REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINESE HU SHEEP

The reproductive characteristics of Chinese Hu sheep are reviewed. Mal e and female lambs reached puberty at a mean age of 120 days and 180 d ays, respectively, with an average body weight of 18.54 +/- 1.48 kg (n = 32) and 22.75 +/- 1.98 kg (n = 24). Adult male and female sheep rep roduced throughout the year. On average, ewes lambed 1.65 times per ye ar (n = 1482). The mean ovulation rate of adult ewes was over 2.2 (n = 46). The average litter size of 150 863 ewes raised under extensive c onditions was 2.06. The early sexual maturity of male and female lambs was respectively related to high concentrations of testosterone and 1 7 beta-E(2) in blood plasma in the earlier postnatal period. The mecha nism of high fecundity is not known.