Effects of different fat sources (saturated and unsaturated) on reproductive performance and biological indices of ewes during flushing period

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different sources of fat during flushing period on the reproductive performance, lambing percent, and twin numbers of Afshari ewes. A total of 84 ewes (mean weight 48 ± 3 kg; age: 3-4 years) were divided into seven groups of 12 animals and received flushing-specific rations for 5 weeks. The control group just received a basic ration (non-flushing). Lipid sources were calcium salt of palm oil (CaP), pure palm oil (PO), calcium salt of flaxseed (CaFL), calcium salt of sunflower oil (CaSF), flaxseed oil (FLO), and sunflower oil (SFO). Estrous cycles were synchronized in all ewes using 14-day CIDRs followed by 400-IU PMSG injection at the time of CIDR removal. Fertility and lambing percent were higher in ewes fed with diets containing calcium salts of flaxseed and SFO, as compared to other treatments. Total number of lambs in flushing treatments was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01). Serum cholesterol and progesterone levels were significantly greater in omega-3 (CaFL) and omega-6 (CaSF) treatments relative to other treatments (p < 0.01). It was concluded that supplementing the flushing diet with calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) increased blood metabolites and hormones related to reproductive performance; and improved fertility, lambing rate and ewes of CaFL treatment have the highest number of lambs (16 lambs) between different groups. Using saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, especially in their CSFA forms during flushing period, could improve the reproduction problems induced by progesterone deficiency, lack of durability of the fetus due to hormonal instability, and abortion control factors.

Reproductive Performance of Ewes, Fed Flushing Diet at Different Management Feeding Program

“…Flushing once at the beginning of gestation, containing lemuru fish oil with high linoleic acid in thus study resulted more female kids. This data supported by previous study 27 and another study flushing with diet containing high omega-6 during pre-matting resulted female kids 4 . The higher female birth with omega-6 diet rat is due to the higher lost male embryo during gestation 42 .…”

“…Ration with good quality, named flushing, commonly give to the animal in such period for improving reproduction performance. The ration can be served either before matting, during pregnancy or before partus, so that animal ready to pregnant, partus and lactation in a good condition 4 . Flushing diet management could improve reproduction performance doe and has positive impact to BCS status 5 , early puberty 6 , increase ovulation 7 , could improve ovulation, percentage of pregnancy and littersize 8 , increase of gestation and calving rate, milk production and birth weight and also decrease stress during parturation 2,9,10 .…”

Effect of increasing levels of wasted date palm in concentrate diet on reproductive performance of Ouled Djellal breeding rams during flushing period

“…As expected, for all groups, flush feeding influenced the nutritional condition of the animals positively consequently increasing the live weight and score body condition. Several studies [ 30 - 32 ] have demonstrated that feed supplementation in the form of flushing diet improves LBW, BCS, and reproductive performance of ewes. Similar observations have been reported in the mature Sardinian rams receiving a different level of concentrate (1.2 times or 1.5 times their maintenance requirements) [ 33 ].…”

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“…It has been well documented that increasing the precursor of fatty acids leads to an increase on steroid synthesis, especially high level of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6; DHA) that are two components crucial of steroidogenesis and feeding supplemental fatty acids provides a higher level of energy and have positive impacts on reproductive performance by controlling ovarian function and follicular development (MIRZAEI-ALAMOUTI et al, 2018). However studies comparing palm oil (protected or not) with others oils or with no supplementation at all have shown that palm oil does not have the benefits of supplementation with protect fat ASGARI SAFDAR;SADEGHI;CHAMANI, 2017;MIRZAEI-ALAMOUTI et al, 2018).…”

“…In fact, fat sources can provide two times more energy than cereal grains (NRC, 2007;HESS;MOSS;RULE, 2008). Many other beneficial results may outcome from fat supplementation, such as: improving milk production and content (HUSVÉTH et al, 2010;PALMQUIST;JENKINS, 2017;SAVOINI et al, 2019;ANGELES-HERNANDEZ et al, 2020), reproductive efficiency of the male ( VAN TRAN et al, 2017), reproductive efficiency of the female (HESS; MOSS; RULE, 2008;SILVESTRE et al, 2011;HILLER, 2014;HOSSEIN;SAFDAR;HOSSEIN, 2015;ABD EL-HAMID et al, 2016a), alleviates negatives effects of heat stress (VIR SINGH et al, 2018), improve growth performance (LADEIRA et al, 2012;BHATT et al, 2013a;WANG et al, 2020b) and carcass quality (LADEIRA et al, 2012;URRUTIA et al, 2020). Also, depending on the type and level of medium-chain fatty acid supplementation, the production of methane can be reduced (YANZA et al, 2020).…”