Authors : ?Riyadh M.H. Al-Wahab , F.A. Badawi and ?M.K. Mahmood
Abstract: A flock of 146 adult Awassi ewes was available at Abu-Graib area (central of Iraq, Latitude 33.7 N) to study the effect of using 30 mg Acetoxy Progesterone (Cronolone) vaginal sponges administered for 12 days together with PMSGH injections at sponges withdrawal on fertility and prolificacy in these animals. Ewes were allocated to five groups (1,2,3,4 and 5) and injected with O (control) 600,800,1000 and 1200 IU PMSGH respectively .Mating rates following natural mating ,using 1:10 ram ewe ratio ,were 73,93,86,96 and 100% respectively.Conception rates to treated (and mated) ewes were 69.2(94.7), 50(53.6), 60(69.3), 43.3(44.8) and 40%(40%) respectively. Number (and%) of experimental groups lambing twins were 4(26.7), 6(33.3), 3(23.1) and 4(33.3%) respectively, as compared with 2 (11.1%) in the control, while number (and%) of ewes lambing triplets were 2(13.3) ,2(11.1) ,3(23.1) and 2(16.7%) as compared with only one (5.6%) in the control. Only one ewe (5.6%) yielded one set of quintuplets in the group which received 800 IU PMSGH. Increasing PMSGH doses beyond 800 IU may depress, rather enhance conception, lambing and prolificacy rates. More research is recommended under good nutrition and management using optimum ram: ewe ratio of 1: 5 during normal and autumn breeding seasons.
?Riyadh M.H. Al-Wahab , F.A. Badawi and ?M.K. Mahmood , 2003. Effects of Progesterone – PMSG Administration on Lambing Rate and Prolificacy of Awassi Sheep. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2: 512-518.