Puberty and fertility of ewe lambs fed on by-products of palm and olive oil

Abstract EN

The present study aims to elucidate the effect of palm and olive oil by-products adding to rations on production and reproductive performance of Rahmani and Osimi female sheep.

After weaning, Rahmani and Osimi ewe lambs (24 for each) of similar birth type were identified to compare between two rations containing hard fatty acids (HFA) or olive cake (OC) on sexual puberty and fertility of two breeds.

The lambs of both breed were randomly divided into three groups: the first group is considered control and received ration which contained concentrate feed mixture (CFM).

The second group nourished (OC) consisted of CFM +HFA and the third group nourished (HFA) composed of CFM +OC.

The CFM was offered as basal ration to all experimental lambs.

Body weight, functions of the liver, kidney, thyroid and progesterone hormones at puberty, and the fertility traits were assayed in the two breeds of ewes.

The average body weight of female lambs was higher (P < 0.05) with OC than HFA.

Female lambs supplied OC reached puberty faster and their thyroid and sexual hormones (progesterone) have been developed earlier than ewe lambs given HFA and those in the control group.

Age at puberty and progesterone level in both Rahmani and Osimi ewe lambs were better in ewes fed on OC, than other two groups.

The fertility (%) from total ewe lambs and birth weight in ewe lambs fed on OC were higher than ewes fed on HFA and the control.

It may be concluded that feeding ewe lambs on diet containing HFA from weaning had positive effects on age at puberty, reproductive fertility and prolificacy.