Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes
Hormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In thi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/9/7/370 |
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| author | Carlos Palacios José A. Abecia Javier Plaza Cristina Hidalgo Luis F. de la Fuente |
| author_facet | Carlos Palacios José A. Abecia Javier Plaza Cristina Hidalgo Luis F. de la Fuente |
| author_sort | Carlos Palacios |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In this study, an AI protocol at natural estrus in organic <i>Churra</i> sheep was performed. In the first phase (AI protocol development), 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the following factors: number of AI, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection–AI interval, and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated for six consecutive years. In all individuals, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. Exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:10:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-20efae2c68a848e59432a3ce189a018b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:10:09Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-20efae2c68a848e59432a3ce189a018b2023-12-01T22:47:56ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812022-07-019737010.3390/vetsci9070370Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> EwesCarlos Palacios0José A. Abecia1Javier Plaza2Cristina Hidalgo3Luis F. de la Fuente4Faculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenida Filiberto Villalobos 119-129, 37007 Salamanca, SpainInstitute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainFaculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenida Filiberto Villalobos 119-129, 37007 Salamanca, SpainFaculty of Economic and Business Science, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, SpainFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, SpainHormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In this study, an AI protocol at natural estrus in organic <i>Churra</i> sheep was performed. In the first phase (AI protocol development), 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the following factors: number of AI, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection–AI interval, and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated for six consecutive years. In all individuals, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. Exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/9/7/370artificial inseminationsheepnatural estrusfertilityorganic farming |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Palacios José A. Abecia Javier Plaza Cristina Hidalgo Luis F. de la Fuente Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes Veterinary Sciences artificial insemination sheep natural estrus fertility organic farming |
| title | Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes |
| title_full | Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes |
| title_fullStr | Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes |
| title_short | Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic <i>Churra</i> Ewes |
| title_sort | efficiency of artificial insemination at natural estrus in organic i churra i ewes |
| topic | artificial insemination sheep natural estrus fertility organic farming |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/9/7/370 |
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