Effect of flaxseed oil dosing on fertility, growth characteristics and some physical, biochemical, and hormonal blood parameters during the early pregnancy of Awassi ewes.

Abstract

This study aims to complete the direction of experimental research in determining the effect of flaxseed oil doses on the fertility of Awassi ewes, as well as some important blood parameters to clarify the animal's physiological state during the duration of the experiment. This study was conducted in the animal field (College of Agriculture - Tikrit University) for 76 days (16 days before and 60 days after fertilization). 2-3 years have an average live weight of 51.74 kg, and the ewes were randomly divided into three treatments (each treatment was nine ewes). The three treatments were given doses of flaxseed oil at the rate of 0, 6 and 8% / kg of feed, respectively. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P≤0.05) between the treatments in the ewes' weights and physical blood characteristics during the experiment period, while it was noted that the fertility rate of the second and third treatments amounted to 66.66% for each of them, over the first treatment (55.55%). In addition, the second treatment was significantly (P≤0.05) superior in blood globulin concentration over the rest. In contrast, the third treatment was significantly (P≤0.05) superior in triglyceride concentration (62.66) mg/dL, and the first treatment showed a significant (P≤0.05) superiority. In glucose concentration (70.33) mg/dL. The following characteristics were not significantly different in total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, ALT and AST enzymes, as well as no significant difference between treatments in the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Keywords: flaxseed oil, Awassi ewes, fertility