Reproductive Resumption in Winter and Spring Related to Gene Polymorphisms in Sarda Sheep.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the association between the SNPs rs430181568 and rs407388227 located in the MTNR1A gene with the reproductive recovery of Sarda sheep in different months of ram introduction in the flock (February, March, April and May). In order to address this research gap, we selected two farms, each of which consisted of approximately 1000 animals; a total of 800 ewes (400 for each farm) were genotyped for the two single nucleotide polymorphisms rs430181568 and rs407388227 located in the exon 2 of the MTNR1A. These SNPs are completely linked; thus, each genotype of rs430181568 corresponded to the same genotype for rs407388227.

MTNR1A gene polymorphisms and reproductive recovery after seasonal anoestrus in different Mediterranean sheep breeds.

The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of MTNR1A gene polymorphisms on reproductive performance in ewes of one Italian and two Slovenian dairy sheep breeds (Sarda, Istrian Premenka and Boska, respectively) which were located at different latitudes, and 2) to highlight if the different season of the male placement with females that was utilized in the different breeding systems in Sardinia (Italy) and Slovenia resulted in different effects of these polymorphisms on reproductive functions. Reproductively mature ewes (n = 100) from each breed were utilized to conduct the study. To evaluate the reproductive efficiency, lambing dates and number of lambs born were recorded per ewe; additionally, the duration in days from ram placement with ewes to lambing (DRPEL), litter size and the fertility rate were determined based on lambing dates.

Effect of Body Condition Score, Treatment Period and Month of the Previous Lambing on the Reproductive Resumption of Melatonin-Treated Sarda Breed Sheep during Spring.

Stakeholders place great emphasis upon rationalizing the management and rearing techniques which are utilized within sheep farms. The present study aimed to investigate factors which may improve the reproductive performance of melatonin-treated Sardinian sheep via a series of three trials. The first trial ( = 100) investigated the effect of melatonin treatment alongside body condition score (BCS), the second trial ( = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the date of treatment (treatment period) and the third trial ( = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the previous lambing of the ewes.

Melatonin Treatment in Rams and Their Replacement with Novel Treated Rams Advance First Lambing and Increase Fertility in Sarda Ewe Lambs.

This study aims to find reliable strategies for advancing first mating and shortening the period from weaning to first lambing in ewe lambs. Sarda ewe lambs (n = 400) were selected from two farms and allocated into four separated groups of 100, all of which were exposed to fertile, adult rams over the course of a 50-day breeding period. The first treatment group (RMR) was exposed to four melatonin-treated rams which were replaced every ten days, whilst the second treatment group (RM) was exposed to four melatonin-treated rams which were not replaced.

Improving dairy performance through molecular characterization of gene in Sarda sheep breed.

This research has two aims: (i) to characterize the coding sequence of the gene in dairy sheep in order to investigate possible relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and milk traits; and (ii) to investigate possible relationship between gene expression and nucleotide variation. Four hundred adult and multiparous lactating Sarda breed ewes were selected from two farms. Milk samples were collected from Day 30 to Day 150 of lactation to determine the mean yield, somatic cell count, lactose, fat, and protein content of the milk.