Some important factors affecting fertility in sheep
2012
Petrović, M.P., Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade - Zemun (Serbia) | Caro-Petrović, V., Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade - Zemun (Serbia) | Ružić-Muslić, D., Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade - Zemun (Serbia) | Maksimović, N., Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade - Zemun (Serbia) | Ilić, Z., Faculty of Agriculture, Lešak (Serbia) | Milošević, B., Faculty of Agriculture, Lešak (Serbia) | Stojković, J., Faculty of Agriculture, Lešak (Serbia)
Efficiency of sheep production is conditioned by fertility. According to some authors number of offspring obtained per lambing is more important than gain of weight. Genetic relationships involving reproductive traits were seldom studied. Reproductive traits have low heritabilities, a discrete phenotypic expression, and are expressed only in sexually mature ewes leading to low selection intensities and long generation intervals. Documentation of realized selection response is also often complicated by the low heritabilities of fertility traits. Existence of a major gene affecting prolificacy had been suggested and at that time there were many sceptics who strongly doubted that a trait as complex as reproduction could be profoundly influenced by a single gene. Major genes affecting prolificacy in sheep was founded. A mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein 15 gene (BMP15, also known as GDF9B) responsible for high prolificacy in Inverdale sheep had been discovered and evidence of segregating major genes was being reported from flocks around the world. Development of gene mapping techniques, and locating alleles that are responsible for the fertility of sheep began a new chapter in predicting and controlling the fertility of sheep. The beneficial effects of nutrition on reproduction in sheep are well known. This procedure is known as flushing. The effect of Body Condition Score (BCS), before mating, during mating and after mating period, on reproductive efficiency of different breeds of sheep in the different rearing systems were studied. The farm manager has the ability to control or at least to manipulate the factors that have an impact on fertility.
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