EFFECT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BARKI EWES UNDER PRACTICAL FIELD CONDITION

Authors

1 Dept. Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition Fac. Vet. Med., Cairo Univ.

2 Dept. Animal Reproduction and A.I. National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Dept. Animal Field Investigation, Anim, Reproduction Research Institute.

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on reproductive performance of Barki ewes fed practical basal ration under field condition. Zinc was supplemented to the practical basal ration as zinc sulphate one month premating, during mating and continued throughout gestation. Although practical basal ration had approximately 23-25 ppm Zn, 100ppm Zn supplementation reduced the non-reproductive period in Barki ewes. Dry matter intake of ewes received zinc supplement was greater than dry matter intake of those fed practical basal ration. Lambing percent, litter size and prolificacy number percent were improved in zinc supplemented ewes. Twinning phenomenon was achieved as a result of zinc supplementation. Lambs born from ewes received 100 ppm zinc with their basal ration showed significant increase in both birth and weaning weight. Colostral whey protein was increased significantly for supplemented group as compared with ewes fed practical basal ration without zinc supplement. However, body weight change of ewes, body conditions and parturition problems, werc not affected by Zinc supplement. zinc supplementation did not affect colostrum as well was milk proximate analysis. Zinc supplemented ewes had higher serum zinc than those fed practical basal ration. It can be concluded that it is feasible to supplement ewes practical basal ration with zinc to optimize reproductive performance and to improve productive ability of their lambs under field condition.
 

Main Subjects

Veterinary Medical Journal (Giza)
Volume 46, Issue 1
January 1998
Pages 77-87

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