follicular turnover and estradiol 17-β (E2) concentration during the estrus cycle in the subtropics was studied in 13 ewes (7 ewes subjected to high energy, HEG and 6 as normal energy group, NEG). After ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (10.87MJ ME/kg diet; 130 % of maintenance) was fed to HEG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation and from day 8 to Day 11 of the cycle (4 days each). The high-energy diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum access to wheat straw. The NEG was offered as maintenance diet throughout the experiment. Follicular development was ultrasonographically observed every other day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, E2 and progesterone (P4). Mean plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly (P 0.05) higher in the HEG animals than in the NEG ones at almost all days during the treatment period. For ovarian performance, the total number of medium and large follicles that developed on the day prior to the 2nd ovulation in the HEG ewes (3.5±0.17) was significantly higher than that of the NEG (1.87±0.26) ones. Ovulation rate (2.8±1.0) in the HEG animals was significantly higher than that of the NEG counterparts (1.15±0.6). No significant difference was detected in the concentrations of P4 and E2 throughout the experiment between animals of the different groups except for E2 peak concentration on Day 8. The present experiment demonstrated that short-term intermittent nutritional stimulus in cyclic ewes increased the total number of ovulatory follicles and the ovulation rate in association with increasing plasma concentrations of glucose and peak levels of E2.

follicular turnover and estradiol 17-β (E2) concentration during the estrus cycle in the subtropics was studied in 13 ewes (7 ewes subjected to high energy, HEG and 6 as normal energy group, NEG). After ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (10.87MJ ME/kg diet; 130 % of maintenance) was fed to HEG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation and from day 8 to Day 11 of the cycle (4 days each). The high-energy diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum access to wheat straw. The NEG was offered as maintenance diet throughout the experiment. Follicular development was ultrasonographically observed every other day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, E2 and progesterone (P4). Mean plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly (P 0.05) higher in the HEG animals than in the NEG ones at almost all days during the treatment period. For ovarian performance, the total number of medium and large follicles that developed on the day prior to the 2nd ovulation in the HEG ewes (3.5±0.17) was significantly higher than that of the NEG (1.87±0.26) ones. Ovulation rate (2.8±1.0) in the HEG animals was significantly higher than that of the NEG counterparts (1.15±0.6). No significant difference was detected in the concentrations of P4 and E2 throughout the experiment between animals of the different groups except for E2 peak concentration on Day 8. The present experiment demonstrated that short-term intermittent nutritional stimulus in cyclic ewes increased the total number of ovulatory follicles and the ovulation rate in association with increasing plasma concentrations of glucose and peak levels of E2.

follicular turnover and estradiol 17-β (E2) concentration during the estrus cycle in the subtropics was studied in 13 ewes (7 ewes subjected to high energy, HEG and 6 as normal energy group, NEG). After ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (10.87MJ ME/kg diet; 130 % of maintenance) was fed to HEG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation and from day 8 to Day 11 of the cycle (4 days each). The high-energy diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum access to wheat straw. The NEG was offered as maintenance diet throughout the experiment. Follicular development was ultrasonographically observed every other day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, E2 and progesterone (P4). Mean plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly (P 0.05) higher in the HEG animals than in the NEG ones at almost all days during the treatment period. For ovarian performance, the total number of medium and large follicles that developed on the day prior to the 2nd ovulation in the HEG ewes (3.5±0.17) was significantly higher than that of the NEG (1.87±0.26) ones. Ovulation rate (2.8±1.0) in the HEG animals was significantly higher than that of the NEG counterparts (1.15±0.6). No significant difference was detected in the concentrations of P4 and E2 throughout the experiment between animals of the different groups except for E2 peak concentration on Day 8. The present experiment demonstrated that short-term intermittent nutritional stimulus in cyclic ewes increased the total number of ovulatory follicles and the ovulation rate in association with increasing plasma concentrations of glucose and peak levels of E2.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of long-term high-protein flushing on ovarian function and metabolic status in Ossimi ewes. Fourteen cycling Ossimi ewes were divided into high protein (210 % of maintenance crude protein) or treatment group (TG; n = 7) and control group (CG; n = 7). Oestrous was synchronized by PGF2α, monitored ultrasonographically daily for two oestrous cycles. The CG fed a maintenance diet (9.5 % CP) through-out the experiment. The mean number of small (2–2.9 mm), medium (3–5 mm) ovarian follicles, and follicular waves were higher (P0.01) in ewes of TG compared to that of CG in the first and second oestrous. The size of large, subordinate and ovulatory follicles were greater (p 0.05) in ewes of TG compared to those of CG. Ewes of the TG recorded a higher (p 0.05) ovulation rate in the first cycle while, ovulation rate did not show any significant change in second oestrous. Long term flushing of high-protein ration significantly influenced the concentration of glucose and some metabolic profiles. Concentration of serum total proteins was greater at 0, 1 and 13 days, while serum total cholesterol was greater at day 0 and 1 after first oestrous (ovulation is day 0) in ewes of TG as compared to ewes of CG. Serum glucose was increased significantly (p0.05) at day 3 and 13 after first oestrous and at day 0 and 7 after second ovulation in TG when comparing to CG. There was significant (p 0.05) increase in serum concentrations of progesterone at day 13 after first oestrous in TG and at day 3 after second oestrous. The level of serum estradiol 17-β increased significantly at day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 13 in the first oestrous and at day 0 on second oestrous in TG as compared to CG. In conclusion, the long term protein flushing increased the number of small and medium follicles and follicular waves, the size of ovulatory follicles in the first and second oestrous, the reproductive efficiency in subtropical ewes. Long term protein flushing increase ovulation rate in the first but had no effect on the second oestrous.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of long-term high-protein flushing on ovarian function and metabolic status in Ossimi ewes. Fourteen cycling Ossimi ewes were divided into high protein (210 % of maintenance crude protein) or treatment group (TG; n = 7) and control group (CG; n = 7). Oestrous was synchronized by PGF2α, monitored ultrasonographically daily for two oestrous cycles. The CG fed a maintenance diet (9.5 % CP) through-out the experiment. The mean number of small (2–2.9 mm), medium (3–5 mm) ovarian follicles, and follicular waves were higher (P0.01) in ewes of TG compared to that of CG in the first and second oestrous. The size of large, subordinate and ovulatory follicles were greater (p 0.05) in ewes of TG compared to those of CG. Ewes of the TG recorded a higher (p 0.05) ovulation rate in the first cycle while, ovulation rate did not show any significant change in second oestrous. Long term flushing of high-protein ration significantly influenced the concentration of glucose and some metabolic profiles. Concentration of serum total proteins was greater at 0, 1 and 13 days, while serum total cholesterol was greater at day 0 and 1 after first oestrous (ovulation is day 0) in ewes of TG as compared to ewes of CG. Serum glucose was increased significantly (p0.05) at day 3 and 13 after first oestrous and at day 0 and 7 after second ovulation in TG when comparing to CG. There was significant (p 0.05) increase in serum concentrations of progesterone at day 13 after first oestrous in TG and at day 3 after second oestrous. The level of serum estradiol 17-β increased significantly at day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 13 in the first oestrous and at day 0 on second oestrous in TG as compared to CG. In conclusion, the long term protein flushing increased the number of small and medium follicles and follicular waves, the size of ovulatory follicles in the first and second oestrous, the reproductive efficiency in subtropical ewes. Long term protein flushing increase ovulation rate in the first but had no effect on the second oestrous.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treatment of highenergy diet after ovulation on ovarian function and metabolic status in ewe. Cycling ewes Ossimi were divided into treatment group (TG; n = 6) and control group (CG; n = 6). After ultrasonographic detection of ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (12.55 MJ DE/kg diet; 125% of maintenance) was fed to TG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation (4 days). The highenergy diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum access to wheat straw. The CG was offered as maintenance diet (10 MJ DE/kg diet) throughout the experiment. Follicular development was observed ultrasonographically every other day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). Transient feeding of high-energy ration during early luteal phase of estrous cycle significantly influenced the concentration of glucose and some metabolic profiles. Total proteins were greater at first, third and fourth day after ovulation (ovulation is day 0) in TG when compared to CG ewes. Blood glucose concentration was greater in TG than that of CG at days 1, 2, 3 and 4 postovulation. The average number of small follicles (2–2.9 mm) of the first follicular wave after ovulation was greater in TG ewes (23.3 follicles) than that of CG (2.2). There was no difference in the number of medium (3–5 mm) and large sized follicles (>5 mm) between CG and TG ewes. Moreover, the maximum size of large follicles did not differ between CG (5.6 mm) and TG ewes (5.9 mm). In conclusion, high-energy diet may improve number of small follicles and alter energy metabolite during early luteal phase in cycling ewes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treatment of highenergy diet after ovulation on ovarian function and metabolic status in ewe. Cycling ewes Ossimi were divided into treatment group (TG; n = 6) and control group (CG; n = 6). After ultrasonographic detection of ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (12.55 MJ DE/kg diet; 125% of maintenance) was fed to TG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation (4 days). The highenergy diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum access to wheat straw. The CG was offered as maintenance diet (10 MJ DE/kg diet) throughout the experiment. Follicular development was observed ultrasonographically every other day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). Transient feeding of high-energy ration during early luteal phase of estrous cycle significantly influenced the concentration of glucose and some metabolic profiles. Total proteins were greater at first, third and fourth day after ovulation (ovulation is day 0) in TG when compared to CG ewes. Blood glucose concentration was greater in TG than that of CG at days 1, 2, 3 and 4 postovulation. The average number of small follicles (2–2.9 mm) of the first follicular wave after ovulation was greater in TG ewes (23.3 follicles) than that of CG (2.2). There was no difference in the number of medium (3–5 mm) and large sized follicles (>5 mm) between CG and TG ewes. Moreover, the maximum size of large follicles did not differ between CG (5.6 mm) and TG ewes (5.9 mm). In conclusion, high-energy diet may improve number of small follicles and alter energy metabolite during early luteal phase in cycling ewes.

Abstract: The current study was conducted to examine the ability of using natural additives to manipulate rumen fermentation, improve nutrient utilization and animal performance in growing male buffalo calves. Sixteen buffalo calves of 12-14 months of age weighing 170 ±9.6 kg were divided into 4 groups, 4 animals / each. Caraway seed and garlic powder were added to calves basic diet (control) at levels of 2 g caraway seed (CS,T1), 2 g dried garlic (DG,T2), 2 g caraway and 2 g garlic (T3) / kg diet and were fed for 6 months experimental period. Blood metabolites were monthly determined. Before the end of the experiment a digestibility trail was performed and rumen liquor was collected. Daily feed consumption was recorded. The results showed that feeding caraway garlic, or both significantly increased (p0.05) nutrient digestibilties (DM, CP, EE, CF), however NFE and OM digestibilties were similar among treatment groups. Dry matter intake, Final weight, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were slightly improved (p >0.05) in calves fed both caraway and garlic (T3) than other groups. In addition, caraway and garlic improve rumen fermentation parameters in terms of increasing total volatile fatty acids, increasing rumen pH and decreasing rumen ammonia. Moreover, calves fed the treatment diets had greater (P 0.05) serum concentrations of total protein, globulin and lower cholesterol and ALT compared with those fed the control diet. The findings of the present study suggest that caraway and garlic can be supplemented to growing male buffalo for better nutrient digestibilties, performance, rumen fermentation and metabolic status.