No abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of administration of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α) hormones on ewe estrus synchronization during summer season in Egypt. The study was performed on thirty four non-pregnant or lactating local ewes, 2-4 years old and 42.1 ± 1.8 kg average live body weight. Ewes were randomly divided into three groups as follows: natural estrus (control n = 10), intervaginal progesterone sponges (P4 = 12 ewes) for 12 days and two injections of PGF 2α (12 ewes) 12 days apart. Parameters of estrus, conception and body weight of lambs were measured. Results showed that the percentage of estrus signs exhibition in PGF 2α group reached 83.3%, while the lowest percentage (60%) was observed in control group (P<0.05). The time of starting estrus was earlier (P<0.05) in PGF 2α and P4 groups (44.8 and 46h, respectively) than that in control group (58.4 h). The estrus duration was significantly longer (P<0.05) in PGF 2α and P4 groups (44 and 41.6 h, respectively) than control group (31.2 h). The percentages of pregnant and lambing rates were 100% in all animals came to heat in all groups. While pregnancy rates and lambing rates according to initial number used were 83.3, 75% and 60% for PGF 2α , P4 and control groups (P<0.05), respectively. The litter size, birth weight and weaning weight of lambs born did not differ significantly among groups. Weaning rate was the highest (P<0.05) in PGF 2α group (92.9%) and the lowest in P4 group (85.7%). The percentage of ewes lambed twins was the highest (P<0.05) in P4 group (56%) and the lowest percentage in control group (33%). The percentage of male lambs was the highest (P<0.05) for ewes in PGF 2α group (57.1%) and the lowest for ewes in control group (37.5%). In conclusion, PGF 2α and P4 protocols could adequately induce estrus synchronization and improve some reproductive and productive traits in local ewes during summer season in Egypt. Further studies are recommended to proof results using more number of ewes.

In order to improve the productivity of Sinai sheep and goats, the effects of feeding with mineral mixture additives (experiment 1) and the mixture of mineral with alfalfa (experiment 2) on the digestion coefficients (dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE)), nutritive values (total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP)) and rumen fermentation were evaluated. Experiment 1 was applied to evaluate two rations (1 and 2). Ration 1 contained concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and wheat straw (ratio 2:1) and ration 2 contained CFM with additive of 0.2% mineral mixture and wheat straw. Experiment 2 was applied to evaluate two rations (A and B). Ration A contained CFM, Alfalfa and wheat straw and ration B contained CFM mixed with 0.2% mineral mixture additive, Alfalfa and wheat straw. Three Sinai rams and three Sinai bucks aged 2-3 years were used. The rumen parameters as pH, ammonia-N, Volatile fatty acids, microbial protein and protozoa were measured in rumen fluid at 0, 2 and 4 hours after feeding. Results of experiment 1 indicated that the differences of digestion coefficients of nutrients between ration 1 and ration 2 were not significant, while the EE digestibility in ration 2 (55.6%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than ration1 (53.3%) in the sheep. The digestion coefficients of DM (65.1%) and OM (67.1%) in ration 2 were significantly higher (P<0.05) than ration 1 (62.5% and 64.1%, respectively) in the goats. The digestion coefficients of CF (58.6%) and EE (58.5%) of ration B were significantly higher (P<0.05) than ration A (56.5% and 56.2%, respectively) in the sheep. The digestion coefficients of DM (67.4%) and OM (68.6%) in ration B were significantly higher (P<0.05) than ration A (65.7% and 67.1%, respectively) in the goats. In sheep, NFE of ration B was significantly (P<0.05) lower than ration A (70.4% and 72.9%, respectively). In goats, TDN values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in ration 2 than ration 1 (64.3% and 63.1%, respectively) and also in ration B than ration A (64.9% and 62.4%, respectively). The difference of NH 3-N at 4h post feeding in rumen of goats was significantly (P<0.05) lower in ration 2 than ration 1 (17.7 mg and 21mg per 100 ml rumen liquid, respectively). The lowest values (P<0.05) of pH were recorded at 4 h after feeding in both breeds. In sheep, microbial protein (MP) in the rumen fluid was significantly (P<0.05) higher in ration B than ration A (0.90 g and 0.84 g per 100 ml rumen liquid, respectively). It could be concluded that using of the mixture of mineral additives (N.Candles© Pharm) in feeding Sinai sheep and goats can improve the digestion coefficients, nutritive values and rumen fermentation. Further studies in this area are recommended to evaluate effect of mineral additives on animal performance and its economical return.