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The role of exogenous melatonin and photoperiod on productive and reproductive performance of Ossimi sheep

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Last updated: 03 Jan 2025

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Abstract

To determine effect of the administration of exogenous melatonin and photoperiod on initiating the lambing season and improving reproductive efficiency of sheep, a total of thirty-four multiparous, non-pregnant Ossimi ewes aged 3-5 years with average body weight 55.94±1.80 kg were used. After weaning and the starting of the breeding season, the ewes were divided into four groups; the 1st group (7 ewes) was exposed to natural daylight (NL) and severed as a control group, the 2nd group (9 ewes) was exposed to 16-hour artificial lighting (AL), the 3rd group (10 ewes) was exposed to natural daylight+18-mg/h melatonin (NL+MEL), while the 4th group (8 ewes) was exposed to 16-hour artificial lighting+18-mg/h melatonin (AL+MEL). The treatment of the ewes continued throughout the mating season and for three consecutive estrus cycles (60 days). Ewes were weighed before mating and after parturition. Reproductive traits were recorded after parturition. Results revealed that exogenous melatonin (induced by either natural daylight or artificial photoperiod) exhibited significantly (P≤0.05) higher body weights (6.20±1.711 and 4.14±1.91kg for NL+MAL and AL+MEL groups more than the control group). Both of the melatonin treatment and the use of artificial light for 16 h insignificantly influenced reproductive parameters (percentages of fertility, conception rate, scanning, lambing rate, and fecundity rate of Ossimi ewes. Fertility and conception rates tended to be higher in (NL+MEL) and (AL+MEL) groups, while SP percentage, lambing and fecundity rates were higher in treated groups than control. The percentage of the number of services per conception (NSC) and abortion rate were insignificantly reduced in treated ewes as compared with the control. Both weaning rate and the survival rate was elevated (P≥0.05) in treated ewes than untreated ones. Lambing interval and days open were significantly lower (P≤0.05) in AL+MEL group than AL and NL+MEL groups. The lambs' weight at birth, weaning, net gain, and average daily gain tended to be higher in (NL+MET) and (AL+MEL) groups than other groups with insignificant differences. It can be concluded that, stimulation of melatonin (induced by natural daylight and artificial photoperiod manipulation) might be a useful tool in improving reproductive performance and lamb production in Ossimi sheep.

DOI

10.21608/ejsgs.2019.88243

Keywords

Melatonin, Photoperiod, Productive and reproductive performance, Ossimi ewes

Authors

First Name

Abd-Allah,

Last Name

M

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Affiliation

Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt.

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First Name

M.

Last Name

Daghash

MiddleName

W.H.

Affiliation

Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.

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Volume

14

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

13235

Issue Date

2019-12-01

Receive Date

2020-05-10

Publish Date

2019-12-01

Page Start

49

Page End

58

Print ISSN

2090-0386

Online ISSN

2090-0376

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https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_88243.html

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https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=88243

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Original Article

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728

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Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Sheep and Goats Sciences

Publication Link

https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

The role of exogenous melatonin and photoperiod on productive and reproductive performance of Ossimi sheep

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023