Effect of Calcium Soap of Fatty Acids Supplementation on Serum Biochemical Parameters and Ovarian Activity during Out-of-the-Breeding Season in Crossbred Ewes

Hayat H M El-Nour,Soad M Nasr,Walid R Hassan

doi:10.1100/2012/601840

Abstract

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium soap of fatty acid (CSFA) supplementation on serum biochemical and hormones and ovarian activity during out-of-the-breeding season in ewes. Twelve crossbred ewes, 2-3 years of age and weighting 45–55 kg, were allocated into two equal groups. The first group was control and the other was treated with 50 g/head of CSFA. All ewes were fed basal diet and treated with 60 mg of medroxy progesterone acetate intravaginal sponge for 12 day. At the third day of sponge removal, the CSFA-treated group was given 50 g/head of CSFA daily for two estrous cycles. During the estrus phase, ovarian activity was detected using ultrasonography in both groups. All ewes were then subjected to natural breeding and conception rate. Blood samples were collected from all ewes during treatment period. Results revealed significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and progesterone levels with decrease in calcium and phosphorous levels in treated group. In treated group, normal-size ovaries and more than one follicle on the ovaries were detected and pregnancy rate increased. In conclusion, CSFA supplementation was effective to maintain the reproductive performance when ewes were out of the breeding season.

Highlights

The normal breeding season of sheep is between June and July and they undergo postpartum anestrus during the spring [1, 2] which results in only one offspring per year
Nutrition plays a key role in regulating the reproductive performance in farm animals
Fat is usually used as a generic term to describe compounds that have a high contents of long chain fatty acids (FAs) including triglycerides, phospholipids, nonesterified FAs, and salts of long chain FAs [5]

Summary

Introduction

The normal breeding season of sheep is between June and July and they undergo postpartum anestrus during the spring [1, 2] which results in only one offspring per year. Much of the attempts to increase the productivity of small ruminants in the semiarid regions were concentrated on either increasing twinning rate or having two parturitions per year. Restriction of energy intake has a major role in increasing the length of postpartum anestrus in sheep and cattle [3]. Energy intake is one of the most important factors influencing reproductive performance of sheep. Fat diet can increase the caloric density without reducing the fiber contribution and it can increases energy consumption and utilization efficiency [6]. Calcium soaps of fatty acids supplementation increase the number and size of ovarian follicles in estrous cyclic ewes and increase the circulating progesterone concentration [8]. In ewes fed supplemental fat, there are reports of increased plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion