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The current study investigated the effect of breeding season and presence of corpora lutea (CLs) on the ovaries with, ovarian characteristics, and yield, quality and oocyte recovery rate in sheep. Also, the effect of addition of sheep serum (SS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to maturation medium of sheep oocytes during breeding and non-breeding season was studied. Ovaries were collected during breeding and non-breeding seasons from slaughterhouses. Ovaries were classified with or without CLs during both seasons. Oocytes were collected by slicing and their yield, category and recovery rate were determined. Only compact oocytes (COCs) were in vitro matured as affected by breeding vs. non-breeding season and addition of 10% SS vs. BSA. Results show that only ovarian weight was higher (P<0.05) in breeding than in non-breeding season and with CL-ovaries than without CLs. Ovaries were longer and thicker in breed in than in non-breeding season. CL-ovaries during breeding season showed the highest ovarian characteristics. Number of all visible follicles/ovary tended to be higher (P<0.05) in breeding than in non-breeding season and of ovaries with than without CLs (P≥0.05). Oocyte yield/ovary was greater (P<0.05) by 41.7% in breeding than in non-breeding season. Oocyte yield was insignificantly greater on ovaries with CLs than those without CLs. Oocyte recovery rate was insignificantly higher in breeding and on ovaries with CLs than in non-breeding season and on those without CLs. Number/ovary and percentage of COCs were higher, while number/ovary were lower in breeding than in non-breeding season (P<0.05). Number and percentage of all categories were higher for oocytes recovered from ovaries with than without CLs. Percentage of oocytes at M-I stage was slightly higher in non-breeding than in breeding season. Percentage of oocytes at M-II showed an opposite trend, reflecting insignificantly higher maturation rate in breeding than in nonbreeding season. Percentage of oocytes at M-I and M-II stages was insignificantly higher in BSA than in SS-medium. Oocyte maturation rate with SS than with BSA in breeding and non-breeding season. In conclusion, sheep oocytes were available to be harvested during non-breeding season from slaughtered ewes with acceptable yield, quality and the maturation rate in vitro by addition sheep serum (10%) to maturation medium.

his study aimed to evaluate the effect of different protein sources, cotton seed meal (CSM), soybean (SBM) and dried distiller's grains with soluble (DDGS) in diet of growing male lambs on morpho-histological characteristics of the testis and epididymis, characteristics of epididymal spermatozoa and serum testosterone concentration. Total of 20 growing cross breed (Romanov x Rahmani) lambs (about 8 months old and 33 kg LBW) were assigned into four groups. Lambs in all groups were fed diets containing differed sources of 50% of protein in concentrate feed mixture, being sun flower meal in the 1 st group (control, G1), CSM in G2, SBM in G3 and DDGS in G4 for 120 days as an experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, lambs were slaughtered and testes were collected for morpho-histological study. Blood was collected for testosterone determination in blood serum and epididymal spermatozoa were recovered by slicing. Results revealed that testicular weight and size in terms of length and width were the highest (P<0.05) in G3, moderate in G1 and G2 and the lowest in G4. Dietary protein source had insignificant effect on weight and measures of epididymis or its segments, in particular length and width of epididymal cauda testes of G3 showed higher (P<0.05) values of the largest and smallest diameters and the widest average diameter of the seminiferous tubules (ST) and the highest (P<0.05) thickness of spermatogenic layer as compared to other groups. The largest, smallest and average diameters of epididymal cauda ductules (ED) was higher (P<0.05) and the lining epithelial layer of epididymal cauda was thicker (P<0.05) in G3 and G4 than in G1 and G2. Percentages of progressive motility and livability of spermatozoa recovered from the epididymal cauda were the highest (P<0.05) in G3, moderate in G1 and G2, and the lowest in G4. Percentages of abnormality and acrosome damage of epididymal spermatozoa were not affected by dietary protein source. Serum testosterone concentration was the highest (P<0.05) in G3 and the lowest in G4. In conclusion, feeding CSM or DDGS should not be supplied to growing male lambs for breeding. Feeding diet containing sun flower meal (Control diet) or soybean meal as sources of dietary protein had save effect on growing male lambs for breeding.

he aim of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of Selenomethionine (Sel-Plex) (0.0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 mg/kg diet) on semen quality, fertility and hatchability of local strain (Inshas) cockerels. Thirty six mature cockerels at 28 weeks of age were divided into four group {(G1 (0.0), G2 (0.15), G3 (0.30) and G4 (0.45)} mg/kg diet (9 cockerels each). All birds were reared under similar management and housing-condition throughout the experimental period. Results revealed that, the final live body weight (LBW) and change of body weight of cocks in group 4 (G4) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than cockerels in group G1 and G2, but did not differ significantly with group G3 or between group G1 and group G2. Daily feed intake did not affected significantly by treatments. Testosterone concentration of cockerels in group 3 (G3) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in other groups, while the fertility rate of cockerels in G4 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in other groups. However no significant differences between group G3 and G4 in hatchability rate. Percentages of progressive motility and livability of cockerel spermatozoa were significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups G3 and G4 as compared as in groups G1 and G2, but the opposite trend in percentages of abnormality and acrosome damage of spermatozoa. Total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in serum of cockerel's in group 3 (G3) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in control G1, but no significant differences among selenium treatments, while SOD activity in serum of cockerel's was not influenced significantly by supplemented different levels of selenium. Activity Enzymes AST and ALT were significantly higher in G1 than in G3, while no significant differ among G2, G3 and G4. In conclusion, use of organic selenium supplementation (0.3 or 0.45 mg/Kg) in diet of cockerels could be recommended to improve semen quality, fertility, hatchability and oxidative status of roosters.

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he objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral L-carnitine (LC) administration on milk yield and composition, estrous activity and reproduction performance of crossbreed cows. A total of 30 crossbreed cows at early post-partum, weighing 432.7±23.5 kg LBW, aging 3.5-4 years and in 1-3 parities were divided into two similar groups according to LBW and age. Cows in the 1 st group were fed a basal diet and was considered as a control group (G1). While, cows in the 2 nd group (G2) were fed the same diet and treated orally with 3 g LC/cow/day for 120 days postpartum. Cows were machine milked and milk yield was calculated as actual (AMY) or 4% fat corrected milk (FCMY) yield. Milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) were determined. Estrus was detect and cows in heat were artificially inseminated. Then, number and length of estrous cycles from calving up to conception was recorded. Postpartum 1 st estrus (PPFEI) and 1 st service (PPFSI) intervals, number of services per conception (NSC), service period length (SPL), days open (DO) and conception rate (CR%) were calculated. Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation on day 60 post-insemination. Results show that daily milk yield as AMY or FCMY of cows increased (P<0.05) by about 19.3% in G2 than in G1. Percentage of fat and protein in milk increased (P<0.05), while SCC decreased (P<0.05) by about 16.9% in milk of G2 as compared to G1. Average number of estrus cases and estrous cycles/cow was lower (P<0.05) in G2 than in G1. Average P4 concentration and P4 peak during the estrous cycle was higher (P<0.05) in G2 than in G1. Average P4 concentration during PPFEI was lower (P<0.05) in G2 than in G1. Average of PPFEI, PPFSI, SPL, DO and NSC were lower (P<0.05) in G2 than in G1. CR was higher (P<0.05) in G2 (93.33%) than in G1 (66.67%). In conclusion, the present study indicated beneficial effects of L-carnitine treatment (3 g/cow) for 120 days during early lactation period on milk production and reproductive performance of crossbreed cows during the first four months of lactation.