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The aim of this study was to determine whether fertility could be enhanced in Kıvırcık ewes during the anoestrous period by flushing or by administering an injectable (Ovostim) containing β-Carotene and vitamin E. Three-year-old Kıvırcık ewes (n = 99) were used. The ewes were randomly divided into four groups: flushing, a single dose of Ovostim (5 ml/ewe) before the breeding season, a dose of Ovostim 10 days before the breeding season and a second dose at its start, and an untreated control. Results showed that pregnancy rate was higher in the treated groups than in the control (P <0.001). The single dose of Ovostim produced more multiple births (72%) and the highest litter size (1.64) compared with the other treatments. Although the double-dose of Ovostim influenced the ewes in the anoestrous period to the point of becoming pregnant, it failed to favourably affect the number of lambs born per ewe lambing. In conclusion, flushing the ewes or administering a single dose of Ovostim was shown to be advantageous in comparison with untreated ewes or those given two doses of Ovostim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper was to investigate the efficiency of different progestagen treatment methods in combination with Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) in Merino ewes outside the breeding season. A total of 78 ewes (2 to 4 years old) with a mean bodyweight of 58.4 kg and an average body condition score (BCS) of 3.5 were used in the trial. The ewes were randomly divided into 3 equal groups [n= 26]. Intravaginal progestagen sponges containing Fluorogestone Acetate (FGA; 30 mg) were inserted intravaginally for different periods (7_days: short-term; 10_days: mid-term, 14_days: long-term). In all cases, 500 IU PMSG was administered intramuscularly at sponge withdrawal. The oestrus response, lambing rate, multiple birth rate, fecundity and litter size were [65.4, 61.5, 18.8%, 0.77 and 1.25] in the short-term group; 80.8, 88.5, 34.8%, 1.31 and 1.48 in the mid-term group; and 96.2, 92.3, 62.5%, 1.50 and 1.63 in the long-term group, respectively. Oestrus manifestation and multiple birth rate were greater in long-term than in mid- and short-term groups, whereas for lambing rate, fecundity and litter size, better results were obtained in long- and mid-term than in short-term protocol. In conclusion, in Merino ewes, oestrus synchronisation outside the breeding season with long and mid-term progestagen treatment was found to be more effective than short-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]