Prostaglandin versus progestagen protocols in oestrus synchronization in the Yankasa ewe

This study was conducted to compare the effects of prostaglandins (estroPLAN® and Lutalyse®) and progestagens (CIDR® and FGA-45®) in synchronizing oestrus in Yankasa ewes between January and February 2014. Thirty three (33) Yankasa ewes aged 1.5- 3 years, 21 to 26 kg body weights, with body condition score of 2.5- 3.5 were used in this study. Ewes were randomly allocated into 5 groups, Group 1 (ewes treated with Lutalyse® [YK-LT], n= 7), Group 2 (ewes treated with estroPLAN® [YK-ET], n= 7), Group 3 (ewes treated with EAZI- BREED™ CIDR® *YK-CD], n= 5), Group 4 (ewes treated with Fluorogestone acetate-45® [YK-FG], n= 7) and Group 5 (Control [YK-CT], n= 7). Natural breeding was carried out using sexually active rams for 5 days following progestagen withdrawal and second prostaglandin administration. 100% oestrus response was observed in YK-ET, YK-CD and YK-FG, respectively. Time to onset of oestrus was 68.23 ± 17.28 h in YK-LT, 49.29 ± 4.5 h in YK-ET, 33.48 ± 8.6 in YK-CD, 53.27 ± 12.3 in YK-FG and 39.2 ± 13 in YK-CT. Duration of oestrus was longest in YK-LT (51.35 ± 13.9 h) and shortest in YK-CT (17.2 ± 6.9 h). Mounts per oestrus period was highest in YK-CT (26.9 ± 4.8) and lowest in YK-ET (14.3 ± 4.3). Conception rate was 100% in the YK-LT, YK-ET, YK-CD groups respectively. It is concluded that estroPLAN® and CIDR® offered the best results in synchronizing oestrus in Yankasa ewes and may be used by farmers to enhance productivity.

Prostaglandin versus progestagen protocols in oestrus synchronization in the Yankasa ewe Keywords:

Oestrus , Prostaglandin , Progestagen , Estroplan® , Lutalyse , ® CIDR , ® FGA-45®