Schindler, H., Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Bet Dagan, Iceland
Amir, D., Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Bet Dagan, Iceland
Oestrous cycle and phenomena accompanying oestrus were studied in the local fat-tailed Awassi ewe. By heat detections at 4 h intervals, the average period of oestrous was found to be 35.5 h and the mean duration of the oestrous cycle, 17.5 days. The repeatability of length of oestrus and of cycle length was 0.60 and 0.41, respectively. The appearance of a transparent or cloudy fluid secretion indicated that the ewe was still at least in the first half of the oestrous period, while that of a viscous creamy secretion indicated the approaching end of oestrus as well as the approaching ovulation; the latter events generally coincided. The onset of oestrus was not centred around any particular time of day. © 1972, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.