Effect of injection of different levels of vitamin A before mating on reproductive performance of Afshari ewes

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.

3 Department of Laboratory and Clinical Science, Faculty of Para Veterinary, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of injection of different levels of vitamin A before mating on plasma parameters, antioxidant status and reproductive performance of Afshari ewes. For this purpose, 75 adult Afshari ewes with almost similar conditions (age and BW) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 25 ewes/group. The experimental treatments included 1- control ewes (without vitamin A injection), 2 - ewes receiving 2.5 ml of vitamin A and 3- ewes receiving 5 ml of vitamin A. Vitamin A solution was injected subcutaneously on the day of sponge insertion and sponge removal. Body condition score (BCS), plasma metabolites and antioxidant status were measured at the beginning of the experiment, the day of sponge removal and the day of estrus. The results showed that injection of 5 ml of vitamin A before mating increased glucose concentration on the day of estrus compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde concentration on the day of sponge removal and the day of estrus was significantly reduced by injection of 2.5 and 5 ml of vitamin A compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). Lambing rate, fertility rate and twinning rate were not significantly affected by injection of 2.5 and 5 ml of vitamin A before mating (P< 0.05). In general, injection of vitamin A before mating may be an ideal strategy tp increase reproductive performance of Afshari ewes.

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Iranian Journal of animal Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 August 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 July 2025

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