The Effect of β-Carotene + Vitamin E Injection on Fertility in Central Anatolian Merino Ewes Synchronized in the Breeding Season

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Published: May 18, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.41700
Keywords:
ewes PGF2α β-Carotene vitamin E reproductive performance
Y Kal
International Agricultural Research Institute Directorate, Konya Bahri Dağdaş, 42020, Konya, Türkiye
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3672-0048
F Aladağ
International Agricultural Research Institute Directorate, Konya Bahri Dağdaş, 42020, Konya, Türkiye
AT Önaldı
International Agricultural Research Institute Directorate, Konya Bahri Dağdaş, 42020, Konya, Türkiye
H Gülcan
1International Agricultural Research Institute Directorate, Konya Bahri Dağdaş, 42020, Konya, Türkiye
Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of β-carotene + Vitamin E (β-Car+VitE) injection, which have anti-oxidant properties, on fertility in Central Anatolian Merino ewes synchronized with Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) during the breeding season. A total of 118 ewes were used in the study and randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=46) ; PGF2α (1 mL, 263 μg cloprostenol sodium PGS, Alke, Turkey) + β-Car+VitE (0.5 mL/10 Kg, Ovostim, Provet, Turkey) were administered intramuscularly (IM) concurrently. Group 2 (n=39); ewes were administered only PGF2α. Group 3 (n=33) injected β-Car+VitE one week before PGF2α. Ewes which monitored estrus were mated with rams with known fertility by hand mating method. In the presented study, group 1, group 2 and group 3 had the onset to estrus and estrus rates 34.0±2.47h, 45.9±3.67h, 41.7±3.60h; 52.2%, 59.0%, 57.6% respectively. It was determined that the onset of estrus was shorter in group 1 than in group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). Conception rate, twinning rate and litter size in group 1, group 2 and group 3 were 91.7%, 36.4%, 1.36%; 87.0%, 30.0%, 1.30 and 84.2%, 25.0%, 1.25 respectively (p>0.05). As a result, it was determined that β-Car+VitE injection reduced the onset to estrus but had no effect on fertility in ewes synchronized with PGF2α.


 

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