A study of relationships of breed, time of mating, level of nutrition, live weight, body condition, and face cover to embryo survival in ewes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY Embryo survival was studied in flocks of 500 Saxon Merino and 500 Border Leicester × Merino ewes introduced to rams in either summer or autumn. The ewes were fed 200, 100 or 25% of a maintenance diet from day 2 to day 16 after mating. Embryo survival was greatest in ewes fed the maintenance diet. There was no suggestion that live weight, face cover or condition score were important factors affecting embryo survival. Embryo survival in the twin ovulating cross-breds was higher than in the twin ovulating Merinos, but there was no significant difference in embryo survival in ewes with single ovulations. Embryo survival in ewes with twin ovulations was significantly higher at the autumn mating than in summer.