0
CVMA PROCEEDINGS
Management of
Reproduction of Sheep
Brian C. Buckrell
Theriogenology Section,
Department of Clinical Studies,
Ontario Veterinary College,
University of Guelph, Guelph,
Ontario NIG 2WI
Can Vet J 1987; 28: 374-377
Introduction
The properly trained veterinarian
is well suited to offer counsel to
sheep producers. In addition to coor-
dinating advice from engineers, nu-
tritionists, geneticists, and agricultural
specialists, the veterinarian is quali-
fied to monitor flock health/disease
and introduce programs to improve
and manipulate flock reproduction.
When offering counsel the veterinar-
ian must be made aware of the per-
sonal and production goals of the
individual producer with the intent
of reducing unnecessary waste and
increasing profits. Flock performance
records are essential to identify pro-
blems.
Breeding programs can be designed
to improve scheduling of labor and
use of facilities. Reproductive man-
agement can increase the lambs
weaned per ewe per year as well as
improve lamb marketing by increas-
ing production of lamb in the nontra-
ditional seasons.
Many flocks will benefit simply
through improvements in reproduc-
tive husbandry practices, such as the
selection of suitable breeds, improve-
ments in ram selection, and the use
of teaser rams. Well-managed flocks
will benefit further from hormonally
induced out-of-season breeding, syn-
chronized breeding/lambing, and preg-
nancy diagnosis. A few would bene-
fit from artificial insemination (Al)
or embryo transfer technology. In each
case, cost-effectiveness must be kept
in mind.
Breed Selection
A sound breeding program, chosen
with the long term goals of the pro-
ducer in mind, is based on a ewe
L tan vet
374
breed selected principally for repro-
ductive traits and a ram selected from
a breed know for production traits.
A variety of ewe breeds are avail-
able, each with different reproduc-
tive capabilities, and the potential to
improve flock performance. Exam-
ples of reproductive traits include ex-
tending breeding season (Dorset), early
onset of puberty (Finnish Landrace),
increased ovulation rate (Finnish
Landrace, Romanov), and environ-
mental suitability (Scottish Blackface)
(1).
New producers are often unaware
of, or lack the staying power for, the
long term gains made possible through
breed selection, and turn instead to
immediate, but more costly, short term
gains made through hormonal meth-
ods of manipulation of reproduction.
As a result we are in danger of los-
ing some breed attributes. For exam-
ple, the Dorset, a ewe breed with an
extended breeding season of great
value to producers, is being forced
to compete with ram breed traits (e.g.
Suffolk) in the show ring and at ram
testing stations where sheep receive
their highest profile. Accordingly,
breeders are selecting Dorsets for pro-
duction traits (e.g. rate of gain) in-
stead of extended seasonality and are
relying on hormones to produce out-
of-season lambs. The Dorset breed,
and in turn the sheep industry, will
lose this natural extended breeding
season if this practice continues.
Technology can be used to manip-
ulate a well-designed genetic pool but
should not be used as an alternative
for poor breed selection and man-
agement.
Ram Selection
More attention should be given to
ram selection. The reproductively su-
perior ram will breed more ewes,
which will have an improved first
service conception rate, a lower early
embryonic death rate, and an improved
lambing rate with fewer weak or un-
dersized lambs (1, 2). Producers some-
times forget that the ram contributes
50% of the genetic make-up of off-
spring, affecting not only production
traits (birth weight, average daily
gain), but as well reproductive traits
of potential flock replacements (se-
men production, ovulation rate, on-
set of puberty, seasonality).
A breeding soundness evaluation,
when possible, should include obser-
vation of libido, intromission, and so-
cial behavior. A ram with inferior
fertility may be socially dominant to
a reproductively superior ram and in-
terfere with its opportunity to breed.
Testicular palpation and measurement
can be used to estimate sperm pro-
duction potential, especially in year-
ling rams (3, 4). Scrotal circumference
is directly related to sperm concen-
tration in semen, sperm motility, per-
cent morphologically normal sperm,
first service conception rate, and
lambing rate (1, 3). Replacement ewes
from rams with above average testi-
cular measurements have higher ovu-
lation rates and reach puberty earlier
(5). As testicular size is inherent, rams
should be selected with all potential
benefits in mind (6). When measur-
ing testicles, consideration must be
given to breed, age, body weight,
and season; averages are available for
most breeds (7,8).
Infectious causes of ram infertility
are less commonly reported in cental
and eastern Canada than in western
range flocks (9). However, with in-
creased inter-provincial transport of
sheep, reproductive disease must al-
ways be considered. Venereally-
transmitted disease is associated with
reduced conception rates, early em-
bryonic death, mummified fetuses, re-
duced birth weight, and neonatal
survival (10).
Infectious epididymitis (Brucella
ovis, Actinobacillus seminus, Histo-
philus ovis) can be diagnosed in most
cases by careful palpation for abnor-
malities of the testicles and tails of
the epididymides (3, 10). Other ven-
eral diseases (e.g. Ureaplasma spp.)
are diagnosed with microbial cultures
of semen (1 1).
0m
can vI iI voiume ztj, Kit% o iune
OD imo. tio Ii7
liin IOA
 When possible, semen evaluation
should be used as the final measure
of reproductive potential or disease.
Semen parameter repeatability, espe-
cially when collected by electro-
ejaculation, can be low, so rams with
unsatisfactory ejaculates should be re-
collected and reevaluated. A com-
plete evaluation is recommended (pH,
concentration, motility, morphology,
admixed cells, microbial cultures)
however a simplified field assessment
is usually quite reliable to cull prob-
lem rams, when used in conjunction
with testicular palpation and measure-
ments. An inexpensive low-power
field microscope can be used to sub-
jectively assess concentration and mo-
tility (waves and eddies) and detect
the presence of neutrophils; rams with
inflammatory cells in semen are culled
(7). Semen can then be preserved in
buffered formalized saline or gluter-
aldehyde and transported to a labora-
tory for further analysis (Figure 1).
Use of Teaser Rams
Teaser rams are useful to advance the
breeding season, synchronize ewes,
History
Physcial examination
Libido
Social Behavior
Abnormal
Palpatio01on Testicles and Epididymides
cull
Abnormal
Cull
7Ooe
Undersized
Cull
0/
Repeat Semen Evalua3tion
Abnormal
Cull
L.L-
Figure 1. Ram breeding soundness evaluation.
II
Can Vet J Volume 28, No. 6 June 1987
and detect return to estrus in
nonpregnant ewes. Prior to being
surgically altered (vasectomy or epi-
didymectomy) rams should be care-
fully selected for libido and pre-
ferably chosen from breeds with an
extended breeding season (Dorset,
Finnish Landrace). Teasers will
breed ewes, and so should be free of
venereally-transmitted diseases.
Neutered males or ewes are suitable
teasers following three to five weekly
injections of 100 mg of testosterone
proprionate. Male activity will con-
tinue for five to eight weeks (12).
In order for the teaser to be effec-
tive, it must be suddenly introduced
to ewes that have not had ram con-
tact for at least four weeks. Only 48
hours of teasing is required to in-
crease serum leuteinizing hormone lev-
els in ewes. Response is reported to
be better with morning teasing (13,
14). A variable pattern of response
occurs; all ewes ovulate without es-
trus within three to five days, fol-
lowed in some by the development
of normal corpora lutea (CL) and a
fertile estrus in 17 days (20 days from
teasing) (15). In others the CL fails
MIt,easure Scrotal Circumference
7/
00
Semen Evaluation-Concentration,
Motility, Neutrophils
Abbnormal
Semen Morphology
Brucela CF
Sero positive
/Breed
CuB
prematurely; a second silent ovula-
tion occurs and a new CL develops
resulting in a fertile estrus in 17 days
(25-30 days from teasing) (13) (Fig-
ure 2).
Improvements in synchrony result
from the injection of 20 mg of pro-
gesterone-in-oil at the time of ram
introduction. The number of ewes ex-
periencing CL failure is reduced re-
sulting in up to 90% synchrony of
ewes in estrus at days 19-21 from
ram introduction (16).
Increased ovulation rates have been
reported from ewes stimulated by
teasers especially in conjunction with
induced cycles (13). Teasers wearing
a marking harness are useful to de-
tect estrus and, if the marking crayon
color is changed every 17 days, it
becomes a reasonably reliable test for
nonpregnancy (1, 16).
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Knowing the pregnancy status of ewes
has obvious advantages. It is the only
true measure of flock fertility and
allows for proper organization of feed,
labor, and facilities. Unexpectedly
pregnant ewes often develop preg-
nancy toxemia from poor nutrition,
or dystocia and fetal death from poor
lambing supervision, especially in bad
weather or with inadequate housing.
Ballotment of the fetuses can be a
useful technique from day 120; weekly
palpation for udder development can
be a guide during late gestation.
A-mode (doppler or sonar type) ul-
trasound systems are widely used and
are reliable from day 50 (17). Realtime
ultrasound systems are reliable rec-
tally from day 25 (5 MHz trans-
ducer) and through the flank from
day 35 (3 MHz transducer) (18), lamb
numbers can be determined from day
40 (19, 20). Used human ultrasound
systems are becoming more available
and require little or no adaptation for
use in sheep.
Induction of Estrus During
Anestrus
Estrus induction during anestrus en-
ables a ewe to lamb three or more
times in two years. As well, produc-
ing lambs out-of-season and finish-
ing market lambs in larger and more
even groups can improve profits.
The induction of synchronized es-
trus during seasonal anestrus is widely
practised. Progesterone-impregnated
vaginal pessaries (Veramex, Tuco,
mi
'27r
JD1

SILENT HEATS
OVULATIONS WITHOUT ESTRUS
z
0
o w
40-60% EWES HAVE PREMATURE REGRESSION CL
< ~~~~~~~~~~~wconception
cc
1 3 5 7
40-60% EWES HAVE NORMAL CL
Figure 2. A schematic diagram of the time after ram introduction the onset of ovulatory
and estrous activity and the premature regression of the corpus luteum (13).
Orangeville, Ontario) inserted for 12
to 14 days with the administration of
500 I.U. of pregnant mares serum
gonadotropin (PMSG) (Equinex,
Ayerst, Montreal, Quebec) at the time
of pessary withdrawal is followed by
estrus in 48 hours (21). Teaser rams
introduced at time of pessary removal
may improve fertility and ovulation
rates (13, 22). Ram-to-ewe ratio must
be low (1:10) for good anestrus fer-
tility.
Well-managed ewes should expe-
rience fertility rates approaching nor-
mal single service conception rates
(21).
Estrus Synchronization
During the breeding season, cycling
ewes can be readily synchronized for
group breeding (1). The use of teaser
rams, can be effective as discussed.
As during anestrus, the use of vagi-
nal progestagen pessaries, with 300
I.U. of PMSG, is effective. Prosta-
glandin (cloprostenol 100 ,ug, dina-
prost 8 mg) produces 60% synchrony
with one injection; two injections 11
days apart produces almost 100% syn-
chrony (1). Conception rates may be
below normal following the use of
prostaglandin but will improve at the
next estrus (23). Norgestamet (Syn-
chromate B, Syntex, Malton, Ontario),
a progestagen ear implant used in cat-
tle, may also be useful to synchro-
nize sheep at half the cattle dose (24).
Induction of Parturition
Inductin of parturition is possible in
sheep with known breeding dates.
Dexamethansone (15 mg), adminis-
tered at day 142 or 143, induces par-
376
376
can deposit semen laparoscopically
FIRST ESTRUS into the uterus in less than ten min-
WITH OIULATION
utes, with fertility up to 80% for fresh
and 70% for frozen semen (2, 27).
CD) In Australia, frozen semen has been
w
laparoscopically inseminated into thou-
cA sands of ewes. At the present time
~~~~~~~~~0 this is the only practical way to over-
come the cervical barrier to improve
rates using frozen semen.
The ewe's complex cervix also pre-
vents practical nonsurgical embryo
transfer; however, embryos can be
17 19 21 23 25 surgically recovered from a super-
ovulated ewe in 20 minutes or less
and transferred surgically in 15 min-
utes or laparoscopically in ten min-
utes (27). An average of about six
good quality embryos can be collected
per flush. Ewes can be flushed mul-
turition beginning at 36 hours and tiple times and still conceive to
finishing in a further 36 hours fol- future natural service (28). Sheep em-
lowing administration (1). This re- bryos can be frozen or can be bi-
duces the normal variation in lambings sected, producing genetically identi-
and improves opportunity for super- cal lambs in much the same fashion
vision. Estradiol is effective but gen- as cattle embryos (29, 30).
erally unavailable to practitioners,
while prostaglandins are only effec- Recent Innovations
tive on the due day and as such have Products designed to further manipu-
little value for a management pro- late reproduction in sheep are enter-
gram (25). ing the marketplace in Europe,
Australia, and New Zealand. A com-
Biotechnology mercial anti-androstenedione vaccine
(Fecundin, Galako, U.K.) used to de-
The introduction of superior genetics
has greatly improved production in crease ovarian-pituitary feedback, can
the cattle industry. With the wide base increase ovulation rate 25-50% un-
of genetic potential in sheep, similar der certain conditions (31). Well-
gains are possible. If genetic superi- managed ewes, properly conditioned
ority of an individual ram or ewe for breeding, do not appear to re-
can be demonstrated the ability ex- spond with as large an increase in
ists to greatly increase its impact on ovulation rate as do ewes under range
or less ideal conditions, possibly re-
future generations of replacements.
Artificial insemination has been ducing its value for most Canadian
practised for many years in major producers. At present there is not in-
sheep producing countries (26). In terest on the part of theinmanufacturer
Ontario, United Breeders has devel- to Melatonin market the product Canada.
oped a fresh semen Al program sup- mone is the pineal gland hor-
produced
ported by the Ontario Ministry of appears to be responsible during dark hours and
for the reg-
Agriculture and Food and is examin- ulation of the effects of daily photo-
ing the potential for the use of fro- period on reproduction, triggering the
zen semen. Artificial insemination can
change from seasonal anestrus to the
be performed using fresh semen (up ovulatory period (32). Daily admin-
to 5 hours), extended chilled semen
istration of exogenous melatonin to
(1-2 days), or frozen semen. The anestrus ewes advances the breeding
complex anatomy of the ovine cer-
season. Melatonin feed additives are
vix prevents transcervical uterine under trial in Australia and show
insemination, a requirement for sat- promise as a means of controlling
isfactory fertility using Al in all spe- seasonality of breeding(33).
cies. Depositing semen into the cer-
vical os is easily done and results in
fertility rates of about 50% for fresh, Breeding Management
40% for chilled, and 25% for frozen Producers must be reminded that short-
semen. With experience, an operator cuts in basic sheep husbandry will
Volume 28, No. 6 June 1987
._
Can
Can Vet J Volume
Vet J 28, No. 6 June 1987
 negate the potential benefits prom-
ised by the use of newer technology.
Unlike cattle, sheep cannot be "eye-
balled". A "hands on" method of
condition scoring is essential and
should be used regularly to assess
the ewe flock. Particular attention
must be paid to nutrition of ewes and
rams bred during anestrus. Nutritional
"flushing" for three weeks prior to
breeding can increase ovulation and
lambing rates. Legume pastures or
hay should not be overfed during
flushing or breeding as plant estro-
gens can reduce ovulation by 20%
and decrease fertility by altering the
viscosity of cervical mucus (1, 34).
In countries with large acreages of
high estrogen pastures, experiments
are underway with vaccines to counter
with the negative effects of plant es-
trogens on fertility (35).
Sheep are sensitive to stress. Ex-
cessive handling at breeding time can
reduce conception rates; stress dur-
mg early gestation results in fetal death
(1).
As in all livestock production sys-
tems, accurate records are essential
to identify problems and monitor prog-
ress. Indices such as first service con-
ception rate, late or early returns to
service, lambing rates, neonatal death
rates, pregnancy rates, and abortion
rates are required to measure repro-
ductive performance and are easily
obtained when using synchronized
breeding programs. Reproductive per-
formance of the individual ewe can
best be rated by comparison to its
peers (i.e. ewes of the same age un-
der the same conditions).
Conclusion
In recent years raising sheep for "fun
and profit" has resulted in an increase
in the number of full and part-time
producers. Many have learned that
in a well-managed flock, reproduc-
tion can be manipulated to produce
lambs with efficiencies in labor, fa-
cilities, and local market conditions.
The effort and costs of such manipu-
lations benefit our best producers;
however, the average producer would
benefit first from improving husbandry
practices according to management
goals. Natural methods of reproduc-
tive improvement (breed selection,
teaser rams, culling inferior rams)
should be applied, with hormonal ma-
nipulation acting as an adjunct for
further improvements.
Can Vet J Volume 28, No. 6 June 1987
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