Some Biochemical, Cytogenetic and Reproductive Studies Associated with the Use of Hormones and Flushing with Lupine Grains in Sheep

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of gonadotropin hormones and flushing with lupine grains on body weight, lambs birth weight, some serum biochemical parameters and cytogenetic analysis of forty adult, healthy Barki ewes of 3-5 years with 45-50 Kg. Ewes were divided into four groups (n = 10 each). The first was the control group, the second was treated with PMSG, the third was treated with PMSG and GnRH hormones and the fourth was supplemented with lupine grains. All groups were fed on ordinary diet allover the gestation period. Blood samples were collected monthly all over the experimental period. The results revealed significant increase in ewesʹ body weight and lambsʹ birth weight in the supplemented lupine group comparing to the other groups. In the first and fifth month of the experiment, values of total proteins, albumin and glucose, revealed significant decrease in the hormonal treated groups than in the other two groups. There were significant increases (p<0.05) in the measured levels of lipid profiles as well as hormonal levels of progesterone and cortisol in the all hormonal treated and flushed groups than the control group. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the chromosomal aberrations in the hormonal treated groups than that in the control and flushed groups. It was concluded that use of lupine grains can improve reproductive efficiency in ewes and decrease the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and improve the genetic material.