This study was performed during the anestrous, involving 140 Akkaraman Kangal ewes whose lambs had died in the neonatal stage due to pneumonia and enteritis. Intravaginal sponge containing progesterone was placed to the animals (Group 1, n = 70) on day 0 and removed after 7 days, following which 263 µg PGF2α and 500 IU eCG were administered to the sheep. Ram introduction was performed for 7 days (days 8-14), starting from the day after the removal of the intravaginal sponge (day 8). The animals in Group 2 (n = 70) were not exposed to any treatment. Ram introduction was performed simultaneously in both the groups. To determine the reproductive response, reproductive parameters such as estrous, pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, and embryonic mortality rates, number of births, number of offspring, and fertility, as well as their economic implications, were compared between groups. Each reproductive parameter exhibited a statistical difference between groups. An economically positive trend was observed in the study group compared with the control group. It was concluded that in case of lamb losses in commercial farms that derive profit from lambing, pregnancy of ewes can be achieved via sexual stimulation without waiting for the next breeding season.

To increase meat production at a level parallel to meet the demand of the increasing world population in recent years, reproductive management in farm animals must be successful. In order to reach the desired level of fertility in sheep, particularly starting with the non-prolific breeds, anoestrus period applications should be carried out effectively. In this study, different doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin were applied to determine the effective eCG dose for underwent estrus synchronization with progesterone in anoestrus Kangal ewes whose milk and wool yield has been completely abandoned by the breeder for various reasons and whose only economic benefit is lamb production. A total of 225 Kangal Akkaraman Sheep breeds, 2 years old, with a body condition score of 2.5-3.5 and an average weight of 40-50 kg, were included in the study. In line with this purpose, ewes were divided into 3 groups, containing 75 primiparous sheep. A vaginal sponge containing progesterone was inserted into the animals in all groups on day 0. Seven days after this application (on the 7th day), vaginal sponges were removed and Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) was applied. When the vaginal sponge was removed and the PGF2α was administered, 400 IU of eCG was given to animals in Group 1 (n:75), 500 IU of eCG was administrated to animals in Group 2 (n:75), and 600 IU of eCG was injected to the ewes in Group 3. The effectiveness of different doses of eCG application on reproductive parameters such as estrous rate, pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and the number of offspring was evaluated. While no statistical difference could be determined between the groups in terms of the stated reproductive parameters, numerically more offspring were obtained in the group in which eCG was applied at a low rate (Group 1). In the light of this information, it is concluded that 400 IU eCG can be as effective as 600 IU eCG in sexual stimulation of Kangal ewes in anestrus.

A total of 100 Kangal sheep were divided into four groups with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of resynchronization during anestrus for the first time in the literature. The groups were then divided into two further subgroups, namely the resynchronization subgroup group (hCG+resynch) and group (resynch)) and the no resynchronization subgroup (Group (hCG) and group (control)). All the groups started with progesterone-containing sponge insertion on Day 7. The sponge was removed after 7 days (on Day 0), and 600 IU eCG + 131.5 µg PGF2α was injected. The animals in group (hCG+resynch) and group (hCG) received hCG injection at the time of sponge administration. Accordingly, four different groups were established, i.e., resynchronization + hCG administration group (hCG+resynch); n:25), no resynchronization + hCG administration (group (hCG); n:25), resynchronization + no hCG administration (group (resynch); n:25), and no resynchronization + no hCG administration (Group (control); n:25). Estrus rates at the first application in group (hCG+resynch), group (hCG), group (resynch), and group (control) groups were 76%, 88%, 96%, and 76%, respectively, and pregnancy rates were 52%, 64%, 72%, and 60%, respectively; there were no intergroup statistical differences in the two parameters above. It was concluded that resynchronization performed with two consecutive stimulations during anestrus could help save time and provide a pregnancy rate at a level that can provide economic returns.

In recent years, problems associated with high milk yield in dairy cows have increased considerably. Today, interdigital dermatitis (ID) is one of the most significant problems across the dairy industry, threatening animal health and welfare and inducing serious productivity losses. The etiology and mechanism of damage caused by this disease, which disrupts quality of life, milk yield, and reproduction, have not yet been fully understood. In order to achieve the study objectives, 40 biparous cows (3 years old - second calving) that had lameness associated with ID from prepartum day 30 to postpartum day 60 (Study group) and 40 biparous cows (3 years old) without lameness symptoms during the specified period (Control group) constituted the material of the present study. There was no difference in the levels of non-esterified fatty acids in the blood samples collected from those animals during the dry period (45-60 days before parturition; P=0.38). There were differences between the groups in certain parameters, including beta-hydroxybutyric acid level in the postpartum period, weight loss in the first month, number of ovarian cysts in the first 60 days, milk production in the first month, and the first corpus luteum determination process. (P0.05 for all parameters). In addition to all of the above, Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica bacteria were isolated for the first time in microbiological samples collected from ID, which is a significant condition for dairy cows during the periparturient stage, contributing to the etiology of the disease, which has not been understood so far.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of post mating human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) during anestrus on the formation of the accessory corpus luteum and some reproductive parameters. For this purpose. after synchronization of all the animal were divided into group 1 (n=100), group 2 (n=100), and group 3 (n=100) by applying 600 IU of hCG 6 d after sponge removal, 600 IU of hCG 8 d after sponge removal, and no hCG application (Control), respectively. The difference between groups in terms of reproductive parameters such as estrus, pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, litter size, and productivity was not statistically significant. The live birth weight of lambs was evaluated for singletons, twins, and triplets. The difference between group 1 and the control group was statistically significant in singleton lambs (P=0.04). The difference between group 1 and control (P<0.001) and between group 2 and control (P<0.001) was statistically significant for twins. In triplets, group 1 was different from both groups (P<0.001) and group 2 was different from the control group (P<0.001). In addition, when the placenta weight and the daily body weight gain of singleton lamb in the neonatal stage were examined, the values of both groups that were administered with post mating hCG were higher than the control group (P<0.001). The Progesterone (P4) level in blood samples taken on the 21st d of pregnancy was found to be different between all groups. Furthermore, P4 levels were found to be higher in group 1 compared to the other two groups (P<0.001). In the light of these findings, it was determined that hCG administration after mating contributed to placenta and offspring development by elevating P4 levels. It was concluded that hCG should be administered 6 d after the sponge will be removed (on d 5 postmating) for optimal efficacy.

Oestrus induction with intravaginal progesterone is the most preferred method in anoestrus sheep. In previous studies it was argued that the decrease in the progesterone level before the sponge is removed reduces the efficiency. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that additional progesterone treatment during the progesterone priming in anestrous ewes could increase the reproductive efficiency of the induction. The study conducted on 261 Kangal sheep, which were pregnant in autumn and gave birth in spring and breastfed their lambs for about 60-75 days. All animals included in the study were randomly divided into 3 different groups as P-7 (n = 86), P-8 (n = 80) and control (n = 95). At the beginning of the study a progesterone impregnated sponge was placed to all ewes (Day 0). During sponge treatment, an injection of progesterone was given to P-7 and P-8 group 7 and 8 days after the was sponge placed, respectively. As for control group, no additional progesterone was given during sponge treatment. All groups received 500 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin at the sponge withdrawal. Ram was introduced to all ewes the 10th days of the study. There was no difference between the groups in terms of estrus rate (P = 0.28), pregnancy rate (P = 0.32) and multiple pregnancy rates (P = 0.38) (P = 0.28). We considered that the main reason for unexpected low progesterone concentration at the end of the treatment might be the result of high feed intake and metabolic rate. On the other hand, this additional dose could be caused by an excessive increase in progesterone levels in the sheep, which could be the reason for the decrease in reproductive parameters. Additional progesterone support during progesteronebased synchronization yielded acceptable results. However, progesterone can be administered in injection form in the earlier days of synchronization or before sponge insertion to obtain better results.