EFFECT OF CONDENSED TANNINS AND SAPONIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN BARKI EWES

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of flushing diet supplementation with quebracho condensed tannins extract (QCTE), Yucca saponin extract (YSE), or combination of both on reproductive performance of Barki ewes. Forty ewes aged 3.7 years weighted 33.84 kg were divided into four equal groups, the first group (control) was received basal diet without treatment, while the second, third and fourth groups were received the basal diet plus 20g of QCTE, 0.2g of YSE or combination of both/ewe/d, respectively. This study was from four weeks premating to lambing. The treatments started before synchronization of estrus and mating of the ewes and continued for four weeks until mating The mean diameter of medium follicles were decreased (P=0.0245) with supplementation of YSE compared with combination of both QCTE+YSE. No significant differences were detected among QCTE , YSE, QCTE+YSE and control ewes on total number of follicles even large, medium or small follicles, diameter of large follicles, number and diameter of corpus luteum, number of services per conception and pregnancy rate. No significant effects were detected within treatments or with the control group on serum cortisol, estradiol or progesterone concentrations, while serum IGF-1 concentration was increased (P=0.005) in QCTE group in comparison with the YSE, QCTE+YSE and control ewes. Serum insulin concentration was increased (P=0.0001) with YSE group compared with other groups. The triiodothyronine concentration in serum was decreased (P=0.005) with YSE supplementation compared with QCTE+YSE and control ewes, while QCTE+YSE supplementation increased (P=0.007) serum thyroxin concentration in comparison with the QCTE, YSE and control groups. It can be concluded that flushing diet supplementation with quebracho condensed tannins extract (QCTE), Yucca saponin extract (YSE), or combination of both enhanced serum concentrations of IGF-1, insulin and T4 without positive impact on reproductive performance in Barki ewes.