An experiment was conducted on Damascus does to characterise the oestrous cycle and activity of the corpus luteum and to determine normal progesterone patterns during different phases of the oestrous cycle using radioimmunoassay. Fifteen 2-5-year-old indigenous cycling Damascus does were used during the normal breeding season for two consecutive oestrous cycles. Average length of the oestrous cycles was 21.2 ± 1.5 days (range: 19-26 days), consisting of 2.9 + 0.8 days (2-5 days) where progesterone level was low, averaging 0.69 ± 0.85 nmol l -1 (range: 0.00-3.08 nmol l -1 ), followed by a sharp increase in progesterone secretion indicating presence of active corpora lutea which lasted an average of 15.3 ± 1.4 days (range: 13-20 days), with an average progesterone level of 13.41 nmol l -1 (range: 3.26-27.98 nmol l -1 ), followed by a sharp decline in progesterone level, indicating inactive corpora lutea, which lasted an average of 3.1 ± 0.6 days (range: 2-5 days), with an average progesterone level of 0.68 nmol l -1 (range: 0.00-2.81 nmol l -1 ). Maximum progesterone level during the luteal phase averaged 18.67 ± 3.15nmol l -1 (range: 14.00-27.98 nmol l -1 ), which, on average, occurred on the 12.2th ± 3.2 day of the oestrous cycle. It was possible, for the first time, to characterise the oestrous cycle of the indigenous Damascus doe, and to determine normal progesterone patterns during different phases of the oestrous cycle. Based on the results reported above, it is also concluded that progesterone levels under 3.18 nmol l -1 were found on average during 2.9 days at the start of the oestrous cycle and during 3.1 days at the end of the oestrous cycle (follicular phase), and that progesterone levels above 3.18 nmol l -1 were found during the luteal phase lasting, on average, for 15.3 days.

Abstract. The effects of month, electro-ejaculation (EE) and copulation process on testosterone and cortisol levels were investigated in Syrian Awassi rams. Jugular blood samples were collected from 10 rams at weekly intervals for 1 year. During the breeding and non-breeding season, samples were collected 60 min before EE and copulation as well as 0 (at the time of ejaculation), 20 and 60 min after EE and copulation. Low testosterone levels were detected from October to February (4.58-5.06 nmol L −1 ), while high levels were noted from May to September (8.01-11.40 nmol L −1 ) with significant differences among months (P <0.001). In contrast, cortisol levels were low from March to October (0.63-2.27 nmol L −1 ) and the highest level was recorded in December (11.30 nmol L −1 ) with a significant month effect (P <0.001). Cortisol reached its maximum concentration in the electrically stimulated rams 20 min post electro-ejaculation with no significant difference between the two seasons at this end time point. Means of testosterone levels differed between the breeding and the non-breeding season for electro-ejaculated rams. An increase in testosterone level was observed after 60 min of copulation process in the non-breeding, while no differences were noted for this hormone over the four time periods during the breeding season. Cortisol levels rose significantly in non-breeding season at 0 and 20 min after copulation (P <0.001). In conclusion, Syrian Awassi rams displayed a clear seasonality of testosterone and cortisol. Cortisol levels indicate an acute stress response to EE treatment. Females have an effect on testosterone and cortisol levels in Syrian Awassi rams only during the non-breeding season.

Four apparently healthy Syrian Awassi rams were used for one year. Jugular blood samples were collected from the rams once a week to determine some essential blood components (13) using a Veterinary Haematology Analyzer. The overall means were: 8.92 × 103/mm3 for White Blood Cells (WBC), 5.91% for Lymphocytes (LYM), 1.00 % for Monocytes (MON), 2.62% for Granulocytes (GRA), 7.94 × 103/mm3 for Red Blood Cells (RBC), 10.24 g/dL for Haemoglobin (Hb), 30.93% for Haematocrit (HCT), 39.12fL for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), 12.57 pg for Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), 33.10g/dL for Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), 16.34 % for Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), 577.3 ×103/mm3 for Platelet Counts (PLT) and 3.99 fL for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), with variations in the values among individuals. There were differences in the value means among the months of the year in some components, where the overall means of WBC, LYM, MON, GRA, HGB, MCH and MCHC were significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter as compared to summer months, whereas, MCV means were significantly (P<0.05) higher in summer as compared to winter months, whereas there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the means of RBC, RDW, PLT or MPV among summer and winter months.

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