EFFECT OF RAM INTRODUCTION IN COMBINATION WITH PROGESTERONE OR CLOPROSTENOL ON ESTRUS INDUCTION-RATES OF KONYA MERINO EWES IN THE ANESTROUSSEASON

The effect of ram introduction, either alone or in combination with pr ogesterone or cloprostenol applications, on estrus occurrence and preg nancy rates of Konya Merino ewes in anestrous season was investigated. The study was carried out on a total of 100 ewes and 12 rams. Ewes we re divided into four groups in June, near the end of the anestrous sea son. Weekly blood samples were collected to detect the proportion of e wes undergoing cycling activity in group I during the study. Ewes in g roup II, III and IV were exposed to rams for 4 days; four rams for eac h group were used. In addition to this, ewes in group III were injecte d with 20 mg of progesterone 5 days before the ram introduction and ew es in group IV were injected with 125 mug of cloprostenol 13 days afte r ram introduction. Cloprostenol injections were repeated on day 21 fo r ewes which did not display estrus in group IV. In all groups, estrou s ewes were detected by teaser rams and allowed to mate. Although the proportion of ewes undergoing cycling activity during the study was ar ound 15.38-23.07%, estrus and pregnancy rates in groups II, III and IV were 44%, 87.5% and 56% for estrus and 32%, 66.7% and 44% for pregnan cy, respectively. As a result, it was concluded that the combination o f ram introduction and progesterone application is an effective method for the induction of estrus in Konya Merino ewes in the non-breeding season.