Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
16 t h International Congress on Animal <strong>Reproduction</strong><br />
Poster Abstracts 209<br />
P549<br />
Effects of husbandry practices and animal welfare on<br />
reproductive <strong>in</strong>dicators <strong>in</strong> sheep<br />
Veksler Hess, J.*; Schuh, A.; Coppola, M.; Decam<strong>in</strong>ada, E.; Miralles, M.;<br />
Ghirardi, M.<br />
Department of Veter<strong>in</strong>ary Sciences; University of Buenos Aires. Buenos<br />
Aires. Argent<strong>in</strong>a<br />
With the purpose of evaluat<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>fluence of husbandry practices<br />
and animal welfare on reproductive <strong>in</strong>dicators <strong>in</strong> sheep we <strong>de</strong>term<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
the impact of both factors on a Romney Marsh pure- breed flock <strong>in</strong> a<br />
farm <strong>in</strong> “General Lavalle”, Buenos Aires, <strong>in</strong> a region known as<br />
“Cuenca <strong>de</strong>l Salado”. We evaluated the effects of two treatments (A<br />
and B) on a flock of 50 ewes (n=50) rang<strong>in</strong>g from 19-30 months of<br />
age, with a Body Score of 3.5 (Scale 1-5). Both treatments received<br />
the same sanitary and reproductive management, with natural service<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g 2% rams. In treatment A, husbandry practices followed the<br />
Animal Welfare regulations (Thirsty-free; hunger-free; comfortability,<br />
free of fear and stress). The diet dur<strong>in</strong>g the maximum requirement<br />
stages (mat<strong>in</strong>g, G2, milk<strong>in</strong>g) consisted of Lotus tenui, Trifolium<br />
repens and Lolium perenne.<br />
Treatment B differed from A <strong>in</strong> husbandry practices and nutritional<br />
management. This treatment not correspon<strong>de</strong>d with the University\'s<br />
animal welfare rules. The basic regulations of animal welfare were not<br />
followed (change of personnel, aggressive treatment of animals,<br />
<strong>in</strong>a<strong>de</strong>quate facilities and herd<strong>in</strong>g, etc.). In treatment B the diet<br />
consisted of a natural pasture composed primarily of Distichlis<br />
spicata, a gram<strong>in</strong>ea frequently found everywhere <strong>in</strong> Buenos Aires<br />
prov<strong>in</strong>ce, preferably <strong>in</strong> salty and humid soils, due to its sal<strong>in</strong>ity<br />
tolerance. Its nutritional value is acceptable but s<strong>in</strong>ce it is a small<br />
plant, its forrage offer is scarce. In treatment B the requirements of the<br />
different productive stages were not taken <strong>in</strong>to account and the ewes<br />
grazed always <strong>in</strong> the same paddocks.<br />
Method A resulted <strong>in</strong> 42 f<strong>in</strong>ished lambs (n=42) which represented<br />
113% lamb<strong>in</strong>g rate. Method B resulted <strong>in</strong> 35 lambs (n=35); 70%<br />
lamb<strong>in</strong>g rate.<br />
Significant differences were observed (p0.05) of the <strong>in</strong>itially normal follicles rema<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>tact after<br />
cryopreservation. But the proportions of the <strong>de</strong>generated follicles<br />
were significantly <strong>in</strong>creased after freez<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Conclusion Our results suggest that cryoprotective solution is toxic<br />
for the preantral follicles. Moreover, freez<strong>in</strong>g solution composed of<br />
PROH seems to be more adapted to the cryopreservation of bov<strong>in</strong>e<br />
ovarian tissue. Nevertheless, evaluation of such freez<strong>in</strong>g solution<br />
needs to be performed <strong>in</strong> a larger population. (Grant from Region<br />
Rhône-Alpes)