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Data from Mehsana kids born during the period of 2006 to 2012, maintained at Sheep and Goat Research Station (SGRS), Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat, India, were used to evaluate the effect of various non-genetic factors on the different growth traits. The least squares means of body weights at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of age were 2.75 ± 0.03, 10.33 ± 0.16, 13.83 ± 0.23, 16.98 ± 0.35 and 20.44 ± 0.31 kg, respectively. The pre-weaning and post-weaning average daily weight gains were 84.75±1.82, and 35.58±0.92 g, respectively. Although year of birth was having highly significant

The pattern of growth and regression of ovarian follicles was monitored once daily for one complete estrous cycle in eight individual water buffaloes by ultrasonographic scanning of the ovaries for an entire interovulatory interval of normal cycle length. One-wave follicular growth was observed in five animals and two-wave follicular growth in three buffaloes during the estrous cycle. The first follicular wave of a two-wave cycle emerged significantly earlier (P0.05) than the emergence of the solitary wave of a one-wave cycle. One- and two-wave cycles differed significantly (P0.05) with respect to the mean interovulatory interval (21.0 +/- 0.54 days versus 22.7 +/- 0.33 days) and the mean interestrus interval (20.8 +/- 0.58 days versus 22.3 +/- 0.66 days). The overall linear growth rate of the ovulatory follicle was significantly greater (P0.01) in a two-wave cycle compared to that of a one-wave cycle (1.17 +/- 0.33 mm/day versus 0.32 +/- 0.01 mm/day). In a one-wave pattern, the growth profile of the solitary dominant follicle was atypical, showing three distinct phases, i.e. growth phase, regression phase and regrowth phase culminating in ovulation. The level of plasma progesterone steadily increased from day 0 of estrous cycle, attained peak level on day 14 and declined thereafter. A slower growth rate of the dominant follicle was observed in the presence of higher plasma progesterone concentration. The present study shows that one-wave follicular growth is a normal phenomenon in suckled water buffaloes.

Production records of 513 Patanwadi sheep spread over a period of 15 years (1998–2012) were analyzed to study the effect of non-genetic factors (sex of animal, period and season of shearing) on greasy fleece weight (GFW). The overall least squares mean of six monthly GFw was 579.61±4.65g. Significant differences between period of shearing, season of shearing and sex of animal on GFW indicated that environmental conditions might have played an important role in bringing about the variation in this trait. This further indicated that the records should be corrected for obtaining valid estimates of genetic parameters of GFW. Lower estimate of repeatability of GFW discourages selection of animals for higher GFW based on first shearing. The most probable producing ability of the top 5% animals ranged from 647.19 to 816.09g.