FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ON REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN KARADI AND AWASSI SHEEP RAISED UNDER TRADITIONAL CONDITIONS
Keywords:
Karadi ewes; Awassi ewes; synchronized; fertility; conception; parity
Abstract
Poor reproductive efficiency is considered one of the main causes of declining sheep production in
sheep raised under traditional farm conditions. Many factors contribute to declining reproductive
performance in ewes. The objective of the present study was to investigate factors that affect reproductive
efficiency in Karadi and Awassi sheep raised under farm conditions. Four hundred Karadi and Awassi
sheep (200 Karadi and 200 Awassi) were used in this study. Of each breed 100 ewes were allowed to come
into oestrus spontaneously and another 100 ewes were synchronized using intravaginal sponges. Ewes
were injected with intramuscular injection of 500 IU of PMSG when sponges were removed at 14 days.
This study revealed that the breed had a significant effect on twinning rate and lamb mortality rate in
spontaneous ewes. Breed also had a significant effect on the rate of lambing, lamb mortality, abortion, and
dystocia in synchronized ewes. In addition, parity had a significant effect on the rate of lambing, lamb
mortality and dystocia in spontaneous Karadi and Awassi ewes. Furthermore, parity also had significant
effect on the rate of lambing, lamb mortality, dystocia and barrenness in synchronized Karadi and Awassi
ewes. Different ram to ewe ratio during the oestrus period had a significant effect on conception rate and
barrenness rate in synchronized Karadi and Awassi ewes. In conclusion, breed had effect on some
reproductive parameters in synchronized and spontaneous ewes. Parity 2 had higher reproductive
performance than parity 1 and parity ≥3 ewes. Conception rate were higher in 1:8 ram to ewe ratio group,
while 1:≥16 ram to ewe ratio group had higher barrenness rate.
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References
Abdulkareem, T. A. and Eidan, S. M. (2014).
Reproductive performance of iraqi Awassi
ewes owned by sheep owner and extension
farms in response to flushing and estrus. The
Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 45 (3),
pp. 328-334.
Abecia, J.A., Valares, J.A., Forcada, F., Palacin, I.,
Martin, S. and Martino, A., 2007. The effect
of melatonin on the reproductive performance
of three sheep breeds in Spain. Small
Ruminant Research, 69(1-3), pp.10-16.
Abegaz, S., Duguma, G., Negussie, E., Gelmesa, U.,
Terefe, F. and REGE, J.E.O., 2002. Factors
affecting reproductive performance and
estimates of genetic parameters of litter size in
Horro sheep. The Journal of Agricultural
Science, 139(1), p.79.
Amen, F.A. and Ali, T.G., 2010. Treatments of
dystocia in Karadi ewes in Sulaimani
Province. Basrah Journal of Veterinary
Research., 9(1), pp.35-39.
Alkass, J.E., Abdulkareem, T.A. and Al-Mjamei,
S.M., 2004. Reproductive performance of
Iraqi Awassi ewes in response to treatment
with equine
chorionicgondortropin. Significance, 100 (T1),
p.T2.
Atkinson, S. and Williamson, P., 1985. Ram-
induced growth of ovarian follicles and
gonadotrophin inhibition in anoestrous
ewes. Reproduction, 73(1), pp.185-189.
Avril, D., Lallo, C.H., Percy, K., Bourne, G.,
Thomas, P. and Warner, R., 2011. Pre-wean
performance of lambs from Barbados Black
belly and West African type ewes reared under
a pasture based system in the humid tropical
environment of Tobago, West Indies. Tropical
Agriculture (Trinidad), 88, pp.232-243.
Berhan, A. and Van Arendonk, J., 2006.
Reproductive performance and mortality rate
in Menz and Horro sheep following controlled
breeding in Ethiopia. Small Ruminant Research, 63(3), pp.297-303.
Binns, S.H., Cox, I.J., Rizvi, S. and Green, L.E.,
2002. Risk factors for lamb mortality on UK
sheep farms. Preventive veterinary
medicine, 52(3-4), pp.287-303.
Buckley, F., O'sullivan, K., Mee, J.F., Evans, R.D.
and Dillon, P., 2003. Relationships among
milk yield, body condition, cow weight, and
reproduction in spring-calved Holstein-
Friesians. Journal of dairy science, 86(7),
pp.2308-2319.
Crosby, T.F., Boland, M.P. and Gordon, I., 1991.
Effect of progestagen treatments on the
incidence of oestrus and pregnancy rates in
ewes. Animal reproduction science, 24(1-2),
pp.109-118.
Dalton, J.C., Nadir, S., Bame, J.H., Noftsinger, M.,
Nebel, R.L. and Saacke, R.G., 2001. Effect
of time of insemination on number of
accessory sperm, fertilization rate, and embryo
quality in dairy cattle. Journal of dairy
science, 84(11), pp.2413-2418.
Edea, Z., Haile, A., Tibbo, M., Sharma, A.K.,
Sölkner, J. and Wurzinger, M., 2012. Sheep
production systems and breeding practices of
smallholders in western and south-western
Ethiopia: Implications for designing
community-based breeding
strategies. Livestock Research for Rural
Development, 24(7), p.2012.
Evans, A.C.O., 2003. Ovarian follicle growth and
consequences for fertility in sheep. Animal
Reproduction Science, 78(3-4), pp.289-306.
Evans, A.C.O., Duffy, P., Crosby, T.F., Hawken,
P.A.R., Boland, M.P. and Beard, A.P., 2004.
Effect of ram exposure at the end of
progestagen treatment on estrus
synchronisation and fertility during the
breeding season in ewes. Animal reproduction
science, 84(3-4), pp.349-358.
Gaafar, H.M.A., Shamiah, S.M., Shitta, A.A. and
Ganah, H.A.B., 2010. Some factors affecting
on retained placenta and its effects on
postpartum reproductive performance and
milk production of Friesian cows. Slovak
Journal of animal science, 43(1), pp.6-12.
Galal, S., Gürsoy, O. and Shaat, I., 2008. Awassi
sheep as a genetic resource and efforts for
their genetic improvementA. Small Ruminant
Research, 79(2-3), pp.99-108.
Gama, L.T., Dickerson, G.E., Young, L.D. and
Leymaster, K.A., 1991. Genetic and
phenotypic variation in sources of preweaning
lamb mortality. Journal of animal
science, 69(7), pp.2744-2753.
Gaskins, C.T., Snowder, G.D., Westman, M.K.
and Evans, M., 2005. Influence of body
weight, age, and weight gain on fertility and
prolificacy in four breeds of ewe
lambs. Journal of Animal Science, 83(7),
pp.1680-1689.
Ghaffari, M., Nejati-Javaremi, N. and Rahimi-
Mianji, G., 2009. Lack of polymorphism in
the oocyte derived growth factor (GDF9) gene
in the Shal breed of sheep. South African
Journal of Animal Science, 39(4).
Green, L.E. and Morgan, K.L., 1993. Mortality in
early born, housed lambs in south-west
England. Preventive Veterinary
Medicine, 17(3-4), pp.251-261.
Hanrahan, J. P. and Quirke, J. F. (1985).
Contribution of variation in ovulation rate and
embryo survival to within breed variation in
litter size.Animal Science,5(3),pp.21-25.
George, J.M., 1976. The incidence of dystocia in
Dorset Horn ewes. Australian Veterinary
Journal, 52(11), pp.519-523.
Juma, K.H. and Alkass, J.E., 2005. Native goats of
Iraq: A review. Dirasat Agricultural
Sciences, 32(2), pp.180-188.
Kelly, R.W. and Johnstone, P.D., 1983. Influence of
site of ovulation on the reproductive
performance of ewes with 1 or 2
ovulations. New Zealand Journal of
Agricultural Research, 26(4), pp.433-435.
Koyuncu, M. and Altıcekic, S.O., 2010. Effects of
progestagen and PMSG on estrous
synchronization and fertility in Kivircik ewes
during natural breeding season. Asian-
Australasian Journal of Animal
Sciences, 23(3), pp.308-311.
Lucidi, P., Barboni, B. and Mattioli, M., 2001.
Ram-induced ovulation to improve artificial
insemination efficiency with frozen semen in
sheep. Theriogenology, 55(9), pp.1797-1805.
Luttikholt, S., Veldhuis, A., van den Brom, R.,
Moll, L., Lievaart-Peterson, K., Peperkamp,
K., van Schaik, G. and Vellema, P., 2014.
Risk factors for malformations and impact on
reproductive performance and mortality rates
of Schmallenberg virus in sheep flocks in the
Netherlands. PloS one, 9(6), p.e100135.
Macedo, R. and Hummel, J.D., 2016. Influence of
parity on productive performance of Pelibuey
ewes under intensive management in the
Mexican dry tropics. Livestock Research for
Rural Development, 18(6), pp.1-9.
Macleod, N. S. M., Wiener, G. and Woolliams, C.
(1983). The effects of breed, breeding system
and other factors the effects of breed, breeding
system and other factors on lamb mortality’,
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 100(3),
pp. 571–580.
Mahboub, H.D., Helal, M.A., Abd Eldaim, M.A.,
Abd El-Razek, E.M. and Elsify, A.M., 2013.
Seroprevalence of abortion causing agents in egyptian sheep and goat breeds and their
effects on the animal's performance. Journal of
Agricultural Science, 5(9), p.92.
Mandal, A., Prasad, H., Kumar, A., Roy, R. and
Sharma, N., 2007. Factors associated with
lamb mortalities in Muzaffarnagari
sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 71(1-3), pp.
273-279.
Naoman, U.D., Jabbo, S.S., Ahmed, M.A. and
Ahmed, A.E., 2013. Causes and treatment of
dystocia in awassi ewes. Basrah Journal of
Veterinary, 12(2),pp.250-255.
Rajab, M.H., Cartwright, T.C., Dahm, P.F. and
Figueiredo, E.A.P., 1992. Performance of
three tropical hair sheep breeds. Journal of
Animal Science, 70(11), pp.3351-3359.
Saacke, R.G., Dalton, J.C., Nadir, S., Nebel, R.L.
and Bame, J.H., 2000. Relationship of
seminal traits and insemination time to
fertilization rate and embryo quality. Animal
reproduction science, 60, pp.663-677.
Shorten, P.R., O'Connell, A.R., Demmers, K.J.,
Edwards, S.J., Cullen, N.G. and Juengel,
J.L., 2013. Effect of age, weight, and sire on
embryo and fetal survival in sheep. Journal of
Animal Science, 91(10), pp.4641-4653.
Smith, G.M., 1977. Factors affecting birth weight,
dystocia and preweaning survival in
sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 44(5),
pp.745-753.
Taha, V. and Alkass, J. E. (2011). A Survey Study
Of Sheep And Goats Raised Under Farm
Conditions. Journal of university of Duhok
(Agr. and Vet. Sci.), 14(1), pp.120-125.
Woolliams, J.A., Suttle, N.F., Wiener, G. and Field,
A.C., 1982. Genetic and dietary factors in Cu
accumulation by sheep. In Proceedings.
symposium on Trace element metabolism in
man and animals.
Zebari, H.M., Rutter, S.M. and Bleach, E.C., 2018.
Characterizing changes in activity and feeding
behaviour of lactating dairy cows during
behavioural and silent oestrus. Applied
Animal Behaviour Science, 206, pp.12-17.
Reproductive performance of iraqi Awassi
ewes owned by sheep owner and extension
farms in response to flushing and estrus. The
Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 45 (3),
pp. 328-334.
Abecia, J.A., Valares, J.A., Forcada, F., Palacin, I.,
Martin, S. and Martino, A., 2007. The effect
of melatonin on the reproductive performance
of three sheep breeds in Spain. Small
Ruminant Research, 69(1-3), pp.10-16.
Abegaz, S., Duguma, G., Negussie, E., Gelmesa, U.,
Terefe, F. and REGE, J.E.O., 2002. Factors
affecting reproductive performance and
estimates of genetic parameters of litter size in
Horro sheep. The Journal of Agricultural
Science, 139(1), p.79.
Amen, F.A. and Ali, T.G., 2010. Treatments of
dystocia in Karadi ewes in Sulaimani
Province. Basrah Journal of Veterinary
Research., 9(1), pp.35-39.
Alkass, J.E., Abdulkareem, T.A. and Al-Mjamei,
S.M., 2004. Reproductive performance of
Iraqi Awassi ewes in response to treatment
with equine
chorionicgondortropin. Significance, 100 (T1),
p.T2.
Atkinson, S. and Williamson, P., 1985. Ram-
induced growth of ovarian follicles and
gonadotrophin inhibition in anoestrous
ewes. Reproduction, 73(1), pp.185-189.
Avril, D., Lallo, C.H., Percy, K., Bourne, G.,
Thomas, P. and Warner, R., 2011. Pre-wean
performance of lambs from Barbados Black
belly and West African type ewes reared under
a pasture based system in the humid tropical
environment of Tobago, West Indies. Tropical
Agriculture (Trinidad), 88, pp.232-243.
Berhan, A. and Van Arendonk, J., 2006.
Reproductive performance and mortality rate
in Menz and Horro sheep following controlled
breeding in Ethiopia. Small Ruminant Research, 63(3), pp.297-303.
Binns, S.H., Cox, I.J., Rizvi, S. and Green, L.E.,
2002. Risk factors for lamb mortality on UK
sheep farms. Preventive veterinary
medicine, 52(3-4), pp.287-303.
Buckley, F., O'sullivan, K., Mee, J.F., Evans, R.D.
and Dillon, P., 2003. Relationships among
milk yield, body condition, cow weight, and
reproduction in spring-calved Holstein-
Friesians. Journal of dairy science, 86(7),
pp.2308-2319.
Crosby, T.F., Boland, M.P. and Gordon, I., 1991.
Effect of progestagen treatments on the
incidence of oestrus and pregnancy rates in
ewes. Animal reproduction science, 24(1-2),
pp.109-118.
Dalton, J.C., Nadir, S., Bame, J.H., Noftsinger, M.,
Nebel, R.L. and Saacke, R.G., 2001. Effect
of time of insemination on number of
accessory sperm, fertilization rate, and embryo
quality in dairy cattle. Journal of dairy
science, 84(11), pp.2413-2418.
Edea, Z., Haile, A., Tibbo, M., Sharma, A.K.,
Sölkner, J. and Wurzinger, M., 2012. Sheep
production systems and breeding practices of
smallholders in western and south-western
Ethiopia: Implications for designing
community-based breeding
strategies. Livestock Research for Rural
Development, 24(7), p.2012.
Evans, A.C.O., 2003. Ovarian follicle growth and
consequences for fertility in sheep. Animal
Reproduction Science, 78(3-4), pp.289-306.
Evans, A.C.O., Duffy, P., Crosby, T.F., Hawken,
P.A.R., Boland, M.P. and Beard, A.P., 2004.
Effect of ram exposure at the end of
progestagen treatment on estrus
synchronisation and fertility during the
breeding season in ewes. Animal reproduction
science, 84(3-4), pp.349-358.
Gaafar, H.M.A., Shamiah, S.M., Shitta, A.A. and
Ganah, H.A.B., 2010. Some factors affecting
on retained placenta and its effects on
postpartum reproductive performance and
milk production of Friesian cows. Slovak
Journal of animal science, 43(1), pp.6-12.
Galal, S., Gürsoy, O. and Shaat, I., 2008. Awassi
sheep as a genetic resource and efforts for
their genetic improvementA. Small Ruminant
Research, 79(2-3), pp.99-108.
Gama, L.T., Dickerson, G.E., Young, L.D. and
Leymaster, K.A., 1991. Genetic and
phenotypic variation in sources of preweaning
lamb mortality. Journal of animal
science, 69(7), pp.2744-2753.
Gaskins, C.T., Snowder, G.D., Westman, M.K.
and Evans, M., 2005. Influence of body
weight, age, and weight gain on fertility and
prolificacy in four breeds of ewe
lambs. Journal of Animal Science, 83(7),
pp.1680-1689.
Ghaffari, M., Nejati-Javaremi, N. and Rahimi-
Mianji, G., 2009. Lack of polymorphism in
the oocyte derived growth factor (GDF9) gene
in the Shal breed of sheep. South African
Journal of Animal Science, 39(4).
Green, L.E. and Morgan, K.L., 1993. Mortality in
early born, housed lambs in south-west
England. Preventive Veterinary
Medicine, 17(3-4), pp.251-261.
Hanrahan, J. P. and Quirke, J. F. (1985).
Contribution of variation in ovulation rate and
embryo survival to within breed variation in
litter size.Animal Science,5(3),pp.21-25.
George, J.M., 1976. The incidence of dystocia in
Dorset Horn ewes. Australian Veterinary
Journal, 52(11), pp.519-523.
Juma, K.H. and Alkass, J.E., 2005. Native goats of
Iraq: A review. Dirasat Agricultural
Sciences, 32(2), pp.180-188.
Kelly, R.W. and Johnstone, P.D., 1983. Influence of
site of ovulation on the reproductive
performance of ewes with 1 or 2
ovulations. New Zealand Journal of
Agricultural Research, 26(4), pp.433-435.
Koyuncu, M. and Altıcekic, S.O., 2010. Effects of
progestagen and PMSG on estrous
synchronization and fertility in Kivircik ewes
during natural breeding season. Asian-
Australasian Journal of Animal
Sciences, 23(3), pp.308-311.
Lucidi, P., Barboni, B. and Mattioli, M., 2001.
Ram-induced ovulation to improve artificial
insemination efficiency with frozen semen in
sheep. Theriogenology, 55(9), pp.1797-1805.
Luttikholt, S., Veldhuis, A., van den Brom, R.,
Moll, L., Lievaart-Peterson, K., Peperkamp,
K., van Schaik, G. and Vellema, P., 2014.
Risk factors for malformations and impact on
reproductive performance and mortality rates
of Schmallenberg virus in sheep flocks in the
Netherlands. PloS one, 9(6), p.e100135.
Macedo, R. and Hummel, J.D., 2016. Influence of
parity on productive performance of Pelibuey
ewes under intensive management in the
Mexican dry tropics. Livestock Research for
Rural Development, 18(6), pp.1-9.
Macleod, N. S. M., Wiener, G. and Woolliams, C.
(1983). The effects of breed, breeding system
and other factors the effects of breed, breeding
system and other factors on lamb mortality’,
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 100(3),
pp. 571–580.
Mahboub, H.D., Helal, M.A., Abd Eldaim, M.A.,
Abd El-Razek, E.M. and Elsify, A.M., 2013.
Seroprevalence of abortion causing agents in egyptian sheep and goat breeds and their
effects on the animal's performance. Journal of
Agricultural Science, 5(9), p.92.
Mandal, A., Prasad, H., Kumar, A., Roy, R. and
Sharma, N., 2007. Factors associated with
lamb mortalities in Muzaffarnagari
sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 71(1-3), pp.
273-279.
Naoman, U.D., Jabbo, S.S., Ahmed, M.A. and
Ahmed, A.E., 2013. Causes and treatment of
dystocia in awassi ewes. Basrah Journal of
Veterinary, 12(2),pp.250-255.
Rajab, M.H., Cartwright, T.C., Dahm, P.F. and
Figueiredo, E.A.P., 1992. Performance of
three tropical hair sheep breeds. Journal of
Animal Science, 70(11), pp.3351-3359.
Saacke, R.G., Dalton, J.C., Nadir, S., Nebel, R.L.
and Bame, J.H., 2000. Relationship of
seminal traits and insemination time to
fertilization rate and embryo quality. Animal
reproduction science, 60, pp.663-677.
Shorten, P.R., O'Connell, A.R., Demmers, K.J.,
Edwards, S.J., Cullen, N.G. and Juengel,
J.L., 2013. Effect of age, weight, and sire on
embryo and fetal survival in sheep. Journal of
Animal Science, 91(10), pp.4641-4653.
Smith, G.M., 1977. Factors affecting birth weight,
dystocia and preweaning survival in
sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 44(5),
pp.745-753.
Taha, V. and Alkass, J. E. (2011). A Survey Study
Of Sheep And Goats Raised Under Farm
Conditions. Journal of university of Duhok
(Agr. and Vet. Sci.), 14(1), pp.120-125.
Woolliams, J.A., Suttle, N.F., Wiener, G. and Field,
A.C., 1982. Genetic and dietary factors in Cu
accumulation by sheep. In Proceedings.
symposium on Trace element metabolism in
man and animals.
Zebari, H.M., Rutter, S.M. and Bleach, E.C., 2018.
Characterizing changes in activity and feeding
behaviour of lactating dairy cows during
behavioural and silent oestrus. Applied
Animal Behaviour Science, 206, pp.12-17.
Published
2020-12-16
How to Cite
ZEBARI, H. M. H. (2020). FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ON REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN KARADI AND AWASSI SHEEP RAISED UNDER TRADITIONAL CONDITIONS. Journal of Duhok University, 23(2), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.26682/ajuod.2020.23.2.20
Section
Agriculture and Veterinary Science
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