New Technique for Activating Reproductive System during Non-Breeding Season in Ghezel Ewes

Ghezel sheep is one of the main breeds in the north-west of Iran which is reared for meat, milk and wool production. Improving reproduction of this breed will have a significant impact on the economic development of local farmers. Therefore, in the present study the effect of simultaneous use of estrus synchronization(controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)) and flushing diet on reproduction during non-breeding season in Ghezel ewes was determined. A total of 114 three-year-old Ghezel ewes were equally divided into three treatment groups. Group 1 was synchronizing with CIDR and eCG and was flushed for 40 days. Group 2 was flushed only for 40 days and group 3, the control did not receive any treatment at all. Rams also received a flushing diet concurrent with ewes. CIDR application was performed for 12 days, following CIDR withdrawal, each of the group 1 ewes received an intramuscularly injection with 400 IU eCG. Thereafter, all ewes were introduced to the rams. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasound at 50 days after introduction to the rams. Lambing rate in group 1 was 276.32% and the pregnancy rate was 100%. This result was significantly different from group 2 and 3. Although a minor improvement in pregnancy percentage was observed in group 2 in comparison with control group, the overall results suggested that flushing alone was not effective in activating the reproductive system in non-breeding season. This study showed that estrus synchronization using CIDR and eCG accompanied with flushing diet was a suitable technique to improve lamb production during non-breeding season in Ghezel ewes.