by artificial insemination. The aim of the present study was to apply computer-assisted sperm analysis technique for assessing the motion characteristics of Garole ram semen stored (i) in liquid state at refrigeration temperature for short-term preservation upto 48 h and (ii) in frozen state at $-196^{\circ}C$ for long-term preservation after packaging in mini straws. Short-term preservation had a significant effect on motility (p<0.01) as the motility progressively decreased from 90.1% at 0 h to 85.5% and 73.2% after 24 and 48 h of storage, respectively. Although the decline in rapid moving sperms was also significant (p<0.01) on storage but the decrease was more pronounced at 48 h as compared to 24 h of storage period. Storage of chilled semen had also a significant effect on % linearity (p<0.05), % straightness (p<0.01), sperm velocities (p<0.01), amplitude of lateral head displacement (p<0.01) and beat frequency (pO.Ol) of spermatozoa. The replication had a significant effect for all the variables except average path and straight line velocity. However, the interactions of short-term storage and replication were non-significant for most of the variables except % of medium moving sperms, sperm velocities and beat frequency. On long-term preservation of Garole ram spermatozoa under controlled conditions the mean post-thaw recovery of 70.4 and 71.4% motile spermatozoa was achieved having 48.8 and 48.9% of rapidly motile spermatozoa, respectively in both the replicates. The effect of replication on cryopreservation was significant (p<0.05) on amplitude of lateral head displacement and beat frequency, but there was no significant effect on motility, rapidly motile spermatozoa, linearity, straightness and sperm velocities of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. It can be concluded from these results that an average 70% motility can be achieved on storage of Garole ram semen in chilled liquid state upto 48 h or in liquid nitrogen after freezing under controlled conditions in straws. However, further studies are required to evaluate the fertility of short-term and long-term preserved Garole ram semen for extensive use of this prolific sheep breed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1221-1229
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• 2018

Objective: A study was conducted to evaluate the varietal differences among faba bean straws and also to assess the potentials of faba bean straws supplemented with concentrate fed at the rate 70% straws and 30% concentrate mixture on feed intake, digestibility, body weight gain and carcass characteristics of the animals. Methods: Forty yearling Arsi-Bale sheep with initial body weight of $19.85{\pm}0.29kg$ (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) were grouped in a randomized complete block design into eight blocks of five animals each based on their initial body weight. Straws included in the study were from Mosisa (T1M), Walki (T2W), Degaga (T3D), Shallo (T4S), and local (T5L) varieties of faba bean and concentrate (2:1 ratio of wheat bran to "noug" seed cake). The experiment consisted of seven days of digestibility and 90 days of feeding trials followed by evaluation of carcass parameters at the end. Results: Local variety had lower (p<0.05) in grain and straw yield compared to improved varieties but higher in crude protein, metabolizable energy contents and in vitro organic matter digestibility. The apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein of sheep fed Walki and Mosisa straws were higher than (p<0.05) straws from Shallo varieties. Sheep fed Walki straw had greater (p<0.05) dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency than sheep fed local and Shallo straws. Slaughter body weight and empty body weight were higher (p<0.05) for sheep fed Mosisa and Walki straws as compared to sheep fed Shallo straws. Apart from this, the other carcass components were not affected (p>0.05) by variety of the faba bean straws. Conclusion: There is significant varietal differences between faba bean straws both in quality and quantity. Similarly, significant variation was observed in feed intake, digestibility, body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency among sheep fed different straws of faba bean varieties with concentrate supplement. Based on these results, Walki and Mosisa varieties could be recommended as pulse crop rotation with cereals in the study area.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1303-1313
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• 2022

Objective: The current study aimed to perform whole-genome resequencing of Chinese indigenous Mongolian sheep breeds including Ujimqin, Sunit, and Wu Ranke sheep breeds (UJMQ, SNT, WRK) and deeply analyze genetic variation, population structure, domestication, and selection for domestication traits among these Mongolian sheep breeds. Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 60 individuals comprising 20 WRK, 20 UJMQ, and 20 SNT. For genome sequencing, about 1.5 ㎍ of genomic DNA was used for library construction with an insert size of about 350 bp. Pair-end sequencing were performed on Illumina NovaSeq platform, with the read length of 150 bp at each end. We then investigated the domestication and signatures of selection in these sheep breeds. Results: According to the population and demographic analyses, WRK and SNT populations were very similar, which were different from UJMQ populations. Genome wide association study identified 468 and 779 significant loci from SNT vs UJMQ, and UJMQ vs WRK, respectively. However, only 3 loci were identified from SNT vs WRK. Genomic comparison and selective sweep analysis among these sheep breeds suggested that genes associated with regulation of secretion, metabolic pathways including estrogen metabolism and amino acid metabolism, and neuron development have undergone strong selection during domestication. Conclusion: Our findings will facilitate the understanding of Chinese indigenous Mongolian sheep breeds domestication and selection for complex traits and provide a valuable genomic resource for future studies of sheep and other domestic animal breeding.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1489-1498
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify polymorphism in olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3) gene, and association analysis with meat quality, carcass characteristics, retail meat cut, and fatty acid composition in sheep, and expression quantification of OLFML3 gene in phenotypically divergent sheep. Methods: A total of 328 rams at the age of 10 to 12 months with an average body weight of 26.13 kg were used. A novel polymorphism was identified using high-throughput sequencing in sheep and genotyping of OLFML3 polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Among 328 rams, 100 rams representing various sheep genotypes were used for association study and proc general linear model was used to analyse association between genotypes and phenotypic traits. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for the expression analysis of OLFML3 mRNA in phenotypically divergent sheep population. Results: The findings revealed a novel polymorphism in the OLFML3 gene (g.90317673 C>T). The OLFML3 gene revealed three genotypes: CC, CT, and TT. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with meat quality traits such as tenderness and cooking loss; carcass characteristics such as carcass length; retail meat cut such as pelvic fat in leg, intramuscular fat in loin and tenderloin, muscle in flank and shank; fatty acids composition such as tridecanoic acid (C13:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), ginkgolic acid (C17:1), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), arachidic acid (C20:0), eicosenoic acid (C20:1), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6), heneicosylic acid (C21:0), and nervonic acid (C24:1). The TT genotype was associated with higher level of meat quality, carcass characteristics, retail meat cut, and some fatty acids composition. However, the mRNA expression analysis was not different among genotypes. Conclusion: The OLFML3 gene could be a potential putative candidate for selecting higher quality sheep meat, carcass characteristics, retail meat cuts, and fatty acid composition in sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.395-400
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• 1993

Four sheep per treatment were fed either control or 3% calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) in a total mixed ration (TMR). Feed and free water intakes were not different, but digestibilities of crude protein and crude fiber were lower (p<0.05) and that of crude fat was higher (p<0.05) for sheep fed Ca-LCFA than for control sheep. Dry matter digestibility, ruminal pH and microbial protein yield were not different between treatments and ammonia-N concentration in the rumen was higher for sheep fed Ca-LCFA than for control sheep. A 60-day milk production trial was conducted with thirty lactation Holstein cows. Fifteen cows per treatment were fed TMR containing either control or 3% Ca-LCFA ad libitum. Feed intake was not different between treatments, but milk yield was significantly higher (p<0.05) for cows fed Ca-LCFA than for control cows. Milk fat percentage was slightly higher and milk protein was lower for cows fed Ca-LCFA than for control cows. Lactose and total solid contents in milk were not different between treatments.