Research Article | 15 Nov 2019

Pregnancy rates in hair sheep after Ovsynch synchronization and a combined intracervical fixed-time artificial insemination and 10-day mating period

D. A. Vallejo1, J. D. Londoño2, Y. A. Yepes1, V. Tamayo1, A. F. Mejia1, and J. G. Maldonado1Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 1779-1783 | Vol. 12, Issue 11 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1779-1783
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rates in hair ewes using an Ovsynch synchronization protocol under a breeding system that combines fixed-time insemination plus a 10-day mating period as an alternative.
Materials and Methods: Through an experimental study (n=27), ewes were randomly located into one of three treatments: (1) Pre-synch (n=9): Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)+Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)+PGF2α+GnRH; (2) Ovsynch (n=9): GnRH+PGF2α+GnRH; and (3) control: Ewes bred by natural mating (NM) (n=9). Ewes were fixed-time inseminated (fixed-time artificial insemination [FTAI]) with fresh semen, collected just before the insemination time through vaginoscopy at 16 h after the second GnRH (gonadorelin) injection. Each experimental group was placed separately during 15 days and, after this time, fertile rams were allowed back with ewes for a 10-day mating period. Control group ewes remained with the rest of the herd suitable for breeding and were bred under NM. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound at 28-, 56-, and 84-day post-breeding to differentiate between FTAI and NM pregnancies. Total (FTAI±NM) pregnancy rates at 56-day post-breeding were used to compared Pre-synch, Ovsynch, and control. For this purpose, two-tailed proportions comparison z-test was used with a 95% confidence level, for testing as the null hypothesis whether two proportions were equal.
Results: Pregnancy rates were higher in control ewes (66.4%) than FTAI (46.6%). When pregnancy rates after a 10-day mating period (40%) were added, the final rate (86.6%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Ovsynch-based protocols. The pregnancy rate was significantly lower in FTAI ewes compared to FTAI +10-day mating group (p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate was 88.0, 85.7, and 67.0 (p>0.05) for Pre-synch, Ovsynch, and control ewes, respectively.
Conclusion: These results provide evidence on the benefits of combined FTAI protocols for improving the reproductive efficiency of sheep. Keywords: ewes, fixed-time artificial insemination, Ovsynch, pre-synch.
          
Keywords: ewes, fixed-time artificial insemination, Ovsynch, pre-synch.