Academic literature on the topic 'Merino sheep Breeding Australia'

Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from broadacre sheep farms constitute ~16% of Australia’s total livestock emissions. To study the diversity of Australian sheep farming enterprises a combination of modelling packages was used to calculate GHG emissions from three sheep enterprises (Merino ewe production for wool and meat, Merino-cross ewes with an emphasis on lamb production, and Merino wethers for fine wool production) at 28 sites across eight climate zones in southern Australia. GHG emissions per ha, per dry sheep equivalents and emissions intensity (EI) per tonne of clean wool or liveweight sold under different pasture management or animal breeding options (that had been previously determined in interviews with farmers) were assessed relative to baseline farms in each zone (‘Nil’ option). Increasing soil phosphorus fertility or sowing 40% of the farm area to lucerne resulted in the smallest and largest changes in GHG/dry sheep equivalents, respectively (–66%, 113%), though both of these options had little influence on EI for either clean wool or liveweight sold. Breeding ewes with greater body size or genotypes with higher fleece weight resulted in 11% and 9% reductions, respectively, in EI. Enterprises specialising in lamb production (crossbred ewes) had 89% lower EI than enterprises specialising in fine wool production (Merino wethers). Thus, sheep producers aiming for lower EI could focus more on liveweight turnoff than wool production. Emissions intensities were typically highest in cool temperate regions with high rainfall and lowest in semiarid and arid regions with low aboveground net primary productivity. Overall, animal breeding options reduced EI more than feedbase interventions.

In conditions of Povolzhye steppe zone development of productive qualities of Stavropol breed sheep was conducted by meat merino sheep. Experimental research was carried out in ZAO «Novaya Zhizn» in Novouzensky district of Saratov region, located in semi desert zone, bordering upon South-West Khazakhstan. The research aim was the increase and maintenance of genetic potential of Stavropol breed sheep of Povolzhye population. Working procedure is based on guidelines of the All-Union Academy of Agricultural sciences, All Union research institute of sheep and goat breeding. The study materials were Stavropol pure breed sheep and 1/8 –thoroughbred cross breed with Australian meat merino herdmates. As the result of stepped breeding of local Stavropol ewe with half bred by Australian meat merino ram- breeder of Stavropol breed animals of 1/2 ,1/4, 1/8 –blood were obtained, which then one- shear tupped by breeding «inter se». It is proved that in applying such selective method 1/8-blood by Australian meat merino sheep were characterized with higher body weight, better wool quality in contrast to Stavropol pure –breed herdmates. So, in 1/8-blood by Australian meat merino of hybrid ewe during breeding «inter se» live body at birth was higher than at pure breed herdmates for 5,56 %, during ablactation –at the age of 4 months - for 6,38 % (difference isn’t accurate). According to sharing of wool in grease, superiority of ewe of hybrid origin over pure breed was 5,6 % (Р≥0,99), but in terms of washed fiber it increases to 8,3 % (Р≥0,999). So, in dry steppe zone of Povolzhye new improved, according to its productive qualities, genotype of Stavropol breed sheep is created with retention of genetic resource that is essential economic factor for the modern maintenance of fine-wool sheep breeding field.

The use of animals that are resilient to challenging environments is becoming of increasing importance in animal production systems. Interest in breeds of sheep such as the Damara for sheep meat production is increasing in Australia. Anecdotally this breed outperforms the traditionally grazed Merino in the harsh rangeland environments encountered in the Pastoral Zone of Australia, but little evidence is available to support this claim. A trial was conducted to quantify differences in the efficiency of feed utilisation and growth performance of Damara and Merino sheep under two contrasting dietary regimes. Eighteen castrate males of each breed were offered a ‘low-quality’ diet (L) (7 MJ/kg ME; 8% crude protein, as per manufacturer’s analysis) followed by a ‘high-quality’ diet (H) (11 MJ/kg dry matter and 16% crude protein, as per manufacturer’s analysis). On the L diet, Damaras had similar ad libitum feed intake as Merinos, but the digestibility of feed dry matter and energy was ~10% higher in Damaras than Merinos. Damaras also gained weight (38 g/day) on the L diet, while Merinos lost weight (28 g/day) (P < 0.002). On the H diet the Damaras consumed 14% more feed (P < 0.053) and grew 30% faster than Merinos (P < 0.002), but there was no difference in the apparent dry matter or energy digestibility of the feed. At the conclusion of the trial the Damara carcasses were 22% heavier (28.1 versus 23.1 kg), and had higher dressing percentages (53.2 versus 41.5%) than Merinos, but the proportions of carcass components did not differ. The Damaras achieved higher total digestible energy intakes than the Merinos on both diets. On the low-quality feed this was achieved through higher feed digestibility and on the high-quality feed through greater voluntary feed intake. We speculate that this arises from variation between the breeds in rumen volume, particle flow and the site of digestion, but further studies are required to confirm this contention. The ability of Damara sheep to obtain more nutrients from widely differing feed bases makes them an attractive alternative sheep breed for sheep meat production. Furthermore, the presence of such variation between genotypes offers potential for selective breeding and development of commercial lines of sheep.

Scouring (diarrhoea) is a major concern for sheep producers as the accumulation of faecal material (dags) around the breech pre-disposes sheep to flystrike. Scouring occurs when the consistency of faeces is fluid with a low percentage of dry matter. In temperate areas such as the southern half of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, scouring is associated with ingestion of parasitic nematode larvae, mainly Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Larsen et al., 1994). Breeding sheep to be resistant to these nematodes is a sustainable parasite-control strategy due to reduced reliance on chemical treatment. However, in adult sheep, scouring appears equally prevalent in resistant animals and, in some environments, is even more severe than in susceptible sheep (Karlsson et al., 2004). In this experiment, we investigated how faecal dry matter (FDM) in sheep from a flock bred for resistance to parasitic nematodes changed when challenged with infective larvae. We expected that FDM would be lower in challenged sheep compared to unchallenged controls, and FDM would also be lower in sheep with high dag scores compared to sheep with low dag scores.

Breeding Merino sheep that are resistant to internal parasites alleviates the high costs associated with treatment of worm infestation and loss of production, as well as mitigating the development of anthelmintic resistance among the major worm species. Faecal worm egg count ((cube root transformation), wec) can be used in sheep as a measure of internal parasite resistance. Accurate estimates of genetic parameters for wec are required for calculation of Australian Sheep Breeding Values and inclusion of worm resistance in sheep breeding programs. This study provides updated estimates of heritability for wec and its genetic correlations with production traits. Data were analysed from a wide range of Australian and New Zealand Merino sheep in the MERINOSELECT database, which included 141 flocks with 801 flock years and up to 217 137 animals with wec recorded in at least one of four ages (W = weaning, P = post weaning, Y = yearling, H = hogget). The heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 ± 0.01 for Ywec to 0.29 ± 0.01 for Wwec, with generally high genetic correlations between the ages. Bivariate analyses estimated genetic correlations between wec at the various ages and growth, carcass quality, reproduction and wool production traits at various ages. These genetic correlations were generally small or close to zero, albeit with some significantly different from zero. The moderate heritability for wec (0.2–0.3) and its high phenotypic variation (coefficient of variation >30%) shows that relatively rapid selection response for worm resistance could be achieved. Inclusion of wec in sheep breeding programs to increase worm resistance would be expected to have little if any impact on other important production traits. These genetic parameters have been incorporated into MERINOSELECT by Sheep Genetics to provide Australian Sheep Breeding Values for wec and appropriate indices for wool and meat production. There is evidence that genotype × environment interactions may be important in some environments by reducing the accuracy of Australian Sheep Breeding Values for wec. Hence it may be prudent for breeders to implement strategies that manage the risk of any impact of genotype × environment on their breeding program.

Estimated breeding values for the selection of more profitable sheep for the sheep meat and wool industries are currently based on pedigree and phenotypic records. With the advent of a medium-density DNA marker array, which genotypes ~50 000 ovine single nucleotide polymorphisms, a third source of information has become available. The aim of this paper was to determine whether this genomic information can be used to predict estimated breeding values for wool and meat traits. The effects of all single nucleotide polymorphism markers in a multi-breed sheep reference population of 7180 individuals with phenotypic records were estimated to derive prediction equations for genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple strength, breech wrinkle score, weight at ultrasound scanning, scanned eye muscle depth and scanned fat depth. Five hundred and forty industry sires with very accurate Australian sheep breeding values were used as a validation population and the accuracies of GEBV were assessed according to correlations between GEBV and Australian sheep breeding values . The accuracies of GEBV ranged from 0.15 to 0.79 for wool traits in Merino sheep and from –0.07 to 0.57 for meat traits in all breeds studied. Merino industry sires tended to have more accurate GEBV than terminal and maternal breeds because the reference population consisted mainly of Merino haplotypes. The lower accuracy for terminal and maternal breeds suggests that the density of genetic markers used was not high enough for accurate across-breed prediction of marker effects. Our results indicate that an increase in the size of the reference population will increase the accuracy of GEBV.

Visually assessed traits for wool quality and ease of management are important to Merino sheep breeders and need to be considered in breeding programs. The present study reports on the predicted correlated responses in visual traits from selection using a range of standard MERINOSELECT™ indices available for use in Australian Merino breeding programs. The effect of including a visual trait in the index is also reported. The visual scored traits were classer grade, wool quality (handle, character and colour), conformation (neck and body wrinkle, front and back leg structure) and fleece rot. The indices covered a range of micron premiums of varying emphasis on increasing fleece weight and reducing fibre diameter. The indices were for Merino wool enterprises (Merino 14%, Merino 7% and Merino 3.5%) and Merino dual purpose wool and meat enterprises (Dual Purpose 7% and Dual Purpose 3.5%). The breeding objectives for the indices included fleece weight, fibre diameter, coefficient of variation of fibre diameter, staple strength, bodyweight and reproduction. Selection over 10 years using the standard MERINOSELECT™ indices is predicted to result in a small correlated improvement in the wool quality traits and classer grade, with a slight deterioration in fleece rot score. The improvement in wool handle, character and colour are greater with those indices that have a greater emphasis on reducing fibre diameter than with those increasing fleece weight. Indices with more emphasis on increased fleece weight than on reduced fibre diameter are predicted to result in small increases in neck and body wrinkle scores and a slight deterioration in wool colour. Inclusion of classer grade, handle, character or colour provided slight extra gains in fleece weight for indices that emphasised reduced fibre diameter through increased accuracy of selection.

Variation in liveweight change in the ewe flock during periods of poor nutrition can affect farm profitability through the effects of liveweight loss on potential stocking rate, management interventions including supplementary feeding, and ewe and lamb survival and productivity. There is variation between individual animals in their ability to manage periods of poor nutrition, but the links between liveweight change and breeding values in the adult ewe flock have not been quantified. We analysed 5216 liveweight profiles for 2772 ewes managed over 3 years at eight sites across Australia, to define the relative effects of environment, reproductive performance and breeding values on liveweight change. The range in liveweight loss varied from 1.3 kg to 21.6 kg, and for liveweight gain from 0.4 kg to 28.1 kg. Site and year had the largest influence on liveweight change, which demonstrates that seasonal conditions and management were the most important factors influencing liveweight change. Liveweight loss was influenced by previous and current reproductive performance but these effects were small in comparison to the effects of site and year. There were mixed associations with sire breeding values for growth, fat and muscle depending on site. An increase in sire breeding values for fat by 1 mm was associated with a reduction in liveweight loss by up to 1.3 kg regardless of ewe breed, and this was more evident at sites where ewes lost a greater proportion of their liveweight. While management had the greatest effect on liveweight change, there appears to be scope to use breeding values to select sheep that will lose less weight during periods of poor nutrition in some environments.

Genetic variation within and between Australian Merino subpopulations was estimated from a large breeding nucleus in which up to 8500 progeny from over 300 sires were recorded at eight sites across Australia. Subpopulations were defined as genetic groups using the Westell–Quaas model in which base animals with unknown pedigree were allocated to groups based on their flock of origin if there were sufficient ‘expressions’ for the flock, or to one of four broad sheep-type groups otherwise (Ultra/Superfine, Fine/Fine-medium, Medium/Strong, or unknown). Linear models including genetic groups and additive genetic breeding values as random effects were used to estimate variance components for 12 traits: yearling greasy and clean fleece weight (ygfw and ycfw), yearling mean and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (yfd and ydcv), yearling staple length and staple strength (ysl and yss), yearling fibre curvature (ycuv), yearling body wrinkle (ybdwr), post-weaning weight (pwt), muscle (pemd) and fat depth (pfat), and post-weaning worm egg count (pwec). For the majority of traits, the genetic group variance ranged from approximately equal to two times larger than the additive genetic (within group) variance. The exceptions were pfat and ydcv where the genetic group to additive variance ratios were 0.58 and 0.22, respectively, and pwec and yss where there was no variation between genetic groups. Genetic group correlations between traits were generally the same sign as corresponding additive genetic correlations, but were stronger in magnitude (either more positive or more negative). These large differences between genetic groups have long been exploited by Merino ram breeders, to the extent that the animals in the present study represent a significantly admixed population of the founding groups. The relativities observed between genetic group and additive genetic variance components in this study can be used to refine the models used to estimate breeding values for the Australian Merino industry.

Bibliography : leaves 120-133. Defines the sources of reproductive wastage in FecB FecÊ Booroola Merino x South Australian Merino ewes and examines factors associated with the survival of embryos, fetuses and lambs with the aim of improving net reproduction efficiency. Experiments were conducted to define the problem; to examine factors affecting embryonic and fetal loss; and, to investigate factors influencing wastage at lambing.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reproduction and robustness traits are integral in ensuring sustainable, efficient and profitable sheep farming. Increases in genetic gain of reproduction and robustness traits are however, hampered by low heritability coupled with the difficulty in quantification of these traits for traditional selective breeding strategies. The aim of the current study was therefore to identify genomic regions underlying variation in reproduction traits and elucidate quantitative trait loci (QTL) and/or genes associated with reproductive traits. The Elsenburg Merino flock has been divergently selected for the ability to raise multiple offspring and has resulted in a High and a Low line that differ markedly with regard to reproductive output and other robustness traits. The flock thus served as an ideal platform to identify genomic regions subject to selection for reproductive traits. To pinpoint genomic regions subject to selection, a whole-genome genotyping platform, the OvineSNP50 chip, was selected to determine the genotype of more than 50 000 SNPs spread evenly across the ovine genome. The utility of the OvineSNP50 chip was determined for the Elsenburg Merino flock as well as additional South African Merino samples and three other important South African sheep breeds, the Blackheaded Dorper, South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and the Namaqua Afrikaner. Although genotyping analysis of the Elsenburg Merino flock indicated some signs of poor genotype quality, the overall utility of the genotype data were successfully demonstrated for the South African Merino and the other two commercial breeds, the Dorper and SAMM. Genotyping results of the Namaqua Afrikaner and possibly other indigenous African breeds may be influenced by SNP ascertainment bias due to the limited number of indigenous African breeds used during SNP discovery. Analysis of pedigree, phenotypic records and SNP genotype data of the Elsenburg Merino cohort used in the current study, confirmed that the lines are phenotypically as well as genetically distinct. Numerous putative genomic regions subject to selection were identified by either an FST outlier approach or a genomic scan for regions of homozygosity (ROH) in the High and Low lines. Although annotated genes with putative roles in reproduction were identified, the exact mechanism of involvement with variation in reproduction traits could not be determined for all regions and genes. Putative ROH overlapped with QTL for several reproduction, milk, production and parasite resistance traits, and sheds some light on the possible function of these regions. The overlap between QTL for production and parasite resistance with putative ROH may indicate that several, seemingly unrelated traits add to the net-reproduction and may have been indirectly selected in the Elsenburg Merino flock. A SNP genotyping panel based solely on reproduction traits may therefore be ineffective to capture the variation in all traits influencing reproduction and robustness traits. A holistic selection strategy taking several important traits, such as robustness, reproduction and production into account may as such be a more effective strategy to breed animals with the ability to produce and reproduce more efficiently and thereby ensure profitable and sustainable sheep farming in South Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Reproduksie- en gehardheids-eienskappe is noodsaaklik om volhoubare, doeltreffende en winsgewende skaapboerdery te verseker. ‘n Toename in genetiese vordering in reproduksie- en gehardheids-eienskappe word egter bemoeilik deur lae oorerflikhede tesame met die probleme in kwantifisering van hierdie eienskappe vir tradisionele selektiewe diereteelt strategieë. Die doel van die huidige studie was dus om gebiede in die genoom onderliggend tot variasie in reproduksie-eienskappe te identifiseer en die rol van verwante kwantitatiewe eienskap loki (KEL) en/of gene met reproduktiewe eienskappe te bepaal. Die Elsenburg Merinokudde is uiteenlopend geselekteer vir die vermoë om meerlinge groot te maak en het gelei tot 'n Hoë en 'n Lae lyn wat merkbaar verskil ten opsigte van reproduksie-uitsette en ander gehardheids-eienskappe. Die kudde het dus gedien as 'n ideale platform om genomiese areas onderhewig aan seleksie vir reproduksie-eienskappe te identifiseer. Om vas te stel waar genomiese areas onderhewig aan seleksie gevind kan word, is ‘n heel-genoom genotiperingsplatform, die OvineSNP50 skyfie, gekies om die genotipes van meer as 50 000 enkel nukleotied polimorfismes (ENPs) eweredig versprei oor die skaap genoom, te bepaal. Die nut van die OvineSNP50 skyfie is bepaal vir die Elsenburg Merinokudde sowel as addisionele Suid-Afrikaanse Merinos en drie ander belangrike Suid-Afrikaanse skaaprasse, die Swartkop Dorper, Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino (SAVM) en die Namakwa Afrikaner. Hoewel genotipe resultate van die Elsenburg Merino kudde sommige tekens van swak genotipe gehalte getoon het, kon die algehele nut van die genotipering resultate vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Merino en die ander twee kommersiële rasse, die Dorper en SAVM, bevestig word. Genotipering resultate van die Namakwa Afrikaner en moontlik ook ander inheemse Afrika rasse kan deur ENP vasstellingspartydigheid beïnvloed word as gevolg van die beperkte aantal inheemse Afrika rasse gebruik tydens ENP ontdekking. Ontleding van stamboom inligting, fenotipe rekords en ENP genotipe data van die Elsenburg Merino-kohort gebruik in die huidige studie, het bevestig dat die lyne fenotipies asook geneties verskil. Talle vermeende genomiese areas onderhewig aan seleksie is geïdentifiseer deur 'n FST uitskieter benadering of deur ‘n genomiese skandering vir gebiede van homogositeit (GVH) in die Hoë en Lae lyne. Hoewel geannoteerde gene met potensiële rolle in reproduksie geïdentifiseer is, kan die presiese meganisme van betrokkenheid by variasie in reproduksie-eienskappe nie bevestig word vir al die gebiede en gene nie. Vermeende GVH oorvleuel met KEL vir 'n paar reproduksie-, melk-, produksie- en parasietweerstand-eienskappe, en werp daarom lig op die moontlike funksie van hierdie gebiede. Die oorvleueling tussen KEL vir produksie en parasietweerstand met vermeende GVH kan daarop dui dat 'n hele paar, skynbaar onverwante, eienskappe bydrae tot net-reproduksie, wat indirek geselekteer mag wees in die Elsenburg Merino-kudde. ‘n ENP genotiperingspaneel uitsluitlik gebaseer op reproduksie-eienskappe mag daarom onvoldoende wees om die variasie in alle eienskappe wat betrekking het op reproduksie- en gehardheids-eienskappe, in te sluit. ‘n Holistiese seleksie strategie wat verskeie belangrike eienskappe, soos gehardheid, reproduksie en produksie in ag neem, mag ‘n meer effektiewe strategie wees om diere te teel met die vermoë om in 'n meer doeltreffende manier te produseer en reproduseer en om daardeur winsgewende en volhoubare skaapboerdery in Suid-Afrika te verseker.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The application of assisted reproductive biotechnologies in sheep flocks is hampered by the susceptability of ovine sperm to cryodamage. There is still considerable scope in the improvement of cryopreservation protocols for ovine sperm to minimize the degree of damage to sperm during the cryopreservation process. Pre-cryopreservation processing has a definite effect on the survivability, motility, and fertilizing ability of sperm. Little information is however available on the potential contribution of the genetic make-up of rams, divergently selected for fecundity, on the ability of sperm to offer resistance to the damage caused by cooling, cryopreservation and thawing. The study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic selection for prolificacy (i.e. High Merino Line and Low Merino Line in terms of fecundity) on the ability of ovine sperm to offer resistance to cryodamage. The study investigated the effect of pre-cryopreservation processing by comparing motility and morphometry traits recorded for fresh- and post-thaw Merino ejaculated and epididymal sperm samples obtained form the High and Low lines, respectively. The effect of different sperm concentrations, equilibration periods and the addition or omission of seminal plasma from cryopreserved samples on the viability and morphometrical traits were also investigated. Ejaculate samples were collected by means of the artificial vagina (AV) method from 8 High Line rams and 7 Low Line rams. Epididymal samples were collected from 6 rams of each of the High and Low lines respectively, by recovering the epididymal sperm via aspiration from the cauda epididymides post mortem. Ejaculate samples were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, and epididymal samples only to microscopic evaluation, for which the Sperm Class Analyzer® program was used for the evaluation of motility and morphometric measurements. Sperm motility recordings were captured at 100 frames per second. From findings of the study, it was concluded that genotype had no positive influence on the conception rate of the ewes mated to the High or Low Line rams, even though the rams from the two lines differed significantly in terms of their serving capacity. When sperm morphometry was evaluated for fresh ejaculate samples, the two lines differed significantly in terms of the morphometric traits elongation and ellipticity. Epididymal and ejaculated sperm obtained from Low Line rams had broader and rounder heads, compared to sperm obtained from High Line rams. When morphometry was assessed for sperm samples between the two methods of sperm recovery (collected with an AV or recovery via aspiration from the cauda epididymides of sacrificed rams), no morphometrical differences were observed. Significant differences were reported for the majority of the sperm motility traits (i.e. percentage motile, rapid-, medium-, slow swimming, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and amplitude of the lateral head displacement (ALH)) recorded for ejaculated and epididymal sperm. The motility traits ALH and beat-cross frequency (BCF) analysed for epididymal sperm differed significantly between the two lines. When epididymal sperm were evaluated post-thaw, it became evident that the sperm obtained from the High Line rams had a larger acrosome surface cover when compared to that of the Low Line ram sperm. The addition of seminal plasma to epididymal samples did not result in an improvement of the preservation of sperm motility. It is known from the literature that cryopreservation causes a decrease in sperm head size. Head width was unaffected by cryopreservation with the addition of seminal plasma in this study, indicating a potential benefit with the use of seminal plasma in the cryopreservation protocol of epididymal ram sperm. The study compared two pre-processing techniques, i.e. the more time consuming swim-up technique (SUT) with a more time-efficient ‘flush technique’ (FT) to optimize the pre-processing protocol for motility assessment of sperm samples before cryopreservation of ram sperm. Comparison of the SUT and FT indicated that almost all of the motility parameters measured using the FT compared favourably with those obtained using the SUT. The results indicated that the FT can be used a more time-efficient technique to use for determining the motility of a sperm sample prior to cryopreservation. In conclusion, line differences associated with reproduction were observed in terms of the serving capacity of the rams, with selection for fecundity influencing the morphometric traits elongation and ellipticity for sperm obtained from the two lines. Future studies should be aimed at investigating morphometric traits of ovine sperm, to correlate it with fertilizing ability of sperm post-thaw and ensure optimal cryopreservation processing.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toepassing van ondersteunende reproduksie tegnieke in skaaptroppe word bemoeilik deur die onvermoë van ram sperme om weerstand teen bevriesingskade te bied. Daar is nog baie ruimte vir die verbetering van die bevriesingsprotokolle vir skaap sperm om die omvang van bevriesingskade te verminder. Voor-bevriesing verwerking het dan 'n besliste uitwerking op die oorlewing, beweeglikheid en bevrugtingsvermoë, van skaap sperme. Min inligting is beskikbaar oor die potensiële bydrae van die genetiese samestelling van ramme wat uiteenlopend op grond van vrugbaarheid geselekteer is, op die vermoë van skaap sperme om weerstand te bied teen die skade wat deur verkoeling, diepbevriesing en ontdooiing, veroorsaak word. Die doelwit van die studie was om die invloed van genetiese seleksie vir fekunditeit (d.i. Hoë Merino Lyn en Lae Merino Lyn in terme van fekunditeit) op die vermoë van skaap sperme om weerstand teen bevriesingskade te bied, te ondersoek. Die studie het getoets wat die bevriesing proses se effek op epididimale sperme is, deur sperm motiliteit en -morfometrie te vergelyk tussen vars gekollekteerde sperme en sperm monsters na ontdooiing. Die effek van verskillende sperm konsentrasies, ekwilibrasie tydperke en die byvoeging of uitsluiting van seminale plasma op die lewensvatbaarheid en morfometriese eienskappe van Merino ramsperme is ondersoek in die studie. Geëjakuleerde monsters is versamel met behulp van 'n kunsmatige vagina (AV) van 8 Hoë Lyn en 7 Lae Lyn ramme. Epididimale monsters is verkry van 6 ramme van elk van die Hoë en Lae Lyne, deur middel van aspirasie van die sperme uit die cauda epididimii nadoods. Geëjakuleerde sperm monsters is met behulp van makroskopiese en mikroskopiese metodes geëvalueer, en epididimale sperm monsters slegs mikroskopies geëvalueer, met behulp van die Sperm Class Analyzer® program wat vir die evaluasie van beweeglikheid en morfometriese afmetings gebruik is. Sperm beweeglikheids opnames is opgeneem teen 100 raampies per sekonde. Die resultate van die studie het aangedui dat genotipe geen effek het op besetting van die ooie gepaar met die Hoë of Lae Lyn ramme gehad het nie, terwyl die dekvermoë aansienlik tussen ramme van die twee lyne verskil het. Wanneer die morfometriese eienskappe van vars geëjakuleerde sperme vergelyk was, het die lyne beduidend in terme van die morfometriese eienskappe van verlenging (elongation) en elliptisiteit verskil het. Die epididimale en geëjakuleerde sperme verkry vanaf die Lae Lyn ramme het ʼn breër en ronder kopvorm getoon as sperme wat verkry is van die Hoë Lyn ramme. Wanneer die morfometriese eienskappe van sperme versamel met die twee verskillende metodes (d.i. kunsmatige vagina of aspirasie vanuit die cauda epididimides) vergelyk was, is geen morfometriese verskille waargeneem nie. Die meeste sperm beweeglikheidseienskappe (d.i. persentasie beweeglike, vinnig-, medium- en stadig-swemmende sperme, VCL, VSL, VAP en ALH) van geëjakuleerde en epididimale sperme het verskil. Die beweeglikheidseienskappe amplitude van die laterale verplasing van die spermkop (ALH) en frekwensie waarmee sperm sy eie pad kruis (BCF), soos bepaal vir epididimale sperme, het beduidend tussen die twee lyne verskil. Met die evaluering van epididimale sperme na ontdooiing was dit duidelik dat sperme verkry van die Hoë Lyn ramme 'n groter mate van akrosoom-oppervlak gehad het, in vergelyking met sperme van die Lae Lyn ramme. Die byvoeging van seminale plasma by epididimale monsters het nie bygedra tot 'n verbetering van spermbeweeglikheid nie. Bestaande literatuur dui aan dat diepbevriesing 'n afname in die kopgrootte van sperme veroorsaak. In hierdie studie het die byvoeging van seminale plasma ʼn verandering in kopgrootte voorkom, wat dui op ʼn potensiële voordeel om seminale plasma in die bevriesingsprotokol van epididimale ramsperme in te sluit. Die studie het twee beweeglikheid bepalingstegnieke vergelyk om te bepaal of die tydrowende “opswem” tegniek (SUT) vervang kan word met 'n meer tyd-doeltreffende "spoel tegniek” (FT) in die voorbevriesing verwerking protokolle van ram sperme. Vergelyking van die twee tegnieke het aangedui dat die meeste van die kinematiese eienskappe van die FT gunstig met die waardes soos verkry met die SUT, vergelyk het. Resultate het getoon dat die FT parameters goed vergelyk met die beweeglikheid parameters van die SUT, dus kan dit aangeneem word dat die FT ʼn meer tyd-doeltreffende tegniek is wat vergelykbare sperm beweeglikheidsinligting oor skaap sperm monsters voor bevriesing sal verskaf. In samevatting is verskille in terme van die dekvermoë en op morfometriese vlak, meer spesifiek die eienskappe van verlenging (elongation) en elliptisiteit, tussen die twee lyne waargeneem. In toekomstige studies moet die morfometriese eienskappe van skaapsperme verder bestudeer word, asook die korrelasie daarvan met die bevrugtingsvermoë na ontdooiing bepaal om sodoende die diepbevriesing protokolle van skaapsperme te optimaliseer.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Genetic (co)variances for body weight, clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were estimated for the South African Dohne Merino using data transformed as proportions of contemporary group means. The data analysed included body weight, clean fleece weight and fibre diameter records for 282 513 animals, evaluated between 1992 and 2011. There were 5 698 sires, 105 886 dams and 6 291 contemporary groups in the data. A three-trait animal model was fitted, where the random variables were the direct additive genetic effects, as well as the sire-flock-season (SFS) interaction, while the fixed effects included contemporary groups (FYSSM) (6 291 classes), birth status (single, twins or triplets), age of dam (1 to 3 years), which was plotted as a linear regression as well as age at performance measurement, which was fitted as a polynomial. The direct heritability estimates (SE) for body weight, clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were 0.265 (0.005), 0.210 (0.004) and 0.437 (0.005), respectively. Genetic correlations for body weight with clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were 0.035 (0.015) and 0.139 (0.011), respectively, while the genetic correlation between clean fleece weight and fibre diameter was 0.169 (0.012). Body weight had phenotypic correlations of 0.327 (0.002) and 0.150 (0.002), respectively, with clean fleece weight and fibre diameter, which had a phenotypic correlation of 0.190 (0.002) with clean fleece weight. The moderate to high heritability estimates suggests that there is substantial genetic variation, which may result in genetic improvement if selection is applied on these traits. Genetic correlations were generally low, suggesting that progress in all these traits was possible in a scientific selection program. Genetic trends derived during the study supported the contention that genetic progress in all traits was attainable in a well-constructed breeding programme. Transformation of the data to percentages of contemporary groups resulted in adjustments to breeding values. The breeding values for sires originating from flocks maintained in limiting environments (Low group; 180 sires) were adjusted upwards, while those of sires originating from a non-limiting production environment (High group; 146 sires) were adjusted downwards. These effects were markedly obvious for the quantitative traits (body weight and clean fleece weight), but to a much lesser extent for fibre diameter. This transformation resulted in the genetic trends for the Low groups being adjusted to be comparable to those in the High group for body weight and Fibre diameter. It was concluded that sire breeding values derived from transformed data would be more robust across the typical diverse environments supporting local Dohne Merino production. The genetic value of animals entering the recorded population from a commercial base (F4 animals) was below the fully recorded part of the population. The inclusion of phantom parent groups in the genetic analysis rendered genetic trends in F4 animals comparable to that of the pedigreed portion of animals in the analyses. It was concluded that animals from a commercial base (which are alleged to have advantages in terms of fitness and robustness) were more likely to perform satisfactorily for selection with the inclusion of phantom groups than without it. It was recommended that data in the national Dohne Merino analysis be transformed proportion of contemporary group means to account for heterogeneous contemporary group variances. Phantom parent groups should also be applied to the analysis to increase the probability of those animals entering the breeding flock from a commercial base being selected.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Genetiese kovariansies vir liggaamgewig, skoonvaggewig en veseldikte is vir die SA Dohne Merino bevolking in Suid-Afrika beraam nadat data getransformeer as ‘n proporsie van die kontemporêre groep gemiddelddes uitgedruk is. Die data het rekords in van liggaamsgewig, skoonvaggewig en veseldikte van 282 513 diere oor die tydperk van 1992 tot 2011 ingesluit. Die data sluit rekords van 5 698 vaars, 105 886 moers en 6 291 kontemporêre groepe in. 'n Meer-eienskapdieremodel met 'n additiewe diere-effekte sowel as 'n vaar-kudde-seisoen (SFS) interaksie is as ewekansige effekte gemodelleer, bykomstig tot die vaste effekte van kontemporêre groep (FYSSM) (6 291 klasse), geboortestatus (enkelling, tweeling of drieling), ouderdom van moer (1 tot 3 jaar) gepas as 'n lineêre regressive, sowel as ouderdom by prestasie meting as ‘n polinoom gepas. Die beraamde direkte oorerflikheid (SF) van liggaamgewig, skoonvaggewig en veseldikte van die meereienskap dieremodel was onderskeidelik 0,265 (0,005), 0,210 (0,004) en 0,437 (0,005). Die genetiese korrelasies van liggaamsgewig met skoonvaggewig en veseldikte was 0,035 (0.015) en 0,139 (0.011) onderskeidelik, terwyl die genetiese korrelasie tussen skoonvaggewig en veseldikte 0,169 (0.012) beloop het. Liggaamsgewig het onderskeie fenotipiese korrelasies van 0,327 (0.002) en 0.150 (0.002) met skoonvaggewig en veseldikte gehad, terwyl skoonvaggewig ‘n fenotipiese korrelasie van 0.190 (0.002) met veseldikte gehad het. Die medium tot hoë oorerflikheidhede dui daarop dat daar aansienlike genetiese variasie voorkom, wat kan aanleiding gee tot genetiese vordering as seleksie op die eienskappe toegepas word. Genetiese korrelasies was oor die algemeen laag wat daarop dui dat vordering in al die eienskappe deur ‘n wetenskaplike seleksie program moontlik is. Die aanspraak is deur genetiese tendense in die studie bevestig. Die transformasie van data na proporsies van kontemporêre groep gemiddeldes het daartoe gelei dat teelwaardes aangepas word. Die teelwaardes van vaars uit kuddes met ‘n omgewing wat beperk word (Lae groep:180 vaars), is opwaarts aangepas. Daarenteen is vaars uit 'n nie-beperkende produksie omgewing (Hoë groep:146 vaars) se teelwaardes afwaarts aangepas. Hierdie effekte was veral ooglopend vir die kwantitatiewe eienskappe, liggaamgewig en skoonvaggewig, maar tot 'n mindere mate vir veseldikte. Die transformasie het daartoe gelei dat die genetiese tendense for die Lae groep aangepas word om vergelykbaar te wees met die Hoë groep vir liggaamsgewig en skoonvaggewig. Die gevolgtrekking was gemaak dat meer toepaslike vaar teelwaardes, bereken vanaf getransformeerde data, verkry word vir regoor die diverse omgewings wat produksie van plaaslike Dohne Merinos ondersteun. Die genetiese waarde van diere wat die aangetekende populasie uit ‘n kommersiële agtergrond (F4 diere) binnekom was laer as die volledig aangetekende gedeelte van die populasie. Die insluiting van skimgroepe in die genetiese ontleding het tot genetiese tendense gelei wat die F4 diere vergelykbaar gemaak het met diere in die ontleding wat wel stamboekinligting het. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat diere van ‘n kommersiële agtergrond (wat aanvaar word om voordele in te hou in terme van fiksheid en robuustheid) meer geredelik geselekteer sal word vir die stoet met die insluiting van skimgroepe as daarsonder. Dit word aanbeveel dat die data in die Nasionale Dohne Merino na proporsies van die kontemporêre groepgemiddeldes getrensformeer word om vir heterogene kontemporêre groep variansies voorsiening te maak. Skimgroepe moet ook gepas word in die ontleding om die waarskynlikheid te verhoog dat diere vanuit 'n kommersiële basis, ook geselekteer sal word.

Bibliography: leaves 325-341. Skin and fleece measurements were recorded at different ages for both male and female sheep from the Turretfield Merino Resource Flock and used to estimate the heritability of each trait and the phenotypic and genetic correlations among and between the skin and fleece traits. Generally, the heritability of each trait was high, which indicates that both the fleece and skin traits should respond well to selection.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 325-341).
xxvii, 341 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Skin and fleece measurements were recorded at different ages for both male and female sheep from the Turretfield Merino Resource Flock and used to estimate the heritability of each trait and the phenotypic and genetic correlations among and between the skin and fleece traits. Generally, the heritability of each trait was high, which indicates that both the fleece and skin traits should respond well to selection.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 2001

The Elsenburg Merino flock has been divergently selected for the ability of ewes to rear multiple offspring since 1986. Updated genetic trends for reproduction are reported for the Elsenburg Merino resource flock. The objective was to determine whether genetic trends estimated previously for the Elsenburg Merino Resource flock changed significantly with the introduction of genetic material from the industry to the high (H) line. All analyses included the full pedigree file, consisting of 6547 individuals. Heritability estimates were 0.08 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and 0.11 ± 0.02 for corrected weight of lamb weaned. The ewe permanent environment variance was estimated at 0.09 ± 0.02 and 0.11 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and for corrected weight of lamb weaned, respectively. Genetic trends for the H and low (L) lines were divergent (P < 0.05) for all reproduction traits during the period prior to the observed breakpoints. Progress for number of lambs weaned in the H line stabilised after 1999 while a decline in response for weight of lamb weaned in the H line occurred after 2003. The change points may result from reduced selection intensity during the formation of reciprocal crossbred lines, or the introduction of unrelated industry sires in the H line. The pedigree was analysed and inbreeding trends computed for the H and L lines with the aim to test the significance of inbreeding within the lines. The software packages used for the statistical analyses were ENDOG v4.8 and POPREP web analysis software. The average inbreeding coefficients (F) were 1.47% and 0.73% for the divergently selected H and L lines. The rate of inbreeding (ΔF) per generation was 0.5% for the H line and 0.6% in the L line. The overall rates of inbreeding per generation were different in the H and L lines but within acceptable levels. The L line, however, showed an unwanted recent increase in inbreeding that will need to be considered in future. Since 2003, part of the Elsenburg Merino breeding flock was subjected to structured reciprocal within-breed crossing. Lamb survival traits and ewe reproductive performance of purebred (H and L) and reciprocal crosses (HxL and LxH) were evaluated using least squares analyses. Levels of heterosis were also assessed. The mean survival of the two crossbred lines was notably superior to the midparent value in absolute terms, although the contrast did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.098). Further research is required to establish whether this within breed heterosis for lamb survival can be exploited to decrease lamb losses. Reproduction, number of lambs born (NLB) and number of lambs weaned (NLW) in the H line was higher than in the L line (P < 0.05) while the two crossbred lines were intermediate and different from both the H line and the L line (P < 0.05) from the analyses of annual reproduction and overall “lifetime” reproduction across three lambing opportunities. Individual heterosis for annual reproduction was estimated at 2.2% for NLB, 13.8% for NLW and 8.5% for corrected weight of lamb weaned (TWW), with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Corresponding estimates for total production over three lambing opportunities were 8.7% for TNLB, 19.1% for TNLW and 13.8% for TTWW, with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Ten RAPD markers were used to study molecular divergence between the H and L lines. Phenotypic data on the lifetime reproduction of ewes born in 1999 and 2000 indicated that reproduction in the H line ewes was markedly higher than that of L line contemporaries (P < 0.01). The RAPD assay, conducted on 15 ewes from each line, used eight primers and produced 87% polymorphic loci. The mean coefficient of genetic differentiation between lines (Gst) was estimated to be 0.25. In conclusion, the H and L lines were shown to be divergent for genetic trends and levels of inbreeding. The derived estimates of heterosis may also be used to infer divergence between the lines and significant molecular divergence proven using RAPD assays.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Orientação: João Cannas da Silva; co-orientação: João Diogo Pereira
Os fatores que influenciam a reprodução em ovinos trata-se de um tema de tamanha importância em Medicina Veterinária, que, com o passar do tempo tem sido dada mais ênfase, com o intuito de melhorar o índice reprodutivo de uma forma positiva em ovinos. Os pontos mais importantes para o sucesso reprodutivo são, o conhecimento da fisiologia reprodutiva tanto da fêmea como do macho, técnicas de sincronização de cios, saber dirigir um bom exame andrológico em machos, nutrição e também não menos importantes partos distócicos. Pretendeu-se com este trabalho identificar pontos-chave do foro reprodutivo, com o intuito de se proceder a alterações simples nas explorações que podem fazer toda a diferença no sucesso reprodutivo, tendo em conta que a produção animal cresce de dia para dia e não se justifica existir tantas falhas a nível reprodutivo. Foram descritos três casos clínicos relacionados com o tema, todos eles acompanhados no estágio curricular. Foi realizada uma apresentação e valorização da raça Merino da Beira baixa, visto esta ser uma raça autóctone, valorizando o que temos de bom no nosso país, não deixando cair em esquecimento, uma raça que está em vias de extinção.
The factors that influence the reproduction in sheep it is a topic of such importance in veterinary medicine, as time is going, more emphasis has been given to this theme, in order to improve a positive way the reproductive index in sheep. Important points in the influence of reproductive success were considered, the knowledge of the reproductive physiology of both the female and the male, techniques of heat synchronization, knowing how to direct a good andrological examination in males, nutrition and also not less important dystocic births. The aim of this work was to identify key points about the theme of reproduction, to allowed simple changes in farms that can make all the difference in reproductive success, considering that animal production its growing day by day and that does not justified the amount of failures at reproductive level. There were described three clinical cases related to the theme, where all of them were carried out at professional internship. There was also a presentation and recognition of Merino breed from Beira Baixa, as it is an autochthonous breed, thus valuing what is good in our country, not letting it fall into forgetfulness, as it is a breed that is on the verge of extinction.

Sheep Farming for Meat and Wool contains practical, up-to-date information on sheep production and management for producers throughout temperate Australia. It is based on research and extension projects conducted over many years by the Department of Primary Industries and its predecessors and the University of Melbourne. The book covers business management, pasture growth and management, nutrition and feed management, drought management, reproductive management, disease management, genetic improvement, animal welfare and working dog health. It also gives seasonal reminders for a spring lambing wool-producing flock, for autumn lambing Merino ewes joined to Border Leicester rams, and for winter lambing crossbred ewes joined to terminal sires. It will guide new and established farmers, students of agriculture and service providers with detailed information on the why and how of sheep production, and will assist farmer groups to initiate activities aimed at increasing their efficiency in specific areas of sheep production.

Reproductive wastage is a major economic burden in sheep production globally, especially within Australia as livestock production systems face increased pressure from climatic variability (e.g. prolonged droughts or flooding). Sheep are sensitive to acute changes in their environment such as heat stress, which if not adequately monitored will result in significant production losses such as reproductive failure, increased parasite and worm burden, morbidity and mortality risks. Through basic and applied research in the areas of stress and reproductive physiology our team has made significant advancements in the understanding of sheep behaviour and physiological responses to acute and chronic stressors. Using minimally invasive hormone monitoring technology in combination with field based assessment of sheep health and productivity traits, our team has delivered new knowledge on how sheep react to acute environmental stress and how it impacts on sheep reproduction. In this chapter, we evaluated the fertility rates and embryo quality of Merino ewes under AI breeding program. We discuss factors such as heat stress that can impact on ewe and offspring quality.

This chapter examines the fraught attempts to acclimatize Spanish merino sheep in Britain in the early nineteenth century. Proponents of the merino were motivated by the commercial value of merino wool, which is and was exceptionally fine, but the debate over the merino’s place in Britain ultimately came down to its flesh. The breed’s opponents argued that merino mutton was inferior to that of British breeds like the New Leicester, and further that the fineness of merino wool was dependent upon Spain’s climate and environment. The long and acrimonious controversy which attended the merino’s attempted naturalization in Great Britain revealed the degree to which competing understandings of the relative influence of climate or environment and anthropogenic selection in sheep-breeding unsettled the very category of breed itself. Ultimately, attempts to acclimatize merino sheep in Britain failed, as its wool (although finer than that of “native” British breeds) grew coarser under Britain’s damper climate, and its leaner carcass offended the proud palates of British diners.

Succeeding phases of British economic growth prompted strikingly different imperatives for expansion, for natural resource exploitation, and for the social organization of extra-European production. In the eighteenth century, sugar, African slaves, and shipping in the Atlantic world provided one major dynamic of empire. But in the nineteenth century, antipodean settlement and trade, especially that resulting from expanding settler pastoral frontiers, was responsible for some of the most dramatic social and environmental transformations. Plantations occupied relatively little space in the new social geography of world production. By contrast, commercial pastoralism, which took root most energetically in the temperate and semi-arid regions of the newly conquered world, was land-hungry but relatively light in its demands for labour. The Spanish Empire based in Mexico can be considered a forerunner. By the 1580s, within fifty years of their introduction, there were an estimated 4.5 million merino sheep in the Mexican highlands. The livestock economy, incorporating cattle as well as sheep, spread northwards through Mexico to what became California by the eighteenth century. Settler intrusions followed in the vast landmasses of southern Latin America, southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Australia was one of the last-invaded of these territories, and, in respect of the issues that we are exploring, was in some senses distinctive. Unlike Canada and South Africa, there was no long, slow period of trade and interaction with the indigenous population; like the Caribbean, the Aboriginal people were quickly displaced by disease and conquest. The relative scale of the pastoral economy was greater than in any other British colony. Supply of meat and dairy products to rapidly growing ports and urban centres was one priority for livestock farmers. Cattle ranching remained a major feature of livestock production in Australia. Bullock-carts, not dissimilar to South African ox-wagons, were essential for Australian transport up to the 1870s. But for well over a century, from the 1820s to the 1950s and beyond, sheep flooded the southern lands. Although mutton became a significant export from New Zealand and South America, wool was probably the major product of these pastoral hinterlands—and a key focus of production in Australia and South Africa. The growth in antipodean sheep numbers was staggering.

The purposes of this project were: 1) to introduce the FecB gene to the Awassi and Assaf breeds in Israel and the Rambouillet breed in the U.S.A. aiming in the long run to establish Awassi, Assaf and Rambouillet nucclei breeding flocks homozygous for the F gene in which the contribution of the Booroola Merino genetic background will be less than 10%; (In the U.S., Booroola crosses with Suffolk and Targhee were also studied. 2) to evaluate the effect of the FecB gene and different proportions of Booroola Merino genetic background on lamb survival, growth, milk production and wool production in Booroola crosses with the native breeds; 3) to reveal the specific effect of the FecB gene on ovarian development, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin secretion in prepubertal ewe lambs and in adult ewes in order to define physiological criteria for distinguishing carriers of the FecB allele from non-carriers and 4) to identify genetic markers linked to the FecB gene to assist in selection of genotypes within the Booroola crosses. Introgression of the Booroola gene reached the stage of the third backcross in the Awassi, Assaf and the Rambouillet crosses. In all cases the Booroola crosses were superior in prolificacy. However, they were inferior in comparison to the local breeds in production due to Booroola Merino genes other than the FecB. It is expected that the beneficial economic contribution of the Booroola gene will increase along with the upgrading to the local breeds. FSH plasma levels and induced ovulation rate of 5 month old FecB carriers among the crossbreeds. The OarAE101 marker can assist in detecting FecB carriers among Booroola-Awassi crosses. However, this marker is informative only in some of the families.