Changes associated with pregnancy and lactation in some extra–reproductive organs of the ewe

Abstract

SUMMARYThe food intake, the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, and of nitrogen were measured in housed Blackface ewes during late pregnancy, lactation, and after the lambs were weaned. The ewes were slaughtered serially together with non-breeding controls, and the liver, ruminal mucosa, intestines, CNS and carcass were weighed. In association with differing reproductive status marked changes occurred in the content of dry matter and protein in the alimentary organs, but not in the CNS, and the mean weight of DNA in the CNS for all the animals was 130 ± 20 (S.D.) mg.All of the alimentary organs became hypertrophied during lactation, and regressed after weaning. Maximum values for the liver and ruminal mucosa occurred in the sixth week of lactation, and were maintained until weaning. The small intestine reached maximum weight after 4 weeks of lactation.