Early Breeding and Pregnancy Diagnosis in Syrian Awassi Sheep Yearlings

Contents Fifty-nine female yearlings of local Awassi sheep were randomly divided into two groups. Animals in group T (treated) were fitted with intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 14 days followed by 400 IU of pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at sponge withdrawal, whereas group C (control) received no treatment. Oestrus rate was 92.7 and 11.2% for groups T and C, respectively. Lambing rate was 78 and 5.6% for groups T and C, respectively. Twinning rate was 31.3% in group T compared to zero in group C. Average birth weight for single born lambs (4.7 ± 0.6 kg) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than twin born lambs (3.0 ± 0.5 kg) in group T. The average concentration of blood progesterone collected between days 17–19 after mating was 19.30 nmol/l and the accuracy of early pregnancy diagnosis was 100%. It was concluded that, it is possible to induce synchronized oestrus, and to increase the twinning rate in Syrian Awassi sheep yearlings outside the breeding season, using intravaginal sponges and PMSG. In addition, early pregnancy diagnosis could be successfully determined in female Awassi sheep yearlings between days 17–19 after mating.