Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1978

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Animal Science

First Advisor

A.L. Slyter

Abstract

The idea of controlling the time of parturition in domestic mammals has arisen in the last 15 years from the development of techniques of estrous synchronization and from studies achieved on the mechanism of birth. Controlling the time of parturition is a management technique by which a producer might reduce livestock losses at birth and/or cut production costs. Birth for the new-born, or parturition for the mother is a critical time. Controlling the time of parturition allows the producer to exercise a constrained supervision at this critical time, and therefore limit possible losses. Being present at birth allows the producer: to rectify dystocia of presentation, to verify the adoption of the lamb, to assure the lamb has taken colostrum and to have an easier possibility of cross adoption of the lamb in case of poor lactation of the natural darn. Controlling the time of birth allows the producer to make more efficient use of available facilities and labor and therefore cut production costs. Induced parturition in conjunction with synchronization of estrus may lead to better homogeneity of animal lots and more simplicity in the total production scheme with a reduction of work-time. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of once a week flumethasone treatment of ewes on days 138 through 144 of gestation for the induction and/or timing of parturition.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Sheep breeds
Parturition

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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