Gj. Mccrabb et al., LAMB BIRTH-WEIGHT IN SHEEP DIFFERENTLY ACCLIMATIZED TO A HOT ENVIRONMENT, Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 44(5), 1993, pp. 933-943
Two groups of ewes were selected from a flock of 151 ewes in the semi-
arid tropics of northern Australia, according to their rectal temperat
ure measured at 1600 hours on each of 3 consecutive days when maximum
daily ambient temperature was 36 +/- 0.5-degrees-C. Low temperature st
atus (LRT) ewes had a rectal temperature of less-than-or-equal-to 39.8
-degrees-C at 1600 hours on each of the 3 days, while high temperature
status (HRT) ewes had a rectal temperature of greater-than-or-equal-t
o 39.9-degrees-C. These ewes were mated 8 months later and exposed to
a summer gestation under normal grazing conditions. Maximum and minimu
m daily ambient temperatures during pregnancy were 37 +/- 0.3-degrees-
C and 21 +/- 0.3-degrees-C respectively. Rectal temperature measured a
t both 0800 and 1600 hours for HRT ewes was higher (P < 0-01) than for
LRT ewes during pregnancy. LRT ewes produced lambs of higher (P < 0.0
5) birthweight and ponderal index than HRT ewes. The physiological bas
is for the difference in fetal growth in ewes which respond differentl
y to a hot climate has not been identified, but possible mechanisms ar
e discussed.