Effect of recipient breeds on birth and weaning weight, and wool
and follicle characteristics of Merino lambs born by embryo transfer
T. Wuliji, R.N. Andrews, K.G. Dodds, J. Aspinall, T. Harrison
AND B.J. Mockett
AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034,
Mosgiel
E-Mail:
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1999, 59: 19-22
One hundred and eighty three embryos were collected from 29
donor Merino ewes and transferred as either a single or twins to Merino
(MR), Coopworth (CR) and Romney (RR) recipient dams. A total of 107
lambs were weaned from these implants. A control group (MN) of 24
naturally conceived single and twin lambs were included for comparison.
Follicle fibre diameters at birth were 16.7, 17.2, 17.7 and 17.6 mm (SED
0.4) for MN, MR, CR and RR respectively; while the fibre diameter of
wool samples at birth for all dam groups was 16.5 mm (SED 0.3). Follicle
fibre diameters at weaning were 16.5mm, 15.9, 16.3 and 16.1 (SED 0.6)
for MN, MR, CR and RR respectively while the corresponding wool FDs at
weaning were 16.3mm, 16.1, 16.0, and 16.0 (SED 0.4). Weaning weight was
similar in CR and RR, while CR weaned significantly heavier lambs than
Merinos (recipients or naturally bred). The results suggest that
crossbred dams improve weaning weights of Merino lambs born to embryo
transfer but do not affect their wool follicle characteristics.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Embryo transfer, skin follicle, density, fibre diameter.
Last Updated 06-08-1999
