PRENATAL REPRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IN F1 LACAUNE X TURCANA CROSSBRED PRMIPAROUS DAIRY SHEEP

Aim of the current preliminary research trial was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding the French Lacaune breed with Romanian native Turcana sheep has on prenatal reproduction efficiency in F 1 Lacaune x Turcana crossbred primiparous genotypes, when put to ram as maiden-ewes or as yearling ewes. When crossbred ewes were introduced to reproduction at the age of 10 months, the average conception rates were of 45.4%, compared to 26.0% in Turcana purebreds, differences between the two groups being significant (p≤0.01). When F 1 Lacaune x Turcana crossbreds were first put to ram at the age of 18 months, the conception rates were on average of 90.0%, compared to 95.8% for the Turcana controls, differences between the two genotypes being significant (p≤0.05). The F 1 Lacaune x Turcana proven to be more precocious when reproduction onset is concerned, compared to indigenous Turcana ewes.