Reproductive Performances of Indigenous Ewes in Bangladesh

Abstract

The ewes were randomly divided into controlled and supplemented group to determine the reproductive performances of indigenous ewes in Bangladesh. Ewe lambs on supplemented group was growing faster and reached puberty at significantly (p 0.05) different between the two groups. The stage of the estrous cycle was determined by observing exfoliated vaginal cells in both the groups. Average progesterone concentration was significantly different (p<0.01) among days of the oestrous cycle. Progesterone concentration was <1.0 ng/ml on day of estrus, rose steadily to peak on days 10 and followed by a rapid decline on day 15 in both group. The nutritional supplement did not improve sexual behaviors. The pregnancy rates were 83.33 and 100% in controlled and supplemented groups. The gestation length varied from 141 to 145 days. The post partum onset of estrus was significantly shorter in supplemented group than controlled group (p<0.05). The lambing rates, litter size and lamb survival rate were 75 and 100%, 1.22±0.44 and .1.58±0.67 and 91.67 and 100%, in controlled and supplemented group, respectively. Mean birth weights of lambs were 1.00±0.30 and 1.33±0.25kg in controlled and supplemented group, respectively. The pre-weaning average daily gain of lambs were significantly different (p<0.01) between two groups. The present study indicates the influence of nutrition on reproductive performances of ewes that may increase and improve the sheep production.