Reproductive response of Pelibuey sheep to the application of recombinant bovine somatotropin and a metabolic restorative preparation

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) and of the metabolic restorative preparation Metabolase (MR) on the reestablishment of the post-partum ovarian activity of Pelibuey sheep. Ninety-four ewes, with their respective lambs, were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: T1, continuous suckling (CS); T2, CS + MR; T3, CS + rBST; and T4, CS + MR + rBST. Ovulating percentages, weight changes in ewes and lambs, incidence of estrus, onset and return to estrus, calving, fecundity, and prolificacy were evaluated. The highest ovulation percentages were recorded for CS in T1 and T2, and the lowest ones for rBST in T3 and T4. The treatments had a significant effect on lamb weight. Ewes in T3 had the lowest incidence of estrus (52.9%), besides a greater onset (26.8±1.9 hours) and return to estrus (66.6%). Calving (86.2%) and fecundity (1.8±0.2) were significantly higher in T2. The application of rBST in ewes increases lamb body weight, due to increased milk production, but affects negatively post-partum reproductive activity due to the loss of ewe body weight.