Effect of using different levels of flaxseed on reproductive performance in Awassi Turkish ewes

A. Isha, M.; A. Mahmood, F.

	Effect of using different levels of flaxseed on reproductive performance in Awassi Turkish ewes
Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences
Article 1, Volume 7, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 1-9 PDF (609.19 K)
Authors
M. A. Isha; F. A. Mahmood
Abstract
This study conducted at the sheep and goat farm, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, Department of Animal Resource, the period from 11/6/2014-23/12/20014. The study were carried to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary flaxseed supplementation on reproductive performance of Awassi Turkish ewes. Thirty (30) Turkish Awassi ewes, weighting 30-59 kg live weight and 2-2.5 years old, were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups (10 ewes each). The first group was considered T1 as control group (without flaxseed). The 2nd group (T2) was supplemented 2% flaxseed, while the 3rd group (T3) was supplemented with 4% flaxseed. Blood samples were collected monthly through experiment. Results indicated that of Supplemented 4% flaxseed showed significantly (P<0.01) improvement of fertility rate 80%, compared with (T2) and control group, 60 and 60% respectively. Conception rate was increased significant (P<0.01) in the T3 it was 90%, compared with T2 and control group were 80 and 70% respectively. lambing rate was improvement significantly (P<0.01) in T3 group it was 90% compared with T2 and T1 (60%) respectively. There was no significant effect of flaxseed on twining rate, it was 33.33% in T1,T2 respectively, compared with T3 group, 25%. Barrennes rate was significant decreased (P<0.01) in T3 group 20%, compared with T2 and T1 group, 40, and 40% respectively. Ewes supplemented with 4% flaxseed showed significantly improvement (P<0.05) in Litter size in T3 group, 1.12 compared with T2 and T1, 1.00, 0.66 respectively. There was a significant (P<0.05) increased on placental weight T3, 733.3gm. Compared with T2 and control group 530 and 433.3 gm respectively. There was no significant effect of flaxseed on pregnancy period between groups, it was 150, 150, 148 days for T3, T2 T1 respectively. Supplemented 4% flaxseed for dietary ewes (T3) had significant (P<0.01) increased in birth weight of lambs (4.25 kg). Compared with T2 and control ewes 4.12, 3.06 kg respectively. After month there was significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight in T3 lambs (8.93 kg), compared with T2 and control lambs 7.46, 6.25 kg respectively. It was concluded form this study that addition of flaxseed to the ration of ewes could improve reproductive performance
Keywords
flaxseed; Reproductive Performance; Awassi Turkish ewes

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