Abstract

The synchronization of sheep in an anestric season, is an extremely useful method in sheep production units, allows to obtain offspring in non-reproductive season; however, it is sometimes untenable for the sheep farmer. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the use domestic and commercial elaboration sponges on the percentage of estrus, fertility and prolificacy in anestric sheep. Sixty seasonal anestric Suffolk/Hampshire sheep were used, divided into three groups. Treatment 1 (T1), 25 sheep, each was placed with a domestic intravaginal sponge with 40 mg of Progesterone; Treatment 2 (T2) with 25 sheep, commercial intravaginal sponges with 20 mg of Cronolone were placed. In both treatments, the sponges remained in the sheep for 12 days and they received 400 IU of eCG intramuscularly 24 hours before removing the sponges; Witness Group (WG) with 10 sheep. The percentage of estrus presentation was different between groups (T1 = 72%, T2 = 92% and WG = 50). Regarding the percentage of fertility, differences were observed, although not very significant (T1 = 64%, T2 = 76% and WG = 50%). No differences were observed in the percentage of prolificacy; in all treatments, births were simple. In conclusion, anestric sheep treated with domestic-made intravaginal sponges are induced to estrus efficiently and showed an acceptable gestation percentage compared to commercially produced sponges; In addition, the cost of processing is relatively low compared to existing products in the market; the use of intravaginal sponges of domestic elaboration, is an economically viable method for the sheep farmer; however, a higher dose of eCG is necessary to increase the percentage of prolificacy.

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