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The effect of pre-breeding vitamin E and selenium injection on reproductive performance, antioxidant status, and progesterone concentration in estrus-synchronized Mehraban ewes

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of pre-breeding vitamin E and selenium (ESe) injections on the reproductive performance, antioxidant status, and serum progesterone (P4) concentration in estrus-synchronized Mehraban ewes. During the breeding season, 38 ewes (3–4 years) were divided into two groups (n = 18), and the synchronization of estrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 0.3 g progesterone CIDR device for 13 days followed by 350 IU eCG at CIDR withdrawal. Ewes were kept under pasture conditions and exposed to Mehraban rams 48 h following CIDR withdrawal. The experimental treatments were control and ESe injection. The ESe group was received three intramuscular (5 mL) injections of Ese (0.5 mg/mL of selenium as sodium selenite and 50 IU vitamin E as DL-α- tocopheryl) once every 2 weeks. Specifically, Ese was administered at 2 weeks before CIDR insertion, at the times of CIDR insertion and CIDR withdrawal. Fertility, prolificacy, lambing rate, and birth weight were recorded after parturition. Blood samples were collected at CIDR insertion, CIDR withdrawal, 5, 10, and 15 days after ram exposure. Fertility, prolificacy, lambing rate, and birth weight did not improve by Ese treatment, but viability of lambs was higher in ESe than control (P < 0.05). Serum total antioxidant capacity at day 5 and P4 at day 10 after ram exposure was higher in ESe than control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sheep breeders can use ESe at CIDR insertion and withdrawal times to potentiate antioxidant status and progesterone profile of estrus-synchronized Mehraban ewes.

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Abbreviations

CIDR:

Controlled internal drug release

CL:

Corpus luteum

eCG:

Equine chorionic gonadotropin

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

ESe:

Vitamin E and selenium

FRAP:

Ferric reducing ability of plasma

GPX:

Glutathione peroxidase

P4 :

Progesterone

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

TAC:

Total antioxidant capacity

TBARS:

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

TPTZ:

2, 4, 6-tripyridyl-striazine

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Funding

All funds were provided by Bu-Ali Sina University (grant number 1006986), Hamedan, Iran.

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  1. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, Hamedan, Iran

    A. Farahavar, Z. Rostami, D. Alipour & A. Ahmadi

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  1. A. Farahavar
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  2. Z. Rostami
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  3. D. Alipour
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  4. A. Ahmadi
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Correspondence to A. Farahavar.

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All animals used in this study were handled in accordance with the guidelines of animal ethics committee of Bu-Ali-Sina University.

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Farahavar, A., Rostami, Z., Alipour, D. et al. The effect of pre-breeding vitamin E and selenium injection on reproductive performance, antioxidant status, and progesterone concentration in estrus-synchronized Mehraban ewes. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 1779–1786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02183-8

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