The utilization of High-Quality Feed Supplement (HQFS) in the complete feed on blood metabolites, hormone profiles, and reproductive performances of thin-tailed ewes

Abstract

High-Quality Feed Supplement (HQFS) is a feed supplement containing high energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins important for sheep reproduction. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of HQFS in the complete of adult ewes using dried ipomea aquatica straw (DIAS). Fifteen Thin-Tailed Ewes aged two to three years with an average body weight of 32 ± 3.2 kg were divided into three treatment groups, with five ewes per treatment. All ewes received DIAS and concentrate. The concentrate comprised soybean meal, corn meal, pollard, and copra meal, having TDN 70% and crude protein 17%. Treatment (T1) as the control group, ewes received 0% HQFS + 60% concentrate + 40% DIAS, T2: ewes received 10% HQFS + 50% concentrate + 40% DIAS, while T3: ewes received 20% HQFS + 40% concentrate + 40% DIAS. Ewe was kept in individual pens of 1 x 2 meters. Feed was given 4% of body weight/day and drinking water was given ad libitum. The treatment feed was for three months, following which blood samples, synchronization, and mating. The parameters of blood metabolites (glucose, urea, protein, cholesterol), profiles of estrogen and progesterone, oestrus characteristics (onset, intensity, duration), pregnancy rate, and service/conception (S/C) were studied. Both treatment groups (T2, T3) have significantly lower S/C (1.25 vs. 1,00) and pregnancy rates (80 vs. 100%) compared to the control. Glucose and protein blood did not differ among the treatments, but cholesterol was highest in T2, while urea was lowest in T3. Substituting 10% HQFS significantly (P<0.05) increased estrogen (20.21 vs. 22.93 pg/ml) and progesterone (4.49 vs. 7.98 ng/ml) levels during the oestrus phase compared to the control. Utilization of HQFS significantly (P<0.05) accelerated the onset of oestrus compared to the control (22 vs.28 hours and 23 vs. 28 hours), but it might not yet improve the reproductive performances of Thin-Tail Ewes.