Effect of Oestrus Synchronisation and Body Condition on Reproduction of Anoestrous Ouled Djellal Ewes

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of progestagen treatment administrated alone or coupled to an injection of eCG to synchronize oestrus on sheep reproductive traits during the anoestrus season under extensive management conditions of Algeria. Two flocks differing by level of body condition score were used. Fertility rates of treated groups, when compared to control groups, were higher for ewes matted at lean body condition (0.45-0.47 versus 0.10), whereas ewes matted at moderate body condition recorded higher performance during first estrus (0.37-0.45 versus 0.10) and comparable fertility rate for all mating period. Higher prolificacy rates were performed in synchronized groups of poor body condition (1.38 versus 1.00) when compared to control group. For moderate body condition flock, if progesterone and eCG treated ewes performed higher level of litter size than do control ewes (1.54 versus 1.20) for first estrus, prolificacy rate was similar between all groups for all mating period. Extra lambs weaned were significant for lean body condition synchronized groups (0.45) and for moderate body condition progestagen-gonadotropin treated group (0.33). Results indicated that it is possible to increase extra lambs weaned in anestrous Ouled Djellal ewes after artificially induced oestrus.