Comparative assessment of sexual behaviour and ovulation rate in prolific and non-prolific sheep reared under semi-arid tropical climate.

摘要

The aim of the present study was to investigate sexual behaviour and ovulation rate in Malpura and Garole sheep. Oestrus was synchronized in 12 ewes belonging to each breed using progesterone impregnated vaginal sponges. Sexual behaviour (circling, tail fanning, head turning, standing and approaching to ram), onset of oestrus and oestrus duration was recorded in both the groups of ewes. The ovulation rate of Garole and Malpura ewes was checked through laparoscopy while genotyping of Garole ewes for the Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene was done by forced restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). Garole ewes were found homozygous carrier (BB) for the FecB gene with an average ovulation rate of 3.72+or-0.42, compared to 1.00+or-0.00 in Malpura ewes. The intensity of sexual behaviour traits, onset of oestrus, oestrus duration and ovulation rate were significantly higher in Garole ewes as compared to Malpura ewes. It may be concluded that the intensity of sexual behaviour and ovulation rate was higher in Garole ewes, compared to Malpura ewes.