Some Reproductive Traits of Ewes from Different Breeds following Oestrus Synchronisation by Flugeston Acetate- eCG during the Breeding Season

This study aimed at comparative investigation of some reproductive traits using oestrus synchronisation by Flugeston Acetate- eCG in different breeds of ewes. In this research, 12 Akkaraman, 9 Awassi and 8 Kivircik ewes were used. All the ewes received 20 mg progesteron analogue (FGA)-impregnated vaginal sponge for 14 days and were then injected 400 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal. Animals were hand-mated upon the detection of oestrus. The oestrus response, the time to onset of oestrus, duration of oestrus, pregnancy, lambing, twinning rates and litter size were 83.3 %, 34.5±3.9 h, 27.1±2.3 h, 75 %, 75 %, 25 % and 1.25 for Akkaraman, 88.8 %, 38.3±4.3 h, 25.4±2.0 h, 77.7 %, 77.7 %, 22.2 % and 1.22 for Awassi, and 100 %, 25.7±1.7 h, 22.5±1.4 h, 100 %, 87.5 %, 75 % and 1.75 for Kivircik breeds, respectively. In terms of oestrus response and pregnancy rate between the sheep breeds, no significant differences were recorded (P 0.05). However, there were significant differences between Akkaraman, Awassi and Kivircik breeds in terms of the time to onset of oestrus and duration of oestrus, twinning rate and litter size (P 0.05). In conclusion, Kivircik ewes had markedly shorter onset of oestrus and duration of oestrus than the other breed of ewes and also had a markedly higher twinning rate and litter size.