Abstract
AN interesting feature which has emerged from attempts to hybridise domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) is the marked difference in conception rate according to the direction in which the cross is made. In goats inseminated with sheep semen the conception rate is similar to that in goats mated naturally with male goats; whereas in sheep inseminated with goat semen fertilisation is an infrequent occurrence1–3. The low fertilisation rate in sheep inseminated with goat semen has been confirmed by Hancock4 who found that only 5 of 93 (5.4%) sheep eggs were fertilised by goat spermatozoa.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Warwick, B. L., and Berry, R. O., J. Hered., 40, 297 (1949).
Lopyrin, A. I., and Loginova, N. V., Usp. sovrem. Biol., 36 (1953).
Lopyrin, A. I., and Loginova, N. V., Anim. breed. Abstr., 22, No. 1019 (1954).
Hancock, J. L., Proc. 5th int. Cong. anim. Reprod., A. I. Trento, 3, 445 (1964).
Hancock, J. L., and Hovell, G. J. R., J. Reprod. Fert., 2, 295 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MCGOVERN, P. Fertilisation of sheep ova following their transfer to goats. Nature 250, 83 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250083a0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/250083a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.