Postpartum injection with vitamin E and selenium failed to improve the performance of Awassi ewes and their lambs

Effects of supplemental lysine and methionine on performance of nursing Awassi ewes fed two levels of dietary protein

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rumen-protected lysine (RPL) and methionine (RPM) supplementation on production performance of nursing ewes fed two levels of dietary protein. Individually housed Awassi ewes (n = 34) nursing single lambs were randomly assigned (2 × 2 factorial design) to one of four dietary treatments with two levels of protein (170 or 151 g/kg; HP or MP) and two levels of RPL and RPM (0 or 8.5 plus 4 g/day/ewe of RPL and RPM, respectively; no or yes). The trial lasted for 5 weeks. Ewes fed the MP diets had (P < 0.01) lower protein intake compared to those fed the HP diets. Intake of other nutrients and milk composition were not significantly (P > 0.13) affected by dietary treatments. Ewes fed the MPYES diet produced more (P < 0.05) milk compared to those fed the MPNO and HPYES diets and tended (P = 0.08) to be more than the HPNO diet. Additionally, milk composition yields for the MPYES diet were significantly (P < 0.05) more than the HPYES diets and tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be more than the MPNO and HPNO diets. Milk efficiency was highest (P < 0.05) for the MPYES diet. Final BW, total gain, and growth rate of lambs were greater when their dams were fed the MPYES diet compared to MPNO and HPNO diets. Under our conditions, decreasing dietary protein from 170 to 151 g/kg did not negatively affect the performance of ewes and their lambs. Supplemental RPL and RPM were beneficial for ewes fed diets containing 151 g/kg, but not 170, protein.

Effects of vitamin B1, vitamin E and selenium on pregnancy and blood metabolites profile during non-breeding season and early prediction of pregnancy by thermographic monitoring in Merino ewes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injectable selenium, vitamin E and vitamin B1 compounds on serum metabolic profile and pregnancy rates (PR) during the non-breeding season in Merino ewes that were synchronized with progesterone and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). Thermographic monitoring of ewes on the last day of synchronization was successful in the early selection of ewes to be used in artificial insemination and its relationship with pregnancy outcomes. Cyclic and non-pregnant ewes (n=75) were randomly assigned to treatment (n=30) and control (n=45) groups. All animals were synchronized using PGF2α at day 0, progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponges for 14 days, eCG 48 h before sponge withdrawal and artificial insemination were carried out 43–45 h after sponge removal. Animals of treatment group (n=30) were administered (intramuscularly) with 1 mg sodium selenite, 60 mg vitamin E and 40 mg vitamin B1 on two occasions, at the beginning of sponge insertion and following sponge removal. Blood samples were collected at sponge insertion and removal. Perianal and perivulvar areas were considered to evaluate the thermal pattern at day 0 and 14 using a thermo camera. Overall, 90.6% of ewes exhibited estrus in response to the synchronization protocol. Ewes of treatment group showed greater PR as compared to that of control group (70.3% vs 56%). Perivulvar temperature was influenced by time only. At the time of sponge removal, perivulvar temperatures were significantly lower in pregnant ewes than in non-pregnant animals. In conclusion, injectable selenium, vitamin E and vitamin B1 compounds increased PR after synchronization protocol and thermographic evaluation that was performed on the last day of synchronization could be used for very early prediction of pregnancy.

Multiple injections of vitamin E and selenium improved the reproductive performance of estrus-synchronized Awassi ewes

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of injecting estrus-synchronized ewes with vitamin E and selenium (Se) on their reproductive performance. Awassi ewes (n = 74) were randomly assigned into one of two groups. Group one (control, n = 36) did not receive vitamin E/Se injections, and group two (vitamin E/Se, n = 38) received 13.6-mg/kg BW of vitamin E plus 0.045-mg/kg BW of Se. Concurrent with estrus-synchronization program, vitamin E/Se injections were given at the time of insertion, withdrawal, and 19 days after withdrawal of intravaginal sponges. At all injection times, serum samples were collected (20 ewes per group) to measure Se contents. Pregnancy rates were evaluated by progesterone assay and by ultrasonography, respectively, at days 19 and 40 after sponge removal. Lambing rate, singles and twins%, sex ratio (M:F), and birth weight were recorded at lambing. Vitamin E/Se injections did not affect (P > 0.25) BW at lambing or BW change of ewes from breeding to lambing. Vitamin E/Se injections tended (P = 0.08) to decrease total pregnancy losses from 44.8 to 24.3%, subsequently, injections positively improved (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates determined by progesterone assay (from 80.6 to 97.4%) and ultrasonography (from 63.9 to 86.8%). Although overall fertility was not affected, vitamin E/Se injections markedly increased the percentage of ewes that lambed after only one service from 64.0 to 93.3%. Singles and twins%, lamb sex ratio, and birth weight of lambs were not affected (P > 0.20) by vitamin E/Se injections. Under conditions of our study, multiple injections of vitamin E/Se improved the reproductive performance of estrus-synchronized ewes.