Study of Some Biochemical and Vitamins Changes in the Occurrence of Repeated Fertilization Failure in Sheep

Abstract

      The current study aimed to diagnose the most important causes of fertilization failure in ewes and the relationship of some biochemical parameters to their occurrence. The study included 40 sheep, their ages ranged between (1-5) years, from different areas of the outskirts of the city of Tikrit and for the period that lasted from March/2022 to September/2022. The animals were divided into two groups, the first group (30) sheep suffering from fertilization failure ( Repeated return to estrus more than three times, and pregnancy was not recorded in these ewes during the current reproductive season), while the second group (10) ewes that were pregnant and healthy were considered as a control group. Blood samples were taken from all study animals and serum was prepared from it to measure the level of some biochemical parameters, elements and vitamins in the blood serum, which included glucose, cholesterol, total protein, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamins A and E.       

     The study showed that there was no significant difference (P≤0.05) in the level of glucose, cholesterol and total protein in the affected ewes suffering from fertilization failure and frequent estrus when compared with its level in pregnant healthy ewes. As for the levels of elements in the serum, the study noted a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the level of zinc concentration in non-pregnant infected ewes compared with the control group, while the study did not notice any significant differences in the levels of copper and selenium concentrations in infected ewes compared to healthy pregnant ewes. The study also noted a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the level of concentrations of some vitamins included in the study, as it showed a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the level of vitamin A and E concentrations in infected ewes compared to healthy pregnant ewes. We conclude from the current study that the deficiency in zinc and vitamins A and E plays an important role in the occurrence of fertilization failures and maintaining the integrity of reproductive efficiency in ewes.