TITLE:
Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium on Fertility and Lamb Performance of Yankasa Sheep
AUTHORS:
Suleman Ibrahim Musa, Immanuel Iordoo Bitto, John Adisa Ayoade, Olugbenga Emmanuel Oyedipe
KEYWORDS:
Vitamin E, Selenium, Reproductive Performance, Yankasa Sheep
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.8 No.9,
September
17,
2018
ABSTRACT: Effects of vitamin E and Selenium administration on fertility and lamb performance of Yankasa sheep were evaluated. Thirty post pubertal ewes (1-1 1/2 years of age) and nine rams (2-2 1/2 years of age) were used for the study. The ewes were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 10). Animals in group 1 served as control and were administered 1 ml normal saline. Animals in group 2 were administered 90 mg Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E), while group 3 received injection containing a combination of 100 mg tocopherol acetate and 1.97 mg sodium selenite. Two doses of the injections were administered 14 days apart (subcutaneously). Estrus was synchronized in the ewes using controlled internal drug release device (CIDR). Rams were used for estrus detection and mating starting 24 hours following withdrawal of CIDR. Ewes were allowed to carry the pregnancy to term. The results indicate higher (p