Maternal Metabolic Demands Caused by Pregnancy and Lactation: Association with Productivity and Offspring Phenotype in High-Yielding Dairy Ewes

This study assessed the effects of metabolic load imposed by pregnancy and lactation on productivity and offspring performance in high-yielding dairy sheep. Productivity was assessed in terms of offspring and maternal milk yield, metabolic profile, and body condition. Our results show that maternal productivity and lamb body weight and growth are not compromised by pregnancy and lactation because dairy sheep, when appropriately managed, seem to be able to cover metabolic demands of pregnancy and high milk production without losing productivity