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Emma Hand
PhD Student
School Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Location Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Phone (02) 6933-4543
Email ehand@csu.edu.au
Project
Mechanisms behind the alteration of sex ratios of offspring when ewes are fed a ration either high in omega-3 or omega-6 at mating
Summary
This study will focus on examining the effects of maternal diet of ewes, at mating, on sex ratio of offspring. Preliminary evidence indicates feeding a diet high in omega-3 (low in omega-6) is associated with higher proportions of male lambs, while a diet low in omega-3 (high in omega-6) is associated with higher proportions of female offspring. In addition, prostaglandin synthesis is reduced and time to oestrus is longer when ewes are fed high omega-3 diets.
Mechanisms behind these changes have not yet been discovered. Therefore, the aim of the current project is to determine physiological mechanisms which lead to observed alterations in time to oestrus and sex ratio of lambs. In vivo and in vitro techniques will be used to examine effects of omega-3 and omega-6 on fertilization of the ova, time to oestrus and ovulation. Further experiments will examine changes in time to oestrus and other physiological mechanisms in intensive animal house studies.
Supervisors
Dr Michael Friend, Dr Edward Clayton and Dr Belinda King
Funding source
Australian Postgraduate Award, Meat & Livestock Australia