title: Comparative studies on the effectiveness of Sil-estrus implants, Veramix sheep sponges and prostaglandin F2alpha in synchronizing estrus in West African dwarf sheep.
abstract: Sil-estrus implants, Veramix sponges and PGF2alpha were successfully used to synchronize estrus in normocyclic West African dwarf sheep. The intervals from end of treatment to onset of observable estrus in the three groups of treatment were 42.33+/-1.99, 77.67+/-15.20 and 41.62+/-2.23 h respectively, for Sil-estrus, Veramix sponges and PGF2alpha (P>0.05). Of all the treated sheep, 100% of those treated with Sil-estrus and PGF2alpha and 66.67% of the sheep treated with Veramix sponges were in estrus within 48 h post treatment. Neither the duration of standing estrus nor the succeeding estrus cycle length was significantly affected by the treatment. These results indicate that progestogens and prostaglandin F2alpha can be usefully employed in the management of reproduction of West African dwarf sheep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Oyediji
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Akusu
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Egbunike