10.4314/sajas.v40i5.65265

Rami T Kridli ,A Y Abdullah ,Mustafa Q Husein

doi:10.4314/sajas.v40i5.65265

Rami T Kridli , A Y Abdullah + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v40i5.65265

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Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breed types and lactation status on reproductive performance of hormonally-treated Awassi ewes. A total of 282 ewes were treated with intravaginal progestagen sponges and equine chorionic gonadotropin. Ewes were mated with fertile rams following sponge removal. Lambing rate was similar between brown- and black-faced ewes, while the percentage of multiple births, fecundity and prolificacy were greater in black-faced ewes. Lambing rate and the percentage of multiple births were similar between lactating and dry ewes. Fecundity tended to be greater in lactating ewes, while prolificacy was similar regardless of lactation status. Results of the present study indicate that black-faced Awassi ewes respond better to hormonal treatment than brown-faced ewes while the lactation status does not appear to influence the ewes’ response to hormonal treatment.

Highlights

The application of oestrus synchronisation programmes has been well-documented since the 1970s.Oestrus synchronisation can be accomplished by either extending the luteal phase or by inducing luteolysis
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breed type and lactation status on reproductive performance of Awassi ewes
No breed type by lactation status interactions was detected with respect to any of the variables

Summary

Introduction

The application of oestrus synchronisation programmes has been well-documented since the 1970s. The use of vaginal progestin pessaries along with gonadotropin administration has been the method of choice for oestrus synchronisation in sheep and goats (Wildeus, 2000). This method has been used for oestrus induction (Zarkawi et al, 1999) and synchronisation (Evans et al, 2004) programmes. Many local sheep producers believe that black-faced Awassi outperform brown-faced Awassi (greater fertility, prolificacy and milk production). For this reason, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breed type (black-faced vs brown-faced Awassi ewes) and lactation status on reproductive performance of Awassi ewes This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breed type (black-faced vs. brown-faced Awassi ewes) and lactation status on reproductive performance of Awassi ewes

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusions