EFFECT OF HCG WITH INTRAVAGINAL SPONGES ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN AWASSI EWES DURING ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION

Abstract

One hundred and nineteen Awassi ewes, 3 to 5 years old, treated with vaginal sponges. eCG and hCG, were used to determine their response for estrus synchronization and pregnancy rates during anestrous season. Ewes were divided randomly into four groups. Vaginal sponges containing 20 mg of FGA were inserted into all groups for 12 days, except the control group which stayed without any hormonal treatment. At the day of sponge withdrawal, ewes are divided into three groups: the first group (G1/29 ewes) were injected intramuscularly (im) with 2 ml of saline. Ewes of the second group (G2/30 ewes) were injected (im) only with 500 IU of eCG. Ewes of the third group (G3/30 ewes) were injected (im) with 500 IU of eCG and 200 IU of hCG. Results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in estrus synchronization between ewes in G1 (34.5 %) comparatively with ewes of G2 and G3 (63.3% and 86.7 % respectively). General means of pregnancy rate were significantly higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 in regard to total number of all ewes in each group. The best lambing and twin average were recorded in G3 (P<0.05) which treatmed with hCG. It was concluded that, using intravaginal sponges with the injection of 500 IU of eCG in addition to the injection of 200 IU of hCG at the day of withdrawal sponges, could be used for better estrus synchronization and increasing the reproductively in Awassi sheep under small holder rearing conditions, in nonbreeding season.