Measuring wool cortisol and progesterone levels in breeding maiden Australian merino sheep (Ovis aries).

ABSTRACT: Hormonal assessment tools are important for determining the reproductive success of production animals. This study used non-invasive wool assessment to quantify changes in progesterone and cortisol levels in reproducing female merino sheep. Wool samples were collected from a group of n = 46 maiden merino ewes (22-25 months old), naturally joined under natural light conditions in southern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Three shearing opportunities were conducted as part of standard on-farm management practices. The wool samples were collected at three different dates during 2017, January (prior to rams being put out with the mob and to provide a baseline level since previous shearing in May 2016), September (during very late stages of gestation-approximately 2 weeks prior to parturition)

SUBMITTER: Sawyer G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6453452 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature