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This study evaluated the impacts of management of body condition score (BCS) between pregnancy scanning and lamb marking on the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs at 19 research sites across Southern Australia. Triplet-bearing ewes of Maternal (crossbred or composite) or Merino breed were randomly allocated to treatment at pregnancy scanning at an average of 97 days from the start of joining: High or Low BCS. The BCS of individual ewes was assessed at pregnancy scanning, pre-lambing (average of 137 days from the start of joining) and marking (average of 165 days from the end of joining), and ewe and lamb mortality to marking, recorded for each mob. The average BCS at pregnancy scanning was 3.4 for Maternal ewes and 3.3 for Merino ewes. There were no breed by BCS treatment effects on the BCS of ewes at pregnancy scanning or lamb marking or on the change in BCS between pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing or between pre-lambing and marking. The change in BCS differed between the High and Low BCS treatments, between pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing (0.12 vs. −0.33; p < 0.001) and between pre-lambing and marking (−0.39 vs. 0.07; p < 0.001) but did not differ between breeds. The average BCS at marking for ewes managed at the High and Low BCS treatments was 3.1 and 3.0 for Maternals and 3.0 and 2.8 for Merinos. Survival of triplet-bearing Merino ewes (p < 0.01) and their lambs (p < 0.001) was greater when ewes were managed at the High BCS compared to the Low BCS. The BCS treatment did not impact the survival of Maternal ewes or their lambs. The survival of Merino but not Maternal lambs was higher when ewes were in greater BCS pre-lambing (p < 0.01) and when ewes gained BCS between pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing (p < 0.01). Ewe mortality was lower when ewes gained BCS between pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing (p < 0.05). Merino ewes were more likely to die than Maternal ewes for a given change in BCS between pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing (p = 0.065). Overall, our findings demonstrate that producers should manage the nutrition of triplet-bearing Merino ewes so that ewes are in greater BCS at lambing and/or to gain BCS between pregnancy scanning and lambing to improve ewe and lamb survival. Triplet-bearing Maternal ewes should be managed to gain BCS between pregnancy scanning and lambing to improve ewe survival.

Sheep milk production is a complex process that is influenced by various factors. This study aims to investigate how the litter size (single vs. twins), birth type (male vs. female), age of the ewes and body weight affect the milk composition and fatty acid profile of milk fat. Milk samples were collected from 119 Najdi ewes that were the subject of this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MASS) was used to quantify the fatty acids (FAs). The results showed that the twins birth type (female/female) has a significant influence (P<0.05) on the concentration of linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), behenic acid (C22:0) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (SFA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:4; DHA), and odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA), such as C15:0-antiso and C19:1-cis 10, increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing age and body weight of the ewes, while the ALA and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive association between the age and the OCFA, ALA and small-chain fatty acids (C6:0 and C8:0). In addition, the type of birth showed a positive association with the fat, lactose and palmitoleic acid C16:1 cis9. Conversely, there is a negative association between the UFA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA. In addition, the body weight (BW) and litter size were negatively associated with the protein, SFA and medium-chain fatty acids (C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0). The physiological factors generally suggested that the milk quality and essential FA, such as ALA, were influenced by the type of the lamb’s birth and the age of the ewes.

Simple Summary: The ability of Merinos d'Arles ewes to quickly overcome undernutrition situations by efficiently using their body energy reserves was confirmed in this study. There is potential for a simplified [beta]-adrenergic challenge protocol helping to identify differences in adaptive capacity among individuals reared and fed under similar conditions in the same flock. Shortage and refeeding situations lead to switches in metabolic pathways induced by undernutrition and body energy reserve (BR) replenishment cycles. In a 122-d experiment, 36 adult Merinos d'Arles ewes were chosen and first accustomed to diet ingredients (i.e., wheat straw, pelleted alfalfa and sugar beet pulp) and the facility environment for 22 d. Then, ewes were randomly assigned to one of three \"diet challenge\" treatments during 50 d, (control, underfed and overfed; 12 ewes each) corresponding to 100%, 70% or 160% of energy requirements allowances, respectively. Then, a \"refeeding challenge\" was applied the last 50 d (i.e., diets adjusted with the same ingredients). An individual monitoring of body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and energy metabolism was carried out. The last day, a \"[beta]-adrenergic challenge\" was applied. Anabolic or catabolic responses were accompanied by synchronized metabolic regulations, leading to contrasting metabolic and BR profiles. Average BW and BCS were higher and lower in overfed and underfed ewes, respectively, which was proportional to lower and higher BR mobilization dynamics. Higher plasma free fatty acids (FFA) were accompanied by lower blood insulin, leptin and glucose levels. After refeeding, a rebound in BW and BCS were observed, and FFA were drastically reduced in underfed ewes. No differences were detected in plasma FFA at the end of the study, but the lipolytic activity was different and contrasted with the adipose tissue mass. Keywords: metabolic adaptation; adaptive capacity; undernutrition; feed shortage challenge

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in the plasma and maternal and fetal tissues of pregnant ewes when administered within 24 hours of a single, IV Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) challenge. Twelve, pregnant ewes between 72-92 days of gestation were challenged IV with C. jejuni IA3902 and then treated with 1.1 ml/45.36 kg of tulathromycin subcutaneously 18 hours post-challenge. Ewes were bled at predetermined time points and euthanized either at a predetermined time point or following the observation of vaginal bleeding or abortion. Following euthanasia, tissues were collected for bacterial culture, pharmacokinetics and histologic examination. The maximum (geometric) mean tulathromycin plasma concentration was estimated at 0.302 [mu]g/mL, with a peak level observed at around 1.2 hours. The apparent systemic clearance of tulathromycin was estimated at 16.6 L/h (or 0.28 L/kg/h) with an elimination half-life estimated at approximately 22 hours. The mean tissue concentrations were highest in the uterus (2.464 [mu]g/g) and placentome (0.484 [mu]g/g), and were lowest in fetal liver (0.11 [mu]g/g) and fetal lung (0.03 [mu]g/g). Compared to previous reports, results of this study demonstrate that prior IV administration of C. jejuni appeared to substantially alter the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin, reducing both the peak plasma concentrations and elimination half-life. However, additional controlled trials are required to confirm those observations.

This article examines the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew in the light of Ewe-Ghanaian conflict management model. Theoretically, the article employs a combination of the historical-critical and indigenous mother tongue biblical hermeneutical approaches to explore the implication of the petition for Ewe-Ghanaian Christian spirituality. The main theme of the petition in both Matthew and Luke’s renditions of the petition is forgiveness, which employs a divine-human and human–human formula, with the human–human serving as a form of collateral for the divine-human. Whereas Matthew’s petition carries an eschatological motif that of Luke is viewed in a non-eschatological sense. The article discusses the various theological and hermeneutical positions of the text and dialogically engages the world of the text with the Ewe-Ghanaian conflict resolution model with the view of finding points of continuity and discontinuity, if any. The article argues that divine-human and human–human forgiveness model, and the eschatological and non-eschatological interpretations suggested in both Matthew and Luke, respectively, does not resonate with Ewe-Ghanaian worldview, which perceives conflict from a demonological point of view. Any conflict resolution model that does not take the demonological dimension into consideration cannot be trusted to deliver justice in conflict situations. Thus, the task of the 21st century Ewe-Ghanaian church is to design an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that resonates with the Ewe-Ghanaian life and thought pattern and is able to deliver justice. Contribution: Matthew’s rendition of the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer from the perspective of Ewe-Ghanaian conflict resolution model is the focus of this article. The article forms part of the researcher’s contribution to the academic knowledge on the Lord’s Prayer and inspires the use of Mother Tongue Biblical hermeneutics in the development of theological materials for the Ewe-Ghanaian Christian communities in Ghana and Togo.

Consultation with sheep producers was used to quantify the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs, identify management practices adopted by producers to reduce these losses and prioritise future research needs to improve the survival of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs. Surveys were completed by 64 producers across Australia who identified and separated triplet-bearing ewes from twin-bearing ewes in 2017 and/or 2018. On average, 5.9% of all ewes mated were identified as carrying triplets (6.6% of non-Merino ewes and 2.9% of Merino ewes). The average mortality of triplet-bearing ewes was 6.4%, and ewe mortality did not differ significantly between ewe breeds. The average survival of triplet-born lambs was 59%, and survival was significantly higher for lambs from non-Merino compared to Merino ewes (60.1 vs. 52.9%, p < 0.05). The key strategies adopted to reduce the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs included management of condition score, feed-on-offer, mob size at lambing and use of shelter. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in the average mortality of triplet-bearing ewes or their lambs between producers that prioritised the adoption of certain management practices. However, significant variation existed between producers in their targets at lambing for ewe condition score (2.8 to 3.5), mob size (10 to 150 ewes) and feed-on-offer (800 to 2500 kg dry matter/ha). Overwhelmingly, the highest priorities for further research identified by producers from surveys, workshops and a webinar were ewe condition score, mob size, feed-on-offer at lambing and mineral supplementation. This study informs benchmarks for mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs under extensive grazing conditions in Australia, and the priorities for future research to reduce these losses.

This study was designed to investigate the influence of pre-estrus (PE) synchronization and post-mating (PM) vitamins AD3E treatment on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes raised at four Iraqi provinces. Seventy six Awassi ewes were randomly divided within each province into two groups. The first group (n=15, except for Karbala, n= 11) were im injected with five AD3E injections (150 IU / dose), biweekly interval. The 1st injection was 1.5 months PM, while the 2nd and 3rd injections were at the time of progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges insertion. The 4th injection was at the time of the vaginal sponge’s removal, whereas the 5th injection was 14 days PM. The control group (n=5) was intramuscularly injected with 5 ml normal saline at similar periods. The AD3E groups exhibited higher (P≤0.01) fertility and conception rates as compared to the control groups in Al-Najaf and Karbala provinces. Higher (P≤0.01) lambing rate and liter size were noticed in AD3E groups than those of the control group for all provinces. In conclusion, pre-estrus synchronization and post-mating vitamin AD3E treatment improved the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes.

Genotypes and allele frequency values ​​were studied to determine the genetic diversity of three microsatellite markers (BM1329, BM134 and CSSM66) in two local Iraqi sheep breeds (50 Awasi ewes (AW) and 50 Naimi ewes (NA)) and breed in one Agricultural Stations in middle of Al-Furut Iraq (Karbala Governorate). The Genetic analyses for the study were carried out at the Biotechnology Research Center /  Al-Nahrain University using PCR technology to obtain alleles for the studied microsatellites. The results of this study indicate that there is a multiplicity of genotypes and alleles resulting from these markers among the members of the single breed and between the studied breeds. It was revealed that the allele frequency values showed the presence of alleles dominant on the rest of alleles produce in this sample studied, the BM1329 microsatellite of the Awassi breed produced the dominant allele frequency in 195(0.25) and 320 (0.25), While in the Naimi breed were the values ​​of the dominant allele frequency of the195(0.22), 220(0.21) and 230(0.24), and the dominant allelic frequency of (BM134) marker in the Awassi breed was 118 and 135 and repeated (0.21 and 0.26, respectively). For CSSM66 microsatellite, the dominant allelic results and their allelic frequency values ​​were (195 (0.20), 205 (0.23) and 220 (0.25)) for Awasi breed, whereas it was 180 (0.24), 195 (0.28) and 220 (0.22) for Nuaimi breed. These results enable us to use these markers as a means of determining the diversity and genetic relationships between individuals of a single breed as well as between breeds.