Effect of Administration of Zinc and Ginseng on Reproductive Performance and Level of Some Hormones of Local Ewes

Abstract

The study was conducted to estimate the effect of administration of zinc and different levels of ginseng on progesterone, estrogen hormones, and reproductive parameters in sheep. This study used twenty-five local Iraqi ewes with body weights ranging from 35 to 40 kg and ages ranging from 2–4 years. The animals were divided randomly into five equal groups (five animals per group). The first group (T1) was treated with oral capsules of ginseng containing 250 mg. The second group (T2) received an oral capsule containing 500 mg of ginseng. The third (T3) group was given an oral capsule containing 750 mg of ginseng. The 4th group (T4) was treated with an oral solution of zinc acetate at a concentration of 6.4 mg/L. The 5th group (T5) was a control group. The results of this study showed that progesterone and estrogen levels showed no significant differences between the control and treated groups during the study periods. All of the ewes (25 ewes) gave birth; 19 (76%) of the 25 ewes gave birth to a single animal, while 6 (24%) were delivered as twins. There was a significant difference in lambing and twining rates between the groups. It was concluded that zinc acetate and ginseng had a positive effect on reproductive performance in local Iraqi ewes.