Prevention of embryonic death using different hormonal treatments in ewes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different treatment protocols to prevent embryonic death in ewes. A total of 180 Akkaraman crossbred ewes and 10 healthy rams were used as material. The ewes were divided into 3 equal groups, with each of the 3 groups then separated into 3 subgroups. Ewes in estrus, determined with teaser rams, were exposed to mating. Three different treatment protocols of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog (buserelin, intramuscularly) at a dose of 20 μg, vaginal sponges containing 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA), and saline at a dose of 1 mL (control, intramuscularly) were applied on days 4, 12, and 16, respectively, for each subgroup after mating. No significant differences were observed in the pregnancy or multiple birth rates among any of the treatment groups. In the groups treated on days 4 and 12 after mating, the hormonal treatments gave lower rates of embryonic death compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the application of GnRH or FGA on days 4 and 12 after mating was found to be effective in preventing embryonic death in ewes. © TÜBITAK.