Effect of short term dietary supplementation with full fat flaxseed before breeding on fertility of local baladi ewes

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of short term supplementation of flaxseed on some plasma metabolites and hormones, rumen metabolic profile, and fertility of local Baladi ewes at the late anoestrus season. Twenty non-pregnant, non-lactating mature Baladi ewes of 2.5- 3 years age were randomly assigned to one of two groups from mid September. Ten ewes served as controls fed a maintenance ration [500g concentrate] and received no supplement, and the remainder ewes supplemented with 100g full fat flaxseed per animal daily. After one month, ovarian status had been assessed in all females thorough ultrasonography. All females were then left with mature fertile bucks. Conception rate was recorded and confirmed by lambing. Blood samples were collected and plasma was frozen at 20 C pending analysis. Two hours before feeding, samples of rumen Contents were taken from either control and treated groups for determinations of ammonia N production and volatile fatiy acids, total and individual. Plasma values of urea, total lipids, and glucose were significantly higher due to flaxseed supplementation, while Plasma total Protein, albumin, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations did not differ significantly between groups. Dietary flaxseed caused an increase in plasma insulin and estradiol values, but did not influence IGF-l. All measured parameters of rumen metabolic profile showed no significant variation. Ultrasonograms of the ovaries that revealed folIicular number and size was included in the paper. In spite of stimulatory effect on the ovaries, dietary flaxseed reduced conception rate indicating its estrogenic effect