Richardson Haley, Ahmadzadeh Amin, Konetchy Denise
Department Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Sep 13;13(18):2900. doi: 10.3390/ani13182900.
In sheep raised for meat production, the relationship between external udder conformation, colostrum quality, and lamb growth rates has not received much attention. We hypothesized that ewes with a more desirable udder conformation at lambing would have greater colostrum quality and greater growth rates in lambs. Fifty Suffolk ewes were used in this study. Within 6-8 h of parturition, colostrum samples from both halves of the udder were collected and visual scoring of the udder was conducted. Colostrum quality was measured for total proteins using both optical and Brix refractometers. On day 2, day 45, and day 60 after parturition, lamb weights were recorded, and udder conformation measurements were repeated. A visual scoring system evaluating udder floor (scale 1-4), udder depth (scale 1-9), teat placement (scale 1-9), teat/mammary lesions (present or absent), and the presence of wool (present or absent) was used to assess the external udder conformation. Normal udder parameters included udder depth scores of 5 or 6; udder floor scores of 1 or 2; teat placement scores of 4, 5, or 6; and the absence of teat/mammary lesions and wool. All ewes not meeting normal parameters were considered to have an abnormal udder. The data were analyzed using the GLM procedure. Mean total colostrum protein was greater ( = 0.03) in ewes displaying a 'normal' udder conformation compared with those with an 'abnormal' conformation (14.82 ± 0.5 and 13.31 ± 0.3 mg/dL, respectively). Mean Brix values were also greater ( = 0.03) for ewes with a 'normal' udder compared to an abnormal udder confirmation (21.70 ± 0.8 and 19.54 ± 0.5, respectively). On day 2 after parturition, the mean lamb body weight was not different between ewes with 'normal' and abnormal udders (5.38 ± 0.26 vs. 5.46 ± 0.15). No differences ( > 0.05) in lamb weights were detected between ewes with normal and abnormal udder conformations on day 45 and 60 after parturition. These data provide evidence of greater colostrum total protein values and greater Brix values present in ewes with a 'normal' udder conformation. There were no differences in the weights of lambs born to ewes with normal or abnormal udder conformations.
在用于肉类生产的绵羊中，乳房外部形态、初乳质量和羔羊生长速度之间的关系尚未受到太多关注。我们假设，产羔时乳房形态更理想的母羊会有更高的初乳质量和更高的羔羊生长速度。本研究使用了50只萨福克母羊。在分娩后的6 - 8小时内，采集乳房两侧的初乳样本，并对乳房进行视觉评分。使用光学折射仪和糖度折射仪测量初乳中的总蛋白来评估初乳质量。在分娩后的第2天、第45天和第60天，记录羔羊体重，并重复进行乳房形态测量。使用一个视觉评分系统来评估乳房底部（1 - 4分）、乳房深度（1 - 9分）、乳头位置（1 - 9分）、乳头/乳腺病变（有无）以及羊毛的存在情况（有无），以评估乳房外部形态。正常的乳房参数包括乳房深度评分为5或6分；乳房底部评分为1或2分；乳头位置评分为4、5或6分；且无乳头/乳腺病变和羊毛。所有不符合正常参数的母羊都被认为乳房异常。使用GLM程序对数据进行分析。与乳房“异常”的母羊相比，乳房形态“正常”的母羊初乳总蛋白平均含量更高（P = 0.03）（分别为14.82±0.5和13.31±0.3毫克/分升）。与乳房异常的母羊相比，乳房“正常”的母羊糖度平均值也更高（P = 0.03）（分别为21.70±0.8和19.54±0.5）。在分娩后的第2天，乳房“正常”和异常的母羊所产羔羊的平均体重没有差异（5.38±0.26与5.46±0.15）。在分娩后的第45天和第60天，乳房形态正常和异常的母羊所产羔羊体重没有差异（P>0.05）。这些数据证明，乳房形态“正常”的母羊初乳总蛋白值和糖度值更高。乳房形态正常或异常的母羊所产羔羊的体重没有差异。
