Influence of Supplemental Feeding on Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance Dynamics in Botosani Karakul Sheep

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the impact of supplementary feeding on reproductive traits in sheep. Two groups, L1 (control) and L2 (experimental treatment), of adult females aged between two and six years belonging to the Botosani Karakul sheep breed were formed. The experimental treatment group (L2) received supplementary feeding 25 days prior to mating. Improvements in body condition and significant increases in live weight occurred by the time of mating in those ewes that had been flushed (L2) (p < 0.01 vs. L1). The number of lambs per individual parturition was influenced by the body condition score (BCS), especially in females with a BCS of 2.0. The total number of weaned lambs in females with a BCS of 2.0 differed in comparison to that of females with a BCS of 2.5 or 3.0. All results highlighted that supplementary feeding applied to ewes prior to mating affected their reproductive and economic performance, translating to an increased live weight of the litter at weaning in the L2 group (p < 0.01 in lambs from BCS 2.0 ewes and p < 0.001 in lambs from BCS 2.5 to 3.5 ewes).

Impact of Body Reserves Dynamic on Productivity and Reproductive Performance in Fat-Tail and Thin-Tail Sheep Breeds over Contrasting Production Cycles

“…Similar results were found, suggesting that the poor BCS caused by a decrease in nutrient uptake induces sub-nutrition, diminishing the endometrial sensitivity to progesterone and affecting embryo survival [32]. Generally, a greater BCS at mating leads to an increased probability to manifest estrus and a higher ovulation rate, and subsequently, to a higher percentage of lambing potential [32,34]. Many researchers have reported that fertility is affected by BCS, and higher fertility rates were recorded for females with BCSs between 2 and 4 [38].…”

“…Ewes having a low BCS have higher prenatal and neonatal mortalities [37] and a lower survival rate. Similar results were found, suggesting that the poor BCS caused by a decrease in nutrient uptake induces sub-nutrition, diminishing the endometrial sensitivity to progesterone and affecting embryo survival [32]. Generally, a greater BCS at mating leads to an increased probability to manifest estrus and a higher ovulation rate, and subsequently, to a higher percentage of lambing potential [32,34].…”

“…In fact, ewes properly fed before and during the mating period will be relatively more prolific than underfed and leaner ewes [ 1 ]. It was reported that under the influence of climate changes or of the quantity and quality of grazed forage, supplementary feeding prior to the mating period could improve reproduction traits such as fertility and prolificacy [ 32 ].…”

“…It is clear that thin ewes have mobilized their BR during pregnancy to respond to the pregnancy needs [ 25 ]. In the current study, ewes with the highest BCS at lambing produced lambs with higher birth weights compared to ewes with low BCSs [ 32 ]. It was suggested that when ewes are malnourished throughout the final phase of pregnancy, negative effects can occur, especially during the postpartum moment, leading to less milk production with further negative consequences on the development of their lambs [ 43 ].…”

Reproduction characteristic of local sheep in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia

“…The figures represent the important to evaluate BCS, because of their strong correlation with reproduction traits. Likewise, the influence of supplement feeding to adult Botosani Karakul ewes 25 days prior to mating and showed that BCS increased significantly, the number of lambs per individual parturition improved as BCS increase and therefore influence their economic values [13].…”