Effects of short and long - term nutrition and progesterone supplementation on the success of fixed - time artificial insemination in the ewe

Anim Reprod Sci. 2024 Jun:265:107477. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107477. Epub 2024 Apr 18.

Abstract

The success of fixed - time artificial insemination (AI) in the ewe is variable due to poor synchrony of estrus. We examined the effects of long-term nutrition (LTN; low, medium, high - 6 months), short-term nutrition (STN; 1.0 M, 1.5 M - 14 days) and progesterone supplementation (P; single pessary, replacement on Day 9) on synchrony and reproductive outcomes. High LTN advanced (P < 0.05) estrus, increased (P = 0.06) pregnancy (range 71.1 - 81.1%) and improved (P < 0.01) litter size (range 1.30 - 1.50). STN increased (P < 0.05) pregnancy (79.0 versus 72.3%) but not litter size or timing of estrus. A LTN x STN interaction (P < 0.01) for time of estrus indicates that the effects of LTN were moderated by STN depending on the level of LTN. Pessary replacement delayed (P < 0.05) the onset of estrus, improved synchrony but did not affect pregnancy or litter size. High LTN increased (P < 0.05) the number of large (≥ 3.8 mm) and medium - size follicles (2.0 - 3.7 mm) but the diameter of large follicles tended to be reduced (P = 0.08) on Day 12. STN did not affect follicle number or size whilst P reduced (P < 0.05) the diameter of large follicles on Day 12 (4.83 versus 5.10 mm) and increased the number of medium - size follicles (3.56 versus 2.74 mm). In conclusion, both LTN and STN are major sources of variability in AI programs whilst pessary replacement has potential to reduce variability.

Keywords: Estrus; Fixed-time artificial insemination; Follicles; Nutrition; Pregnancy; Progesterone.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Estrus / drug effects
  • Estrus / physiology
  • Estrus Synchronization / methods
  • Female
  • Insemination, Artificial* / methods
  • Insemination, Artificial* / veterinary
  • Litter Size / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Progesterone* / administration & dosage
  • Progesterone* / pharmacology
  • Sheep / physiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Progesterone