Effect of ambient temperature on levels of oestrogen and progesterone during reproduction in chhotanagpuri sheep

The study was carried out to observe the effect of different housing systems on oestrogen and progesterone levels in 24 non-pregnant healthy Chhotanagpuri ewes at Ranchi Veterinary College, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Plasma oestrogen and progesterone concentrations were estimated at different stages of reproductive cycle. The study revealed that the plasma oestrogen and progesterone concentration did not vary significantly between different groups while it varied significantly within the group at different stages of gestation. The level of plasma oestrogen decreased significantly up to day 45 of gestation then increased gradually and significantly upto expected day of parturition in all the groups. The level of plasma progesterone significantly increased from day 20 to day 135 of gestation in comparison to the day of estrus in all the groups.