A note on the influence of age at time of diethylstilbestrol implantation on the weight gain of young lambs

Abstract

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) implants have consistently increased the weight gains and feed efficiency of 5 to 7 month old fattening lambs. The effects of DES on young sucking lambs is less well delineated. Twelve mg DES implants used by Perry, Andrews and Beeson (1951) and Clegg, Albaugh, Lucas and Weir (1955) and 3 mg DES implants used by Lewis, Hines and Mansfield (1966) resulted in significant increases in weight gains of 6-to 14-week-old lambs. Conversely Jordan and Dinusson (1950), Jordan (1953) and England (1959) using 3 mg implants reported no significant increase in weight gains of 2- to 4-month-old grazing sucking Iambs. Wilkinson, Carter and Copenhaver (1955) implanted 6 to 8 week old grazing, sucking lambs with 10 mg of oestradiol and 250 mg progesterone. No increase in weight gains resulted and 5 of 28 lambs treated were lost from prolapse of the rectum.