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Study on the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir, Iran.

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The aim of this survey was to evaluate the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir and estimation of their gestational age. Over a period of five months in fall and winter, a total number of 3046 uterine tracts were collected. Pregnancy was detected in 56.50% of ewes, 52.36% and 4.13% of which carried singleton and twins, respectively. The highest frequency of pregnancy was detected in January (65.63%) and the lowest frequency was detected in March (35.02%). Among a total number of 1721 pregnant ewes, the most frequency of gestational age (34.68%) was recorded to be between 2 and 3 months of gestation, while 5.05% was detected to be above 121 days. Overall, the number of pregnant ewes with a gestational age over two months was considerable (59.83%). It was concluded that reproductive waste resulting from slaughtering of pregnant animals is important in ewes in Khorram Abad and could be prevented by an improved antemortem examination.

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