Effect of Omega-3 Unsaturated Fatty Acid Injection on some reproductive, hormonal, and blood parameters during the breeding season in Awassi ewes

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intramuscular injection of unsaturated fatty acid omega-3 on reproductive indicators (estrus intensification%, pregnancy rate%, litter size, prolificacy%) as well as blood and hormonal indicators (total cholesterol and progesterone) in Syrian Awassi ewes during the breeding season. A total of 48 ewes were used, divided into two equal groups: an experimental group (injected with 3 ml of omega3 three times at 15-day intervals) and a control group (injected with physiological saline). Blood samples were collected weekly to measure cholesterol and progesterone concentrations. After the injections were completed, rams were introduced for mating when estrus appeared, with 4 rams allocated to each group, and reproductive indicators were recorded. The results showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in favor of the experimental group compared to the control group in most reproductive indicators (estrus intensification, mating period, pregnancy rate, litter size, prolificacy), while no significant differences were found in twin and single birth rates between the two groups. Total cholesterol (74.2 vs. 57.5 mg/dL) and progesterone (5.79 vs. 3.53 ng/dL) concentrations increased at the end of the experiment in the omega3 group compared to the control, with a significant gradual increase observed over the weeks of the experiment. We conclude that intramuscular injection of omega3 improves fertility and pregnancy rates (P ≤ 0.05(in Awassi ewes by supporting progesterone production and its precursor is cholesterol, thus recommending its use to enhance reproductive efficiency in sheep flocks.