| Summary: | Objective: To study the effect of somatotropin administration on growth and puberty attainment of Rahmani ewes -lamb.
Methods: Twelve Rahmani ewes–lamb of 6–7 months of age and average body weight (24.75 ± 0.16) kg were randomly allotted into two equal groups. The first group served as control and the second group was somatotropin-treated. The ewe-lambs were weighed at the start and at the end of the experiment. In addition, the body condition score, withers height and heart girth were determined at the end of the study. Blood samples were collected weekly till the end of experiment (Twelve weeks). Sera samples were assayed for progesterone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and urea.
Results: It indicated that the somatotropin-treated group attained puberty 2.5 weeks (18 days) earlier than control one. Somatotropin-treated Rahmani ewe lambs had higher body weight, and body condition score than those of the control one. A similar tendency was observed in average daily gain, withers height and heart girth. Somatotropin administration had a beneficial effect on blood born metabolites as indicated by increased serum glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, IGF-1 and decreased urea of Rahmani ewes-lamb as compared to control one.
Conclusion: Somatotropin administration enhanced puberty in Rahmani ewe lambs. This is due to increased provision of trophic signals (represented by increased Serum IGF-1 secretions) and/or blood-borne metabolites (glucose, cholesterol and lipid).
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