Determining the fetal number to avoid pregnant sheep management, feeding, and delivery issues is of vital importance. This study aimed to determine the levels of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), which are pregnancy proteins, to accurately predict singleton and twin pregnancies in Awassi sheep. A total of 40 Awassi sheep were used for the study. According to the number of offspring, pregnant ewes were separated into two groups. The study's first group (Group 1) included singleton pregnant ewe (n=20), while the second group (Group 2) included twin pregnant ewe (n=20). Blood samples were collected from the ewes of both study groups at 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th and 90th day of gestation, which were used for PAG and PSBP evaluation along with ultrasonographic examination. Independent samples t-test and repeated measurements ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The correlations between the measures were calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Accordingly, a statistically significant difference was observed between single and twin pregnant sheep for all PAG and PSBP measurements at days 30-45-60-75 and 90 (p<0.05). In singleton and twin pregnant ewes, there was a statistically significant difference in PAG and PSBP measurements (p<0.05). In singleton pregnant ewes, a significant positive correlation was found between PAG30 and PSPB30 values (p<0.05), while a significant negative correlation was found between paired measures of PAG45-PSPB90, PAG60-PSPB90, and PAG75-PSPB90 (p<0.05). In conclusion, significant differences in pregnancy protein levels were found in singleton and twin pregnant ewes. It was deduced that knowledge of this difference might give sheep breeders an idea about management factors.

Evaluation of the effect of birth type on the blood gas and Apgar scores of Aleppo goat newborn kids ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effect of eutocia and dystocia on the blood gas and Apgar scores of Aleppo goat kids. A total of 40 kids were examined, separated into 2 groups according to the type of birth. Group 1 (n=20) consisted of kids born as a result of eutocia, and the Group 2 (n=20) included kids born as a result of dystocia. The Apgar scores (appearance, pulse, grimace, attitude, respiration) were evaluated at 0, 5, and 15 minutes postpartum in the kids in both study groups, and blood samples were taken from blood gas injectors and blood gas profiles (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3) were obtained. The data obtained were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U-test and Friedman post-hoc Bonferroni tests. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between measurements. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the 0, 5, and 15-min Apgar scores and in the blood gas measurements of pH, pO2, pCO2, and HCO3 at 0, 5, and 15 minutes (p<0.05). A significant time-dependent difference in Apgar score value was noted in both groups (p<0.05). There was a significant time-dependent difference in pH, pCO2, pO2, and HCO3 values in both groups (p<0.05). In Group 1, a significant correlation was determined between Apgar and pCO2 and HCO3 values (p<0.05). In Group 2, a significant correlation was recorded between Apgar and HCO3 values (r=-0.464; p<0.05). As a result, a significant difference was observed between the mode of delivery and the blood gases evaluated and Apgar scores. It was concluded that the evaluation of Apgar score and blood gases together would be more successful in neonatal interventions.