Effect of feeding level on ovarian and oestrous characteristics of local (Rahmani) ewe lambs at pre- and post-pubertal ages

Document Type : Original Articles

Abstract

A total of 36 weaned Rahmani ewe lambs (82,25±J.04 days and 14.42± 0.4 kg LBW] was used to study the effect of feed.ng leuel on ovarian and oestrous chaacteris tics pre- and post-pubertal ages. The experimental animals were fed 60% concentrate feed. mixture and 40% berseem hay and divlded into two cornparable groups, 18 animals in each. Ewe lambs in 1st group (G1) received 100% of the recommended feed allowance by the NRC (1985) and those tn 2nd group (G2) were fed orally B5%, During the experimental period (frosn weaning up to conception), LBW and age were recorded at puberty (lst oestrus). 1st mating and conception, A laparoscopy techni£1ue was individually employed to visualize and examine ovarian charactertstics in each group at 7 months of age atId about 5 days after mating, Weekly progesterone concentration in blood plasma at 5 weeks pre-puberty and elvery two days from. puberty (1 st oestrus) up to 2nd oestrus incldence was determined.

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