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Puberal Estrus and Ovulation and Subsequent Estrous Cycle Patterns in the Ewe¹

Utah State University, Logan

Abstract

The increased emphasis being placed on accelerated lamb production points up the need for a better understanding of the phenomena associated with reproductive processes including puberty.

McKenzie and Phillips (1930) reported a mean age of 213 days at first estrus in Hampshire ewes. They also found that the first estrus in ewe lambs occurred later in the breeding season than it did in mature ewes.

Hafez (1952) found that the duration of the breeding season for ewe lambs was one-third to one-half that of mature ewes of the same breed. He also reported that older lambs, or younger lambs with higher growth rates experienced more estrous cycles of normal length than the average. Hafez (1952) and also Joubert (1962) reported that lambs born earlier in the season reached puberty at an older age than those born later in the season.

McKenzie and Terrill (1937) classified ovulation rate according to three age groups of ewes.

¹ Published as Paper No. 795 from the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Logan. Appreciation is expressed to Ronald Williams for assistance in collection of data.