https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e34368
Received: 19/12/2023 Accepted: 05/02/2024 Published: 11/05/2024
1 of 6
Revista Científica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34368
ABSTRACT
This study was carried in order to evaluate the linear morphological
characteristics of the udder and teats in the breeder conditions
of Awassi and Bafra (Chios × Karayaka) ewes (Ovis aries) and to
determine the udder types, lactation milk yield and the lactation
period of the ewes. One hundred two Awassi and 61 Bafra ewes were
included in the study. The means of the linear scores of udder depth,
udder furrow, udder attachment, teat shape, teat angle and teat
placement in Awassi ewes were determined as 6.10 ± 0.27, 6.33 ± 0.27,
4.49 ± 0.27, 6.49 ± 0.33, 3.98 ± 0.29, and 1.47 ± 0.14, respectively.
The same parameters were determined as 6.31 ± 0.28, 6.77 ± 0.32,
5.72 ± 0.24, 1.20 ± 0.11, 1.72 ± 0.26, and 1.20 ± 0.11, respectively, in Bafra
ewes. Signicant differences were found between Awassi and Bafra
breeds in terms of udder types (P<0.01). The type 3 udder, suitable
for milking, was determined at the highest rate in both breeds,
but type 2 udder was not detected in Awassi ewes. Statistically
signicant differences were found between Awassi and Bafra ewes
in terms of linear morphological characteristics of udder and teat,
udder attachment, teat shape, teat angle and 60
th
day milk yield,
daily average milk yield and lactation period (P<0.01). Lactation milk
yield and lactation period were calculated as 139.85 ± 5.31 kg and
208.53 ± 4.471 days, respectively, in Awassi ewes and 145.91 ± 9.97
kg and 175.23 ± 4.635 days in Bafra ewes, respectively. As a result, in
order for linear udder characteristics to be used safely as an indirect
selection criterion, there is a need for studies with a higher number
of ewes and to calculate the repeatability and heritability.
Key words: Ewe; milk yield; lactation period; linear score; teat
placement; udder shape
RESUMEN
Este estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar las características
morfológicas lineales de la ubre y los pezones en las condiciones
reproductivas de las ovejas (Ovis aries) Awassi y Bafra (Chios ×
Karayaka) y para determinar los tipos de ubre, la producción de leche
en lactancia y el período de lactancia de las ovejas. En el estudio
se incluyeron 102 ovejas Awassi y 61 ovejas Bafra. Las medias de
las puntuaciones lineales correspondieron a de profundidad de
ubre, surco de ubre, inserción de ubre, forma de pezón, ángulo
de pezón y colocación de pezón. En ovejas Awassi se obtuvieron
valores de 6,10 ± 0,27; 6,33 ± 0,27; 4,49 ± 0,27; 6,49 ± 0,33; 3,98 ± 0,29 y
1,47 ± 0,14, respectivamente. Mientras que en la raza Bafra los índices
correspondieron a 6,31 ± 0,28; 6,77 ±0,32; 5,72 ± 0,24; 1,20 ± 0,11;
1,72 ± 0,26 y 1,20 ± 0,11, respectivamente. Se encontraron diferencias
signicativas entre ambas razas Awassi y Bafra en cuanto al tipo de
ubre (P<0,01). La ubre tipo 3, apta para ordeño, fue encontrada en
mayor proporción en ambas razas; la ubre tipo 2 no fue detectada
en las ovejas Awassi. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente
significativas entre las ovejas Awassi y Bafra en términos de
características morfológicas lineales de ubre y pezón, inserción de
la ubre, forma del pezón, ángulo del pezón y producción de leche a los
60 días, producción de leche promedio diaria y período de lactancia
(P<0,01). La producción de leche en lactancia y el período de lactancia
se calcularon en 139,85 ± 5,31 kg y 208,53 ± 4,471 días, respectivamente,
en las ovejas Awassi y 145,91 ± 9,97 kg y 175,23 ± 4,635 días en las ovejas
Bafra, respectivamente. Como resultado, para que las características
lineales de la ubre puedan usarse de manera segura como criterio de
selección indirecta; no obstante, es necesario realizar estudios con
un mayor número de ovejas y calcular la repetibilidad y heredabilidad
de estas caracteristicas.
Palabras clave: Ewe; producción de leche; período de lactancia;
puntuación lineal; colocación de pezones; forma
de ubre
Determination of udder and teat linear morphological traits in Awassi and
Bafra (Chios × Karayaka) Ewes
Determinación de rasgos morfológicos lineales de ubre y pezón
en Awassi y Bafra (Quíos × Karayaka) Ovejas
İbrahim Şeker
1
, Selim Kul
2
, Abdurrahman Köseman
3
*
1
Fırat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Zootechny. Elazığ, Türkiye.
2
Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Zootechny. Yozgat, Türkiye.
3
Malatya Turgut Özal University, Battalgazi Vocational School, Plant and Animal Production Department. Malatya, Türkiye.
*Corresponding author: abdurrahman.koseman@ozal.edu.tr
Udder linear morphological traits in Awassi and Bafra ewes / Şeker et al. ___________________________________________________________
2 of 6
INTRODUCTION
In selection application within the context of breeding studies
in sheep (Ovis aries), it is important to consider morphological
properties, in particular the udder and teat characteristics besides
yield registries and pedigree data [1]. Awareness of the udder and
teat morphology affects sheep breeding farms, both for milk and
meat production in many aspects, since teat characteristics are
inherited. A poor udder and teat morphology may negatively affect
milk production, milking performance, milking–related injuries,
infections and lamb production. When the udder and teat morphology
of the ewes is better and more suitable for breeding, ewes are less
susceptible to infections, stay longer in the sheep herd, the ratio of
selection and change decreases and production of milk and meat
signicantly increases [2].
In milking ewes, assessment of the morphological structure of the
udder using a linear scoring scale has emerged as an alternative to the
current morphological assessment systems. In the linear assessment,
the morphological value of the udder and teat characteristics is
determined through a nine–point scale [3, 4]. Linear scoring should
characterize the udder morphology as precisely as possible; however,
a limited number of scales and criteria should be used for the system
in order for it not to be very complex and time–consuming. Obtaining
data on the relationship between individual characteristics of the
udder morphology is important for including them in the overall
selection indices or creating partial selection indices for the udder
morphology. This information enables the estimation of future milk
selection schemes. The genetic correlations between the related
characteristics are also required for the selection index structure;
however, large numbers of well–structured data are required for
accurate estimation of genetic correlations [5].
Linear morphological assessment of the udder and teat
characteristics indirectly reveals the animals’ milking characteristics.
Thereby, selection applications may be easier and more successful.
In the linear morphological assessment process, the subjects that
can exceed the optimum level, remain in the herd and can thereby
be subjected to a constant selection in terms of udder and teat
characteristics. In this way, the population can achieve faster and
higher genetic improvement. In the near future, in order to be able
to make a more accurate and productive assessment in terms of
the udder and teat characteristics in milking ewes, it is expected to
dene their linear morphological structures and generalize this to
the whole registered population [4].
Awassi breed which adapts very well to hot and dry climatic
conditions, is among the sheep breeds with high milk yield in the
world. It can produce an average of 60–80 liters and up to 504 liters
of milk in lactation under modern operating conditions [6]. Hence,
breeding of the Awassi breed is of signicant importance [7].
On the other hand, Bafra sheep were obtained from Chios breed
which stands out with its meat quality besides the high milk and fertility
and also Karayaka breed which has adapted to the Black Sea conditions
in Türkiye [8]. The lactation milk yield of Bafra ewes has been reported
as 111–150 kg and the lactation period as 120 days [9]. In another study
by Kahraman and Yüceer Özkul [10], the average daily milk yields of
Bafra and Bafra × Akkaraman (F1) ewes were reported to be 849.76 and
753.17 g, the lactation milk yields were 126.40 and 112.52kg and the
lactation periods were 135.84 and 133.80 days, respectively.
Identication of the linear udder characteristics in sheep is an
important issue in terms of genetic breeding potential and business
economy. There is a great potential in Türkiye, especially in dairy
sheep, since selection is not made in this direction [1].
Many studies have been conducted on the Awassi breed examining
the udder and teat characteristics and the relationships between them
and the milk yield in particular [1, 2, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]. However, similar
studies on Bafra sheep [9, 16] are observed to be insucient and not
widespread. The present study was carried out to evaluate the linear
morphological characteristics of the udder and teats and to determine
the udder types, lactation milk yields and the lactation durations of Awassi
and Bafra (Chios × Karayaka) ewes, both of which are milking breeds.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This study was carried out in two different private sheep farms in
the Malatya province between January and September 2020. The
animal material of the study comprised Awassi and Bafra ewe, bred
by the public. The rst farm had 340 Awassi and the second had 600
Bafra ewes. Care and feeding of the animals were carried out under
semi–intensive conditions. Bafra ewes were obtained from a breeding
farm two years prior to the study. Awassi sheep, on the other hand,
belonged to a business where pure breeding has been carried out
in the form of closed herds for a long time. All ewes that were 3–4
years of age, that had given birth on the same dates (on the 2–3–day
period when the births were concentrated) and had given birth to a
single lamb in these herds, were included in the study as 102 animals
for the Awassi breed and 62 for the Bafra breed. These sheep were
numbered for follow–up throughout the research.
During the study period, the ewes included in the study were cared
for and fed similarly in both farms, with straw and hay as roughage in
the last 45 days of pregnancy, as an average of 500 g concentrated
feed per animal (HP 16%, 2600 kcal·kg
-1
). During the lactation period,
250–300 g concentrate feed was given until they went out to the
pasture regularly. In this process, the ewes were taken to the pasture
during the daytime when the weather conditions were suitable and
they were housed in the sheep pen at night. However, from the
beginning of April, the sheep were taken to the pasture regularly
every day and continued to be grazed in the pasture until the end
of October. The sheep were given an additional concentrate feed
of approximately 1% of their live weight on return from the pasture.
In the herd where the study was conducted, deliveries began in
mid–January and ended at the beginning of March. The lambs were
kept in the same place with their mothers for three days after delivery;
afterwards, they were kept in the herd together with their mothers
until the pasture period. During the pasture period, ewes and lamb
were kept together for 3 hours in the middle of the day and overnight.
Weaning was carried out when the lamb were 105 days old. Milking
of the ewes was begun one week after birth and the lactation period
and lactation milk yield were monitored with regular control milking
every month from the rst month of lactation. Milking was carried out
by hand and control day milk yields were obtained in the form of both
morning and evening milking. On the control day, on the day before
milking, the lamb were separated from their mothers at 20:00, and
the milk obtained at 08:00 in the morning was measured and recorded
and then fed to the lamb with bottles. The lamb were kept apart from
their mothers all day and after the milking of the control day in the
evening, and once the milk had been measured and recorded, the lamb
were left with their mothers and the milk was given to the lamb with a
TABLE I
Lactating periods and milk yield of Awasi and Bafra ewes (x̄ ± SEM)
Characteristics Awassi (n=102) Bafra (n=61) P
Lactation milk yield (L) 139.85 ± 5.31 145.91 ± 9.97 0.56
60
th
day average milk yield (mL) 752.60 ± 23.22
b
1460.45 ± 101.50
a
0.01
Daily average milk yield (mL) 665.50 ± 19.94
b
816.67 ± 35.76
a
0.01
Lactation period (day) 208.53 ± 4.471
a
175.23 ± 4.635
b
0.01
FIGURE 1. Udder types of sheep. 1. Cylindrical udder, teats up and sideways 2.
Cylindrical udder, teats down and oblique 3. Pear–shaped udder, teats down and
oblique 4. Pear–shaped udder, teats down and horizontal 5. Teats are large, down
and vertical udder 6. Udder with teats up and tilted [
19]
FIGURE 2. The scoring scale that was used for the udder and teat linear
morphology [
3, 20]
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34368
3 of 6
bottle. Milking follow–up was terminated when the ewes began to be
milked under 100 mL during the control day milking. The lactation milk
yield was calculated according to the Trapeze II Method (Fleischmann
Method) using the daily milk yield values of the control days [17]. The
following formula was used to calculate the milk yield (MY) according
to International Committee For Animal Recording (ICAR)
...
MY
kA
aa
kC
kk
kk
nn
1
2
1
2
nn
12
1
=
++
++
+
+
-
_
_
_
i
i
i
8
B
a: Control range; n: number of controls; k: The amount of milk
obtained in the controls; A: The day between the milking date and
rst control date; C: The day between the last control day and drying.
Furthermore, the lactation periods of sheep were calculated according
to Berger and Thomas [18]. The udder types of the sheep were observed
from the back and the side before morning milking on the 60
th
day of
lactation, photographed and evaluated as Types I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,
according to the criteria and typing reported by Epstein [19] (FIG. 1).
First, the descriptive statistics were estimated. The normality
distribution of each property was analyzed. They were evaluated
for meeting the parametric test assumptions. The Independent
student’s t–test was used for comparisons between breeds with
regard to lactation milk yield, average daily milk yield, milk yield at
the 60
th
day of lactation, lactating periods and the udder and teat
linear morphological characteristics. The breeds were compared for
udder types using the Fisher’s exact test. Furthermore, the correlation
coecients between the udder type and the linear morphological
characteristics of the udder and teat were estimated using the
Pearson correlation analysis [21]. The SPSS version 22.0 statistical
package program was used for these analyses [22].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The lactating periods and the milk yield of Awasi and Bafra ewes
In the present study, the lactation milk yield (P>0.05), the 60
th
–day
milk yield, the average daily milk yield and the lactation period were
found to be higher in Bafra ewes (P<0.01; TABLE I).
This result is quite striking out of the countenance of the Awassi,
which is a milking breed. This situation, which is in favor of the Bafra
breed, is understood to have resulted from the effect of the Chios
breed in its genotype.
The lactation milk yield and the lactation period calculated for
Awassi and Bafra ewes were higher than the values reported by
Kahraman and Yüceer Özkul [10], while the daily milk yield calculated
for Bafra ewe was lower.
The morphological linear scoring of udders and teats was made in
accordance with the criteria dened by De La Fuente et al. [3] and
NEIKER [20], before morning milking at the 60
th
of lactation (FIG 2).
In the morphological linear assessments, udder depth (UD), udder
furrow (UF), udder attachment (UA), teat shape (TS), teat angle (TA)
and teat placement (TP) were also addressed besides the udder type.
UD is dened by the distance between rear attachment and the
udder oor, using as a reference the hock. Udders with excessive
depth (below the hock) usually reect deciencies in the suspensory
ligament. UF is the basic ligament that extends to divide the udder from
top the bottom and attachments the udder to the body. It is desired that
this connection be evident. UA is determined by the perimeter of the
insertion to the abdominal wall of the ewe. TS is classied as funnel,
cylindrical and bottle, respectively. TA is angle of insertion of the teat
with respect to the vertical. TP is dened by teat angle, directed toward
the ground, that coincide with minimum cistern height.
TABLE II
The udder types determined in Awassi and Bafra ewes
Breeds
Udder Types
Total
1 2 3 4 5 6
n % n % n % n % n % n % n
Awassi 33 32.4 – – 36 35.3 15 14.7 2 2.0 16 15.7 102
Bafra 11 18.0 7 11.5 21 34.4 12 19.7 2 3.3 8 13.1 61
P 0.01
TABLE III
The scores of udder and teat linear morphological
characteristics in Awassi and Bafra ewes (x̄ ± SEM)
Breeds
Udder
depth
(UD)
Udder
furrow
(UF)
Udder
attachment
(UA)
Teat shape
(TS)
Teat angle
(TA)
Teat
placement
(TP)
Awassi
(n=102)
6.10 ± 0.27 6.33 ± 0.27 4.49 ± 0.27
a
6.49 ± 0.33
a
3.98 ± 0.29
a
1.47 ± 0.14
Bafra
(n=61)
6.31 ± 0.28 6.77 ± 0.32 5.72 ± 0.24
b
1.20 ± 0.11
b
1.72 ± 0.26
b
1.20 ± 0.11
P 0.58 0.30 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.13
Udder linear morphological traits in Awassi and Bafra ewes / Şeker et al. ___________________________________________________________
4 of 6
The lactation period was 173.81 days and the lactation milk yield
was 244.39 L in the Elit Awassi sheep herd raised in the Ceylanpınar
Agricultural Enterprise by Kaygısız and Dağ [2]. In a study conducted on
Awassi ewes by Seker et al. [11], the lactation period was determined as
158.20 days and the lactation milk yield as 115.01 kg. In another study by
Seker et al. [11], the average daily milk yield, the lactation milk yield and
the lactation period in Awassi ewes were found to be 677.00 g, 102.90
kg and 150.00 days, respectively. The lactation period calculated in the
present study was found to be higher than the values reported in the
studies above. The lactation milk yield was lower than that reported
by Şeker et al. [1] and Kaygısız and Dağ [2]; however, the lactation milk
yield and the average daily milk yield were found to be lower than those
reported by Seker et al. [11]. The differences between the ndings in
the present study and some literature reports have been suggested to
have resulted from the differences in genotype, age, and birth type, as
well as the changes in climate, care and feeding conditions.
The udder types determined in Awassi and Bafra ewes
In this study, while type 1 (32.4%), type 3 (35.3%), type 4 (14.7%),
type 5 (2.0%) and type 6 (15.7%) udders were detected in Awassi
ewes, type 2 udder was not detected. Type 1 (18.0%), type 2 (11.5%),
type 3 (34.4%), type 4 (19.7%), type 5 (3.3%) and type 6 (13.1%) udder
types were found in Bafra ewes. Signicant differences were found
between these breeds with regard to breast types (P<0.01), and type
3 was found to be the closest to each other in proportion, and the
farthest udder type was found to be type 1. The absence of type 2
udders in Awassi ewes was determined to be the main difference
between the two breeds (TABLE II).
The scores of udder and teat linear morphological characteristics
in Awassi and Bafra ewes
According to the results of the study, the UD, UF and the UA
were found to be higher in the Awassi breed (P<0.01), and the linear
morphological scores of teat shape (TS) (P<0.01), TA (P<0.01) and the
TP were found to be higher in the Bafra breed (TABLE III).
In a study conducted by Kaygısız and Dağ [2] on Awassi ewes, type
1 (31%), type 2 (1%), type 3 (42%), type 4 (3%) and type 6 (23%) udders
were identied. In a study conducted by Özyürek [14], 25% of the
Awassi breed were found to have type 1 udder and the remaining had
type 3 breasts. Similarly, type 1 and type 3 breasts were also found to
be at a higher rate in this study (Table 2). In the other study conducted
by Kaygısız and Dağ [2], type 5 breasts were not detected, and type 2
breasts were found at the lowest rate. In many studies on the same
breed, the difference regarding the udder types is striking. These
differences are considered to have been caused by the udder type
preferences during the breeding selection process, age, number of
lactations, birth type, lactation period, time of data collection and
care and feeding conditions. In addition to the afore–mentioned
factors, in the present study, the genotype was also found to have
a signicant effect on the differences between the two breeds in
terms of udder types.
Şeker et al. [1] found the mean values of the linear morphological
characteristics of the udder and teats as 6.10 for teat placement and
4.40 for udder attachment and udder depth in the Awassi breed. In
a study conducted on Kıvırcık ewes in breeder conditions, Akgün
and Koyuncu [5] determined the mean scores of udder depth, udder
separation degree (udder furrow), udder attachment degree and teat
placement as 8.0, 3.4, 6.9, and 4.6, respectively.
In the present study, the scores of teat placement detected in
Awassi and Bafra ewes were determined to be lower than those found
by Şeker et al. [1] and higher than those reported for udder attachment
and udder depth. Moreover, the scores found for udder depth, udder
furrow and teat placement in Awassi and Bafra ewes were lower than
the scores reported by Akgün and Koyuncu [5], and the score for
udder attachment was found to be higher.
When the linear morphological characteristics of the udder
and teat in Awassi and Bafra sheep in this study were examined,
and furthermore, when the milk yield, udder health and milking
requirements were considered, the udder depth, udder furrow and
the teat placement were evaluated as adequate–appropriate in both
breeds. However, it was observed that the Bafra breed had better
structural characteristics for udder attachment and the Awassi
breed had better structural characteristics for teat shape and teat
angle. The animals in this study were aged 3–4 years, had singleton
pregnancies and the linear morphology scoring was made on the 60
th
day of lactation. It is suggested that the differences between the
ndings of this study and the ndings of other studies may be due to
the differences in genotype, age, the number of lactations, udder type,
birth type, lactation period, the time of evaluation of the udder and teat
characteristics and the differences in care and feeding conditions.
The correlation coecients between linear morphological scores
of udder and teats in Awassi and Bafra ewes
In the present study, the correlation coecients between udder
furrow and udder depth, teat angle and teat groove in Awassi ewes,
and the correlation coecients between udder furrow and udder
depth, teat angle and teat shape, teat placement and teat angle,
TABLE IV
Correlation coecients between linear morphological
scores of udder and teat in Awassi and Bafra ewes
Breeds Traits
Udder
depth
(UD)
Teat
shape
(TS)
Udder
furrow
(UF)
Teat
angle
(TA)
Udder
attachment
(UA)
Teat
placement
(TP)
Awassi (n=102)
Udder depth
Teat shape -0.06
Udder furrow 0.49** 0.16
Teat angle 0.22* 0.19 0.13
Udder
attachment
-0.24* -0.23* -0.33** -0.27**
Teat
placement
-0.05 -0.05 -0.17 0.04 0.06
Udder type 0.09 0.03 0.36** 0.04 0.10 0.11
Bafra (n=61)
Udder depth
Teat shape -0.28*
Udder furrow 0.36** -0.29*
Teat angle 0.15 0.86** -0.05
Udder
attachment
0.23 0.08 -0.05 0.22
Teat
placement
-0.28* 0.99** -0.29* 0.38** 0.08
Udder type 0.05 0.07 0.28* 0.131 0.07 0.07
*: The correlation coecient is signicant at the 0.05 level (
P<0.05). ** : The correlation
coecient is signicant at the 0.01 level (
P<0.01)
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34368
5 of 6
udder type and udder furrow in Bafra ewes were found to be positive
and signicant (P<0.05, P<0.01; TABLE IV).
this study and the results of other studies. Since the morphology
of the udder and teat characteristics is affected by various factors
including breed, age, lactation period, birth type and milking system,
it was suggested that the differences could have resulted from these
factors. It has also been suggested that the differences between this
study and other literature reports may have resulted from variables
such as the number of animals and the time of linear morphological
scoring in the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Lactation milk yield, average milk yield, 60
th
–day milk yield, daily
average milk yield and lactation period were found to be higher in Bafra
ewes than in Awassi ewes. Among the linear udder characteristics
between Awassi and Bafra ewes, the differences in udder attachment,
teat shape, and teat angle, 60
th
–day milk yield, daily average milk yield
and lactation period were found to be signicant. Type 3 udder, which
is suitable for milking, was found at the highest rate in both breeds;
type 2 udder was not detected in Awassi ewes and type 2 udder was
observed at the lowest rate in Bafra ewes.
In dairy farms in particular, the selection of ewes with a smoother
udder structure and more suitable udder and teat characteristics
for machine milking is important for improvement of the herd. In
this way, the protability of sheep breeding farms may be increased.
Morphological evaluation of udder and teat should be considered
in breeding selection.
The linear morphological evaluation of udder characteristics
contributes to this process. In order for this evaluation to be more
effective and functional, it should be carried out on more animals for
a longer period of time, it should be performed nationwide and the
repeatability and heritability of the relevant characteristics should
also be estimated. In this way, it will be possible to contribute further
to the breeding of sheep, mainly Awassi and Bafra ewes, which are
two important breeds in Türkiye.
Ethical statement
The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the
Experimental Animals of the Malatya Provincial Directorate of
Agriculture and Forestry in Türkiye (2020/73919507–280.01.01–
E.907632 and 2020/73919507–280.01.01–E.909546).
Conict of interest statement
The authors declare there is no conict of interest.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
[1] Şeker İ, Kul S, Bayraktar M. [Linear Udder Traits and Relationships
Between These and Milk Yield in Awassi and East–Friesian x
Awassi Crossbreed (F1) Ewes]. Lalahan Hay. Araşt. Enst. Derg.
[Internet]. 2000 [cited 24 Jun 2023]; 40(2):45–55. Turkish.
Available in: https://goo.su/lQfTD
[2] Kaygısız A, Dağ B. Effects of udder types and some environmental
factors on milk production of improved Awassi sheep. KSU J.
Nat. Sci. [Internet]. 2017; 20(4):344–349. Turkish. doi: https://
doi.org/k4z3
The correlation coecients between the udder attachment and
udder depth, udder furrow, teat shape, teat angle in Awassi ewes,
and the correlation coecients between teat shape and udder depth
the udder furrow with teat shape, teat angle and udder furrow, udder
attachment and udder furrow, teat placement and udder depth and
udder furrow in Bafra ewes, were found to be negative and signicant
(P<0.05, P<0.01). Apart from the correlation coecients between
udder furrow and udder depth, udder type and udder depth, no
signicant similarity was found in terms of correlation coecients
between other characteristics in both breeds.
In a study conducted by Şeker et al. [1] on Awassi ewes, the
phenotypic correlation between the udder type and udder attachment
(0.65) was found to be statistically signicant. In this study, low and
negative correlation coecients were found for udder type and teat
placement (-0.23), and for udder depth and teat placement (-0.19).
In a study conducted by Altınçekiç and Koyuncu [23] on Tahirova,
Kıvırcık, and Karacabey Merino sheep, positive and high correlation
coecients were determined between the udder depth and udder
attachment (0.714, 0.357 and 0.343, respectively, according to breeds).
In addition, in another study conducted by Milerski et al. [24] on Tsigai,
Enhanced Walachian, and Lacaune sheep, the subjectively evaluated
linear scores for udder depth, cistern depth, teat placement and teat
size demonstrated high correlations with actual measurements of
udder and teat characteristics in all breeds (0.65–0.80).
There are some differences between the ndings of the correlation
coecients of linear morphological scores of the udder and teat in
Udder linear morphological traits in Awassi and Bafra ewes / Şeker et al. ___________________________________________________________
6 of 6
[3] De La Fuente LF, Fernandez G, San Primitivo F. A linear evaluation
system for udder traits of dairy ewes. Livest. Prod. Sci. [Internet].
1996; 45(2–3):171–178. doi: https://doi.org/b53xj9
[4] Casu S, Pernazza I, Carta A. Feasibility of a linear scoring method
of udder morphology for the selection scheme of Sardinian
sheep. J. Dairy Sci. [Internet]. 2006; 89(6):2200–2209. doi:
https://doi.org/b378c7
[5] Akgün H, Koyuncu M. [Determination of milk yield characteristics
in Kıvırcık sheep under the breeder conditions]. KSU J. Agric. Nat.
[Internet]. 2020; 23(5):1406–1413. Turkish. doi: https://doi.org/k4z9
[6] Ali W, Ceyhan A, Ali M, Dilawar S. The merits of Awassi sheep in terms
of milk production and major factors affecting the reproductive
traits. J. Agric. Food Environ. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 01
Feb 2024]; 1(1):50–69. Available in: https://goo.su/BZEooix
[7] Gül S, Oflaz NZ. [Comparison of Some Morphological and
Physiological Characteristics of Awassi Sheep Grown in
Gaziantep and Kilis Provinces]. JOTAF. [Internet]. 2021; 18(1):146–
156. Turkish. doi: https://doi.org/mt6f
[8] Güngör ÖF, Ünal N. Some production characteristics of Bafra,
Akkaraman, Bafra × Akkaraman F1 and G1 sheep genotypes.
Ankara Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg. [Internet]. 2020; 67(4):335–342.
doi: https://doi.org/k4x9
[9] Ünal N, Akçapınar H, Atasoy F, Yakan A, Uğurlu M. [Some udder
traits and growth of lambs and phenotypic correlations between
those of traits with milking traits and milk production measured
by various milk estimation methods in Bafra sheep]. Ankara
Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg. [Internet]. 2008; 55(2):117–124. Turkish.
doi: https://doi.org/bp3grr
[10] Kahraman M, Yüceer–Özkul B. [Milk yield and some milk quality
traits of Akkaraman, Bafra and Bafra × Akkaraman F1 sheep].
Eurasian J. Vet. Sci. [Internet]. 2020; 36(2):86–95. Turkish. doi:
https://doi.org/k4z5
[11] Seker I, Kul S. Bayraktar M, Akcan A. Effects of crossbreeding
with East–Friesian to Awassi on milk production and mammary
gland traits. Med. Weter. [Internet]. 2004 [cited 25 June 2023];
60(8):815–818. Available in: https://bit.ly/47yoQxh.
[12] Merkhan KY. Milk traits and their relationship with udder
measurements in Awassi ewes. Iran. J. Appl. Anim. [Internet].
2014 [cited 25 June 2023]; 4(3):521–526. Available in: https://
goo.su/sL5h1CX
[13] Türkyılmaz D, Özyürek S, Esenbuğa N, Yaprak M. Correlation
between various udder measurements and milk components in
Morkaraman, Tuj and Awassi sheep. Pakistan J. Zool. [Internet].
2018; 50(5):1921–1927. doi: https://doi.org/k42b
[14] Özyürek S. Investigation of relationship between udder morphology,
lactation traits and milk components in Morkaraman and Awassi.
GUFBD. [Internet]. 2020; 10(1):268–274. doi: https://doi.org/k4z4
[15] Şeker İ, Köseman A, Kul S, Şeker P, Koçyiğit S. Effect of udder
type on udder traits, milk yield and some physicochemical
characteristics of milk in Awassi ewes. J. Hellenic Vet. Med. Soc.
[Internet]. 2022; 73(2):4235–4244. doi: https://doi.org/k4z2
[16] Güngör İ, Akçapınar H. [The production traits of Bafra sheep
reared in Ankara conditions]. Lalahan Hay. Araşt. Enst. Derg.
[Internet]. 2013 [cited 10 July 2023]; 53(2) 59–73. Available in:
https://goo.su/PgNKEml
[17] Maria G, Gabiña D. Simplication of milk recording scheme in
Latxa milking sheep. Livest. Prod. Sci. [Internet]. 1992; 31(3–
4):313–320. doi: https://doi.org/c2tf57
[18] Berger YM, Thomas DL. Milk testing, calculation of milk production
and adjustment factors. In: Proceedings of the 10th Great Lake
Dairy SheepSymposium; 4–6 Nov. 2004; Hudson, WI, USA.
[Internet]. Madison, USA: University of Wisconsin–Madison. 2004
[cited 10 July 2023]; p. 55–62. Available in: https://bit.ly/3QWxfoJ
[19] Epstein H. The Awassi sheep with special reference to the
improved dairy type. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper
57. [Internet]. 1985 [cited 10 July 2023]; 31 p. Available in: https://
goo.su/7UZMzK
[20] NEIKER, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and
Development. Udder morphology. What do we know about udder
morphology [Internet]. Paris: EuroSheep; c2018. [cited 10 July
2023]. Available in: https://goo.su/UKMYc
[21] Akgül A. Tıbbi araştırmalarda istatistiksel analiz teknikleri. 3rd.
ed. Ankara: Emek Ofset; 2005. 254 p.
[22] SPSS. SPSS 22.0. Statistical package in social sciences for
windows. Chicago: IBM; 2015; 58 p.
[23] Altınçekiç ŞÖ, Koyuncu M. Relationship Between Udder
Measurements and The Linear Scores for Udder Morphology Traits
in Kıvırcık, Tahirova and Karacabey Merino Ewes. Kafkas Univ Vet
Fak Derg. [Internet]. 2011. 17(1):71–76. doi: https://doi.org/mt6s
[24] Milerski M, Margetín, M, Čapistrák A, Apolen D, Špánik J,
Oravcová M. Relationships between external and internal udder
measurements and the linear scores for udder morphology traits
in dairy sheep. Czech J. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2006. 51(9):383–390.
doi: https://doi.org/mt6t
