@conference {40839,
	title = {Seasonal effects on fetal growth in sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {297-300},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Previous studies have shown that autumn-born lambs are lighter (by  0.4 to 1.0 kg) at birth than spring-born lambs, an effect which is associated  with impaired placental development in ewes mated to lamb in the autumn.  As previous studies have focused on near-term fetal weights and birth  weights, the objective of this study was to determine the pattern of growth  throughout gestation in lambs destined to be born in the autumn or spring,  and to examine associated changes in placental development. Mature N.Z.  Romney ewes were randomly assigned to groups mated in December (n=23)  or March (n=28) and managed on pasture in both seasons for similar live- weight profiles from mating to day 140 of gestation. Ewes were slaughtered  at day 56, 84, 112 or 140 of gestation, and measures of fetal and placental  weight were determined. Fetal weights (kg) of December- versus March- mated ewes were: d56 (0.040 },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {McCoard SA and Peterson SW and Jenkinson CMC and Campbell JW and McCutcheon SN}
}
