Effect of supplementing a diet with monensin sodium and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on reproductive performance of Ghezel ewes
Introduction
Ghezel sheep is one of the Iranian breeds, which is produced on the Sahand mountain rangelands. Lighvan cheese, which takes its name from a village, is produced by milk of this breed and is one of the most popular cheeses among Iranian people. Increasing demand for this cheese in Iran and low twining rate (about 11%, Sharifi et al., 2016) of this breed provides for the need for development of simple and applicable techniques for improvement of reproductive efficiency in this breed. Among the different methods, the “flushing” technique has been used widely to enhance the reproductive efficiency of sheep. This technique involves increasing the nutrient intake of ewes a few weeks before and after mating which can improve energy balance, body condition score, ovulation rate and thus lambing rate.
The use of feed additives containing live microorganisms or the metabolites, as well as antibiotics to manipulate rumen fermentation and improve animal performance has increased during the last 2 decades (Sontakke, 2012). Supplementation of the “flushing” diet with some feed additives including probiotics (i.e., Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast) and antibiotics (i.e., monensin sodium) can increase reproductive efficiency by directing rumen fermentation towards more propionate production and thereby more glucose and insulin or decreasing rumen degradability of protein. Information on how the incorporation of monensin and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the interaction, affect reproductive performance in sheep is, however, limited. Additional investigation of feed additive roles in the Ghezel sheep feeding can increase the understanding of the physiological mechanisms that are affected that result in enhanced reproductive efficiency and fecundity rate. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of monensin sodium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on reproductive performance of Ghezel ewes.
Section snippets
Animals and experimental design
The present study was undertaken in the Agricultural Research Institute of University of Tabriz from August to February 2015. Iranian Ghezel ewes (n = 44; 56.97 ± 7.47 kg, 2–5 years old and BCS about 2.5) were allocated randomly to four equal groups (n = 11). All of the animals were grazing in the rangeland. Diets used in this experiment were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Philips et al. (2002) recommended that “flushing” diets fed in attempts to enhance reproduction should provide 227–454 g of a grain
Reproductive variables
Summarized data for the fertility rate, fecundity rate, twining rate, estrous synchronization and survival rate are shown in Table 2. Feeding of “flushing” diet increased twining rate (P < 0.05). Results indicated monensin supplementation attributed to the greatest twinning rate (i.e., 50%) among experimental groups (P < 0.05). The twining rate was similar in both SC and FG groups; however, ewes in MS and SC groups had a greater fecundity rate than those in FG and G groups (P < 0.05).
For estrous
Reproductive variables
The twining and fertility rates of Ghezel ewes are reported to be about 11% and 94%, respectively (Sharifi et al., 2016) while in the present study the group with monensin supplementation had a 50% twining rate and 100% fertility rate. Monensin might improve reproductive performance if administration of monensin was early enough relative to the time of initiation of breeding so that the negative effects of the diet preceding monensin feeding did not affect reproduction at the time of breeding (
Conclusion
From the present study, it is concluded that supplementing a “flushing” diet with monensin sodium at amounts of 30 mg/ewe/day during premating period can improve reproduction of Ghezel ewes. In addition to monensin sodium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in amounts of 4 × 109 CFU/ewe/d also enhanced reproductive function of these ewes. The addition of this supplement to “flushing” diets of ewes is suggested to enhance reproductive performance.
Conflict of interest statement
There were no conflicts of interest influencing this study.
Acknowledgement
This research was part of a thesis submitted by the first author as a partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science. The co-operation of the staff of Agricultural Research Institute of University of Tabriz is greatly acknowledged for their valuable assistance.
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