Effects of Flushing and Supplementation with Selenium and Vitamin E on Reproductive Performance of Two Sudanese Desert Sheep Ecotypes (Dubasi and Ashugar) DuringThe Dry Season

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two flushing systems (high concentrate + moderate concentrate) and three supplementation levels of Selenium (Se) plus vitamin E on reproductive performance of Gezira desert sheep (Shugor and Dubasi) under Gezira area and similar ecological zones. The objectives of this study are to improve Gezira desert sheep reproductive performance and to help maximize overall production efficiency. Thirty six mature ewes ecotype (Dubasi and Shugor) of age 2 to 3 years and average initial body weight of 36kg and four rams of 3 to 4years of age and average body weight of 45kg were kept in Rural Development and Extension Center in Al-Managil. Three planes of nutrition were used (A control- concentrate diet containing 13% CP and 11.5MJ/kg DM of metabolizable energy – ME. A moderate concentrate diet containing 16%CP and 12.8MJ/kg DM of ME and a high concentrate diet containing 18%CP and 13.3 MJ/kg DM of ME in addition to Groundnut hulls as a roughages diet. Three levels of Se and vit.E, were used with were three rations for all treatments, which were formulated to supply (13–18) % CP and (11.5-13.3) MJ/Kg DM. The experimental animals were divided randomly into six groups of 3 animals per group. The effect of flushing systems on ewes reproductive performance indicated that flushed ewes had higher oestrus rate (P≤0.05), higher ovulation rate (p≤0.05) and higher conception rate (P≤0.05). They also had reduced abortion rate (P≤0.05) and minimized pregnancy stresses and had no ewes mortality. Abortion rate of 33% was reduced in the control group of Dubasi. The gestation period for all flushed animals ranged between 148 to 151days, with no significant differences (P≥0.05). The effects of flushing systems and supplementation levels of Se+ vit.E recorded also higher fertility percentage (P≤0.05), higher lambing rate (P≤0.05) and higher litter size (P≤0.05) and also recorded higher (P≤0.05) lamb birth weight (P≤0.05) and higher pre-weaning growth rate at age of 30-60 and 120 days. The results of this study for haematological parameters indicated that Shugor ewes recorded high significant difference (P≤0.05) for haemoglobin concentration while Dubasi recorded non-significant difference. Results of white blood cells showed high significant difference (P≤0.05) for both ecotypes. The highest mean values for RBC were recorded for moderate conc., high conc. and high conc. + full dose of selenium groups. A high significant difference at (P≤0.05) was recorded for PCV percent for Shugor ecotype. The highest mean value were recorded for high conc. and high conc. + full dose of selenium experimental groups. The effects of the flushing systems and supplementation levels of Se+ vit.E on serum blood components (biochemical parameters) indicated higher significant (P≤0.05) total protein, higher (P≤0.05) total albumin and higher (P≤0.05) glucose in the third month for both ecotype. Cholesterol recorded a high significant difference (P≤0.05) in the second and third months for both ecotypes. Phosphorus recorded high significant difference (P≤0.05) in the first, second and third month, while Dubasi recorded non-significant difference. Calcium recorded a higher significant difference (P≤0.05) for Dubasi, while Shugor recorded significant difference (P≤0.05) in the first month only. In general, flushing regime increased these metabolites associated with improvement in production capabilities, reproductive performance and positive energy balance in small ruminants.