REPRODUCTIVE AND METABOLIC RESPONSES IN EWES TO DIETARY PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT DURING MATING PERIOD IN DRY SEASON OF NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Authors

  • Magda Rodrigues Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil
  • Liliane Moreira Silva Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil
  • Cleidson Manuel Gomes da Silva Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil
  • Airton Alencar Araújo Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil
  • Diana Célia Sousa Nunes-Pinheiro Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil
  • Davide Rondina Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1089-6891v16i124613

Keywords:

Animal Reproduction

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of food supplements with different levels of protein on reproductive and metabolic response of ewes during the mating period. Forty-one ewes were supplemented during 43 days with amount protein to meet 1.0  (diet I; n = 14), 1.7 (diet II; n = 13) and 2.1 (diet III; n = 14) times the maintenance requirements. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher (P < 0.01) in diet III when compared to diets I and II. Orts were lesser in diets II and III (P < 0.05) when compared to diet I. Intake of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was higher in diet III (P < 0.05), but NDF and ADF intake was superior in diet I (P < 0.05). In diet III, a higher frequency of female mated was observed (P < 0.05). The prolificity and twinning rate was higher in ewes of diet II (P < 0.05). Greater birth weight of lambs (P < 0.05) was verified in diet III. The progesterone levels were affected by diets II and III (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of ewes with intermediate level of protein improves their reproductive response.

Keywords: estrus synchronization; mating; protein; sheep.


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Published

2015-01-31

How to Cite

RODRIGUES, Magda; SILVA, Liliane Moreira; SILVA, Cleidson Manuel Gomes da; ARAÚJO, Airton Alencar; NUNES-PINHEIRO, Diana Célia Sousa; RONDINA, Davide. REPRODUCTIVE AND METABOLIC RESPONSES IN EWES TO DIETARY PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT DURING MATING PERIOD IN DRY SEASON OF NORTHEAST BRAZIL. Brazilian Animal Science/ Ciência Animal Brasileira, Goiânia, v. 16, n. 1, p. 24–36, 2015. DOI: 10.1590/1089-6891v16i124613. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/vet/article/view/24613. Acesso em: 6 dec. 2025.

Issue

Section

Animal Production