FS No:

FACT SHEET
www.pir.sa.gov.au/factsheets

Survival of sheep embryos

Many parts of SA are known for their low lamb-marking percentages. However, a few
producers in these districts seem to have higher than average marking percentages. This
demonstrates that with care and thought a better lamb-marking rate can be achieved without
great cost increases.
The term 'lamb-marking percentage' is generally taken to mean the number of lambs marked,
divided by the number of ewes mated, expressed as a percentage. For example, if 200 ewes
were mated and 150 lambs were marked, the lamb-marking percentage would be 75. The
lamb-marking percentage can increase the profitability of an enterprise as well as determine
culling levels and the ultimate genetic progress of the flock.
Several factors determine the lamb-marking percentage. These can be divided into three
groups.
The number of ewes that manage to get in lamb (conceive), and this is influenced by:
• the semen production and mating activity of the rams,
• the oestrous (breeding) and ovulatory activity of the ewes.
The number of lambs born to each ewe, which is influenced by:
• the number of eggs shed by each ewe (ovulation rate),
• the number of these eggs that become fertilised,
• the number of fertilised eggs that survive to lambing.
The number of lambs that survive from birth to marking.
These three factors are affected by a number of contributing aspects that may act in
combination.
Four fact sheets in this series describe how to increase lamb-marking percentages. This fact
sheet discusses fertilisation of the egg, and survival of the embryo from conception until birth.
Reproductive rate
A high reproductive potential (ovulation rate) in ewes will not necessarily lead to satisfactory
results at lambing. In most cases, lambing ewes produce less offspring than the number of
eggs originally produced at mating. This is more apparent in ewes of high reproductive
potential.
Ovulation rate, however, ultimately governs the number of eggs that can be fertilised. Two
other factors, the successful fertilisation of eggs, and the survival of fertilised eggs (embryos)
until lambing, can limit the reproductive rate of ewes.
Fertilisation failure
Both the ewe and ram can cause the failure of eggs to be fertilised. Ewes must be willing to
accept mating, and exhibit the outward signs of oestrus. Rams must also be willing to mate

Survival of sheep embryos. 1

ewes, and deposit viable sperm in the vagina.
After ejaculation, the sperm must travel from the vagina through the cervix and uterus, finally
fertilising the eggs in the fallopian tubes. Not all rams are capable of covering ewes and
depositing semen in the vagina. Using Sire-Sine harnesses and crayons can detect rams that
are not serving ewes; however, appearance of crayon marks does not always guarantee that
viable semen has been deposited.
In practice, once semen has been deposited, around 90 per cent of all eggs will be fertilised.
However, low fertilisation rates could occur when:
• ewes graze oestrogenic pastures,
• the ram/ewe ratio is low,
• very high temperatures are experienced for a prolonged period.
Embryo survival
Twenty to thirty per cent of all fertilised ova (embryos) are lost during the first three weeks of
pregnancy, with very few losses after this time. After the first three weeks, subsequent to
implantation, the embryo is generally known as the fetus. The reasons for embryo death are
not well understood; however, a number of guidelines can be followed to minimise losses.
Ovulation rate
Ewes which shed multiple eggs have a greater chance of embryo death. However, this is more
than compensated for by the increased number of ewes conceiving, and lambs born per ewe
conceiving, in multiple ovulating flocks.
Age
Young ewes lose more embryos than do older ewes. This seems to be caused by a defect in
embryos produced by the younger animals. Recent evidence indicates this may not be a
problem in ewes once they reach a mating age of 18 months.
Environmental stress
Although embryos are remarkably resistant to environmental stresses, factors such as
excessive handling and very hot or cold weather can cause some losses. Excessive heat can
restrict the growth rate of foetuses, resulting in lower birth-weights.
Breed of ewe
Although the rate of embryo survival does vary between different breeds and strains of sheep, it
is not worthwhile selecting ewes for this factor.
Nutrition
Despite the spectacular effect of nutrition on ovulation rate, normal nutritional fluctuations
experienced in the field during the first 100 days of pregnancy have less effect on the survival of
embryos than does nutritional change in late pregnancy. However, gross overnutrition during
the first month of pregnancy is thought to cause losses due to a reduction in a hormone,
progesterone, necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy. This counteracts any benefit
gained from an increased ovulation rate due to high nutrition at mating.
In cases of extreme under nutrition during the initial 100 days of pregnancy, embryo survival
can also be affected. The effects of extreme under nutrition during this early stage of
pregnancy are usually more severe in ewes experiencing their first gestation than in older ewes.

Survival of sheep embryos. 2

During the final third of pregnancy from 100 days until term, the fetus grows rapidly. Nutrition
has a dramatic effect on fetal growth, birthweight, ewe milk production and lamb survival
following birth. This is more pronounced in ewes carrying multiple fetuses.
During the early stages of pregnancy, the placenta grows much faster than the fetus; however,
at about day 90, placental growth slows while fetal growth rate accelerates.
Adequate ewe nutrition early in pregnancy ensures that the placenta can grow sufficiently to
perform the role of supplying maternal nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.
It is usual to allow ewes that are fat at mating (body condition score 3.5 to 4.0) to decline
gradually in body condition to score 3.0 during the first two-thirds of pregnancy (14 weeks), as
slow growth of the fetus during this period does not place excessive demands on the ewe.
Caution must be observed, however, because rapid weight loss in ewes can trigger some fetal
deaths.
The grazing and feeding strategy should be planned in advance to ensure adequate nutrition for
ewes during the final third of pregnancy. The cheapest way of providing this nutrition is by
grazing green pastures. Mating, therefore, should be planned so the critical period of
pregnancy coincides with a flush of feed in late winter and early spring.
This is especially important in high-performance flocks where there is a large demand for
protein and energy in multiple- bearing ewes. Results from real-time scanning indicate that
many flocks in South Australia have a high proportion of multiple births. An added advantage of
late summer/autumn mating and winter/spring lambing is an improvement in ewe fertility (the
percentage of ewes pregnant).
If ewes, especially those bearing twins, do not receive adequate nutrition to maintain body
condition at or above score 2.5 during the final stage of pregnancy, they are likely to succumb to
pregnancy toxaemia or hypoglycaemia. Pregnancy toxaemia can be caused by poor nutrition,
sudden stress such as yarding, or through depressed appetite by having ewes overfat. This can
result in total loss of the ewe and fetuses.
In addition, adequate nutrition and body condition of the ewes during the final third of pregnancy
is essential to ensure:
• satisfactory birthweight of the lambs,
• better chance for survival of the lambs,
• better development of the mammary tissue and potential milk production of the ewe,
• early onset of lactation and supply of colostrum,
• satisfactory development of wool follicles in fetal skin,
• future fertility of ewe lambs.
Further advice
If problems are encountered with ram and ewe fertility, advice can be obtained from the Rural
Solutions SA Livestock Consultants throughout the State. To ensure that ewes are receiving
adequate nutrition during pregnancy, consultants can help producers by formulating
supplementary rations using the Ready Rations Pro computer program.

Survival of sheep embryos. 3

Last update: July, 2004
Agdex: 431/13
Author:
Dale Manson, Principal Consultant - Strategic Development, Rural Solutions SA.

Disclaimer

Use of the information in this Fact Sheet is at your own risk. The Department of Primary Industries and Resources and its employees do not
warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein in terms of its suitability,
correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The entire risk of the implementation of the information which has been provided to you
is assumed by you. All liability or responsibility to any person using the information is expressly disclaimed by the Department of Primary
Industries and Resources and its employees.

Survival of sheep embryos. 4