Reproductive losses in small ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa: A review

Abstract

This review encompasses five chapters which, apart from the introduction, successively covers reproductive performance, prenatal losses, post-natal losses, general conclusions and recommendations. The review intends to determine the magnitude and causes of reproductive losses in sheep and goats in sub-Saharan Africa in order to identify recommendation domains or areas in need of interventions. Topics of discussion include fertility, parturition, fertilization failure, causes of embryo mortality, causes of abortions and stillbirths, neonational mortality, preweaning mortality and post weaning mortality.