ESTRUS AND PREGNANCY RATES OF KONYA-MERINO EWES TREATED WITH A DOUBLEINJECTION OF CLOPROSTENOL AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS

The effect of a double injection of cloprostenol given at different in tervals on estrus and pregnancy rates after artificial insemination we re evaluated in cycling Konya Merino ewes. Two injections of 125 mu g of cloprostenol were given to the ewes in group I (n=30), II (n=30) an d III (n=31) at an interval of 8, 11 or 14 days, respectively. Ewes in group IV (n=28) served as control and received a double injection of saline at an interval of 8 days. Estrus ewes were detected by teaser r ams during five days, 17 days in group IV, following the second treatm ent and intracervically inseminated by fresh semen. Estrus and pregnan cy rates after first insemination in group I II, III and IV were 86.7, 100.0, 83.9 and 89.3% and 50.0, 60.0, 80.6 and 75.0%, respectively. I t was concluded that an interval of 14 days may provide better pregnan cy rates compared to those 8 and II days intervals in artificially ins eminated ewes.