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Comparative study of oestrous activity in Finn ewes and two Egyptian fat-tailed sheep under subtropical conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. M. Aboul-Naga
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
M. B. Aboul-Ela
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Ferial A. Hassan
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Summary

Oestroua activity of three flocks of Ossimi (O) and Rahmani (R) subtropical fattailed and imported Finn (F) ewes was followed over a calendar year under the prevailing subtropical conditions in Egypt.

Rahmani had quite consistent oestrous activity throughout the year, with a slight drop in March and June, and may be regarded as a non-seasonal breed. Oestrous activity of the O ewes was lower than the R at different times of the year. They showed high individual variation. Most of the O ewes had an anoestroua period during July–September but had regular oestrous activity during their breeding season.

Overall number of oestruses per ewe per year was 15·9, 13·0 and 10·3 for R, O and F, respectively. Normal cycle length tended to be longer, though not significantly so, in both R and O subtropical breeds than the F (17·8 and 17·6 v. 17·1 days). Heat duration was significantly longer in F (47·0 h) than in both local breeds (37·7 and 37·5 h for R and O, respectively).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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References

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