Background: Litter size represents a key economic trait in Australian-Hu sheep (Australian White sheep&nbsp;♂&nbsp;&times; Hu sheep&nbsp;♀) and determines breeding profitability. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is recognized as a principal candidate gene influencing litter size in ovis aries. Previous research on Australian-Hu sheep has focused on associations between polymorphisms in the coding region of GDF9 and litter size, with limited attention to the promoter region. To address this gap, this study examined the GDF9 promoter region polymorphism in Australian-Hu sheep, analyzed its association with multiple lambing and evaluated its impact on promoter activity, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for selecting molecular markers for multiple lambing breeding. 
 
Methods: To investigate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci effects in GDF9 promoter region on lambing rate of Australian-Hu crossbred sheep, 193 pregnant ewes were selected. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from blood, the GDF9 promoter region was amplified by PCR and SNP sites were identified using Sanger sequencing. Association analyses between SNPs and lambing rate were conducted and a dual-luciferase reporter assay evaluated the SNPs&rsquo; effects on GDF9 transcriptional activity. 
 
Result: In the GDF9 promoter region of Australian-Hu Sheep, six linked SNP sites were identified: g.42117805C&gt;T, g.42117824T&gt;C, g.42117899G&gt;A, g.42118070A&gt;G, g.42118197T&gt;G and g.42118272C&gt;T. Five loci (g.42118070A&gt;G, g.42118272C&gt;T, g.42117805C&gt;T, g.42117824T&gt;C and g.42117899G&gt;A) showed significant association with lambing rate (P&lt;0.05), with heterozygous genotypes yielding higher lambing rate. Dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that the (-517 to +3) region functions as the core promoter. Mutations at g.42118070A&gt;G, g.42118197T&gt;G and g.42118272C&gt;T within this region reduced GDF9 promoter transcriptional activity. These findings provide a basis for identifying molecular markers to screen for multiple lambing traits in Australian-Hu sheep.

Identification of GDF9 Promoter SNPs Affecting Lambing Rate in Australian-Hu Sheep

Background: Intensive feeding systems for lamb production are based on high concentrations of feed, depending on the type of forage, which can cause digestive disturbances; however, forage particle length (FPL) and size (FPS) can affect the fermentation process and the productive performance of lambs.&nbsp;Intensive feeding systems for lamb production are based on high concentrations of feed, depending on the type of forage, which can cause digestive disturbances; however, forage particle length (FPL) and size (FPS) can affect the fermentation process and the productive performance of lambs. Understanding how the lambs meet these challenges requires a conceptual integration of forage structure, mechanical particle size of forage and microbial fermentation. This synthesis will hopefully contribute to the development of a biomimetic co-treatment process for translating the unique characteristics of digestion into an effective component of biorefineries for the industrial conversion of cellulosic in forage biomass to useful products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship among FPL, degradability of feed in vitro and digestibility of organic materials. 
 
Methods: As a laboratory simulation of rumen functions, four alfalfa FPS lengths were studied within the components of integrated feed pellets 0.1 mm, common in the Saudi animal feed market, 5, 10&nbsp; and 15 mm using the same feed composition, but with different lengths. 
 
Result: Cumulative gas production in PSL8 and PSL12 lambs was higher compared with the other two groups, indicating that lengths &gt;15 mm and &lt;5 mm affected gas production rates. The effect of FPL on rumen parameters had no effect on the pH of the rumen fluid. There were no significant differences in all values of the main volatile fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate and digestibility increased when the FPL ranged from 5 to 10 mm as in the PSL5 and PSL10 groups. Hydrogen levels were significantly higher in the PSL1 and PSL10 groups than in the PSL5 and PSL15 groups. Based on forage size, groups PSL5 to PSL10 showed the possibility of using this type of feed for growing lambs and small ruminants.

Relationship between Forage Particle Size and Rate of in vitro Digestion Parameters of Alfalfa-based Lamb in Complete Pelleted Diets

The present study was designed to evaluate the Pregnancy Diagnosis-Positive Rate (PD-PR) along with conception rate (CR) in an organised farm (Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal) to take effective management decision. One year record of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) and PD of dairy animals (N=1327; comprised 1003 cows and 324 buffaloes) was analysed. On an average, cows and buffaloes were presented for per rectal pregnancy diagnosis after 75.63 (38-119) and 76.3 (46-128) days, respectively of A.I. Overall PD-PR value of cattle was observed to be significantly higher compared to buffaloes (70.77 and 59.45%, respectively, prus symptoms as well as on CR.

Pregnancy diagnosis-positive rate and conception rate as indicator of farm reproductive performance

<div>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of direct fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on growth performance, metabolic profile and mortality rate of newborn lambs at different weaning ages. Five days old sixty Najdi male lambs (5.40 &plusmn; 0.10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (15 lambs each): lambs received either no DFM and weaned at 60 days of age (control) or oral dose of DFM (5 ml) at 5, 10 and 15 days old, and weaned at 30 (DFM30), 45 (DFM45) or 60 (DFM60) days old, respectively. Final body weight was higher (P=0.05) and tended to be higher (P=0.09) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs, respectively whereas body weight gain was higher (P=0.01) in DFM45 and DFM60 lambs. The mortality rate was declined from 33.3s% to 6.67% in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs compared to control ones. Serum cortisol and creatinine levels tended to be reduced (P=0.07 and 0.11, respectively) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs. The serum total cholesterol was highest (P=0.02) in DFM60 lambs and lowest in both DFM45 and control lambs. Similarly, the DFM30 and DFM45 lambs showed a declined serum triglyceride compared with control and DFM60 lambs (P=0.02). Serum phosphorus declined (P=0.04) in DFM30 treated lambs while serum zinc and copper levels decreased (P=0.02 and 0.05, respectively) in all treatments compared to control lambs. These results indicated that DFM supplementation may enhance the growth and health of early weaned lambs.</div>

<div>Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on growth performance and metabolic profile of newborn lambs weaned at different ages</div>

<div>Background: Urea is commonly used as source of non protein nitrogen for ruminants. However, the fact that the rate of release of NH3-N must coincide with the rate of digestion of carbohydrates or else lead to toxicity, this has led the industry to seek the development of compounds with a slow release urea (SRU), which have less risk of toxicity in animals. 
 
Methods: A study was conducted on 30 ram lambs (1-2 month old; 14.73&plusmn;0.49 kg body weight) randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 6 animals in each group in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of supplementation of SRNPN products on nitrogen balance, plane of nutrition and nutrient utilisation. Five maize stover based complete diets (2190kcal ME/kg and 14.6% CP) were prepared viz. control diet with SBM as major protein source (45% CP) and without any NPN supplement, positive control diet, having urea (46% N) around 1% of dietary DM and in other 3 diets, urea was totally replaced with FCU, CFCU and HMCCU.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Supplementation of SRNPN products did not affect the intake of nutrients viz. DM, OM, CP, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose and the digestibilities of DM, OM, NFE and ADF. While, CP digestibility (%) reduced (P&lt;0.01) with feeding of urea (78.52) based diet compared to control diet (84.34) and replacement of urea with FCU (85.24) improved the CP digestibility (%) and was comparable to control. Incorporation of urea in the diets decreased (P&lt;0.01) the CF and cellulose digestibility compared to control, while incorporation of FCU or CFCU in diets improved (P&lt;0.01) CF, NDF and hemicellulose digestibilities. The N intake, excretion and balance (g/d) was though comparable among the dietary groups, the retention in lambs fed urea diets was lower by 14.71% compared to control group, while in FCU, CFCU and HMCCU fed lambs, N retention improved by 18.17, 10.05 and 7.84%, respectively compared to urea diet fed lambs.&nbsp;</div>

Nutrient Utilisation in Ram Lambs Fed with Coated Slow Release Non-protein Nitrogen Sources

<div>Background: In sheep, Escherichia coli infection can occur as asymptomatic entity to septicaemic episode. Chiefly, it causes heavy mortality in lambs and devastates the farm economy. With an objective of documenting the salient epidemiological and clinico-pathological observations in this naturally occurred outbreak of septicaemic colibacillosis, this communication is made herewith.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In February 2019, sudden death in lambs was observed in three flocks of sheep. Carcasses were subjected for necropsy and histopathological examination. Swab samples from heart, abomasum, intestines, liver and lung were examined for bacteriological and molecular confirmation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The mean (&plusmn;SE) age of lambs that were affected was 11.00 &plusmn;0.49 days (n=404). Lambs of native Malpura breed (87.5%) and other two crossbred sheep were affected. Overall mortality of lambs was 23.76%. Gross pathological observations were pulmonary edema, ecchymotic lesions in lungs, congestion in kidney and liver and presence soil-mixed ingesta in abomasum. From the morbid materials including stomach and intestinal swabs, 45 E. coli isolates were identified and they were also confirmed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Consequently, virulence genes for shiga toxin (stx2) and intimin (eae) were identified from the isolates. Although antibiotics were administered, only probiotics could control the new infection rate.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Soil-borne Septicaemic Colibacillosis in Neonatal Lambs: Salient Observations</div>

<div>Background: Among the three varieties of Nellore sheep, Nellore brown was most popular among the shepherds of Telangana state. The research on the performance of the other two varieties i.e. Palla and Dora was done extensively in their home tract but less data was available about performance of Nellore brown under different system of rearing. The growth rate of lambs was highest from birth to weaning in their life. The system of rearing can influence both growth rate and biometrical measurements of the lamb. The performance of the lambs during this stage influence the productive and reproductive performance in the lifetime.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Sixty Nellore brown ewes (1.5 - 2 years) were selected from Sheep unit, Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Telangana for the present study.&nbsp; The lambs born in intensive (G1, lambs born N= 14), Semi-intensive (G2, lambs born N= 14) and Extensive (G3, lambs born N= 12) system of rearing were used to study the growth performance and biometry of lambs from birth to weaning.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The birth weight (kg) of lambs in G1 and G2 groups were significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than lambs in G3 group. The weaning body weight (Kg) was significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) in G1 group as compared to weaning body weights in G2 and G3 group. The mean average ADG (gm) of lambs from birth to weaning was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher in G1 (105.4&plusmn;0.19) followed by G2 (97.9&plusmn;0.14) and G3 (92.8&plusmn;0.07) group. The mean pin shoulder length (cm) of lambs at birth in G1 group was higher than G2 and G3 group but had a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference with the only G3 group. In G1 group, the mean heart girth (cm) of lambs from15th day to weaning was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than G2 and G3 groups. The mean gain in paunch girth from birth to weaning in lambs of three groups was nearly 19 cm and had no significant (P&lt;0.05) difference between groups.</div>

​Growth Performance and Biometry of Nellore Brown Lambs from Birth to Weaning under Different Systems of Rearing

<div>Background: The prohibition of the use of antibiotics in lamb feeding requires the search for natural alternatives that can improve productive performance and ruminal fermentation parameters. Herbal mixtures can function as cost-effective substitutes for growth promoters since an extraction or purification process is not required. 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Chebulic myrobalan, Terminalia bellirica and Azadirachta indica on the productive performance of finishing lambs. Thirty-six Hampshire x Suffolk male lambs (initial body weight (BW) 23.52&plusmn;3.67 kg), in individual crates, were used for 45 days of evaluation after 15 days adaptation and were randomly assigned to treatments which consisted of dietary inclusion of the feed plant additive at 0.000, 0.250, 0.375 and 0.500% of dry matter (DM). Rations were sampled for DM, ash and crude protein (<a href="#association_2005">AOAC, 2005</a>), neutral and acid detergent fibre (according to van Soest, 1991) analysis and metabolizable energy was estimated. The animals were weighed on days 1, 15 and 45 before feeding and the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate were calculated by daily recording of the dry matter intake. Contrasts no orthogonal were used to test linear or quadratic effects of the herbal mixture with initial body weight (BW) as a covariate for ADG and final BW. 
 
Result: There was no effect (P&gt;0.05) of herbal mixtures on ADG, final BW, feed efficiency, DM intake and feed conversion by phytobiotic dietary inclusion. Ruminal pH (P=0.07) increased quadratically in response to the herbal mixture dietary concentration. The acetate increased and propionate reduced, both quadratically (P&lt;0.05). The evaluated doses of the polyherbal additive did not influence growth and feed efficiency of lambs.&nbsp;</div>

Herbal Mixtures based on Indian Medicinal Plants in Growing Lambs and Ruminal Environments

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The difference in the maternal behavior expression of sheep can affect the early growth and development as well as the survival of lambs. The characteristics of maternal behavior in primiparous and multiparous ewes were observed to reveal the expression of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep and its effects on early lamb survival and body weight. 
 
Methods: In total 527 pregnant ewes with delivery were selected, including 246 primiparous ewes and 281 multiparous ewes. The observation record of maternal behavior began from 10 days before delivery to 3 days after delivery by video recording. The behaviors of ewe to the lamb included licking, suckling, seeking lambs, denial of suckling after delivery, butting and trampling lambs, abandoning lambs, and stealing lambs. Body weight of lambs were recorded including newborn, 7-day-old, 14-day-old and 35-day-old (weaning). 
 
Result: There were significant differences in the incidence rate in lamb abandonment and stealing between primiparous and multiparous ewes (P&lt;0.05), namely the primiparous ewe group had the higher incidence of undesirable behaviours. However, there were no significant differences in seeking, licking and trampling behaviors between two groups (P&gt;0.05). Lamb survival within 7 days after delivery of multiparous ewes was greater than primiparous ewes (P&lt;0.05). The body weights of newborn and 7-day-old lambs in the multiparous ewe group were significantly higher than the primiparous group (P&lt;0.05). This study demonstrates that limited significant differences exist between primiparous and multiparous ewes in several aspects of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep. Ewe behavioral expression associated with the birth and care of the neonatal lambs are essential for the survival and growth of the offspring.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">The Expression of Maternal Behavior in Chinese Hu Sheep and its Effects on Lamb Survival and Body Weight</div>

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding sprouted barley in the diet of lambs on growth performance, digestibility, nitrogen utilization, hematological and biochemical blood parameters and economic evaluation over 75 days. 
 
Methods: Thirty-six healthy 3-month-old Awassi lambs were used in this experiment. All lambs were individually divided into four dietary treatments with nine lambs each (T1 to T4: lambs receiving 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% sprouted barley as a replacement for the traditional diet, respectively). The growth performance, dry matter intake and dry matter excretion were assessed. The digestibility of the ingested dry matter and nitrogen, nitrogen balance, blood health markers, hematological and blood biochemical and economic evaluation were estimated. 
 
Result: Lambs fed T3 had a lower body weight on day 75 than those fed the other dietary treatments, with weight gain also being reduced for those fed sprouted barley during both the 45-75 and 1-75 day period. Feed intake generally increases with the sprouting of barley, resulting in a higher feed-to-gain ratio. White blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration reduced in lambs receiving T3 and T4. Total protein, globulin, triglyceride and glucose levels decreased in lambs receiving T3 and T4, whereas total cholesterol and HDL increased. Urea and ALT levels were lower in lambs fed sprouted barley. Sprouted barley had the highest dry matter content and nitrogen digestibility. Economic evaluations, including the profit rate, relative economic efficiency and investment rate, were higher. Overall, this experiment suggests that sprouting barley at 25% (T2) had no negative effect on the hematological and blood biochemical parameters of lambs, whereas economic evaluation indicators were higher at T2. The inclusion of sprouted barley resulted in the highest nitrogen balance and digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen. However, its effects on growth performance require further investigation.