Iraqi Awassi Ewes Research Articles

Effect of dystocia on serum haptoglobin in Awassi ewes

Serum haptoglobin concentration was determined in 102 Iraqi Awassi ewes. Blood samples were collected from 82 ewes before the correction of dystocia, 10 ewes with eutocia 2 to 4 h after parturition and 10 nonpregnant ewes during the seasonal anestrus phase. The mean serum haptoglobin concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in ewes with dystocia than in ewes with normal births and in the nonpregnant ewes. No significant difference was found between serum haptoglobin concentrations of ewes with ringwomb and ewes with dystocia due to other causes. There was a significant elevation (P < 0.01) of serum haptoglobin in cases treated 24 h after labor compared with those treated during the first 24 h. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were found between serum haptoglobin concentrations in ewes treated surgically and those treated manually.

Obstetrical disorders and their treatment in Iraqi Awassi ewes

The study was conducted on 641 Iraqi Awassi ewes suffering from dystocia ( n = 332), uterine prolapse ( n = 125), retained placenta ( n = 110) and postpartum metritis ( n = 74). Procedures for treatment of different types of dystocia were manual (correction and traction) ( n = 146), pharmacological ( n = 48) and surgical (Caesarean section) ( n = 138). Efficiency of each method of treatment was: 75.3%, 66.6% and 86.9%, respectively, with a difference ( P < 0.01) between methods. Ewes with uterine prolapse were treated by repositioning and suturing of the vulva for 3–5 days. Good prognoses were obtained in 80% ( 100 125 ) of the cases. Animals affected with retained placenta were treated by manual removal of placenta plus long acting (LA) oxytetracycline 20% i.m. ( n = 37) or 2 mg oestradiol benzoate i.m. plus 20 IU oxytocin i.m. ( n = 37) or 10 mg prostaglandin F 2α i.m. ( n = 36). Good response was obtained (91.6%) with PG F 2α treatment. Manual treatment, antibiotics and oestradiol benzoate plus oxytocin had a response of 54.8% and 67.5%, respectively. There was a difference ( P < 0.01) between prostaglandin-treated and other groups. Ewes with postpartum metritis were treated: Group 1 ( n = 25) 20 mg per kg body weight (BW) L.A. oxytetracycline i.m.; Group 2 ( n = 250 20 mg kg −1 BW L.A. oxytetracycline i.m. plus oestradiol benzoate (2mg i.m.) followed by 20 IU of oxytocin i.m.; Group 3 ( n = 24) 10 mg prostaglandin F 2α i.m. plus 20 mg kg −1 BW L.A. oxytetracycline i.m. High success was obtained (91.6%) in the third group, while the responses were 60% and 76% in the first and second groups, respectively, with a difference ( P < 0.01) between groups. It was concluded that Caesarean section was the most successful procedure for treatment of dystocia. It was also documented that injection of PG F 2α or oxytocin plus oestradiol alone or in combination with antibiotics directly after parturition reduced morbidity from retained placenta and postpartum metritis.

Ovine placenta related to binucleated cells in fetal membrane retention

Placentomes were collected from 28 Iraqi Awassi ewes which had retained their fetal membranes after; (a) normal birth ( n = 6); (b) abortion ( n = 6), (c) dystocia ( n = 10), and (d) Caesarean section ( n = 6). Histologic changes in placentomes obtained from ewes with retained fetal membranes (RFM) after normal birth included vascular changes (edema, hyperemia and hemorrhages), hemosiderin pigmentation, necrosis in the maternal villi and presence of moderate to large numbers of binucleate cells (BNC). In placentomes obtained from ewes having RFM after abortion, there were vascular changes in both maternal and fetal connective tissues. Necrosis and massive bacterial colonies were seen in the caruncles and cotyledons. Few numbers of BNC and infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells in the caruncles and cotyledons were observed. The changes in placentomes obtained from ewes having RFM after dystocia (treated by assisted delivery) included the presence of vascular changes, hemosiderin pigmentation, moderate degree of necrosis and few bacterial colonies in the caruncles and cotyledons. Moderate numbers of BNC were observed. On the other hand, in cases of dystocia (treated with a Caesarean section), vascular changes, moderate degrees of necrosis and few numbers of bacterial colonies were observed in caruncles and cotyledons and only few BNC. It was concluded that BNC are involved in the process of placental separation in ewes.

Cesarean section in Iraqi Awassi ewes: A case study

We describe criteria for choosing Cesarean section to treat dystocia, and identify factors that appeared to influence the success of Cesarean section in Iraqi Awassi ewes under clinical condition. The study was conducted on 276 ewes presented for dystocia during the lambing seasons from 1985 to 1990. Out of 130 (47%) ewes assigned to undergo Cesarean section, 65 (50%) had ringwomb, while oversized fetus, emphysematous fetus, fetal monsters and hydroallantois accounted for 37 (28%), 16 (13%), 10 (7%) and 2 (1%) of the ewes, respectively. Primiparous and 2-year old ewes (54%) as well as ewes carrying singletons (53%) were assigned to surgery more frequently than multiparous ewes over 2 Y of age carrying twins. Ewes that delivered male lambs underwent surgery more frequently than those with female lambs (63 vs 37%). The maternal survival rate was 95% while after 86% of the surgeries the ewes had an uncomplicated recovery and conceived in the following estrus. Based on this case study, Cesarean section appears to be a safe and successful procedure for management of dystocia in Iraqi Awassi ewes.

Wool characteristics of Iraqi Awassi sheep

The physical wool characteristics of 268 Iraqi Awassi ewes were studied in 1963, as well as the relationship between some of these traits. The overall average grease fleece weight, clean wool percentage, staple length, fibre length, fibre diameter and degree of crimp were 3·77 lb., 84·85%, 16·47 cm., 17·37 cm., 33·32/t and 4·18 crimps per 2 cm. respectively. These attributes class the Awassi wool as a carpet wool.Age proved to have no significant effect on any ofthe traits examined. Significant positive correlations were found between grease fleece weight and fibre length and between number of crimps and fibre diameter, while a significant negative correlation was found between clean wool percentage and fibre length.