Addition of VêO® premium and Vitamin C to improve the productive and reproductive performance of local Iraqi ewes

Abstract

The present study was conducted to know the effect of VêO® premium and Vitamin C on productive and reproductive performance of local Iraqi ewes during the heat stress. The study was conducted in a private farm in Fallujah, Al-Anbar province during the period from 6/8/2019 to 8/2/2020. Twenty local Iraqi ewes were divided randomly into four equal groups. The first group (T1) was given VêO® premium 4 g/ ewe/ day. The second group (T2) was given VêO® premium 2 g/ ewe/ day, the third group (T3) was given Vit. C 40 mg/ ewe/ daily and the fourth group (T4) left without treatment as a control group. The results showed significant (P≤0.05) increase in body weight in the T2 as compared with other treatments. Estrogen were increased (P≤0.05) in T1 and T4 as compared with T2 and T3 at the fourth period. There was significant (P≤0.05) increase in progesterone level in the T2 and T3 during the first period of the experiment, the T4 in the second and fourth period and within all the same treatments. The fourth period within the same treatment increased significantly in the concentration of progesterone levels for T1, T3 and T4. While the third and fourth period showed increase in the level of progesterone for T2. There was a higher estrus rate in the T2 (80%). Fertility rate, conception rate and lambing rate were increased in the T2 and T3. Barrenness rate was decrease in females in T2 and T3. It was concluded from the current study that addition of VêO® premium and Vit. C to the feed of ewes during heat stress was beneficial on body weight and reproductivel performance.