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

Authors

  • Magda Rodrigues Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.
  • Liliane Moreira Silva Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.
  • Cleidson Manuel Gomes da Silva Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.
  • Airton Alencar Araújo Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.
  • Diana Célia Sousa Nunes-Pinheiro Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.
  • Davide Rondina Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/cab.v16i1.24613

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.


Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2015-01-31

How to Cite

RODRIGUES, M.; SILVA, L. M.; SILVA, C. M. G. da; ARAÚJO, A. A.; NUNES-PINHEIRO, D. C. S.; RONDINA, D. 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/cab.v16i1.24613. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/vet/article/view/24613. Acesso em: 30 jun. 2024.

Issue

Section

Animal Production