Power of phenotypes in discriminating Awassi sheep to pure strains and from other breeds

The phenotypic description is the oldest method for animal taxonomic studies. In this study, we report phenotypic traits of discriminant power to assign sheep individuals into Awassi breed or other exotic breeds found in Jordan. Twenty-two and 19 phenotype traits for ewes and rams, respectively, were utilized using multivariate and discriminant analyses. Seven traits, out of them, for ewes and five for rams were qualitative traits: body color, nose shape, horn presence, ear shape, wattles presence, udder shape, and teat placement. The other 15 traits were quantitative traits: body weight, head width, head length, chest depth, chest girth, shoulder width, withers height, foreleg height, shin circumference, body length, rump width, rump length, rump height, rear leg height, and udder height. The traits were taken on 1697 and 652 adult ewes and rams of different breeds, respectively. The breeds were predefined as Awassi and three exotic breeds: Chios, Assaf, and improved Awassi sheep. The results indicated a significant relationship of the 21 and 16 studied traits in assigning and discriminating individual's sheep into their correct breed. The analysis revealed the clustering of the three strains of Awassi sheep in Jordan as the Baladi, the Naemi, and the Saqri. The genetic distances have also confirmed the findings. However, the potential of gene flow between Awassi strains and the exotic breed was reported. The phenotypic traits with discriminant power would be utilized in a guideline for sheep taxonomy in general and for Awassi sheep in particular.

Genotype and allelic frequencies of a newly identified mutation causing blindness in jordanian awassi sheep flocks

A total of 423 blood samples were collected (during 2009 and 2010) from all the ram holdings at three major Jordanian governmental Awassi breeding stations (Al-Khanasry, Al-Mushairfa and Al-Fjaje) and two private flocks. All blood samples were screened for the presence of mutations at the CNGA3 gene (responsible for day blindness in Awassi sheep) using RFLP-PCR. The day blindness mutation was detected in all studied flocks. The overall allele and genotype frequencies of all studied flocks of the day blindness mutation were 0.088 and 17.49%, respectively. The genotype and allele frequencies were higher in station flocks than the farmer flocks (0.121, 24.15 and 0.012, 2.32, respectively). Al-Mushairfa and Al-Khanasry stations have the highest genotype and allele frequencies for the day blindness mutation that were 27.77, 30.00% and 0.14, 0.171, respectively. The investigated farmer flocks have low percentages (0.03, 5.88% at Al-Shoubak and 0.005 and 1.05%, at Al-Karak, respectively for genotype and allele frequencies) compared with the breeding stations. Ram culling strategy was applied throughout the genotyping period in order to gradually eradicate this newly identified day blindness mutation from Jordanian Breeding station, since they annually distribute a high percentage of improved rams to farmer’s flocks.

Impact of feeding saltbush twigs on feed intake, weight gain, and some mineral levels of fattening awassi lambs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the inclusion of saltbush (Atriplex sp.) on the productive performance and blood mineral profile of fattening lambs. Eighteen Awassi lambs, 70 +/- 3 days of age and 23 +/- 1.8 kg body weights, were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups. Lambs in group one (control) were offered 0.2 kg/day shredded straw of barley (tibin) as the sole source of roughage, while lambs in treatment groups 2 and 3 were provided either 0.2 kg/day Atriplex nummularia or Atriplex halimus as their sole roughage content for 10 weeks. All lambs were also provided 1.1 kg/day of concentrate ration. Although lambs fed A. halimus had significantly (P < 0.05) lower dry matter intake than the control group, the daily weight gain of the two groups of lambs were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Lambs fed either A. nummularia or A. halimus had significantly lower (P < 0.05) calcium and copper levels but significantly higher (P < 0.05) cobalt levels in their blood serum than the control group. Zinc blood serum level was not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatment diets. These results suggested that A. nummularia and A. halimus can substitute for barley straw in the ration of fattening Awassi lambs without compromising lambs weight gain; however, special attention should be given to the mineral status in lambs if saltbush is a major feed component for prolonged periods of time.

The effect of arginine supplementation on some blood parameters, ovulation rate and concentrations of estrogen and progesterone in female Awassi sheep

The hypothesis that arginine supplementation would increase antibodies production and concentrations of estrogen and progesterone-via stimulate Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone(GnRH)-in sheep was investigated. In experiment 1: Twelve Awassi ewes aged between 3.5-4.0 years weighing 48.0 +/- 2.5 kg were assigned randomly to four groups, to find whether the route of arginine administration would reflect different percentages of white blood cells, arginine and Immunoglobuline G (IgG) in the blood of ewes or not. Ewes in group one were fed ration supplemented with protected arginine (0.5 g kg(-1) of body weight) (arginine group). Ewes in group tow were intravenous injected (i.v.) by arginine (i.v. group), whereas ewes in group three were intramuscular injected (i.m. group), group four was assigned as a control group. Percentages of white blood cells (Neutrophils, Monocytes and Lymphocytes) were recorded as well as concentrations of arginine and Immunoglobuline G (IgG) in blood of ewes were recorded. Percentage of neutrophils were increased (p < 0.01) 6 h of treatment, whereas percentage of monocytes were increased (p < 0.01) 12 h of treatment, meanwhile lymphocytes were decreased (p < 0.01) 6 h of treatment. In general the increase and decrease of white blood cells were the highest in i.v. group, followed by arginine group, Im group, respectively in comparison with control group. Route of arginine administration affected the concentration of arginine in ewes blood. Levels of arginine were the highest in i.v. group (1697.67+/- 945.25 mmol L(-1)), followed by i.m. group (687.33 +/- 102.71 mmol L(-1)), arginine group (335.00 +/- 17.90 mmol L(-1)), respectively in comparison with control group (293.33 +/- 42.48 mmol L(-1)). There were no significant differences between groups in IgG concentrations. In experiment 11: Twelve Awassi ewes aged between 3.5-4.0 years weighing 53.30 +/- 3.3 kg were used to find if that arginine supplementation would increase ovulation rate and concentrations of estrogen and progesterone. Experimental ewes were synchronized using intravaginal progestagen sponges. On day of sponges removal, ewes were divided into two groups. Ewes in group one were fed ration supplemented with protected arginine (0.5 g kg(-1) of body weight) for 15 days; the second group was assigned as a control group. Concentrations of estrogen and progesterone in ewes blood beside the number of corpora lutea were recorded. Results showed that treatment with arginine increased the number of corpora lutea (2.38 +/- 0.67) in comparison with control group (1.00 +/- 0.58) which lead to increase lambing and twinning rate. Although of estrogen concentrations were fluctuated, but it was higher (5.92 +/- 0.33 pg mL(-1)) in arginine group than control group (4.56 +/- 1.06 pg mL(-1)). On the other hand progesterone concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) (4.21 +/- 0.83 ng mL(-1)) in arginine group in comparison with control group (1.79 +/- 0.31 ng mL(-1)).