Efficacy of GnRH-PGF2 and #945; Treatment in Synchronization of Estrus in Ethiopian Local Sheep Breed

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GnRH-PGF 2α treatment in synchronization of estrus in Ethiopian local sheep breeds. A total of 12 ewes from four breeds, three sheep from each breed were included in this study. All animals were healthy and in good body condition. They were above two months postpartum were purposively selected for this study. Based on breed, ewes were divided in to four groups. All the selected sheep were given with a dose of 10μg or 2.5 ml GnRH at day 0 followed by close observation. Those sheep which show estrus sign were mated by rams and those which didn't show estrus sign were given with a dose of 500μg or 2ml of PGF2α at day 7 and observed for heat response and followed by mating. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted by observing non return of estrus, abdominal palpation and physical observation. The hormonal experiment study showed that only one ewe was negative for estrus response from the treated animals. Therefore, a total of 11 ewes (91.66%) (3 from Atsbi breed, 2 from Afar breed, 3 from Humera breed and 3 from Dangla breed) were positive for estrus response following the treatment. The overall conception rate was (91.6%). The breed wise conception rates were found to be 100%, 66.6%, 100% and 100% in Atsabi, Afar, Humera and Dangla. The estrus characteristics observed during the estrus sign was nearly similar with naturally occurring signs of heat.