Ewe nutrition and lamb growth

1. The literature review initially describes foetal and placental growth and development. The following two sections present the effects of nutrition before mating and in early pregnancy, concentrating mainly on the effect on ovulation and lambing rate, and identify the lack of information on the effect on foetal lamb growth and birth weight.2. Aspects of nutrition, particularly during mid and late pregnancy are reviewed. The close relationship between energy and protein nutrition is recognised in relation to foetal growth.3. Finally, an account of nutritional effects on lactation is given and again emphasising the role protein and energy have to play. Methods of assessing milk yield are also described.4. The first experiment provided information on differences in maternal body composition, early foetal and placental growth and development brought about by high and low planes of feeding for ten weeks before mating and up till 90 days of gestation. The foetus weights were not different, but placenta and cotyledon weights were heavier ( p