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The effects of exogenous bovine growth hormone and bromocryptine mesilate on mammary development in ewe lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

I.D. Johnsson
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT
I.C. Hart
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9AT
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Extract

High levels of feed and rapid growth before puberty can result in small functional mammary glands and lower milk yields in dairy heifers. One hypothesis suggests this effect may be mediated via changes in the circulating levels of certain metabolic hormones (in particular a reduction in GH), that are known to accompany high levels of food intake, and that may normally exert some mammogenic influence. Preliminary studies indicated that rapid rearing in sheep can result in similar metabolic changes, reductions in prepubertal mammary development and lower first lactation milk yields.

Type
Sheep Production
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1984

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