Synchronization of estrus in fat tailed sheep using melengestrol acetate (Mga) in the breeding season

Abstract

To assess the effectiveness of MGA in synchronizing oestrus sixty-eight Awassi and Redkaraman ewes were group-fed a diet either containing MGA (0.25 mg I ewe I d for 9d) or no MGA. At the end of the MGA feeding regime, ewes were exposed to one ram per group. The percentage of ewes exhibiting estrus within a 6 d period following withdrawal of MGA was significantly higher (P<0.05) for treated (80%) compared to the control ewes (45%). Number of lambs born per ewe lambing and fertility of ewes were not affected by treatment. It was concluded that MGA is effective to synchronize estrus in fat tailed Awassi and Redkaraman sheep in breeding season. © GSP, India.