Focused nutrition during oestrus synchronization in Pelibuey ewes with different body conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian follicular activity, ovulation percentage, and body weight change in response to focused nutrition during synchronization of oestrus with an intravaginal device (CIDR®) (9 days) in Pelibuey ewes with high and low body condition. Seventy-two non-pregnant ewes without offspring were randomly distributed to one of four treatments, namely T1: (n = 18) ewes without focused nutrition and low body condition; T2: (n = 18) ewes without focused nutrition and high body condition; T3: (n = 18) ewes with focused nutrition and low body condition; and T4: (n = 18) ewes with focused nutrition and high body condition. While the CIDR device was in place, the ewes with focused nutrition received a supplement of 1.5 kg ewe/day, which contained 2.9 MCal metabolizable energy, 16% crude protein, 88.5% dry matter, 11.8% crude fibre, and 6.7% of ash. The concentration of progesterone (P4) was measured to determine ovulation percentage. The follicular population was quantified (2–3 mm, 4–5 mm, and >6 mm in diameter). The number of follicles between 2–3 mm and 4–5 mm in diameter was similar among treatments. The number of follicles >6 mm in diameter was higher in T4 ewes (2.2 ± 0.2) compared with T1, T2, and T3. The response to oestrus, the onset of oestrus, and the ovulation percentage were similar among treatments. Focused nutrition increased the number of ovarian follicles >6 mm in diameter in ewes with high body condition.