[Jacob-list] Re:sponging - UK-speak again..

[MarmontJacobs at aol.com]

Hi all,
         Sponging is where a small hormone impregnated sponge with a gut 
string on it is inserted into the ewe by finger or plastic applicator, 
followed usually a couple of weeks later by its removal and a hormone jab. 
The technique can be used to synchronise a very tight lambing pattern where 
males are kept within sight and sound of the ewes and/or to induce 
out-of-season lambing.

Sometimes in cattle etc it is used to harvest embryos for implantation in 
surrogates, as, if too much injection is given more eggs will be released 
than normal.

Trisha, Wales