The role of gonadotropin and plasma content of glucose and trigleciredes in the context of the Ovsynch program on metabolism, pregnancy and lambing rate in Awassi ewes

Abstract

Levels of energy substances in the plasma play an important role in reproductive function due to their effect on GnRH neurons. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of pregnancy and lambing rates in Awassi ewes by 1) glucose and triglyceride levels around the time of peri AI  2) cholesterol 3) gonadotropins in the context of the Ovsynch program at the start of the gonadotropin treatment.  in addition, to determine the effect of gonadotropins on some metabolic parameters. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture from 63 ewes for five days starting from the day of PGF2α and gonadotropins administration to determine the levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea using the spectrophotometer. Estrus was detected after the second dose of GnRH once every 8 hours, until the signs of estrus had ceased. Differences between means of parameters were compared using the TUKEY test included in the GLIMMIX procedure using the SAS® 9.2 software. All ewes exhibited synchronous estrus, and no statistical differences (p>0.05) were recorded between groups at its beginning or end. Pregnancy rate was negatively correlated with the level of triglycerides in the days. No statistical differences were recorded (p>0.05) in urea, glucose or triglycerides in pregnant and non-pregnant ewes, their concentrations fluctuated up and down around the physiological value of each. In addition, treatment with different gonadotropins did not affect the rate of pregnancy, lambing birth, urea or cholesterol of Awassi ewes.

From the current study, it may conclude that pregnancy and lambing rates didn’t affect by the levels of triglycerides and glucose, and the use of gonadotropins is safe and does not affect the metabolic rates of Awassi ewes.