Effect of immunization against oestradiol-17 beta on some biochemical parameters and reproductive performance in barki ewes

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out on 14 Barki ewes raised at the National Research Centre Farm. Ewes were either treated with a mixture of saline and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA, control group, n=6] or oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA conjugated with FCA [immunized group, n=8]. Ewes were mated after the booster injection. Blood samples were collected to determine lipids, proteins and their fractions. The reproductive efficiency of ewes were recorded. Results revealed no significant changes in plasma lipids, proteins and their fractions between control and immunized groups. Twinning rate increased in immunized [75%] than in control [0%] groups. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in gestation length, pregnancy rate, lambing rate and lamb birth weight between both groups. It is concluded that active immunization of Barki ewes against oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA increased twinning rate [75%]