Awassi Ewes Research Articles

Effect of Adding Curcuma Longa L Powder on the Biochemical Characteristics and Growth of New-borns in Awassi ewe

In this study, 18 pregnant Awassi ewes were used to study the effect of different levels of turmeric on physiological performance. The ewes were divided into three equal groups. The three groups were fed 6 weeks before birth until weaning on a basic diet containing protein 14.46 and energy 2583 kcal/kg. The first group was fed without an additive (control), While turmeric powder was added to feed the second and third groups at the rate of 5 and 10 g/day/ewe, respectively. The results indicated that the use of turmeric powder led to a significant increase in the weights of lambs during the eighth, tenth and twelfth weeks in favor of the second treatment, and there was a significant increase in glucose concentration in the first month. And the third in the second group, and in the concentration of cholesterol, a significant improvement was observed in the second and third groups in the first month, and a significant improvement in the second group only in the second month, while the third group had a significant improvement in the third month only. In triglycerides, a significant improvement was observed in the first month only in the second and third groups. In total protein, a significant increase was observed in the first month only in the third group. In the ALT enzyme, a significant improvement was observed in the second group for the second month, while in the third month a significant improvement was seen in the AST and ALT enzymes of the third group. As for blood images, a significant superiority was observed in the number of white blood cells in the second treatment, while no significant differences were found between the treatments in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and packed blood cells, while turmeric powder did not affect the average weights of ewes.

Effect of Drainage with Flax Oil on Weight and some Blood Characteristics During Late Pregnancy Stage of Awassi Ewes

The goal of this research was to determine the effects of various doses of flaxseed oil on ewe body weight, growth characteristics, and selected biochemical and hormonal blood characteristics. This research was carried out in the animal science department at the University of Tikrit’s College of Agriculture between October 6th, 2022, and September 1st, 2022. There were a total of 17 female Awassi sheep, ages 1-2, with an average live weight of 56.41 kg, and they were randomly assigned to one of three groups. To the ewes, flaxseed oil was administered at a rate of 0%, 6%, and 8% of the dry matter weight in the three different groups. The ewes were grazing daily, in addition to providing a supplementary diet at the level of 2.5% of body weight, consisting of 14.98 protein and 14.22 MJ/kg dry matter as energy. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the treatments in ewes’ weights, the percentage of packed blood cells, the number of white blood cells and platelets, and the values of total protein, albumin, urea, and creatinine, while the control treatment was the least significant (P≤0.05). of the second and third treatments, which had the highest numbers of red blood cells (5.79, 6.61 and 7.72) 106cells/ml3 and hemoglobin (9.06, 9.80 and 10.20) mg/dl, respectively. While a significant decrease (P≤0.05) was, observe for the activity of AST, ALT and triglyceride enzymes for the third treatment compared to the control treatment. The third treatment was significantly superior (P≤0.05) in the value of blood globulin, glucose and cholesterol 1.90 g/dl, 66.66 and 84.00 mg/dl, respectively.

Hematological Parameters as Indicators for Litter size and Pregnancy Stage in Awassi ‎Ewes


 
 
 
 Physiological status and litter size can indeed have a significant impact on ewes' ‎hematological parameters, which are essential indicators of their health. Therefore, this study ‎examined the hematological profiles of ewes during pregnancy with single and twins in the ‎Awassi ewes. The present study involved 232 ewes in good health and at sexual maturity. ‎Among them, 123 ewes had single pregnancies, while 109 ewes had twin pregnancies. The age ‎range of the ewes included in the study was between 3.5 and 4.5 years. Hematological tests ‎were conducted on the sheep's blood samples promptly following collection. The findings ‎demonstrated variations in hematological parameters among pregnant ewes, with differences ‎based on litter size. Ewes carrying twin pregnancies exhibited significantly higher levels of ‎red blood corpuscular, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin ‎concentration during pregnancy. In comparison to single-pregnant ewes, Awassi ewes with ‎twin pregnancies displayed elevated counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, ‎and granulocyte percentage compared to ewes with single pregnancies. Awassi ewes with twin ‎pregnancies also exhibited a strong positive correlation with the leukocytes and erythrocytes ‎constituents. In conclusion, these findings indicate that litter size significantly influences ‎hematological parameters, highlighting the importance of considering the physiological status ‎and litter size as indicators of ewes' health. The findings have practical implications in sheep ‎breeding and reproduction, as they can be utilized to enhance the diagnosis, prognosis, and ‎treatment of related conditions‎.
 
 
 

EFFECT OF DEFERENT GESTATION PERIOD ON SERUM ESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE AND SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN AWASSI EWES

This study was designed to investigate the influence of different gestation periods on serum estrogen, progesterone and biochemical attributes levels in Awassi ewes. Ten ewes of 2-5 years old and 35-50 kg live body weight were used currently during the period from September 2019 to February 2020. Estrogen concentration seemed to decline since 2nd month and reached its lesser level at 4th month and re-increased at 5th month of gestation. The progesterone level increased (P≤0.05) at 2nd and 3rd months and decreased at 5th month of gestation. Serum Cholesterol, glucose, total protein, albumin and glubulin were decreased (P≤0.05) at the last gestation period. AST, ALT, and ALP activities take similar trend being decreased at the last gestation period. In conclusion estrogen, progesterone and other blood biochemical parameters were changed obviously during different gestation periods of Awassi ewes.

Clinical and Biochemical Study of Pregnancy Toxemia in Iraqi Ewes.

Pregnancy toxemia (PT), also known as ketosis or twin lamb disease, is a group of in-sequence metabolic disorders usually observed in the last pregnancy period of ewes. Blood samples from 60 Awassi ewes were collected, including 50 ewes suffering from PT and 10 healthy ewes (2-8 years old) as a control group. All of them were in their final month of pregnancy from different regions of Salah Aldin Governorate, Iraq. The samples were collected between October 2021 and February 2022. Biochemical analysis of serum concentrations of all parameters was performed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer, except for the beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids that were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The results of the clinical criteria tests for temperature, respiration, and pulse showed nonsignificant differences (P<0.05) in the infected animals, compared to the healthy group. Clinical signs included depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, lying down, odor of ketogenic bodies through breathing, inability to walk, neurological signs, dental grinding, jaundice, blindness, bloat, dystocia, animal death, and fetal death. Based on the results of the biochemical parameters tests of the blood, a significant increase (P<0. 05) was observed in the parameters of the results of beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, total bilirubin, and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT) in the animals affected by PT, compared to the control group. However, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in the parameters of glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and globulin in the affected animals, compared to the healthy group. Concerning the association between disease and oxidative stress criteria, the infected animals showed a substantial (P<0.05) increase in malondialdehyde concentration and a significant (P<0.05) drop in glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels.

One intron variant in the oocyte expressed protein (OOEP) gene is associated with twinning rate, prolificacy, and several body measurement traits in Awassi ewes

Awassi breed is an important sheep in the Middle East, but its lower twinning potential is a limitation against improvement. Due to the dynamic role of oocyte-expressed protein (OOEP) gene in controlling folliculogenesis, this study was conducted to evaluate the possible association between OOEP and twinning rate, as well as body measurement traits, in Awassi ewes. A total of 232 Awassi ewes (123 ewes-producing singletons and 109 ewes-producing twins) were included in this study. Three PCR fragments (OOEP-1 to OOEP-3) were designed to cover the majority of OOEP sequences and genotyped by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method. One nucleic acid variant was identified in the intron-2 of OOEP-3, or rs430263839:A>G. Ewes with rs430263839:AG genotype showed variable significant values of larger head length, chest and abdominal circumferences, and higher prolificacy and twinning rates than ewes with the rs430263839:AA genotype. The conducted computations predicted that the detected SNP had caused altered splicing mechanisms in ewes with rs430263839:AG genotype. The increased abdominal and chest diameters in ewes with the rs430263839:AG genotype were thought to help the uterus accommodate more lambs. The predicted splicing alteration caused by this SNP is the putative mechanism by which these ewes may improve reproductive and productive traits. This is the first study that demonstrated the importance of OOEP as a potential biomarker for the twinning rate, prolificacy, and some body measurement traits in Awassi ewes with an opportunity to be introgressed to other breeds using large-scale association analysis.

EFFECT OF PRE- AND POST-MATING VITAMINS AD3E TREATMENT ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF AWASSI EWES

This study was designed to investigate the influence of pre-estrus (PE) synchronization and post-mating (PM) vitamins AD3E treatment on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes raised at four Iraqi provinces. Seventy six Awassi ewes were randomly divided within each province into two groups. The first group (n=15, except for Karbala, n= 11) were im injected with five AD3E injections (150 IU / dose), biweekly interval. The 1st injection was 1.5 months PM, while the 2nd and 3rd injections were at the time of progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges insertion. The 4th injection was at the time of the vaginal sponge’s removal, whereas the 5th injection was 14 days PM. The control group (n=5) was intramuscularly injected with 5 ml normal saline at similar periods. The AD3E groups exhibited higher (P≤0.01) fertility and conception rates as compared to the control groups in Al-Najaf and Karbala provinces. Higher (P≤0.01) lambing rate and liter size were noticed in AD3E groups than those of the control group for all provinces. In conclusion, pre-estrus synchronization and post-mating vitamin AD3E treatment improved the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation during the suckling period on performance of Awassi ewes.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of supplementing two levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during suckling period on performance and serum metabolites of Awassi ewes. The study comprised two experimental periods, for experimental period 1, 30 nursing Awassi ewes with their single lambs were randomly assigned to one of three equal treatment groups: a control diet (CON; n=10), low SC (LSC) diet (0.4 g SC/head/day; n=10), and high SC (HSC) diet (0.8 g SC/head/day; n=10) with 9-week experimental periods including 1 week for dietary and pen adaptation and 8 weeks for data and sample collection. For experimental period 2, 4 ewes from each group were randomly selected and were individually housed in metabolism crates with 7-day experimental periods including 3 days for crate adaptation and 4 days for data and sample collection. The results showed that the supplementation of SC improved dry matter (DM) intake of ewes (P = 0.03). Digestibility of DM was higher (P < 0.05) for SC treatment groups. The SC treatment groups had a tendency improvement in digestibility of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. Addition of SC improved (P < 0.05) N balance parameters of ewes. A significant increase was observed for the rumen fluid pH of lactating ewe supplemented with SC. No difference was detected in the live weight change of lactating ewes in all treatment groups. The final body weight of the lambs tended to be greater for SC treatment groups vs CON group but average daily gain and total weight gain were significantly higher (P = 0.05) for SC treatment groups. Lactating ewes in the SC treatment groups produced more milk per day (P ≤ 0.05) than those in the CON diet. Milk fat % and yield in the SC treatment groups were also greater (P = 0.05). No differences were found in % of milk protein, lactose, and solid-not-fat (SNF) between all groups (P > 0.05) while lactose and SNF yields were greater (P < 0.05) for SC treatment groups. However, % of the total solids (TS) of milk was higher for HSC diet compared to LSC and CON diets (P < 0.05) while TS yields were significantly higher for SC treatment groups. Energy-corrected milk values were greater (P < 0.05) in HSC diet compared to LSC and CON diets. With the exception of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, no differences were detected in all other serum metabolite concentrations of lactating ewes in between treatment groups. In conclusion, this study indicates that SC supplementation with varying levels in the diet had a similar positive effect on some performance and physiological parameters of lactating Awassi ewes and their lambs.

Effect of Adding Curcuma Longa L. Powder on the Colostrum, Milk Production and its Composition and Growth of Newborns in Awassi ewes

In this study, 18 pregnant Awassi ewes were used to study the effect of different levels of turmeric in productive performance, ewes were divided into three equal groups. The three groups were fed six weeks before birth until weaning on a basal diet with a protein content of 14.46 and energy of 2583 kcal/kg. First group fed without additive (control), while turmeric powder was added to feed intake of the second and third groups by 5 and 10 g / day / ewe respectively. The results indicated that the use of turmeric powder 5g/day /ewe led to a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the colostrum yield at the first day after lambing, actual milk production, percentage of protein and solids non-fat; and the body weights of lambs in weeks (8, 10 and 12). No significant differences were observed in the components of colostrum, and the ewes body weights.

Effect of Lambing Season on Milk Quality and Hygiene of Awassi Sheep

The current study was carried out from October 15, 2021, to June 15, 2022, in the area of animal production at the Agricultural Technical College, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq. 24 Awassi ewes between the ages of 2-3, were employed in the study and split into two groups. In the first group, 12 ewes had winter lambs in December–January and 12 ewes had spring lambs in March–April. This was required to determine how the season affected some productive and biochemical blood features. The milk yield and its component of Awassi sheep, in addition to measuring the weights of the ewes and lambs, the weight gain every two weeks, final weight gain, relative growth rate, and some biochemical characteristics, as well as the number of somatic cells in milk, the estrus of the ewes was standardized using vaginal sponges. The results revealed that the body weight of ewes with spring births in the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth weeks was significantly (P0.05) greater than that of ewes with spring births. There was a substantial (P0.05) rise in the average weight of lambs with spring births in the tenth and twelfth weeks of the trial, as well as a significant increase in the relative growth rate of lambs with spring births in the tenth week. In addition, the total rate of weight gains increased. The season had a noticeable effect on milk production, as ewes with spring births produced significantly more milk in the second, fourth, eighth, and tenth weeks after birth. In the eighth and tenth week of the experiment, nonfat solids were consumed. Except for the fourth week of the trial, the number of somatic cells in the milk of spring-born ewes increased significantly (P0.05) in all other weeks of the study. The weights of ewes and lambs, as well as the total weight gain, increased during the spring. furthermore, the proportions of fat, protein, and solid non-fat percentage increased significantly. In addition to an increase in the number of somatic cells and the prevalence of mastitis, the milk of spring-born ewes is non-fatty.

The Influence of the Lambing Season on Awassi Sheep Milk Quality, Milk Productivity, and Biochemical Traits

The current study was carried out from October 15, 2021, to June 15, 2022, in the area of animal production at the Agricultural Technical College, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq. 24 Awassi ewes between the ages of 2-3, were employed in the study and split into two groups. In the first group, 12 ewes had winter lambs in December–January and 12 ewes had spring lambs in March–April. This was required to determine how the season affected some productive and biochemical blood features. The milk yield and its components of Awassi sheep, and some biochemical characteristics, as well as the number of somatic cells in milk, the estrus of the ewes were standardized using vaginal sponges. The season had a noticeable effect on milk production, as ewes with spring births produced significantly more milk in the second, fourth, eighth, and tenth weeks after birth. In the eighth and tenth week of the experiment, non-fat solids were consumed. Except for the fourth week of the trial, the number of somatic cells in the milk of spring-born ewes increased significantly (P0.05) in all other weeks of the study. The proportions of fat, protein, and solid non-fat percentages increased significantly. In addition to an increase in the number of somatic cells increased significantly and the incidence of mastitis in the milk of ewes with spring births.

Impact of magnetically treated water on milk traits and blood biochemical changes of Awassi ewes during pre- and postpartum

The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefit of magnetically treated water (MTW) using in Awassi ewe’s farm during pre- and post-partum on lactating and some blood biochemical traits determination. This experiment was carried out in a private sheep raising sector, from September to December of 2021. Twenty-four Awassi ewes at 120-d of gestation, age 2.5-3-year, live weight of 50-55 kg, the ewes were distributed on four treatments: T0 the control (served drinking well water), T1 (magnetized water by using a device at strength 2000 gauss), T2 (magnetized water by using a device at strength 4000 gauss) and T3 (magnetized water by using a device at strength 6000 gauss).The results of using magnetically treated water led to increasing milk yield, improving milk physical (freezing point, PH) and chemical (fat, protein, lactose, SNF) characteristics, also improving the blood biochemical parameters concentration (total protein, HDL, oxidative enzyme LDH- Lactate dehydrogenase), however the MTW treatments led to decreasing the concentration of (creatinine, RBS (Glucose), total cholesterol (TCH), LDL and triglycerides (TG), enzymes: AST, ALT and ALP) concentrations at both pre- and post-partum periods in the all treatments of MTW compared with control T0. Finally, the results of 6000 gauss treated water show separatory then 4000 gauss in all parameters of the study.&#x0D;

EFFECT OF BODY CONDITION SCORE AND WEANING AGE IN SOME PRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF AWASSI SHEEP

To study the impact of the body condition score (BCS) of ewes on body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) of ewes and lambs and the effect of weaning age on BW and BWG of lambs, thirty Awassi ewes (2–3 years old) with their borne male lambs were used in the study. Ewes condition-scored and assigned to three groups, 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups were with BCS 2.5, 3 and 3.5 respectively. Lambs weaned neither 60 or 90 days (5 lambs for each), the study lasted 90 days. The analyzed data showed significant (P≤0.05) differences in high BCS ewes; also, lambs BW increased significantly by 3 and 3.5 compared with 2.5 BCS at the 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks of the study. Total BWG was higher significantly for BCS- 3 and 3.5 ewe’s lambs. While body weight increased significantly for BCS- 3 and 3.5 ewe lambs at the 10th and 12th weeks of study. Ewes were significantly heavier whose weaned her lambs at 60 days, while lambs weaned at 90 days had higher BW at the 10th and 12th weeks of the study. BWG was better significantly (P≤0.05) for BCS- 2.5 and 3 in lambs at 12th week. In conclusion, this means that BCS-3 lambs had a higher BW, while 2.5 and 3 BCS lambs had a better BWG at the end of the study.

Association of the ANXA9 gene with milk production and its components in Awassi sheep

The study was conducted in the sheep farm of the Al-Fayhaa station in the Jableh sub-district / Al-Musaib project (55 km south of Baghdad), as well as the Biotechnology Laboratory in the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad for the period from 5/1/2022 to 30/10/2022. With the aim of detection the ANXA9 gene polymorphism and its relationship to Daily milk yield (DMY), Lactation period and milk composition, as well as the Polymorphism distribution and allele frequency in 52 Awassi sheep and its lambs, three polymorphism appeared in this variant (T&gt;G SNP) which are TT, TG and GG, and their percentage were 51.92, 40.38 and 7.69%, and the differences between them were highly significant (P≤0.01), with a frequency of 0.72 and 0.28 for the T and G alleles, respectively. the daily milk production rate of Awassi ewes was affected significantly (P≤0.05) by the ANXA9 gene polymorphism, the first variation (T&gt;G SNP), for ewes with the TG polymorphism (1128.65 g), while the components of milk were not affected significantly except for the percentage of Fat, which was maximum in the milk of ewes for GG and TT genotype (5.67 and 5.64%).We can conclude by studying the ANXA9 gene polymorphism that they can be adopted in developing strategies for genetic improvement of sheep, and the application of the study to a larger sample and to several sites and extracting the interaction between two SNPs would give more accurate results and determine the best method for managing and improving sheep flocks.

Association of birth type and LHX4 gene polymorphism with reproductive hormones, growth hormone, and prolactin in Awassi ewes.

LIM homeobox transcription factor 4 (LHX4) is a promising candidate gene for mammalian reproductive traits. LHX4 polymorphism has previously been associated with phenotypic traits in goats and cattle. However, there have been no LHX4 gene polymorphisms identified in Awassi sheep. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the LHX4 polymorphism on reproductive hormones, growth hormones, and prolactin in Awassi ewes. A total of 232 ewes between the ages of 3 and 4 years were selected for this study (123 single-progeny ewes and 109 twin-producing ewes). Serum was collected to measure reproductive hormones, growth hormone, and prolactin using ELISA kits made by ELK Biotechnology. Genomic DNA was extracted from sheep blood, genotyped, and sequenced to confirm variations in LHX4 (exon 1, 207bp). Genotyping revealed three genotypes in 207bp: AA, AG, and GG. Sequence analysis detected a novel mutation in exon 1: 160A > G. Statistically, the 160A > G SNP was significantly associated with the phenotypic traits. Ewes carrying AA genotypes had higher estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormones/luteinizing hormones, and growth hormone, and lower prolactin levels (65.63 ± 3.84) (pg/mL), (6.67 ± 0.38) (ng/mL), (22.34 ± 1.27) (ng/mL)/(23.89 ± 2.13) (ng/mL), (1.30 ± 0.05) (ng/mL), and (13.16 ± 0.75) (pg/mL), respectively, compared to AG and GG genotypes in the fourth month of twin-pregnant ewes compared to single-pregnant ewes. This study suggests that the 160A > G SNP negatively affects the Awassi sheep's hormone levels. It provides valuable insight into the sheep LHX4 gene, which could be an effective marker in marker-assisted selection.

Effect of Injecting Different Levels of Iron and Vitamin B12 on Milk Yield and Composition and Some Blood Characteristics of Awassi Ewes

This study was conducted in Baibokhet area (8Km north of Mosul city). The study was designed to determine the effect of subcutaneous injections of iron and vitamin B12 on milk production and body weight and blood characteristics of Awassi ewes. using 15 Awassi ewes with an average weights 35.3±0.65 kg and age 2-4 year thier, feed relied fully on grazing, were randomly divided in to three groups, (5 ewes/group), 1st group was regard as control, while the 2nd group injected Subcutaneous in average once for every ten days for three month with Iron and vitamin B12 with (5.5mg/kg body weight and 5.5mg/kg body weight ) respectively, The 3rd group injected with iron and vitamin B12 (11 mg /kg body weight and 11 mg/kg body weight) respectively. result showed treated groups with iron and vitamin B12 a significant effect (P≤0.05) compared with control group in ( Packed cell volume, red blood cell, hemoglobin concentration ,milk yield, final body weight, total gain and daily gain), Also results shows no a significant effect (P≤0.05) in (glucose, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin and milk fat%, milk protein%, milk lactose%, solid nonfat%) among treated groups compared with control group, In conclusion, iron and vitamin B12 injection in weaning lambs improved milk production, body weight and blood characters in Awassi ewes. &#x0D; &#x0D;

Effect of Using Ginger Roots (Zingiber officinale) on Milk Yield and Some of Its Components, Body Weight of Ewes and Lambs, in Awassi Sheep

The practical part of the study conducted in Animal Production Department / College of Agriculture and Forestry / Mosul University from 15 / 11 / 2013 to 1/ 4 / 2014 , to study the effect of adding the ginger roots in milk yield, some milk components and weights of ewes and their lambs in Awassi sheep, 32 Awassi ewes were divided into four homologou groups of age and weight, each group contains eight ewes. Ewes were fed on the same ration contain the same % protein and % Kcal energy (N.R.C. , 2007), but were differ in containing ginger roots only (0 , 10 , 20 and 30 gm ginger / head / day. The result revealed a significant increasing (P ≤ 0.05) in weekly and monthly milk yield for the treatment 20 and 30 gm/head/day, but the result of milk components during suckling period (Fat , Protein , Lactose and S.N.F) revealed no significant differences between the treatments , There are a significant increasing in milk yield during suckling period. For the treatment 20 and 30 gm ginger / head / day, this is a normal result for reflection in milk increasing during this period.&#x0D; &#x0D;

The Effect of PMSG on Follicular Development and Ovulation Time of PGF2 Treated Awassi Ewes

The objective was to examine the effects of PMSG administration before or at the time of PGF2α injection on reproductive responses of ewes out-of-season. In late June and early July, 57 anestrus ewes were induced to estrus using CIDR-G devices for 12 days. Six days following device removal ewes were randomly allocated into three treatment groups and each received an i.m injection of 20mg PGF2α (day 0, 0 h). PMSG (500 IU) was administered either 24 h before (group A, n=20) or at (group B, n=19) the time of PGF2α injection. Group C ewes (n=18) served as control. Half of the ewes in each group were exposed to three intact rams at 0 h to be naturally mated and the other half were exposed to three aproned rams and inseminated 50-56 h following 0 h. Ewes were checked for breeding marks at 6-h intervals for 4 days. Progesterone levels from day –1 until day 20 were monitored. Occurrence of estrus was similar among ewes of the three treatment groups and averaged 79%. PMSG-treated ewes had shorter (P0.01) intervals to estrus and ovulation, and a higher ovulation rate than non-PMSG treated ewes. Pregnancy and lambing rates were similar among PMSG- and non-PMSG-treated ewes. Although reproductive responses were similar among artificially-inseminated and naturally-mated ewes, the latter had a higher (P0.05) lambing rate (14.3% vs 41.4%, respectively). Ewes inseminated close to the time of ovulation (7.7 h earlier) produced higher (P0.05) pregnancy rate than those inseminated at a wider interval from ovulation (16.7 h earlier). In conclusion, the PGF2α treatment given during luteal phase was effective in resetting subsequent cyclic activity of ewes. Although it did not increase the number of ewes detected in estrus, PMSG shortened intervals to estrus and ovulation, increased ovulation and induced–estrus pregnancy rates.

Effect of Selenium supplementation on White Blood Cell Count in Awassi ewes

Effect of Selenium supplementation on White Blood Cell Count in Awassi ewes

A Novel c.100C > G Mutation in the FST Gene and Its Relation With the Reproductive Traits of Awassi Ewes.

Reproductive traits are affected by many factors, including ovarian function, hormones, and genetics. Genetic polymorphisms of candidate genes are associated with reproductive traits. Several candidate genes are associated with economic traits, including the follistatin (FST) gene. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether the genetic variations in the FST gene are associated with the reproductive traits in Awassi ewes. The genomic DNA was extracted from 109 twin ewes and 123 single-progeny ewes. Therefore, 4 sequence fragments from the FST gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (exon 2/240, exon 3/268, exon 4/254, and exon 5/266 bp, respectively). For a 254 bp amplicon, 3 genotypes were identified: CC, CG, and GG. Sequencing revealed a novel mutation in CG genotypes c.100C > G. The statistical analysis of c.100C > G showed an association with reproductive characteristics. Ewes carrying the c.100C > G had significantly (P ⩽ .01) lower litter sizes, twinning rates, lambing rates, and more days to lambing compared with CG and CC genotypes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the c.100C > G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is responsible for decreasing litter size. According to these results, the variant c.100C > G negatively affects the traits of interest and is associated with lower reproductive traits in Awassi sheep. As a result of this study, ewes carrying the c.100C > G SNP have lower litter size and are less prolific.