Seleem, B. (2024). COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BARKI EWES. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 61(3), 93-101. doi: 10.21608/ejap.2024.317899.1088
Bahaa Farrag Seleem. "COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BARKI EWES". Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 61, 3, 2024, 93-101. doi: 10.21608/ejap.2024.317899.1088
Seleem, B. (2024). 'COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BARKI EWES', Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 61(3), pp. 93-101. doi: 10.21608/ejap.2024.317899.1088
Seleem, B. COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BARKI EWES. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 2024; 61(3): 93-101. doi: 10.21608/ejap.2024.317899.1088
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BARKI EWES
Animal Physiology Department, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of short- and long-term estrus synchronization protocols in Barki sheep. A total of sixty-four multiparous Barki ewes, aged between 2.5 and 4 years with an average body weight of 44±0.36 kg, were selected for this study. The ewes were randomly assigned to eight groups, with eight ewes per group, for the purpose of evaluating different hormonal estrus synchronization protocols. Each group was subjected to one of four distinct estrus synchronization protocols. The first protocol, designated PG-SHORT-TERM, involved the administration of double injections of prostaglandin F2α, with an interval of seven days between each injection, followed by the administration of 400 IU PMSG on the seventh day. The second protocol, designated PG-LONG-TERM, was similar to the first but with an interval of 14 days between injections. (3) FGA sponge - SHORT-TERM: This protocol involved the insertion for a period of seven days, followed by the administration of 400 IU PMSG at the time of sponge removal. (4) FGA sponge - LONG-TERM: This protocol was similar to the third one but entailed the retention of the sponges for duration of 14 days. Furthermore, the P4 and Ovsynch protocols were evaluated in both short- and long-term variations. The measurements in the experiment included estrus characteristics, estrus response rate, reproductive performance, progesterone concentration, and cost-effectiveness of the protocols. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted. Significant differences were identified among the protocols with regard to reproductive performance parameters. In general, long-term synchronization protocols demonstrated superior outcomes compared to their short-term counterparts. Notwithstanding the overall efficacy of the tested protocols, the FGA sponge protocols, irrespective of their duration, were identified as the most cost-effective means. This study recommends the implementation of FGA sponge protocols to optimize reproductive efficiency and economic returns in sheep.