Oestrus synchronization in pirlak ewes and the effect ofdifferent doses of PMSG application on multiple births

In this study, it is aimed to determine effects of intravaginal sponge and different doses of PMSG injections following removal of intravaginal sponge on oestrus synchronization and multiple births in Pirlak ewes during oestrus season. Possessing the same conditions, a total of 40 ewes and 7 rams belonging to Pirlak breed at 2-3 of age raised by small farmers in Yelten Village, Korkuteli District, Antalya were used as material for natural mating. ESPONJAVET® intravaginal sponge (60 mg MAP, HIPRA) containing 60 mg medroxy progesterone acetate was applied for oestrus synchronization, while OVISER flacon (PMSG, HIPRA) was used as a serum gonadotropin preparation to observe its effects on multiple births in ewes. By screening ultrasonography device (Mindray DP-10, 5 Mhz; China), 40 non-pregnant ewes were chosen randomly among. Among chosen animals, only intravaginal sponge was placed to 10 ewes (CG), while 10 ewes were subjected to intravaginal sponge + 600 IU PMSG injection (EG1); 10 ewes were subjected to intravaginal sponge + 650 IU PMSG injection (EG2); 10 ewes were subjected to intravaginal sponge + 700 IU PMSG injection (EG3). In the present study, the first day of sponge application was determined as 0. day. Intravaginal sponges applied to all groups were removed 10 days later. Intramuscular PMSG injection was applied to all Experiment Groups (EGs). From the 48th hour following PMSG injection, the ewes in oestrus detected by teaser rams and inseminated by natural mating. Pregnancy and multiple pregnancy diagnosis were carried out from trans abdominal region on 33. day by using real time B mode ultrasonography device with micro-convex probe. In all groups (CG, EG1, EG2 and EG3) oestrus rate was between %60-70; pregnancy and birth rate of ewes showing oestrus was %100; multiple birth rate was %14,28, % 6,66, %57,14 and % 28,57, respectively, while NLPLE value detected as 1,14, 1,16, 1,71 ve 1,28. Similar values were detected in groups in terms of oestrus, pregnancy, rate of both birth and multiple births together with NLPLE value. As a result of Fisher's Exact Test analysis, no statically significant differences were found among the groups in terms of the number of single or multiple (P>0.05). In conclusion, reproductive parameters were similar among the groups according to the results of the present study. This research is the first study reporting some reproductive parameters in breeding season in Pirlak ewes raised by public in Antalya province. In this regard, it is observed that applying 650 IU PMSG injection after removal of intravaginal sponge for 10 days will be more effective for ones intending to conduct application in the related field in terms of multiple births in Pirlak ewes.