Abortion and Lamb Mortality between Pregnancy Scanning and Lamb Marking for Maiden Ewes in Southern Australia

Thomas Clune; Amy Lockwood; Serina Hancock; Andrew N. Thompson; Sue Beetson; Angus J. D. Campbell; Elsa Glanville; Daniel Brookes; Colin Trengove; Ryan O’Handley; Gavin Kearney; Caroline Jacobson

doi:10.3390/ani12010010

Animals (Dec 2021)

Abortion and Lamb Mortality between Pregnancy Scanning and Lamb Marking for Maiden Ewes in Southern Australia

Thomas Clune,
Amy Lockwood,
Serina Hancock,
Andrew N. Thompson,
Sue Beetson,
Angus J. D. Campbell,
Elsa Glanville,
Daniel Brookes,
Colin Trengove,
Ryan O’Handley,
Gavin Kearney,
Caroline Jacobson

Affiliations

Thomas Clune: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Amy Lockwood: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Serina Hancock: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Andrew N. Thompson: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Sue Beetson: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Angus J. D. Campbell: Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Elsa Glanville: Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
Daniel Brookes: Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
Colin Trengove: School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
Ryan O’Handley: School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
Gavin Kearney: 36 Payne Road, Hamilton, VIC 3300, Australia
Caroline Jacobson: Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010010
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 10

Abstract

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The contribution of abortions to the overall mortality of lambs born to maiden (primiparous) ewes in Australia remains unclear. This cohort study aimed to quantify abortion and lamb mortality for ewe lambs and maiden Merino two-tooth ewes. Lamb mortality from pregnancy scanning to marking were determined for 19 ewe lamb and 11 Merino two-tooth ewe flocks across southern Australia. Average lamb mortality from scanning to marking was 35.8% (range 14.3–71.1%) for the ewe lambs and 29.4% (range 19.7–52.7%) for the two-tooth ewes. Mid-pregnancy abortion was detected in 5.7% of ewes (range 0–50%) in the ewe lamb flocks and 0.9% of ewes (range 0–4.4%) in the two-tooth ewe flocks. Mid-pregnancy abortion affecting ≥2% of ewes was observed in 6/19 ewe lamb flocks and 2/11 two-tooth ewe flocks. Lamb mortality from birth to marking represented the greatest contributor to foetal and lamb mortality after scanning, but mid-pregnancy abortion was an important contributor to lamb mortality in some ewe lamb flocks. Variability between the flocks indicates scope to improve the overall reproductive performance for maiden ewes by reducing foetal and lamb losses. Addressing mid-pregnancy abortion may improve the reproductive performance in some flocks.

Published in Animals

ISSN: 2076-2615 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture: Veterinary medicine; Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/

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