Influence of body condition on ovulatory response to lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) supplementation of sheep

30 mature Merino ewes in store condition (body condition score 2) were fattened on a maize grain/lucerne chaff diet or maintained in store condition (mean body weight difference, 11 kg). All sheep were then fed a maintenance diet of oat chaff. Following synchronization of all sheep with intravaginal sponges containing 40 mg progestogen, half the animals in each group were fed lupin grain supplement at 750 g per head day from day 8 of progestogen treatment. Ovulation rate after removal of the sponges was 64% higher (P<0.05) in the lupin-supplemented than in the other group, but was not affected by the condition score of the ewes. Plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen and some plasma amino acids tended to be higher in the lupin-supplemented group. The results indicate that flushing may increase ovulation rate of ewes regardless of body condition.