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,
geneticists, and agricultural
nu-tritionists,
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,
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
374
breed selected principally for repro- 50% of the genetic make-up of off-
ductive traits and a ram selected from spring, affecting not only production
a breed know for production traits. A traits (birth weight, average daily
variety of ewe breeds are avail- gain), but as well reproductive traits
of potential flock replacements (se-
able, each with different reproduc-
tive capabilities, and the potential men production, ovulation rate, on-
to improve flock performance. Exam- set of puberty, seasonality).
ples of reproductive traits include ex- A breeding soundness evaluation,
tending breeding season (Dorset), early when possible, should include obser-
onset of puberty (Finnish Landrace), vation oflibido, intromission, and so-
increased ovulation rate (Finnish cial behavior. A ram with inferior
fertility may be socially dominant to
Landrace, Romanov), and environ-
mental suitability (Scottish Blackface) a reproductively superior ram and in-
(1). terfere with its opportunity to breed.
Testicular palpation and measurement
New producers are often unaware of,
or lack the staying power for, the can be used to estimate sperm pro-
long term gains made possible through duction potential, especially in year-
breed selection, and turn instead to ling rams (3, 4). Scrotal circumference
immediate, but more costly, short term is directly related to sperm concen-
tration in semen, sperm motility, per-
gains made through hormonal meth-
ods of manipulation of reproduction. cent morphologically normal sperm,
As a result we are in danger of los- first service conception rate, and
ing some breed attributes. For exam- lambing rate (1, 3). Replacement ewes
ple, the Dorset, a ewe breed with an from rams with above average testi-
extended breeding season of great cular measurements have higher ovu-
value to producers, is being forced lation rates and reach puberty earlier
to compete with ram breed traits (e.g. (5). As testicular size is inherent, rams
Suffolk) in the show ring and at ram should be selected with all potential
testing stations where sheep receive benefits in mind (6). When measur-
their highest profile. Accordingly, ing testicles, consideration must be
breeders are selecting Dorsets for pro- given to breed, age, body weight,
duction traits (e.g. rate of gain) in- and season; averages are available for
stead of extended seasonality and are most breeds (7,8).
relying on hormones to produce out- Infectious causes of ram infertility
of-season lambs. The Dorset breed, and are less commonly reported in cental
in turn the sheep industry, will and eastern Canada than in western
lose this natural extended breeding range flocks (9). However, with in-
season if this practice continues. creased inter-provincial transport of
Technology can be used to manip- sheep, reproductive disease must al-ways
ulate a well-designed genetic pool but be considered. Venereally-transmitted
should not be used as an alternative disease is associated with
reduced conception rates, early em-
for poor breed selection
syn- bryonic death, mummified fetuses, re-
and man-agement.
duced birth weight, and neonatal
Ram Selection survival (10).
More attention should be given to Infectious epididymitis (Brucella
ram selection. The reproductively su- ovis, Actinobacillus seminus, Histo-
perior ram will breed more ewes, philus ovis) can be diagnosed in most
which will have an improved first cases by careful palpation for abnor-
service conception rate, a lower early malities of the testicles and tails of
embryonic death rate, and an improved the epididymides (3, 10). Other ven-
eral diseases (e.g. Ureaplasma spp.)
lambing rate with fewer weak or un-
dersized lambs (1, 2). Producers some- are diagnosed with microbial cultures
times forget that the ram contributes
of semen
(1 1).
0m
can vetvI iI voiume ztj,OD imoKit%. o iuneliin
IOAtioIi7
 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
cull
Abnormal
Cull
Undersized
Cull
Repeat Semen Evalua3tion
Abnormal
Cull
L.L-
Figure 1. Ram breeding soundness evaluation.
I
I mi
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
Finnish Landrace). Teasers will breed
ewes, and so should be free of
venereally-transmitted
Neutered males or ewes are
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)
fertile estrus in 17 days (20 days from
teasing) (15). In others the CL fails
Palpatio01on Testicles and Epididymides
MIt,easure Scrotal Circumference
7/
00
7Ooe
Semen Evaluation-Concentration,
Motility, Neutrophils
Abbnormal
0/ Semen Morphology
Brucela
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
(Dorset, from the injection of 20 mg of pro-
gesterone-in-oil at the time of ram
introduction. The number of ewes ex-
diseases. periencing CL failure is reduced
suitable 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
and a 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
CF
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,
JD1'27r
 can deposit semen laparoscopically
SILENT HEATS FIRST ESTRUS into the uterus in less than ten min-
OVULATIONS WITHOUT ESTRUS WITH OIULATION utes, with fertility up to 80% for fresh
z and 70% for frozen semen (2, 27).
0
CD) In Australia, frozen semen has been
o w
laparoscopically inseminated into thou-
40-60% EWES HAVE PREMATURE REGRESSION CL cA
w
sands of ewes. At the present time
~~~~~~~~~0 this is the only practical way to over-
comethe cervical barrier to improve
< ~~~~~~~~~~~w
conception rates using frozen semen.
cc
The ewe's complex cervix also pre-

nonsurgical embryo
vents practical
transfer; however, embryos can be
1 3 5 7 17 19 21 23 25 surgically recovered from a super-
ovulated ewe in 20 minutes or less
40-60% EWES HAVE NORMAL CL and transferred surgically in 15 min-
utes or laparoscopically in ten min-
Figure 2. A schematic diagram of the time after ram introduction the onset of ovulatory
utes (27). An average of about six
and estrous activity and the premature regression of the corpus luteum (13).
good quality embryos can be collected
per flush. Ewes can be flushed mul-tiple
Orangeville, Ontario) inserted for 12 turition beginning at 36 hours and times and still conceive to future
to 14 days with the administration of finishing in a further 36 hours fol- natural service (28). Sheep em-bryos

500 I.U. of pregnant mares serum lowing administration (1). This re- can be frozen or can be bi-sected,

gonadotropin (PMSG) duces the normal variation in lambings producing genetically identi-

(Equinex, and improves opportunity for super- cal lambs in much the same fashion
Ayerst, Montreal, Quebec) at the time
vision. Estradiol is effective but as cattle embryos (29, 30).
of pessary withdrawal is followed by
gen-erally unavailable to
estrus in 48 hours (21). Teaser
introduced at time of pessary removal
rams
practitioners, while prostaglandins Recent Innovations
are only effec-tive on the due day Products designed to further manipu-
may improve fertility and ovulation
and as such have little value for a late reproduction in sheep are enter-
rates (13, 22). Ram-to-ewe ratio must
management pro-gram (25). ing the marketplace in Europe,
be low (1:10) for good anestrus fer-
Australia, and New Zealand. A com-
tility.
Well-managed ewes should expe- Biotechnology mercial anti-androstenedione
(Fecundin, Galako, U.K.) used to de-
vaccine

rience fertility rates approaching nor-

The introduction of superior genetics
has greatly improved production in the crease ovarian-pituitary feedback, can
mal single service conception rates
cattle industry. With the wide base of increase ovulation rate 25-50% un-
(21). der certain conditions (31). Well-
genetic potential in sheep, similar
gains possible. If genetic superi- managed ewes, properly conditioned
Estrus Synchronization are
for breeding, do not appear to re-
ority of an individual ram or ewe
During the breeding season, cycling spond with as large an increase in
can be demonstrated the ability ex-
ewes can be readily synchronized for ovulation rate as do ewes under range
ists to greatly increase its impact on
group breeding (1). The use of teaser or less ideal conditions, possibly re-
future generations of replacements.
rams, can be effective as discussed. ducing its value for most Canadian
Artificial insemination has been
As during anestrus, the use of vagi- producers. At present there is not in-
practised for many years in major
nal progestagen pessaries, with 300 terest on the part of the manufacturer
sheep producing countries (26). In
I.U. of PMSG, is effective. Prosta- to market the product in Canada.
Ontario, United Breeders has devel-
glandin (cloprostenol 100 ,ug, dina- Melatonin is the pineal gland hor-
prost 8 mg) produces 60% synchrony
oped a fresh semen Al program sup-
mone produced during dark hours and
ported by the Ontario Ministry of
with one injection; two injections 11 appears to be responsible for the reg-
Agriculture and Food and is examin-
days apart produces almost 100% syn- ulation of the effects of daily photo-
ing the potential for the use of fro-
chrony (1). Conception rates may be period on reproduction, triggering the
zen semen. Artificial insemination can
below normal following the use of change from seasonal anestrus to the
be performed using fresh semen (up
prostaglandin but will improve at the ovulatory period (32). Daily admin-
to 5 hours), extended chilled semen
next estrus (23). Norgestamet (Syn- istration of exogenous melatonin to
(1-2 days), or frozen semen. The
chromate B, Syntex, Malton, Ontario), anestrus ewes advances the breeding
complex anatomy of the ovine cer-
a progestagen ear implant used in cat- season. Melatonin feed additives are
tle, may also be useful to synchro-nize vix prevents transcervical under trial in Australia and show
uterine
sheep at half the cattle dose (24). insemination, a requirement for sat- promise as a means of controlling
isfactory fertility using Al in all seasonality of breeding(33).
Induction of Parturition spe-cies. Depositing semen into the cer-

Inductin of parturition is possible in vical os is easily done and results in

Breeding Management
fertility rates of about 50% for fresh,
sheep with known breeding dates. Producers must be reminded that short-
Dexamethansone (15 mg), adminis- 40% for chilled, and 25% for frozen
cuts in basic sheep husbandry will
tered at day 142 or 143, induces par- semen. With experience, an operator

376 Can Vet J Volume 28, No. 6 June 1987.

 negate the potential benefits prom- 19. WHITE IR, RUSSEL AJ. Determination
ised by the use of newer technology. References of fetal numbers in sheep by real-
Unlike cattle, sheep cannot be "eye- 1. GORDON I. Controlled breeding of sheep. In: time ultrasound scanning. In
Controlled breeding of farm animals. Practice 1984; 11:200-205.
balled". A "hands on" method of
Willowdale, Ontario: Permagon Press, 1983. 20. FAWLER DG, WILKINS JF. Diagnosis of
condition scoring is essential and pregnancy and number of fetuses in sheep
2. MEMON M. Male infertility. Vet
should be used regularly to assess the Clin North Am 1983; 5: 619-632. by real-time ultrasonic imaging. I.
ewe flock. Particular attention must 3. WALKER R, LEAMASTER B, STELL-FLUG J, Effects of number of fetuses, stage of
BIBERSTEIN E. Association of age with ges-tations, operator and breed of ewe
be paid to nutrition of ewes and rams
the distribution of epididymal on ac-curacy of diagnosis. Anim Prod Sci
bred during anestrus. Nutritional
lesions and etiologic agent. J Am Vet 1984; 11:437-450.
"flushing" for three weeks prior to
Med Assoc 1986; 4:393-396. 21. EVANS G, ROBINSON TJ. The control
breeding can increase ovulation and 4. NOTER DR, LUCAS JR, McCLOU-GHERTY of fertility in sheep: endocrine
lambing rates. Legume pastures or hay FS. The accuracy of estima-tion of and ovar-ian responses to
testits weight from in-situ testis progestogen - PMSG treatment in the
should not be overfed during
measures in ram lambs. breeding season and in anestrus. J
flushing or breeding as plant estro-
Theriogenology 1981; 15:227-232. Agric Sci Camb 1980; 94:69-88.
gens can reduce ovulation by 20% and 5. MICKELSEON DW, PAISLEY LG, JE-ROME 22. PEARCE DT, OLDHAM CM, GRAY SJ.
decrease fertility by altering the J. The effect of scrotal circumfer- Progestogens, PMSG and the "ram ef-fect"
ence, sperm motility and morphology after artificial insemination in spring
viscosity of cervical mucus (1, 34).
in the ram on conception rates and to synchronized non-pregnant ewes. Anim
In countries with large acreages of
lambing percentage in the ewe. Reprod Sci 1986; 10:117-123.
high estrogen pastures, experiments
Theriogenology 1981; 2:233-236. 23. HENDERSON D. Control of breeding
are underway with vaccines to counter 6. McNEILLY JR, FORDYCE M, LAND RB, sea-son in sheep and goats. In
with the negative effects of plant LEE GJ, WEBB R. Endocrine dif- Practice 1985; 6:118-124.
es-trogens on fertility (35). ferences in rams after genetic 24. AINSWORTH L. Effects of norgestomet-
selection for testis size. J implants and fluorogesterone acetate
Sheep are sensitive to stress. Ex-
Reprod Fertil 1986; 76:131-140. im-pregnated sponges on oestrus-cycle
cessive handling at breeding time can length and luteal function of ewes.
7. OTT R, MEMMON M. Society for The-
reduce conception rates; stress dur-mg riogenology Sheep and Goat Manual, 1980. Anim Reprod Sci 1985; 9:63-73.
early gestation results in fetal death 8. MICKELSEN WD, PAISLEY LG, DOH-MEN 25. RAWLINGS NC, JEFFCOATE IA, SAV-AGE NC,
STEWART DMK. The effect of season and
(1). JJ. Sexual variations in scrotal
cir-cumference, sperm quality, technique on synchronized and induced
As in all livestock production sys- estrus and the induction of lambing in
and sexual abil-ity in rams. J Am
tems, accurate records are essential Vet Med Assoc 1982; 4:376-379. the ewe in a commercial set-ting.
to identify problems and monitor prog- Theriogenology 1983; 5:665-675.
9. BUCKRELL BC, McEWEN SA, JOHN-
26. MAXWELL WMC. Current problems and future
ress. Indices such as first service con- SON WH, SAVAGE NC. Epididymitis
potential of artificial insemination
ception rate, late or early returns to caused by Brucella ovis in a
programs. In: Reproduction in sheep.
southern On-tario sheep flock.
service, lambing rates, neonatal death Lindsay DR, Pearce DT, eds. New York:
Can Vet J 1985; 26:293-296.
rates, pregnancy rates, and abortion Cambridge Press, 1984.
10.BURGESS GW. Ovine contagious
27. WALKER SK, SMITH DH, LITTLE DL.
rates are required to measure repro- epidi-dymitis: a review. Vet
Artificial insemination and transfer of
ductive performance and are easily Microbiol 1982; 7:551-575.
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11. LIVINGSTON CW, GAUER BB. Effect of
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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
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
ma-nipulation acting as an adjunct
for further improvements.
ureaplasma on reproductive efficiency
of ewes. Am J Vet Res 1981; 4:1190-1194. 28. BUCKRELL BC, GARTLEY C. Work
12. FULKERSON WJ, ADAMS NR, GHERADI in progress.
29. GATICA R, BOLAND MP, CROSBY TF,
PB. Ability of castrate male sheep
GORDAN 1. Micromanipulation of sheep
treated with estrogen or testoster-
one to induce and detect estrus in
morula to produce monozygotic twins.
Theriogenology 1984; 4:555-560.
ewes. Appl Anim Ethol 1981; 7:57-66.
13. KNIGHT TW. Ram induced stimulation 30.TERBIT HR, GOOLD PG. Deep-
freezing sheep embryos.
of ovarian and estrous activity in
anestrus ewes - a review. Proc NZ Soc Theriogenology 1984; 1:268.
31. LAND RB, MORRIS BA, BAXTER G,
Anim Prod 1983; 43:1-11.
FORDYCE M, FOSTER J. Improvement of
14. MARTIN GB, COGNIE Y, SCHIRAR A,
sheep fecundity by treatment with
NUNES-RIBEIRO A, FABRE-NYS C, THIERY
J. Diurnal variation in the re-sponse an-tisera to gonadal steriods. J
of anestrus ewes to the ram ef-fect. J Reprod Fertil 1982; 60:625-634.
32. ARENDT J, SYMOUS AM, LAIRD CA, PRYDE
Reprod Fertil 1985; 75:275-284.
SJ. Melatonin can induce early onset of
15. KNIGHT TW, TERVITr HR, FAIR-
the breeding season in ewes. En-
CHLOUGH RJ. Corpus luteum function
docrinology 1983; 97:395-400.
in ewes stimulated by rams. Therio-
33. WILLIAMS HH. The effect of feeding
genology 1981; 15:2:183-186.
melatonin during late summer on the on-
manipu- 16. PEARCE DT, MARTIN GB, OLDHAM CM.
set of the breeding season of sheep. Br
Corpora lutea with a short life-span
induced by rams in seasonally anovula- Vet J 1984; 140:407.
34. ADAMS NR, TANG BY Changed con-trol
tory ewes are prevented by progesterone
of cervical secretion from
delaying the preovulatory surge of LH.
infertile ewes previously exposed
J Reprod Fertil 1985; 75:79-84.
to estrogenic clover pasture. J
17. WATT BR, ANDERSON GA, CAMP-
Reprod Fertil 1986; 76: 147-152.
BELL IP. A comparison of six methods
35. LITTLE DL, COX RI, WALKER SK,
used for detecting pregnancy in
FLAVEL PF. Effect of steroid
sheep. Aust Vet J 1984; 12:377-382.
immuniza-tion on clover induced
hormonal 18. BUCKRELL BC, BONNETT B, JOHN-SON WH.
infertility in sheep. In: Reproduction
The rectal use of realtime ul-trasound
in sheep. Lindsay DR, Pearce DT, eds.
for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep.
New York: Cambridge Press, 1984.
Theriogenology 1985; 5: 121-130.

Can Vet J Volume 28, No. 6 June 1987 377