1Department of Theriogenology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza-12515, Egypt
2Animal Production Research Institute, Sakha, Kafr Alsheikh, Egypt
3Veterinary Research Institute, Ionia, Thessaloniki, Greece
Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa-31982, Al-Hufof, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
*E-mail address: mmwaheed@kfu.edu.sa
Online published on 25 March, 2020.
The influence of vitamin B2, ascorbic acid and melatonin on the reproduction of 84 healthy pluriparous mature crossbred (3/8 Finnish × 5/8 Rahmani) ewes was studied during summer, 2018. Ewes were allocated into 4 groups: Gr 1 (control) injected 2ml saline daily for 3 weeks, Gr 2 and Gr 3 was injected intramuscularly 2 ml (15 mg) of vitamin B2 and ascorbic acid, respectively daily for 3 weeks. Gr 4 was injected subcutaneously 0.5 mg melatonin twice daily for 3 weeks. All treated groups (Gr 2, 3 and 4) were given 1.0g zinc chloride and 2.5mg chromium in form of 6 ml orally once a week for 3 weeks. An intact ram was used for oestrus detection twice daily and ewes were bred by natural mating. Laparoscopic examinations were carried out for detection of ovulation rates. Results revealed that ascorbic acid resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) decreased mean interval from treatment to oestrus as compared with control (15.73±1.83 vs 22.64±2.50 days, respectively). An improvement in the lambing rate in Gr 2, 3 and 4 than Gr 1 (80.0, 90.91 and 90.00 vs 72.72%, respectively) was observed. The ovulation rate was significantly (P<0.05) increased in Gr 4 than in Gr 2 and 1 (1.60±0.16 vs 1.20±0.13 and 1.14±0.00, respectively). Follicular development did not vary among groups. In conclusion, vitamin B2, ascorbic acid and melatonin have beneficial effect on the reproduction of ewes during summer under temperate climate.
Ascorbic acid, Ewes, Lambing, Melatonin, Reproduction, Vitamin B2
