Comparison of the survival of fertilized eggs from adult ewes in the uteri of adult ewes and ewe lambs

Abstract

Fertilized eggs, obtained from mature donor ewes, were transferred into the uteri of adult ewes and ewe lambs (1 or 2 eggs per recipient). The survival rate to term of the transferred eggs was similar in the two classes of recipients. The percentage of adult ewe and ewe lamb recipients which gave birth to twins was 45.3 and 41.1 respectively. Gestation length was shorter (P < 0.01) and lamb birth weight lower (P < 0.01) for ewe lamb recipients. The results indicate that the generally lower lambing rate of ewe lambs compared to adults is unlikely to be due to unfavourable uterine conditions.