Nursing regimens: Effects on body condition, return to postpartum ovarian cyclicity in Santa Ines ewes, and performance of lambs

Effects of flushing with rehydrated corn grain silage on follicular development in tropical Santa Inês ewes

“…The length of estrus observed was similar to that reported by Ascari et al (2013) and Teixeira et al (2016) in Santa Inês sheep after estrus synchronization with progestagens. The greater variability observed may be related to the presence of animals with single or multiple ovulations (double or triple).…”

Resumption of cyclic ovarian activity in postpartum ewes: a review

“…According to Leite, this finding may be associated with a reduced intensity and/or reduced amount of time that the ewes remained in a negative energy balance because of their reduced fatigue associated with suckling and the longer period of time they had available for food intake. In contrast, Ascari et al (2013) found that the different suckling management strategies (continuous, controlled, early weaning) had no effect on weight gain, body condition or non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in Santa Inês ewes. Costa (2003) reports that in Santa Inês ewes the proper nutrition, which allows a ewe to lamb with a good body condition and to maintain this BCS during the postpartum period despite the adverse conditions associated with this period, restores the balance between all of the normal functions more quickly, contributes to greater milk production for the offspring, resulting in a higher performance of the lambs, and also contributes to an earlier resumption of reproductive activities.…”

“…Evaluating Santa Ines ewes with lambs on continuous suckling, or ewes with lambs on controlled sucking (two time per day daily suckling) and ewes subjected to early weaning (up to 60 days postpartum), Ascari et al (2013), did not find differences in the maximum follicular diameters (5.7, 5.9, and 5.6 mm). Similarly, the interval between lambing and the occurrence of the first follicle with a diameter greater than or equal to 5 mm (31.0, 33.9 and 34.9 days) did not differ among treatments.…”

“…Furthermore, the luteal phase and silent ovulation may be affected by suckling regimen, because the ewes were subjected to continuous suckling had lower occurrence of silent ovulation and short luteal phase compared to ewes that were subjected to controlled suckling or early weaning (ASCARI et al, 2013).…”

“…In this study, 100% of the ewes subjected to continuous suckling ovulated within 105 days postpartum, while only 64.7% of the ewes subjected to controlled suckling ovulated within the same period of time. Ascari et al (2013) compared Santa Inês ewes subjected to continuous suckling, controlled suckling (two daily feedings) or early weaning up to 60 days postpartum. These authors found no difference in the percentages of ewes in estrus and ewes that ovulated.…”