Inheritance of litter size and its components in crosses between the D'man and Sardi breeds of sheep

Abstract

Data on ovulation rate, litter size and embryo survival of 364 Sardi (S), D'man (D), S x DS, DS x S, S x D, D X S (F1), F2, D x DS and DS x D ewes mated for first and second lambing to F1 rams were analyzed. Breed group, birth group and season had significant effects on ovulation rate and litter size but not on embryo survival. D'man ewes had the highest ovulation rate (2.79) and litter size (2.00), with an essentially linear increase in each of these variables with percentage of D'man inheritance in the ewe (b = .017 +/- .001 CL and .009 +/- .001 lambs born). Embryo survival was influenced only by the number of ova shed. D'man direct genetic effects were higher (P less than .01) than those of Sardi for ovulation rate (+1.78) and litter size (+1.08) but did not differ for embryo survival (-.07). Maternal effects differed little for any of the three traits. Individual heterosis estimates were negative and significant for ovulation rate but not significant for litter size and embryo survival. Maternal heterosis and epistatic recombination effects were small and not significant for any trait.