Effect of estrus synchronization and PMSG injection on reproduction performance and some blood biochemical values of Awassi sheep in Kirkuk region

Abstract

The study conducted in sheep farm (College of Agriculture – University of Kirkuk) on 15 Awassi ewes aged 2-3 yrs old and weighted 45 kg in average. Ewes were divided into 3 groups, 1st group (4 ewes left without treatment as control), the 2nd treatment (4 ewes were subjected to estrus synchronization using intravaginal progestagen sponges, while 3rd group (7 ewes) were estrus synchronized as in the 2nd group in addition to injection of 400 IU of PMSG. Ewes were subjected to blood sampling (2 ml) from the start of the study up to 6 months (two weeks between 2 subsequent samples). Blood serum separated to determine glucose and Cholesterol level, AST and ALT enzymes activities, in addition to serum level of Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, and Copper. Ewes fertility and prolificacy, gestation period, lambs birth and weaning weights and average daily gain up to weaning (90 days of age) were recorded. The results showed that hormonal treatment did not affect significantly ewe’s fertility, prolificacy and gestation period length, with higher fertility in 3rd treatment in compare with the control group. Hormonal treatment effect in lamb birth weight, weaning weight and Average daily gain (ADG) were not significant, with higher weaning weight and ADG in 1st treatment in comparison with control and 3 rd treatments.The differences between hormonal treatments and control group in blood biochemical values were not significant, with higher blood glucose and AST activity and lower iron concentration in 3rd treatment. Simple correlation coefficients between blood biochemical values and ewe’s prolificacy, gestation period, lamb birth, weaning weigh and ADG were insignificant except the significant correlations (P<0.01) between ewes prolificacy with blood glucose (positive) and with blood cholesterol (negative) and between lambs weaning weights and ADG with blood iron concentrations which were positive and significant (P<0.05).