The impact of the high level of the amount of protein intake on reproductive performance of ewes Alauasih.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the high level of proteinintake on reproductive performance of Awassi ewes. Sixty eight Awassi ewes(mean initial live weight 51.49 ± 0.82 kg) aged 4-5 years were allocatedaccording to their weight and body condition score into two groups (34 animals/ group) and as follows:1. Group (T1): fed 135 g crude protein / day / animal.2. Group (T2): fed 220 g crude protein / day / animal.The two groups were fed on experimental feeds 28 days prior to mating and 54days after introduction of rams. These two groups were fed at the same levels ofdry matter and ME intakes. Mature fertile Awassi rams (Three rams / group)were run within each group during mating period. The results of theexperiment showed that the differences were not significant (P>0.05) in ewes'weights and body condition scores (BCS) at mating between the two groups.The BCS and weights at mating for supplemented groups were 2.62 and 2.65and 54.33kg, 54.85 kg for groupsT1 and T2 respectively. However, there was aclear improvement in reproductive performance of ewes (T2) that fed on a highlevel of protein (220 g / day / animal). This group achieved a significant (P<0.05) improvement in the twining percentage (35%) whereas the group T1that fed on the protein level (135 g crude protein / day / animal) had achieved atwining percentage (15%). Also group (T2) showed a significant improvement(P <0.05) in the lambing percentage compared to the first group (T1). Theresults of present experiment confirms the hypothesis which it is based uponthis study that the amount of protein intake is a limiting factor for the twiningrate of Awassi ewe which have high live weights and body condition scoreduring Mating. This study indicate that there is likely to improve theperformance of ewes reproductive Awassi are similar to the European sheepbreeds by providing the nutrients required to meet their needs during matingstage.