STUDIES ON THE LAMBING BEHAVIOUR IN CHHOTANAGPURI SHEEP
Loading...
Date
2009
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Abstract
The study was conducted on 10 healthy pregnant
Chhotanagpuri ewes belonging to Small Ruminant Farm, Ranchi Veterinary
College, Ranchi. Symptoms of approaching parturition, symptoms during
parturition, duration of different stages of parturition were studied. Studies
were also carried out on body weight of ewes and birth weight of lambs.
Levels of glucose, cholesterol, protein, calcium, inorganic
phosphorus and magnesium were estimated in blood serum samples
collected on 15th and 7th day before expected date of parturition and on the
day of parturition.
Haematological parameters were studied in blood samples
collected on 15th day and 7th day before expected date of parturition and on
the day of parturition.
1. The most common symptoms of approaching parturition observed in all
the ewes (100 %) were enlargement of udder, vulvar oedema,
abdominal distension and congestion of vulvar mucosa.
2. The overall average duration of first, second and third stages of
parturition and total duration of parturition were found to be 117.10 ±
3.11, 56.30 ± 4.15, 202.20 ± 12.34 and 375.60 ± 13.65 minutes
respectively in ewes irrespective of sex of lambs born.
3. Significant (P < 0.05) difference was recorded in the duration of second
stage of parturition between ewes delivered male lambs and ewes
delivered female lambs.
4. Seventy per cent lambings occurred in between 2 to 6 A.M. Sex ratio
was found to be 40 per cent.
5. The overall weight of placenta was found to be 184.30 ± 14.41 g.
Placental weight in ewes delivered male lambs was more than those of
the ewes delivered female lambs and the difference was significant (P <
0.05).
6. Total number of cotyledons in placenta averaged 68.40 ± 2.56 and
number of cotyledons did not differ in ewes according to the sex of
lambs born.
7. The overall average body weight of pregnant ewes from 4th, 3rd, 2nd and
1st weeks before expected date of parturition was 21.45 ± 0.76, 21.65 ±
0.76, 21.84 ± 0.76 and 22.14 ± 0.77 kg, respectively and on the day of
parturition it was 22. 51 ± 0.77 kg. Body weight of ewes carrying male
lambs was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the body weight of ewes
carrying female lambs.
8. Birth weight of male lambs was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than
female lambs.
9. Non-significant differences in daily body weight gain was recorded
between male and female lambs.
10. Overall average blood glucose level was noted as 53.80 ± 2.66 and
72.42 ± 3.41 mg/dl at 15th day and 7th day before the expected date of
parturition respectively whereas the value was 103.47 ± 3.29 mg/dl at
parturition. Significant effect (P < 0.01) of periods on blood glucose level
was observed.
11. Overall average serum cholesterol level was estimated to be slightly
higher (117.26 ± 6.82 mg/dl) at parturition as compared to 15th and 7th
day before parturition though non-significant effect of periods on
cholesterol level was recorded.
12. Overall average serum protein, calcium, inorganic phosphorus levels
were found to be slightly lower (6.44 ± 0.19 g/dl, 7.92 ± 0.22 mg/dl and
4.09 ± 0.22 mg/dl respectively) at parturition than the values obtained at
15th and 7th day before parturition though the differences were nonsignificant.
13. Overall average serum magnesium level was found to be slightly higher
(2.15 ± 0.18 mg/dl) at parturition than the values obtained at 15th and 7th
day before expected date of parturition though the effect of periods on
magnesium level was non-significant.
14. Overall average hemoglobin level and erythrocyte count was slightly
higher at parturition (10.41 ± 0.63 g/dl and 8.61 ± 0.32 x 106/μl
respectively) as compared to the values obtained at 15th and 7th day
before the expected date of parturition though the effect of periods on
these values was non-significant.
15. Overall average leucocyte was estimated to be slightly higher at
parturition (8.25 ± 0.31x 103/μl) than the other two periods considered
into this study. Leucocyte count at parturition differed significantly (P <
0.05) than the count recorded at 15th day before the expected date of
parturition in ewes with male births.
16. Overall average lymphocyte count at parturition was slightly lower
(65.30 ± 2.01 %) whereas the value for neutrophil was slightly higher
than the findings estimated at other two periods in this study though the
differences were found to be non-significant.
17. Overall average eosinophil count at parturition was found to be 3.80 ±
0.44 per cent which was slightly more than the value estimated at 7th
day before and slightly less than the value at 15th day before expected
date of parturition.
It was concluded from this study that the results obtained for
different parameters were within the normal physiological range reported in
other breeds of sheep.
Description
STUDIES ON THE LAMBING BEHAVIOUR IN CHHOTANAGPURI SHEEP
Keywords
null