The current study was carried out at Sakha Animal Production Research
Station, belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, during September
breeding season of ewes and does. The aim of this study was to compare the effects
of use of oxytocin and PG hormonal treatments in synchronization of oestrus and
subsequent fertility of ewes and does during the breeding season.
A total of 30 mature crossbred ewes (1l2 Finnish Landrace. 1f2 Rahmani) of 3-
4 years of age and 45-50 kg body weight, and 30 does (132 Damascus . 1l2 Baladi) of
similar age and 35-40 kg body weight were used. Animals of each species were
divided into 3 similar groups (10 animals each). in each species, animals were
intramuscularly injected with double doses 11 days apart of25 |.U. oxytocin, for the ‘1H
group (25 Ox) ; 50 LU. oxytocin for the 2"" group (50 Ox) and 0.? ml Cloprostenol for
the 3'“I group (PG). In both species, all females were detected for the heat occurrence
starting from 24 hrs post-treatment. Females came In estrus following 2““1 injection
were artificially inseminated with fresh semen twice, 24 and 36 h alter the onset of
oestrus. Blood samples were collected from all treated females for determination of
plasma progesterone concentration.
Full response of both species to treatment with 50 Ox or PG, while 25 Ox group < /p>
resulted in low rates of the occurrence of estrus. The earliest time of oestrous
response was detected in treated ewes and does in PG group, while the moderate
time in ewes and does of (Six-treatments (50 Ox and 25 Ox)- After day 11
progesterone level dropped sharply within 24 hr in response to different treatment in
both sheep and goats. Post insemination, no clear differences occurred between
treatment groups in progesterone profile in pregnant ewes and does up to day 30
when progesterone level was markedly lower in Ox groups than in PG one and lower
in group 25 Ox than in 50 Ox. Ewes of the low oxytocin dose (25 Ox) had similar
fertility rate to that for those treated with PG. ln does, fertility was significantly higher
in the group of 25 Ox than in the other two groups. It is of interest to observe that the
hormonal treatment effect markedly on litter size of does and ewes.
in conclusion, oxytocin in the low dose (25 IU) is not recommended and that in
dose of 50 IU may be used in some cases. More studies in this field are needed.