Effect of age, body weight and body condition score on fertility in estrous synchronization in sheep

This study has been conducted on the 'Kıvırcık' sheep out-of-breeding season in sheep farm that belongs to Bursa Uludag University faculty of agriculture research and applied farm.The effect of estrus synchronized Kıvırcık sheep's age, live weight and body condition score on the reproductive parameters and lamb growth were investigated.For this purpose, a total of 85 heads of Kıvırcık sheep were used in this study by grouping them according to their age (2,3,4), body condition (2,0, 2,5, 3,0, 3,5, 4,0) and live weight (light-heavy).The average mean of age, body weight (mating -parturition) and body condition score (mating –parturition) values were found to be 2,98, (57,05- 62,99) and (3,04- 3,22), respectively. The maternal age and body condition score (mating -parturition) was found to have a significant effect on fertility parameters;lambing rate, multiple birth rates and survival rate (P <0.05). Among the fertility parameters, live weight (mating -parturition) was found to have a significant effect only on multiple birth rate, while effect of live weight at birth was found to be statistically important on survival rate (P<0,05). Effect of the mother age on lambs' live weight progress was determined insignificant on birth weight, and the effect on weaning weight and daily live weight gain was significant (P<0,05).Regression coefficient of sheep live weight during birth on lambs'weaning and daily live weight gain is important (P<0,05). The correlation coefficient values of the age, body weight and body condition of the sheep in all periods were important and were determined between 0,220-0,874 (P<0,05; P> 0,01). Key words: Kıvırcık sheep, age, live weight, body condition score, fertility, lamb development