Evaluation on the Modulation Effect of High Protein and Energy Diet on Estrus Characteristics, Prolificacy and Pregnancy Rate in Menz Breed Sheep
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Date
2024
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term nutritional supplementation on the body weight, onset and duration of estrus, pregnancy rate, prolificacy, and plasma glucose level in Menz breed ewes. Twenty-four healthy and normally cycling ewes were distributed to two treatment groups T1: (Lupin; n=8), T2; (Barley; n=8) and one control group C: (Control; n=8) using randomized block design. Estrus was synchronized with double prostaglandin injections given 9 days apart to achieve the target late luteal phase of estrous cycle. Grass hay was provided as the basal diet for ewes in all treatment and control groups. In addition to grass hay, ewes were allowed to graze for 8 hours during the day time, and they had free water access. Ewes in the treatment group T1 were supplemented with 500g of Lupin grain per head per day, divided into 250g in the morning and 250g in the evening. Similarly, ewes in treatment group T2 were supplemented with 500g of Barley grain, also divided into 250g portions for morning and evening. The supplementation lasted for 9 consecutive days during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle. The average weight of ewes did not vary between or within the groups (P > 0.05). The mean time to onset of estrus (mean+SD) varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the treatment groups T1 (29.25+2.88), T2 (31.5+2.95), and the control group C (42+1.96). The supplemented groups T1 and T2 accelerate the ewes to come into estrus earlier than nonsupplemented control group (C). The duration of estrus (mean+SD) also varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the treatment groups T1, T2, and the control group (C). The non-supplemented control group, exhibited the shortest estrus duration (29.13+1.44), followed by treatment group T2 (35.63+2.71) and T1 (41.5+2.19). The supplemented groups of ewes demonstrated an
extended duration of estrus than the non-supplemented control group. The plasma glucose concentration revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) across all groups and the duration of supplement administration. The pregnancy rate varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the groups, with the rate of 100% in Lupin supplemented group, 87.5% in Barley supplemented group, and 50% in non-supplemented Control group. The prolificacy rate was also varied significantly (P < 0.05) with the rate of 50% in Lupin supplemented groups of ewes, followed by the Barley supplemented group (13%) and 0% in non-supplemented Control group. It could be concluded that Lupin supplementation improves response to estrus, plasma metabolic profile, pregnancy and prolificacy rate in ewes. We recommend a detailed study on the effect of Lupin on reproductive hormones and more other blood metabolites.
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Keywords
Bishoftu, Ethiopia, Menz ewes, Nutritional supplement, Pregnancy rate, Prolificacy