Genetics of Reproduction in Sheep is a compilation of papers that are concerned with the study and application of genetics to the reproduction in sheep. The book is divided into six parts, grouping the papers according to topic. The main topics include genetic variation and selection; the inheritance and the effects of the Booroola gene; genetic strategies for single genes; physiology of genetic variation; the physiological criteria of genetic merit; and the national requirement and systems of husbandry. The text is recommended for those involved with raising sheep and plan to apply genetics in their reproduction, as well as for geneticists who wish to conduct studies on how their field is applied to sheep reproduction.

Systematics and phylogeny of the sheep;Genetic aspects of domestication, common breeds and their origin; Genetics of colour and hair texture; Genetics of morphological traits and inherited disorders; Biochemical genetics; Molecular genetics of sheep; Molecular genetics of immune molecules; Genetics of disease resistance and vaccine response; Molecular biology and genetics of scrapie in sheep; Cytogenetics: physical chromosome maps; The sheep linkage map; Genetics of behaviour; Biology and genetics of reproduction; Modern reproduction technologies and transgenics; Developmental genetics; Genetic resources and conservation; Genetic improvement of wool production; Genetics of meat quality; Genetics of milk production; Genetic improvement of sheep; Standardized genetic nomenclature for sheep.

As reproductive performance is an important criterion in animal production, there is considerable interest in prolific breeds. Certain prolific breeds of sheep produce an average of more than two lambs per pregnancy. With the "discovery" of the Finnsheep and Romanov breeds, followed in the 1980s by the discovery of the Booroola gene in Australia, research into prolificacy has escalated. Also, artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques now make it easier to move prolific breeds across continents and incorporate prolificacy into local populations. There have also been a number of recent studies on the physiology, nutrition and management of prolific sheep. Previously there has been no single book reviewing and collating current knowledge of prolific sheep. This book fills the gap and covers all aspects of the subject, including descriptions of the various breeds. Written by authors from every region of the world, the book is a comprehensive work on this subject.

First published in 1984, this volume comprised a broad synthesis of contemporary research on sheep reproduction conducted in Australia. Australia is internationally recognized for the excellence of its research in this field, and heads the world in areas of the neuro-endocrine control of reproduction, reproductive behaviour, artificial insemination and manipulation of reproductive performance, to name just a few. The book comprises some 23 review papers and short communications, all refereed by experts in the field, covering such topics as neuro-endocrinology, sexual behaviour, testicular and ovular function, pregnancy and foetal growth, parturition, lamb survival, nutrition and genetics. Advanced methods, developed in the seventies and early eighties to control reproductive function, gene manipulation and intra-uterine insemination are also considered, together with the managerial and economic values of such developments.