Awassi Sheep Research Articles

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.

Relationship between SCD1 Gene Polymorphism and the Production and Composition of Milk in the Iraqi Awassi Sheep.

Selection based on genetic makeup became an important tool in genetic improvement. The development of molecular biology opened the way to study the genes of farm animals and genetically improve them. The aim of this study was to determine the Allele frequency and genotype distribution of the SCD1 gene and its relationship to milk production and its main components from fat, protein, lactose and non-fat solids percentage in Iraqi Awassi sheep. Fifty-one female Awassi sheep were used in this study. The genotype distribution of the SCD1 gene in the studied Awassi sheep sample was 50.98, 41.18 and 7.84% for each of the CC, CA and AA genotypes, and the discrepancy between these percentages were highly significant (P≤0.01), and the appearance of the C and A alleles with a frequency of 0.72 and 0.28 respectively, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) appeared in the total milk production according to the genotype. As for the milk components, it was found that there were significant (P≤0.05) differences in the percentage of fat and the percentage of non-fat solids. From the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the SCD1 gene can be adopted as an important indicator in developing genetic improvement strategies for Awassi sheep to maximize the economic return from breeding projects by selecting and cross-breeding the genotypes that achieved the best product performance.

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.
 

Effect of Adding Linseed Oil to The Diet on The Chemical Composition and Some Fatty Acids of Awassi Sheep Meat Chilled and Frozen


 This study was conducted at the experimental farm, Department of Animal Production , College of Agriculture , University of Tikrit for the period from 7/10/2018 to 15/12/2018. Sixteen Awassi lambs with an average body weight of 27kg and aged about 6—7-months were used in this investigation. The lambs were randomly assigned into four groups. Each group has 4 lambs the lambs were placed in individual cages (1 x 1.5 m².) and the aim of this study to investigation the effect of supplementing linseed oil on chemical composition and some fatty acids of Awassi chilled and frozen sheep meat,the results showed high significant differences in frozen period in moisture content of meat compared with chilled period it was ( 70.90 and 66.82)% respectively , and the chilled period conducted high significant differences than the frozen period in fat content ( 9.39 and 8.15)% respectively. About the effect of linseed oil on fatty acids, frozen period conducted high significant differences in Oleic it was 33.59 % while the frozen period conducted a high significant differences in Linoleic and Arachidonic acids it was ( 4.88 and 1.19)% respectively. The interaction between chilled period and treatments, the first and second treatment conducted high significant differences on Oleic acid also first treatment was high in Linoleic Acid percentage. While for the interaction between frozen period and treatments, the fourth treatment was high in Oleic and Linolenic Acid percentage, the first treatment was high in Linoleic Acid percentage it was (5.22)%.

A novel nonsynonymous SNP in the OLR1 gene associated with litter size in Guizhou white goats

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (OLR1) encodes a low-density lipoprotein receptor belonging to the C-type lectin superfamily, which is closely related to reproduction. OLR1 is associated with fecundity in Awassi sheep. However, its effect on litter size has not been investigated in goats. In this study, OLR1 sequences and their mRNA expression levels in the gonadal axis of Guizhou white goats were evaluated to investigate the relationship between gene polymorphisms and litter size. In addition, the potential effects of a nonsynonymous substitution were evaluated using a bioinformatics approach. The expression levels of OLR1 were highest in the uterus of mothers with multiple kids and highest in the ovaries of mothers with single kids. OLR1 mRNA expression levels in the ovaries of mothers with single kids were two times higher than in the ovaries of mothers with multiple kids. The sequencing results revealed five SNPs in OLR1; however, only g.294 T > A, g.2260 T > C, and g.2268 C > T were significantly associated with litter size (P < 0.05). Linkage disequilibrium was detected between g.2260 T > C and g.2268 C > T (r2 = 0.322, D′ = 0.6). Additionally, goats with the Hap 1/1 diplotype had a greater litter size than others (P < 0.05). g.2260 T > C was a nonsynonymous mutation that resulted in the replacement of valine with alanine at the amino acid residue 54 of the OLR1 protein. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the p.V54A locus was relatively conserved in cloven-hoofed species. Mutations at this locus could change the local conformation and reduce the stability of OLR1, affecting its half-life and the litter size of the nanny goat. These findings confirm that OLR1 affects goat kidding traits and provide a novel insight into the regulatory mechanism underlying the effect of OLR1 on litter size.

Pistachio, Pomegranate and Olive Byproducts Added to Sheep Rations Change the Biofunctional Properties of Milk through the Milk Amino Acid Profile.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of adding pistachio shell (PIS), pomegranate hull (POM), and olive pulp (OP) to the diet on milk amino acid and fatty acid parameters in Awassi sheep. In the study, 40 head of Awassi sheep, which gave birth at least twice, were used as animal material. Sheep were fed a control diet without added byproducts (CON), rations containing PIS, POM, and OP. Milk amino acid profile was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, milk fatty acid gas chromatography-flame ionization detection device. There was a dramatic reduction in alanine, citrulline, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, leucine, ornithine and alphaaminoadipic acid in the research groups. In the PIS group, argininosuccinic acid, gammaminobutyric acid, beta-alanine and sarcosine; In the POM group, asparagine, gammaminobutyric acid, beta-alanine, and taurine; In the OP group, a significant positive increase was found in terms of alanine, histidine, gammaminobutyric acid, and taurine amino acids. The applications in the study did not have a statistically significant effect on the ratio of short, medium and long chain fatty acids in milk (p>0.05). In the presented study, it was determined that PIS, POM, and OP, which were added to the sheep rations at a rate of 5%, caused significant changes in the milk amino acid profiles. In this change in milk amino acid profiles, the benefit-harm relationship should be considered.

Comparison of Cranium Shape in Hamdani and Awassi Sheep using Dorsal and Lateral Landmarks

Comparison of Cranium Shape in Hamdani and Awassi Sheep using Dorsal and Lateral Landmarks

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.

Association of Novel C319T Variant of PITX2 Gene 3'UTR Region With Reproductive Performance in Awassi Sheep.

Several genes influence sheep's reproductive performance, among them the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether the variability within the PITX2 gene is associated with the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes. A total of 123 single-progeny ewes and 109 twin ewes were used to extract genomic DNA. An amplicon of 4 sequence fragments from exons 2, 4, 5 (upstream portion), and 5 (downstream portion) of the PITX2 gene was generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 228, 304, 381, and 382 bp, respectively. Three genotypes of 382 bp amplicons were identified: CC, CT, and TT. Sequence analysis revealed a novel mutation in the CT genotype 319C > T. Statistical analysis revealed that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 319C > T was associated with reproductive performance. Single-nucleotide polymorphism 319C > T-carrying ewes had significantly (P ⩽ .01) lower litter sizes, twinning rates, lambing rates, and more days to lambing than those carrying CT and CC genotypes. Based on a logistic regression analysis, it was confirmed that the 319C > T SNP decreased litter size. Ewes with TT genotype produced fewer lambs than ewes with CT and CC genotypes. According to these results, the variant 319C> T SNP negatively affects the reproductive performance of Awassi sheep. Ewes carrying the 319C > T SNP have a lower litter size and are less prolific than those without the SNP.

A Missense p.Q>R234 Mutation in the Osteopontin Gene Is Associated With the Prolificacy of Iraqi Awassi Ewes.

One of the most valuable traits in production and breeding is a sheep's prolificacy which is influenced by several genes, one of which is the osteopontin (OPN) gene. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of genetic variation within the OPN gene on Awassi ewe prolificacy. Genomic DNA was extracted from 123 single-progeny ewes and 109 twin ewes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify 4 sequence fragments (289, 275, 338, and 372 bp), representing exons 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the OPN gene. A 372 bp amplicon was identified with 3 different genotypes: TT, TC, and CC. Sequence analysis revealed a novel mutation in TC genotypes p.Q>R234. Statistical analysis revealed that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) p.Q>R234 was associated with prolificacy. Ewes carrying the p.Q>R234 SNP had significantly (P ⩽ .01) lower litter sizes, twinning rates, and lambing rates, and more days to lambing than those with the TC and TT genotypes. The p.Q>R234 SNP was confirmed to be responsible for lower litter size through logistic regression analysis. From these results, we can conclude that the missense variant p.Q>R234 adversely affects the traits of interest and shows that the p.Q>R234 SNP negatively influences the prolificacy of Awassi sheep. Based on this study, it is evident that ewes in this population carrying the p.Q>R234 SNP have a lower litter size and are less prolific.

Effects of selenium, vitamin E, and β-carotene administration on fertility of Awassi ewes synchronized for estrus in non-breeding season

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selenium, β-carotene, and vitamin E administration on fertility of Awassi ewes synchronized in non-breeding season. A total of 80 multiparous Awassi ewes, aged 2 to 6 years were enrolled in the study. Intravaginal sponges containing flugeston acetate (20 mg cronolon) was inserted into vagina and allowed to remain in vagina for nine days. Ewes were randomly divided into two groups. Group I received intramuscular injections of 1 mg sodium selenite, 60 mg vitamin E, 75 mg β-carotene, and 100 mg DL-α-tocopherol acetate at sponge insertion, sponge removal, and 18 days after the introduction of ram. Group II remained as control group and received no treatment. On the removal of the sponges, 500 IU eCG and 0.075 mg D-cloprostenol were injected intramuscularly. Ram was introduced for 1 hr twice a day 24 hours after the sponge removal. Interval between sponge removal and estrus, estrus rates, conception rates, pregnancy rates, lambing rates, and fecundity rates in group I and group II were 45.30±1.71 and 43.94±1.72 hours, 79.1% and 86.6%, 66.66% and 72.41%, 54.05% and 58.33%, 100% and 100%, and 135% and 138%, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the groups (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the administration of Se, β-carotene, and vitamin E in estrus synchronization protocols in non-breeding season had no positive effect on the fertility characteristics of Awassi sheep.

Application of Classification and Regression Tree (CRT) Method for Predicting the Some Environmental Factors Affecting Weaning Weight of Awassi Lamb

: In this study, the effects of some environmental factors on the weaning weights of Awassi lambs, raised within the scope of the Awassi sheep breed sub-project of the Ovine Breeding National Project in the Hands of the People Project under the coordination of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, were investigated. For this purpose, estimation was made with the regression decision tree (CRT) method, which is one of the machine learning algorithms. In the study, the effects of age of dam, gender, birth type and flock type (elite and base flock), which are thought to influence weaning weight in Awassi lambs, were considered independent variables, while weaning weight was considered as the dependent variable. According to the regression tree estimations, the most effective environmental factor on weaning weight of Awassi lambs was found to be the birth type. While the effective factor for singleton lambs was the gender, it was determined that the important factor for male lambs was the type of flock. Age of dam was found to be effective on the weaning weights of the lambs in the base flock.

Changes in Thyroid Hormones Serum Profiles During Late Pregnancy and Post Lambing in the Awassi Sheep

Thyroid gland (TG) function and thyroid hormones (TH) activities are vital to sustaining the productive performanceof sheep. Changes in serum TH concentrations are an indirect measure of the changes in thyroid activity andcirculating TH, which are considered indicators of the metabolic and nutritional status of the animals. PregnantAwassi ewes (n=17) were utilized to assess the changes in the serum profiles of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH), 3,3’,5-triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) 4 days prior to lambing (D/BL) and at 2,6,10,14,18 and 22weeks post-lambing (W/PL). Our study revealed the TSH serum profile had gradually and significantly increased(p&lt; 0.05) between 4D/BL and 22W/PL. TSH levels recorded their lowest drop at 4D/BL, while also peaking at22W/PL. TSH levels at 22W/PL was two times as high as the TSH levels at 4D/BL. Here we demonstrated that T3concentration didn’t exhibit a particular trend throughout all intervals and that the T3 levels attained their peaklevels at 2W/PL, while these levels dropped significantly at 14W/PL. Furthermore, we exhibited a significantdecrease in T4 level (p &lt; 0.01) at 6W/PL, while a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in its level was recorded at l0W/PL. T4 levels did not display any specific pattern; apart from its lowest concentration at 6W/PL and its highest at10W/PL, the T4 levels remained almost in parallel, with minor fluctuations throughout all intervals. Analysis ofthe T4:T3 ratio at various intervals didn’t reveal any specific trend. Our study provides vital elements on the serumprofiles of TH in pre-and postpartum periods, which mirrors physiological changes and allows the monitoringand manipulation of thyroid physiology, to improve animal health and production.

The relationship between Leptin gene and milk production and its components in Awassi sheep

The study was conducted at the sheep and goat research station, at Al-Shatrah District, ThiQar Agriculture Directorate, Thi-Qar Governorate, from 1/11/2021 to 30/6/2022 for one production season. A total of 100 animals were used, consisting of 50 parents and 50 lambs, males and females, the ages of the ewes ranged from 3 to 5 years old. The sheep data used in the experiment were collected from the station records. The genetic part was also completed in the Marshes Research Laboratory at the University of Thi-Qar. The study aimed at the relationship between Leptin gene and milk production and its components. There were significant differences (P≤0.05) between the animals of CC, CT and TT genotypes, resulting from mutation at site 119 of the studied segment of the Leptin gene, on total milk production and daily milk production, where animals with TT genotype outperformed animals with CT and CC genotype, there were no significant differences on milk production and daily milk production between CC and CT genotype, also between the CT and TT genotypes. The results of total milk production were as follows: 32.71, 34.29 and 36.51 liters, for daily milk production: 363.47, 381.00 and 405.71 liters, for CC, CT, and TT genotypes, respectively.

Novel variants associated with adiponectin-related traits in Awassi ewes

BackgroundAdipose tissue secretes adiponectin (ADIPOQ), a hormone related to fat oxidation, glucose metabolism, and reproduction. The polymorphism of adiponectin is associated with productive traits in domestic animals. Thus, this study investigated the association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with lipid profile and reproductive hormones in Awassi ewe. In this study, 200 ewes between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years, neither pregnant nor lactating, were included. To determine the lipid profile and reproductive hormones, sera were separated from the blood. DNA extraction, genotyping, and sequencing reactions were used to verify the variants in the amplified fragments (exon 1).ResultsThree genotypes, CC, CA, and AA, were identified from 368 bp amplicons (exon 1). A sequencing reaction revealed a novel mutation, c.198473337C > A, in the CA genotype. The results revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in cholesterol and HDL levels in the AA genotype than CC and CA genotypes. The AA genotype had higher estradiol and progesterone levels (50.52 ± 0.64) (pg/ml) and (7.10 ± 0.04) (ng/ml), respectively, than those with the CC and CA genotypes.ConclusionsThese results conclude that the ADIPOQ gene affects lipid profiles and sex hormone levels in Awassi sheep. Choosing sheep that are polymorphic for the ADIPOQ gene should be a future study, as this gene could be linked to high prolificacy.

Evaluation of Testicular Biometry and Spermatozoa Recovered after Slaughter from Cauda Epididymal of Awassi Ram.

Rams play an important role in reproductive efficiency because each ram or semen contains half of the genetic material of its descendants. In Iraq, the Awassi sheep are the most common indigenous breed, highly adaptable to tough environmental conditions. The present study was carried out to evaluate testicular biometry and spermatozoa recovered after the slaughter at different ages in Awassi rams. A total of thirty-three pairs (n=66 testes) of Awassi rams testicles were collected after the slaughter at the abattoir in Baghdad and divided into three groups according to age. Rams less than a year old were grouped as G1, rams aged one to two years were grouped as group G2, and rams older than two years as group G3. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in testicular weight, length, width, and diameter in both right and left increased steadily in group G1 to reach a maximum in group G3. The epididymal weight and length (right and left) were significant (P<0.05) in group G3. The spermatozoa concentration obtained from the left testicle increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups G2 and G3 compared to group G1, while the right spermatozoa concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) in group G3 when compared to group G1. In conclusion, it can be concluded that the biometry of testicular and epididymal (right and left) in this study was influenced by progressing age, and the spermatozoa concentration obtained from the left testicle was higher active than the right one in adult Awassi rams.

PRODUCTIVE AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING SHEEP WITH DIFFERENT GENOTYPES

In order to assess the productive and biological characteristics of growing sheep of different origin we have carried out commercial cross breeding of Kyrgyz hair fat-tailed sheep with dairy Awassi sheep imported from Israel. As a result of basic measurements of body type it was established that crossbred descendants differed with better proportion of majority of body statures with well demonstrated meat and milk shapes. The duration of lactation period with crossbred females of first generation is longer for 50 days, but milk yielding capacity - 88,7 l more than of females of Kyrgyz hair sheep population. Generally having analyzed the effectiveness of crossbreeding, including the received gains in weight, milking capacity, we have become convinced of its advantage. The advantage of crossbred growing sheep has to do with a degree of expression of heterosis effect. The quantity of products derived from crossbred lambs was significantly greater at fewer costs for its production.

Evaluation of some factors on birth and weaning weights in Awassi sheep by using GLM and CART analysis.

Birth weight (BW), which is the first physiological record of the postnatal period, is an important indicator that affects growth and development, reproduction, and some yields of living things in the future. The present study was carried out using the birth records of 5417 heads of Awassi lambs from 2013 to 2018 in MeMuTa dairy sheep farm in Zengen town of Ereğli district of Konya city in Türkiye. In this study, the effects of some environmental and genetic factors on birth and weaning weight in Awassi lambs were evaluated using both general linear model (GLM) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. As a result of the GLM analysis, the least squares' means of birth and weaning weights (BW and WW) were determined as 4.15 ± 0.05kg and 16.39 ± 0.13kg, respectively. Fixed genetic factors such as birth type and sex, and environmental factors such as season and year were found to be significant on birth weight (P < 0.01). As for weaning weight, other factors except birth type were found to be similarly important like birth weight (P < 0.01). Also, linear regression of birth weight on weaning weight was found to be significant (P < 0.01). In GLM and CART analyses, the determination coefficient (R2) was determined to be 23.80% and 11.70% for BW, and 24.11% and 13.18% for WW, respectively. The findings of the analysis results showed that the factors in the model have a similar tendency both in terms of their relative ratios in the total variation in the GLM analysis and in their relative importance in the CART algorithm. It was seen that CART data mining algorithm in the prediction of some genetic and environmental factors on birth and weaning weights using some factors in Awassi lambs produced successful results in predictive performance. Briefly, it was determined that there is a similar tendency to GLM analysis according to CART algorithm analysis in the current study.

The effect of different management systems on milk yield and milk quality in Awassi sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of concentrate-based feeding (CF) and artificial pasture-based grazing (APG) management systems on milk yield, fatty acids, nutritional indices, and milk physicochemical characteristics of Awassi ewes. The research involved 300 heads of Awassi ewes, which were divided into two groups. Awassi sheep were managed in a CF and APG system to test the milk yield characteristics. The results showed a significant ( ) difference in milk yield and lactation length between CF and APG management systems of ewes. The average daily milk yield showed a nonsignificant difference for both management systems, and no significant changes ( ) in the chemical composition of CF and APG management systems were observed. Palmitic (C16:0), myristic (C14:0), stearic (C18:0) capric (C10:0), and lauric (C12:0) acids were the major saturated fatty acids found in milk from both management systems. The level of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) was significantly different in both treatments ( ), but the linolenic (C18:3 n-3) acid level was nonsignificant in milk from the CF and APG management systems. The hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic (h / H) fatty acid and thrombogenicity (TI) ratios were significantly different ( ); however, the atherogenicity (AI) had no significant difference between confined and grazing systems. In conclusion, it can be said that the lactation length and lactation milk yield were prolonged by the APG management system, though the milk composition and quality were not significantly affected.

Study Effects Of Aqueous Extract Of Local Fenugreek Seeds And Olive Leaves In Some Biochemical Traits At Iraqi Awassi Sheep

This study was conducted to determine the effect of using an aqueous extract of local fenugreek seeds and olive leaves on some of the biochemical traits of Iraqi Awassi sheep. Twenty Awassi sheep aged 11-12 months with an average weight of 48.50 kg were used in this study. The ewes of the experiment were divided into five transactions. The duration of the study reached four complete estrus cycles (70 days) with the addition of 14 days at the start of the experiment to unify estrus to make the total days of the experiment 84 days (12 weeks). The animals were randomly distributed into five equal groups with four repetitions in each group as follows: the first control treatment dosed the ewes with distilled water only, T2 the second treatment was dosed with fenugreek seed aqueous extract at a concentration of (25 mg/ ml/ kg), T3 the third treatment was dosed with fenugreek seed aqueous extract at a concentration of (50 mg/ ml/ kg), T4 the fourth treatment was dosed with olive leaf aqueous extract at a concentration of 25 mg/ ml/kg. T5, the fifth treatment, was dosed with an aqueous extract of olive leaves at a concentration of (50 mg/ml /kg). As for biochemical parameters, there was a least significant decreasing (P≤0.05) in blood glucose level in the third treatment and total period in comparing with all other treatments Over the duration of the experiment. T3 recorded a significant superiority (P≤0.05) in total protein compared to other treatment groups. Although there was a decreasing in total protein concentrations of T5 in the third, fourth and total periods compared to T3. No significant differences between all study groups at albumin level except in total period which T5 Outperformed control group. T2 and T3 were recorded significantly decreasing (P≤0.05) in AST and ALT compared to the control group, as for the T5 showed the lowest significant decrease was recorded in (P≤0.05) of all experimental withdrawals. In addition to the moral decline recorded by the ewes of the T4 group compared to the control group from the second withdrawal to the end of the experiment.