2010 Sheep and Goat Research Journal Updated

The first two articles of the 2010 edition of the Sheep and Goat Research Journal have been posted to www.sheepusa.org/Research_Journal.

Livestock protection dogs (LPDs) in the United States have helped to protect livestock herds from certain predators, but expanding large-carnivore populations pose new challenges, and the number of LPDs killed by large predators is increasing.

A Review: The Use of Livestock Protection Dogs in Association with Large Carnivores in the Rocky Mountains, written by C. Urbigkit and J. Urbigkit, is a literature review to identify the LPD breeds that may be more suited for use around large carnivores, such as gray wolves. The use of spiked collars to increase the survivability for LPDs in areas of coexistence with large carnivore populations is also discussed. This paper advances the adoption of techniques and LPD breeds used outside of the United States in areas where large carnivores exist with livestock production.

Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Serum Progesterone Concentration During the First Weeks After Mating, Components of Pre-implantation Complete Blood Counts, and Number of Offspring at Parturition in Ewes was written by D.T. Yates, L.J. Yates, A.R. Otis, C.A. Warner, R.A. Halalsheh, D.M. Hallford and T.T. Ross. The study addresses the fact that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may boost progesterone production and attenuate maternal-immune response against conception in ewes, increasing prenatal survival. The effects of repeated hCG administration after mating on serum progesterone concentration and complete blood counts (CBC) during early gestation, as well as offspring numbers at parturition, are examined.