Search

This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters, including heritability and repeatability, for milk yield and prolificacy in sheep. It included 3682 records from 1837 ewes across various breeds: Awassi, Assaf, and Awassi x Assaf crosses, two Awassi lines: Improved Awassi, AFEC Awassi. The study measured total milk yield (TMY), yield up to 120 days (TMY120), and yield up to 150 days (TMY150), alongside reproductive traits: litter size (LS), number of lambs born alive (NLBA), and lambing interval (LI). The analysis utilized a mixed model and the REML procedure to estimate genetic parameters. Results indicated that litter size (LS) had no significant impact on milk traits, whereas breed, location, ewe parity, and lambing season showed significant effects. Lactation length also significantly influenced TMY. For reproductive traits, treatment was significant for NLBA, with location associated with breed, parity, and season affecting all traits. Heritability estimates for TMY ranged from 0.00 in Awassi x Assaf crosses to 0.11 in Awassi, and for TMY120 and TMY150, from 0.00 in Awassi x Assaf crosses to 0.16 in Awassi. Estimates for LS and NLBA varied similarly. The heritability for LI was 0.03 in Awassi and zero in other breeds and crosses. The findings suggest that in the northern West Bank regions of Nablus and Jenin, Assaf or Awassi x Assaf breeds are preferable. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive performance and pedigree recording for effective sheep farm management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore how pasture periods and parity impact the lipid profiles of 38 Awassi sheep raised in a traditional grazing system on natural pastures. Milk samples were gathered for lipid profile analysis at the commencement, midpoint, and conclusion of the pasture period. Data analysis employed repeated measurements through two-way ANOVA within the General Linear Model (GLM) framework. The statistical model encompassed the effects of pasture periods, parity, and their interactions. Although parity did not affect lipid profiles, the pasture period had a significant effect (p<0.01) on triacylglycerol (TAG), free fatty acid (FFA), and monoacylglycerol (MAN). A significant effect (p<0.05) on cholesterol (COL) was also observed. Furthermore, neither pasture period nor parity had any effect on phospholipids. As a result of the study, it was determined that parity had no effect on the lipid profile in milk, while pasture period had a very significant effect on triacylglycerol, free fatty acids, monoacylglycerol and a significant effect on cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine whether or not kinship relations, and breed factors of Hamdani and Awassi sheep have an effect on the shape by using geometric morphometry method through their crania. For this purpose, heads of 7 adult Hamdani sheep and 10 adult Awassi sheep were used for the dorsal analysis of cranium and heads of 8 adult Hamdani and 9 adult Awassi sheep were used for lateral analysis of cranium. In the dorsal and lateral comparison of the breeds, the first principal component (PC1) explained 41.905% and 39.078% of the total shape difference, respectively. When the procrustes coordinates were examined, it was found that the samples were both dorsally and laterally mostly similar to the samples in their own group. Consequently, it is thought that the shape analysis of the crania of Hamdani and Awassi sheep breeds was made in detail by geometric morphometry method; thus, yielding the results that may be basic data for many disciplines, especially zooarchaeology, taxonomy, and forensic sciences were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awassi is a fat-tailed sheep breed, and the best breed in Syria is famous. Awassi sheep are Syria's main source of red meat and milk production. In this study, we estimated the influence of various factors on sheep meat and milk production using time-series data from 1961 to 2020. This study employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the data. The results obtained indicate that Awassi meat production in Syria was positively and significantly influenced by carcass weight (p

This study was conducted to assess the association between proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and growth traits in Awassi and Karakul sheep. PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method was utilized to assess the polymorphism of POMC PCR amplicons with body weight and length, wither and rump height, chest and abdominal circumference measured at birth, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months intervals. Only one missense SNP (rs424417456:C > A) was detected in exon-2, in which glycine was converted to cysteine in the 65th position in POMC (p.65Gly > Cys). rs424417456 SNP showed significant associations with all growth traits in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months. At the age of 3 months onward, lambs with CC genotype showed higher body weight, body length, wither and rump heights, and chest and abdominal circumferences than lambs with CA and AA genotypes, respectively. Prediction analyses indicated a deleterious effect of p.65Gly > Cys on POMC structure, function, and stability. Owing to the strong correlation between rs424417456:CC and better growth characteristics, this genotype is proposed as a promising marker to enhance growth traits in Awassi and Karakul sheep. The predicted damaging effects caused by rs424417456:CA and rs424417456:AA genotypes may entail a putative mechanism through which lambs with these genotypes exhibit lower growth traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Awassi sheep is the most widely bred fat-tail sheep in the Near and Middle East. In this research, a total of 150 healthy Awassi sheep from Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia were screened for variants in the prion protein gene (PRNP). Genotyping Awassi sheep for the prion protein gene allowed us to assess the level of genetic susceptibility to scrapie in studied populations. In addition, twenty-seven amino acid substitutions were found. Eight of them have not been previously reported. Our results on Awassi sheep may assist selection programs that aim to increase the scrapie-resistant genotypes in the populations to reduce the risk of scrapie. Scrapie is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects sheep and goats, and genetic susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is associated with polymorphisms in the prion protein (PRNP) gene. The aim of this study is to identify PRNP polymorphism in Awassi sheep from Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 healthy sheep were genotyped for PRNP, using Sanger sequencing. There were seven alleles and eleven genotypes observed based on codons 136, 154, and 171 of PRNP. The ARQ allele was predominant in all populations. The most resistant allele to scrapie, ARR, was present in all three regions. The VRQ allele, associated with the highest susceptibility to scrapie, was detected only in Türkiye at a low frequency. In this study, twenty-seven amino acid substitutions were found. Eight of them (R40Q, G65E, H88L, S98T, A118P, S138T, V192F and L250I) have not been previously reported. These data indicate that sheep breeds close to the sheep domestication center have maintained high genetic diversity in the PRNP region. Our findings on PRNP will provide valuable insights for sheep breeding programs, aiding in the selection of genotypes resistant to scrapie in Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproduction related traits in sheep such as ovulation rate and litter size are traits of high economic importance but as these traits are only expressed in one sex and in mature animals, thus inclusion of them in selection strategies is limited. Therefore, studying genes associated with reproductive events provides genotypic data, which is more useful in genetic improvement of sheep in a short period of time. Such reproductive traits in sheep are genetically controlled by genes having both additive and major effects. Booroola is the first gene identified in Booroola Merino sheep in Australia has major effects on ewe's reproduction and has gained much popularity in sheep breeding for its immense economic value. Booroola or Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor -1B (BMPR-1B) gene is in chromosome 6 and FecB allele is the result of a single mutation in this gene where one copy of this allele results in a significant increase in ovulation rate thus outcome as increased lambing per parturition. The Awassi sheep is an indigenous breed of Turkey and identifying major genes for fecundity could greatly improve their breeding program. To identify the FecB gene in Awassi sheep, 88 blood samples were taken, and DNA was extracted by salting out method. After PCR amplification and AvaΠ digestion, the samples were analyzed for FecB mutation and all of 88 samples were found not to carry the mutant allele (FecB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lambs’ performance and some carcass traits in relation to insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) were studied in twelve lambs from each of Awassi and Karadi slaughtered at three different weights raised at the animal farm, Department of Animal Production, College of Agricultural Engineering Science, University of Duhok. Each group of lambs slaughtered at 30 kg, 40 kg, and 50kg was kept in an individual separate pen and fed concentrate ration at libitum. Weight gain and feed intake were recorded till the slaughter and blood samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment and one day before slaughter from the vena jugular for the IGF-1 analysis by using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Statistical analysis showed that the concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) were not affected significantly by breed. Furthermore, lambs slaughtered at 50 kg, showed numerically the highest IGF-1 concentration, compared to lambs slaughtered at 30 kg and 40kg. There was a significant positive correlation between IGF-1 concentrations and each of the average daily gain and daily feed intake of Awassi lambs slaughtered at 30. Additionally, no consistent results were found between the IGF-1 concentration and carcass composition in studied breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to determine the most appropriate method for oocyte collection based on their quality and quantity by slicing with or without centrifugation and testify its ability for in vitro embryo production (IVP). The ovum was collected in the Artificial Insemination Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul city between 1/9/2020 to 1/11/2020. A total twenty females Genitalia slaughtered at local abattoir were collected. In vitro fertilization was done according to private lab protocols (Soran laboratory related to Soran Private Hospital for fertility disease and embryo transfer) in Irbil city/Iraq. Results of the study show no significant changes between the two methods in the extraction of Grade A oocytes. However, the slicing method, which was 33.60% of ova recovery than centrifugation ORC techniques 22.73%, ORCs method in presence Grade C oocyte higher than ORCs method which were 29.09 and 20.00%, respectively also results of in vitro fertilization show that slicing method produces embryo in high percentage 45.4% than ORCs method 25.0%. We can conclude that the best method for oocyte collection was the slicing method and this method results in the best embryo production during in vitro fertilization compared with the ORCs method.

The study was carried out in postgraduates labs of Agriculture college/ Al-Muthanna University from 20 / 8 / 2022 to 20 / 1 / 2023 to investigated the effect of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Residues on the Histological alteration of Liver, Kidney and Heart structure and development in Awassi Sheep Lambs, in study were used 16 Awassi Lambs in 4 months age were brought from local farms and markets and placed in Agricultural experiments and researches station in animal field (3×4×2) meters pens for each group, the study lambs were divided for 4 groups (T1 control group, T2 5% Olive residues, T3 10% Olive residues and T4 15% Olive residues) and these lambs were submitted to hygienic examination and placed 2 weeks as preliminary Period before the experiment begin . The results were showed the normal appearance of Liver, Kidney and Heart structure in T1, while in T2, the results revealed mild pathological alterations in Liver, Kidney and Heart histological structure affected by toxic and knurled effect of Olive residues, while in T3 and T4, the results revealed the Renovation and repair and regeneration effect of Olive residues and return the normal histological structure of Liver, Kidney and Heart . The study concluded that the Renovation, repair, regeneration and antioxidant effect of Olive residues in vital and sensitive organs of body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of some environmental factors on the weaning weights of Awassi lambs, raised within the scope of the Awassi sheep breed sub-project of the Sheep Breeding National Project in the Hands of the People Project under the coordination of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, were investigated. For this purpose, estimation was made by the regression decision tree (CRT) method, which is one of the machine learning algorithms. In the study, the effects of age of dam, gender, birth type, and flock type (elite and base flock), which are thought to influence weaning weight in Awassi lambs, were considered independent variables, while weaning weight was considered as dependent variable. According to the regression tree estimations, the most effective environmental factor for the weaning weight of Awassi lambs was found to be the birth type. While the effective factor for singleton lambs was gender, it was determined that the important factor for male lambs was the type of flock. The age of dam was found to be effective on the weaning weights of the lambs in the base flock. The results of this study revealed that the effects of various environmental factors on the healthy, efficient use and reproduction of sheep and goats can be defined with decision trees. As a result, it was concluded that regression decision trees are an important method and can be recommended as an alternative to traditional regression approaches in sheep breeding studies with both visual and predictive explanatory structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birth weight (BW), which is the first physiological record of the postnatal period, is an important indicator that affects growth and development, reproduction, and some yields of living things in the future. The present study was carried out using the birth records of 5417 heads of Awassi lambs from 2013 to 2018 in MeMuTa dairy sheep farm in Zengen town of Ereğli district of Konya city in Türkiye. In this study, the effects of some environmental and genetic factors on birth and weaning weight in Awassi lambs were evaluated using both general linear model (GLM) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. As a result of the GLM analysis, the least squares’ means of birth and weaning weights (BW and WW) were determined as 4.15 ± 0.05 kg and 16.39 ± 0.13 kg, respectively. Fixed genetic factors such as birth type and sex, and environmental factors such as season and year were found to be significant on birth weight (P < 0.01). As for weaning weight, other factors except birth type were found to be similarly important like birth weight (P < 0.01). Also, linear regression of birth weight on weaning weight was found to be significant (P < 0.01). In GLM and CART analyses, the determination coefficient (R2) was determined to be 23.80% and 11.70% for BW, and 24.11% and 13.18% for WW, respectively. The findings of the analysis results showed that the factors in the model have a similar tendency both in terms of their relative ratios in the total variation in the GLM analysis and in their relative importance in the CART algorithm. It was seen that CART data mining algorithm in the prediction of some genetic and environmental factors on birth and weaning weights using some factors in Awassi lambs produced successful results in predictive performance. Briefly, it was determined that there is a similar tendency to GLM analysis according to CART algorithm analysis in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat-tailed sheep breeds are the most widespread types of sheep in the Middle East. They are hardy and have acceptable growth and carcass traits. The purpose of this study is to compare the fattening performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of two fat-tailed sheep breeds, Awassi and Najdi. Thirty single-born Awassi and Najdi male lambs (15 lambs per breed) were examined for fattening and carcass characteristics. The study lasted 70 days (10 days adaptation period and 60 days for collecting the data). Feed consumption was monitored daily, and the body weight of lambs was recorded upon arrival to the trial area and biweekly afterward. Lambs were slaughtered at the end of the study to assess carcass and meat quality characteristics. Nitrogen intake and retained nitrogen were higher (P < 0.05) for Najdi lambs. The digestibility of nutrients was comparable between the two genetic groups. Initial body weight, final body weight, average daily gain, and dry matter intake were not affected (P > 0.05) by the lamb’s breed. Furthermore, the feed-to-gain ratio, hot and cold carcass weights, and dressing percentage were not affected by breed type (P > 0.05). Breed type has no influence on the shoulder, loin, and rack percentages of the lamb. Moreover, meat quality traits were not affected by the lamb’s breed (P > 0.05). In the dissected leg cut, no differences in the leg component were found among the two breed types (P > 0.05). Results of this study reveal that nitrogen intake and retained nitrogen were higher for Najdi lambs, but this was not reflected in fattening performance and carcass traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A community-based sheep cross breeding project was conducted in Ethiopia with exotic Awassi crossbred rams and less productive indigenous Tikur ewes. Fifty-five Awassi crossbred rams having 46, 48, 56 and 65% Awassi blood levels were purchased and distributed to the participating 84 farmers which had 2,884 breeding ewes. The overall least square mean weights for F1 and F2 generation lambs at birth, day 90, 180, 270 and yearling weight were 3.10 ± 0.01, 13.04 ± 0.07, 16.95 ± 0.08, 20.84 ± 0.11 and 24.42 ± 0.14 kg, respectively. Body weight traits were significantly affected by lambing year for birth weight (P < 0.05), 180-day(d) weight (P < 0.05), 270-d weight (P < 0.001) and 360 d (yearling) weight (P < 0.001) but no effect (P > 0.05) was noted for 90-d weight (weaning weight). Season of lambing had significant effect (P < 0.01) only for birth weight. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) among the different villages for birth weight, and for day 90, 180, 270 and 360 body weights. The study showed that crossing Awassi crossbred rams with Tikur ewes can improve birth weight by 71.27%, 90-d weight by 76.78%, 180-d weight by 63.45% and yearling weight by 76.06% under farmer management practices. Results revealed that crossing Awassi crossbred rams with blood level of 56% and above with local Tikur ewes resulted in superior progenies that can fulfill export live weight standard of 25 kg at yearling weight. The future of Awassi-Tikur sheep farming must focus on feed supplementation strategies and on establishing cooperatives for farmers to improve their livelihoods.

Scrapie is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects sheep and goats, and genetic susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is associated with polymorphisms in the prion protein (PRNP) gene. The aim of this study is to identify PRNP polymorphism in Awassi sheep from Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 healthy sheep were genotyped for PRNP, using Sanger sequencing. There were seven alleles and eleven genotypes observed based on codons 136, 154, and 171 of PRNP. The ARQ allele was predominant in all populations. The most resistant allele to scrapie, ARR, was present in all three regions. The VRQ allele, associated with the highest susceptibility to scrapie, was detected only in Türkiye at a low frequency. In this study, twenty-seven amino acid substitutions were found. Eight of them (R40Q, G65E, H88L, S98T, A118P, S138T, V192F and L250I) have not been previously reported. These data indicate that sheep breeds close to the sheep domestication center have maintained high genetic diversity in the PRNP region. Our findings on PRNP will provide valuable insights for sheep breeding programs, aiding in the selection of genotypes resistant to scrapie in Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to evaluate the developmental trends and the allometric growth values of carcass components and carcass waste in Awassi lambs. Twenty five entire Awassi lambs were seriously slaughtered at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg. Results revealed that the allometric growth coefficients of dissectible lean (0.853) and bone (0.793) weights were negative heterogonic (b

This study was conducted to determine the effect of using an aqueous extract of local fenugreek seeds and olive leaves on some of the biochemical traits of Iraqi Awassi sheep. Twenty Awassi sheep aged 11-12 months with an average weight of 48.50 kg were used in this study. The ewes of the experiment were divided into five transactions. The duration of the study reached four complete estrus cycles (70 days) with the addition of 14 days at the start of the experiment to unify estrus to make the total days of the experiment 84 days (12 weeks). The animals were randomly distributed into five equal groups with four repetitions in each group as follows: the first control treatment dosed the ewes with distilled water only, T2 the second treatment was dosed with fenugreek seed aqueous extract at a concentration of (25 mg/ml/kg), T3 the third treatment was dosed with fenugreek seed aqueous extract at a concentration of (50 mg/ml/kg), T4 the fourth treatment was dosed with olive leaf aqueous extract at a concentration of 25 mg/ml/kg. T5, the fifth treatment, was dosed with an aqueous extract of olive leaves at a concentration of (50 mg/ml/kg). As for biochemical parameters, there was a least significant decreasing (P=0.05) in blood glucose level in the third treatment and total period in comparing with all other treatments Over the duration of the experiment. T3 recorded a significant superiority (P=0.05) in total protein compared to other treatment groups. Although there was a decreasing in total protein concentrations of T5 in the third, fourth and total periods compared to T3. No significant differences between all study groups at albumin level except in total period which T5 Outperformed control group. T2 and T3 were recorded significantly decreasing (P=0.05) in AST and ALT compared to the control group, as for the T5 showed the lowest significant decrease was recorded in (P=0.05) of all experimental withdrawals. In addition to the moral decline recorded by the ewes of the T4 group compared to the control group from the second withdrawal to the end of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of lactation stage, farm and the stage × farm interaction on the main components, physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of Awassi ewes' milk were studied (n = 16) over all lactation stages starting from day 10 to avoid colostral milk which is very rich in nitrogen due to globulins. Milk was sampled on the following control days: D10, D30, D70, D100 and D130. Ewes grazed on available natural pasture and supplemented with maize, soybean meal, concentrate according to their needs. Milk samples were analyzed for milk composition using Milkoscan FT120 instrument and milk fatty acids profile was performed with a gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents were negatively correlated with the advance of lactation stage. The PUFAs as C18:2t isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) had their highest contents at D30 (0.87±0.05%, 1.13±0.05%; respectively). Omega 3 fatty acids had their highest value, 1.41±0.05%, at D70 and the omega 6: omega 3 ratio had its lowest value, 1.52±0.19%, during D30-D70, which was optimal. Thus, the increase in healthy milk fatty acids from grazing ewes will provide healthier dairy products for later human consumption especially from earlier periods in lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the developmental trends and the allometric growth values of carcass components and carcass waste in Awassi lambs. Twenty five entire Awassi lambs were seriously slaughtered at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg. Results revealed that the allometric growth coefficients of dissectible lean (0.853) and bone (0.793) weights were negative heterogonic (b<1) indicating that these tissues significantly (p<0.01) grew at slower rate than carcass weight. Conversely, fat was positive heterogonic (1.859) and considered a late maturing tissue. Also, it seems from the coefficients that leg is an early maturing (b=0.938), whereas shoulder is a late maturing (b=1.293). Rack, neck, breast and flank are isogonic (b=1) and grew at a similar rate in relation to carcass weight. Carcass fat, carcass waste fat and fat tail relative to empty body weight are 1.920, 0.089 and 1.036, respectively, indicating carcass fat and fat tail are positive heterogonic demonstrating that are high impetus and grow at a higher rate than empty body weight, whereas carcass waste fat had allometric coefficient <1, low impetus and early maturing tissue. Skin, testes, spleen and kidney exhibited isogonic growth indicating that these components are grow similar rate to empty body weight. On the other hand, head, feet, liver, lung, heart and empty digestive tract are early maturing organs than did empty body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of different level of energy on growth, carcass traits, body composition, digestibility and some blood parameters. Twenty one Awassi lambs (4 month old and 23 kg body weight) were used and after 10 days of adaptation, the lambs were divided equally and randomly and penned individually into three treatment groups, and fed ad lib on low (10.8 T1) medium (11.6 T2) and high (12.3 T3 MJ/kg DM). After 72 days of fattening, 5 lambs from each treatment were chosen and slaughtered. Results revealed that lambs of T3 had numerically higher daily gain (189.72 g), lower dry matter intake (849.46 g), higher feed efficiency (4.7), higher dressing percentage (48.43) and a significant increase (P≤0.05) was noticed in dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, nitrogen free extract and total digestible nutrient as compared with lambs received low or medium level of energy. It could be concluded that the high dietary energy produce the best performance, nutrient digestion and carcass trait of lambs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the association of the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) gene with growth traits in Awassi (n= 123) and Karakul (n= 78) sheep. Starting from the birth-day to 12 months of age, several growth traits were investigated, namely body weight and length, wither and rump height, chest, and abdominal circumferences. Four fragments were designed to amplify three exons of GnRHR gene, P1 and P2 for exon 1, P3 for exon 2, and P4 for exon 3. The polymorphisms in these amplicons were analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method. Genotypic and allele frequency of GnRHR gene were computed after sequence alignment. The results detected two different SSCP banding patterns GG and GA for both P2 and P3 amplicons, and two novel mutations were observed in GA genotype of P2 and P3 amplicons respectively, p.N87= and p.L242F. The identified p.N87= exhibited no relationship with all measured growth traits, while p.L242F showed significant association with the body weight, length, and abdominal circumference in month-6 and month-9. This association was increasingly observed in month-12 with all growth traits, in which individuals with GA genotype exhibited higher growth traits measurements than individuals with GG genotype (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the detected polymorphism of GnRHR gene exon-2 may be useful in markerassisted selection for growth traits in Awassi and Karakul breeds. This study is the first one to describe the effect of GnRHR polymorphisms on growth traits, which confirm the potential usefulness of this gene in marker-assisted selection in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted in the Hawija district which is located in the southwest of Kirkuk city, 48 km away. It aimed to determine the effect of the concentrated feed ratio to roughage feed (Alfalfa ) with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid oil (flaxseed oil) on some blood parameters indicative of the nutritional effect in Iraqi Awassi lambs. The experiment lasted for 106 days from September 18, 2020 to December 31, 2020, in which 20 lambs aged 5-6 months with a mean initial weight of 29.60±1.88 kg were used. The lambs were placed in individual cages within a semi-open barn, then divided into four groups (29.15, 30.13, 29.62, 29.52) kg. then the four treatments were randomly distributed to the groups. The lambs were fed on one diet of concentrated feed with a protein content of 15.4% and a feeding level of 3% of body weight, then calculated The ratios of concentrated feed at a level of 40/60% to roughage for the first and second treatments and 60/40% to roughage for the third and fourth treatments and the four treatments were equal in the amount of protein intake, each of the first and third treatments drenched with flaxseed oil 0.8% of body weight and 0% each the second and fourth treatments, the animals were weighed weekly to estimate the weight gain. as well as at the end the experiment, blood samples were collected from all animals for the purpose of conducting laboratory tests for the studied traits.The results of the experiment showed that the numbers of white blood cells were significantly (P≤0.05) superior in the treatment drench with flaxseed oil, and the interaction between the treatments had a significant effect in increasing the numbers of white blood cells, as the first and third treatments outperformed (9.33 ± 0.17 and 9.86 ± 0.61 x 103) cells/ml of blood, respectively, on the second and fourth treatments. The triglyceride concentration was significantly increased (P≤0.05) under the influence of the level of concentrated to roughage feed, which reached 83.83 ± 5.38 mg/100 ml of blood (40:60 roughage/concentrated) compared to the treatment 60:40 roughage/concentrated (59.50 ± 7.50) mg/ 100 ml of blood, and the interaction between the factors had a significant effect (P≤0.05) on the blood urea concentration, as the first treatment was the highest (44.66±0.66) mg/100 ml blood. Also, the treatment with flaxseed oil and its interaction with different diets led to a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the level of liver enzymes and the proportion of feed intake. It was concluded from the experience that increasing the proportion of rough feed (alfalfa ) within the studied level did not negatively affect the performance of physiological lambs and therefore it can be provided for fattening purposes because it is low cost and available locally.

Copyright of Atatürk University Journal of Agricultural Faculty is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial insemination time in sheep is a factor that can affect the pregnancy rate, considering the time of onset of oestrus, the duration of oestrus, and the fertile life span of ovulated oocytes and spermatozoa. The present study, it was aimed to determine the appropriate artificial insemination time for Awassi breed sheep whose estrus was stimulated with intravaginal sponge containing progesterone and PMSG in the non-breeding season. Oestrous sheep were divided into 3 groups. After estrus detection, they were inseminated intracervical at 10-15 hours (1st group, n=30), 16-20 hours (2nd group, n=33) and 21-24 hours (3rd group, n=35). Pregnancy examination was done 30-35 days after artificial insemination by means of ultrasound. The results in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups were 26.7%, 39.4% and, 45.7%, respectively. As a result of our study, it was found that intracervical insemination of awassi ewes, whose heats were determined after oestrus synchronization performed in the non-breeding season, after 10-15 hours, 16-20 hours and 21-24 hours did not cause a statistically significant change in the pregnancy rate (P>0.05). However, considering the economic value of pregnancy and the data obtained from the study, it was concluded that intracervical insemination 21-24 hours after estrus detection might be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of aging time and breed on some meat quality parameters in Morkaraman and Awassi male rams. The study was carried out in Sheep Breeding Branch, Food and Livestock Application and Research Center, Atatürk University, Erzurum. Meat quality characteristics were determined from m. longissimus dorsi (MLD) muscles taken from ten Morkaraman and Awassi lambs sent to slaughter at an average age of 7.5 months. Meat quality such as color (L*, a*, b*, C, and H), pH, drip loss and TBA was determined on the MLD muscle. The MLD muscles were maintained at 4 °C for up to 12 days. While there was no effect of breed on meat quality parameters except L, pH and drip loss, it was observed that there were changes in all meat quality parameters examined depending on the aging time. Due to the structural deterioration of the muscle by proteolytic enzymes during aging, significant improvements have occurred in the properties of meat such as color, pH, juiciness and TBA. However, it was observed that a* value decreased, drip loss and TBA value increased depending on the progress of aging time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of different level of energy on growth, carcass traits, body composition, digestibility and some blood parameters. Twenty one Awassi lambs (4 month old and 23 kg body weight) were used and after 10 days of adaptation, the lambs were divided equally and randomly and penned individually into three treatment groups, and fed ad lib on low (10.8 T1) medium (11.6 T2) and high (12.3 T3 MJ/kg DM). After 72 days of fattening, 5 lambs from each treatment were chosen and slaughtered. Results revealed that lambs of T3 had numerically higher daily gain (189.72 g), lower dry matter intake (849.46 g), higher feed efficiency (4.7), higher dressing percentage (48.43) and a significant increase (P≤0.05) was noticed in dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, nitrogen free extract and total digestible nutrient as compared with lambs received low or medium level of energy. It could be concluded that the high dietary energy produce the best performance, nutrient digestion and carcass trait of lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of season and breed on the reproductive performance of male and female sheep using 12 rams and 318 ewes of Assaf and Awassi breeds under the seasonal environmental condition of United Arab Emirates for two years. The blood level of testosterone hormone was measured monthly. Semen was collected twice a month from each male using artificial vagina and evaluated for volume, motility, livability, abnormality and concentration. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length, width, height and volume were measured at one-month intervals. The level of testosterone in Assaf breed was significantly higher in autumn than winter and summer. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length were significantly higher in Assaf breed than Awassi breed. While, left testicular width and volume were significantly higher in Awassi breed than Assaf breed. Scrotal circumference which was higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter season in both breeds. The SCC of semen was significantly higher in autumn than in other seasons in both breeds. The sperm abnormality was significantly higher in summer than other seasons in both breeds. The livability was significantly lower in summer in both breeds. Fecundity and prolificacy were significantly higher in Assaf than Awassi breed during autumn season. Assaf breed showed the superior reproductive performance in the autumn season when compared with Awassi breed in the same season and other seasons. The Assaf breed tolerated the climatic conditions in UAE and kept the litter size of 1.72 in comparison to Awassi breed which showed litter size of 1.09. in conclusion, the results showed the superiority of Assaf over Awassi breed and offer a good model of breeding with increased fecundity and prolificacy specially in autumn season.

Awassi is a fat-tailed sheep breed, and the best breed in Syria is famous. Awassi sheep are Syria's main source of red meat and milk production. In this study, we estimated the influence of various factors on sheep meat and milk production using time-series data from 1961 to 2020. This study employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the data. The results obtained indicate that Awassi meat production in Syria was positively and significantly influenced by carcass weight ( p  < 0.001) and quantity of slaughtered sheep ( p  < 0.001), with elasticity coefficients of 0.994 and 1.000, respectively. The model results show that raw milk yield and milk animals have a positive and significant influence on milk production at the 0.1 % significance level, with an elasticity coefficient of 0.998. However, climatic factors (precipitation and temperature) have a significant effect and negative influence on milk production at the 1 % and 5 % significance levels, respectively. This result sheds light on the policies and procedures the government should implement to develop sheep production in Syria. Therefore, it can be stated that policymakers should enhance the quality and productivity characterization of sheep through the implementation of breeding programs, improve grazing potential, and protect natural pastures. Furthermore, feed rations should be supported to help breeders overcome the effects of drought and high feed prices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author.)

The effect of drenching Awassi lambs with three aromatic essential oils from sage (Salvia officinalis L.), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), and laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated on meat chemical and physical characteristics, and oxidative and deterioration measurements. Twenty-four Awassi lambs, five to six months old, were divided into four groups. A concentrated diet was provided to the lambs at a rate of 3% of the body weight. The treatments were as follows: T1 was served as the untreated control, while T2, T3, and T4 were drenched with oils of sage, clove, and laurel, respectively. Drenching was carried out using water-soluble capsules containing 500 mg oil/capsule/day. Treatments lasted 90 days. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were fasted overnight and slaughtered. The carcasses were cleaned and kept at 4°C for 24 h. The longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was then separated and preserved in a plastic bag for three preservation periods: no freezing and 30 days and 60 days freezing at −18°C. Several physical, fat, and protein stability analyses of meat were done after the preservation periods. The results indicated no significant effect of drenching Awassi lambs with different aromatic essential oils on the meat’s physical and chemical characteristics. However, these oils, especially clove oil, affected fat and protein stability with increasing preservation period by freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactoferrin (LF) plays an important role in stimulating gut development and regulating microbiota of gut. This study was conducted to evaluate role of colostrum LF on the development of intestinal epithelial barrier markers of lambs. LF concentration in colostrum at first 24 hours of parturition from forty ewes (20 awssi and 20 karakul) and in lamb’s serum during the first two months of sulking were measured. Results showed that secreted in colostrum was significantly (p £ 0.05) affected by breed. Awassi ewes secret LF concentration (26.95±0.03) higher significantly than Karakul (15.1±0.01). Results of LF concentration in lamb’s serum showed that there were significant differences between the two breeds. Results showed significant differences between the two breeds in; CIT and DAO distinguish by increase in karakul lambs than Awassi. There was positive correlation between colostrum LF and the serum LF, CIT, DAO enzyme, and TJP of lambs with statistical significancy in both breeds, Awassi and Karakul lambs with R2 equal to (0.0074-0.0526), (0.0174-0.0173), (0.0483-0.002) and (0.0601-0.0684) respectively. In addition, negative correlation between colostrum LF of ewes and serum intestinal fatty acids binding proteins (IFABP) with R2 equal to (0.0366-0.1261). In conclusion, results demonstrated that there were influence for breed in colostrum Lactoferrin secretion; furthermore, it indicated that lamb’s serum lactoferrin is not restricted to colostrum LF, where lamb’s serum was equal in the two breeds, despite the increase of colostrum LF of karakul ewes than Awassi. These results demonstrated that shortening lactation periods would not affect the growth and development of lambs, a condition taking colostrum lactoferrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to model the growth curves of Awassi lambs in terms of live weight-age relationships and macro environmental factors such as sex, birth type, year, month, and dam age, as well as to determine a nonlinear model that explains the growth curves better. For this purpose, Gompertz and Logistics were used. The data set of the study comprised of the 3523 Awassi lambs' live weights obtained at 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 90, and 120th days of age. In order to compare both models, the coefficient of adjusted determination (R²adj) and the mean squared error (MSE) were used as the goodness of fit criteria. For the Gompertz and Logistics models, Gompertz model has the lowest MSE in all of macro environmental factors. While the estimated mean and standard errors of the asymptotic weight (A), the constant of integration (B), and growth rate (k) parameters were found respectively as 54.13 ± 0.59, 2.56 ± 0.008, and 0.01 ± 0.0001 for the Gompertz model, they were found respectively as 37.47 ± 0.18, 7.30 ± 0.03 and 0.03 ± 0.0001 for the Logistic model. For the Gompertz and Logistic models, age at inflection point (AIP), weight at inflection point (WIP) and maximal increment (MI) were found to be 5.55, 19.92, 51.00 and 66.26, 18.74, 68.40, respectively. In addition, correlations between model parameters (rAB, rAk, rBk) were found as 0.86, -0.98, -0.75 and 0.45, -0.91, -0.08 respectively for the Gompertz and Logistics models. The model that better described the growth of Awassi lambs in terms of MSE, AIP, WIP, MI and rAB, rAk, rBk values were found as the Gompertz growth model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen weaned (3.5-4 months) entire male lambs from each of Awassi and Karadi were weighed and randomly divided equally into two groups to receive concentrate (16% crude protein and 2769 kcal energy) either ad libitum or 3% of their body weights, and to be slaughtered at 36 or 44 kg. Results revealed that overall means of daily gain in weight, dressing percentage based on slaughter and empty body weight, rib eye area and fat thickness were 0.258±0.01 kg, 46.54± 0.49%, 54.35 ± 0.40%, 14.98 ±0.44 cm2 and 2.86 ± 0.12 mm, respectively. It seems that Awassi lambs significantly surpass Karadi lambs in dressing percentage based on slaughter weight and had thicker subcutaneous fat, only. Also, lambs fed ad lib excell significantly those lambs fed 3% in daily gain in weight, dressing percentage based on slaughter weight, and fat thickness. Lambs slaughtered at 44 kg had significantly higher dressing percentage, rib eye area and fat thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 32 weaned (3.5-4 months) of Awassi (16) and Karadi (16) lambs were randomly allocated into two equal groups to be fed either ad libitum or 3% of their body weight concentrate, and to be slaughtered at 36 and 44 kg body weight. After chilling at 40 c for 24h, the carcass was split along the vertebral column into two halves by electric saw, and the left side was separated into eight whole sale cuts and were physically dissected into lean, fat and bone and weighed. Results reveal that the overall mean of lean, fat, bone, lean: fat and lean: bone ratio were 60.31±0.25%, 17.05± 0.69%, 22.63 ± 0.59%, 3.78 ±0.20 and 2.71 ± 0.06, respectively. It was noticed that Karadi lambs surpass significantly (P<0.01) Awassi lambs in the content of lean (61.32±0.29 vs. 59.30±0.21%) and bone (24.72±0.85 vs. 20.53±0.35%) and had lower content of fat (13.94±0.75 vs. 20.15±0.39%). Neither lambs fed ad libitum nor 3% concentrate had a significant effect on composition of the carcasses. Lambs slaughtered at 44 kg had significantly (P<0.01) higher content of fat and lower bone content. Awassi lambs and those slaughtered at 44 kg had significantly (P<0.01) higher total body fat than did Karadi lambs and those slaughtered at 36 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the comparative predictive performances of Classification and Regression trees (CART), Chi Squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) and Exhausted CHAID algorithms used to predict body weights of Awassi lambs at 60-d (W60) and 90-d (W90) of age. For this purpose, 730 Awassi lamb records were collected from 3 base flocks in Turkey in 2014-2016. The potential predictors included in this study were dam age, sex, birth type, flock, lambing season and birth year. In order to determine the best one among these decision tree algorithms, model evaluation criteria i.e RMSE, MAPE, RAE, SDratio, MAD, Pearson coefficient, Coefficient of determination (푅 2) and adjusted coefficient of variation (푅 2Adj) values were calculated. For the prediction of W60 and W90, the best decision tree algorithm was found to be the CART algorithm. 푅 2 for W60 and W90 were 0.614 and 0.978 and RMSE estimates for W60 and W90 were 0.94 and 0.321, respectively. The influential predictors affecting W90 were flock and W60. However, flock, birth weight (BW), birth type and birth year were found as significant factors for W60. In conclusion, CART algorithm may be a useful tool in describing breed standards of the Awassi for selection purposes in animal breeding. Also, it outperformed Exhausted CHAID and CHAID decision tree algorithms in predictive performance to predict W60 and W90 of Awassi lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet olive pulp (WOP) was used as a complement to the forage at the lamb fattening. Experimental groups were determined according to the farm conditions. WOP groups were formed by replacing wheat straw in the total mixed ratio (TMR). As a control group and experimental group, 70 days of study were completed with 14 female lambs. 1- Control, (80% concentrate + 20% wheat straw), 2- WOP groups (80% concentrate + 10% straw and 10% WOP). In this study, blood samples were taken twice from the animals in the last week. The effect of WOP on blood values were also been examined on automatic analyzer. In the first week, the gain of live weight and the rate of feed utilization were adversely affected by WOP. But there was no significant difference in performance values in terms of mean values throughout the study (P>0.05). When the results of analysis of blood samples were examined, blood urea levels were lower in WOP groups. This result was evaluated positively in terms of nitrogen retention in the body. These results were regarded as important in terms of the faster evaluation of WOP. However, it was stated that it should not be used more than 10% in the total ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was conducted on 15 Awassi lambs with an average Weight11.24±0.06kg and with average age (1 month aged) Lambs were randomly divided into three groups,(5lambs/group) 1stgroup: control, 2nd group was injected subcutaneously once every ten days with Iron and vitamin B12 (4.54mg/kg body weight and 4.54μg/kg body weight ) 3rd group lambs wereinjected subcutaneously with Iron and vitamin B12(9.09 mg /kg body weight and 9.09μg/kg body weight ) respectively. Results showed a significant increase(P≤0.05)in final weight, total gain, daily gain, body length, chest girth,fore thickness, lymphocyte % and monocyte% intreated groups with Iron and vitamin B12 compared with control group. Also results shows a significant increase(P≤0.05)for 2nd group lambs compared with control in fore height, rear height and rear thick. While there area significant decreaseIn treated groups in neutrophils % and stress index.In conclusion, iron and vitamin B12 injection to weaning lambs improve body measurements and weight and immunity

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate some nonlinear functions i.e. Brody, Negative Exponential and Bertalanffy in order to describe the growth of Awassi male lambs (n=120) at the age of 10 months. The coefficient of determination values estimated for Brody, Negative Exponential and Bertalanffy models were 0.9523, 0.6094, and 0.9428 R2 for the first-time interval (0-90 days of age), 0.9866, 0.9743 and 0.9797 R2 for the second time interval (0-180 days of age) and 0.9924, 0.9853 and 0.9902 R2 for the third time interval (0-300 days of age), respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients between the observed and predicted weight values of the Awassi lambs were found as 0.9417, 0.9255 and 0.9203 for 0-90 days of age, 0.9741, 0.9501 and 0.9634 for 0-180 days of age and 0.9824, 0.9765 and 0.9790, for 0-300 days of age, respectively. Brody, Negative Exponential and Bertalanffy models were found to be useful models to describe the growth of Awassi lambs raised in Turkey. In conclusion, it could be suggested that the nonlinear functions might allow breeders to achieve remarkable information in practice in terms of determining managerial problems, slaughtering age, ideal feed amounts, and the studied breed's growth standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, some morphological and physiological characteristics of Awassi sheep were investigated in Gaziantep and Kilis provinces. For this purpose, it was made measurements and detections in 100 heads of Awassi and their lambs in both cities between 2-5 aged. In ewes, fertility characteristics, live weight, some body measurements and lactation parameters were determined. Birth and weaning weight (60th day) and body measurements in these periods were determined in lambs. Animal material was fed with pasture throughout the day and additional feeding, and lambs were fed with milk and additional feeding. Statistical analysis of the study was evaluated with SPSS software. As a result of the research, it was found that Awassi sheep has white body with coarse-mixed fleece, brown-headed, rams with horned, ewes without horned. It has been determined that males and females with fat tailed, the nipples can be downwards in the form of a funnel as well as from the edges of the mammary gland. The fertility rate was calculated as 98 % in Gaziantep, and 99 % in Kilis province, litter size found as 0.98 in Gaziantep, 0.99 in Kilis province, survival rate on weaning (60th day) was calculated as % 96.93 and % 95.45 respectively at the same province ranking. The birth and weaning weights (60th) were determined as 4.04 ± 0.31 kg and 3.78 ± 0.30 kg, 21.6 ± 0.34 kg and 20.3 ± 0.30 kg, respectively, according to province order. The lactation period was found as 188.3 ± 2.14 days in Gaziantep, 182.4 ± 2.85 days in Kilis province, and average marketable milk yield found as 134.4 ± 5.30 kg and 117.4 ± 3.11 kg respectively, according to province order again. As a result, there is variation between provinces in terms of yield characteristics. It will be appropriate to make transfers between the provinces for breeding and breeding purposes find order to the improvement of lowyielding sheep on the basis of provinces in which. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive efficiency in terms of fertility, Prolificacy and survival rate are considered the major components of overall efficiency in sheep productivity. While fertility of Awassi ewes is moderate to high depending on feeding and management practices, however, litter size is low and Awassi is not considered a prolific breed. Heritability estimates of these traits are rather low, and reflect small genetic variation in these traits. The possible avenues for increasing reproductive capacity environmentally and genetically are discussed in the text of this review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipase E hormone-sensitive (LIPE) enzyme is one of the lipolytic enzymes, and it plays a key role in the regulation of adipose tissue deposition. This study was conducted to investigate the possible association between the LIPE gene variations and the main body weight measurements in Awassi sheep. A total of 160 of sexually mature Awassi rams (Ovis aries) that aged between 2 and 3 years were included in the present study. Genomic DNA was extracted and two specific PCR amplicons were designed to amplify two coding regions within the LIPE gene. Genotyping experiments were performed using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Two different SSCP banding patterns were identified, CC and CD in exon 2, and AA and AT in exon 9. Five novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by sequencing, namely g.151C > A and g.198C > T in exon 2, and g.213G > C, g.226G > T, and g.232A > C in exon 9. Haplotype block analysis showed strong linkage disequilibrium values between the two SNPs in exon 2 and the three SNPs in exon 9. Association analysis of haplotypes with carcass traits demonstrated a significantly higher dressing percentage (P < 0.05) and lower fat tail weight (FTW) in CACT and GCGTAC haplotypes made these haplotypes more favorable for human consumption. The current research is the first one to report a tight association between the LIPE genetic polymorphism and the dressing percentage and FTW traits, suggesting a pivotal role played by these co-inherited SNPs in the metabolism of carcass traits in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of leptin measurements for predicting back fat thickness and the amount of carcase fat in lambs with varying body weights (BWs). Blood samples were taken from 20 male Awassi lambs at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 kg BW. Tail, omental, dissected, and total fat were measured at slaughter (40 kg BW). Ultrasound fat thickness (UFT) increased with BW (p .05 for 40 kg BW). The introduction of UFT and BW as independent variables in addition to leptin in the multiple regression equations improved the predictions for carcase fat only (57.6%, p .05 for leptin, leptin + UFT and leptin + BW, respectively). Leptin was a single predictor for omentum and dissected fat (41.4%, p .05). The other variables (UFT and BW) were not a predictor (p > .05) except for total fat (p > .05). These results indicate that serum leptin concentration in association with BW and UFT could be used to estimate total fat (tail, omental and dissectible carcase fat) in male Awassi lambs.

This report was described the observation of five types of congenital anomalies with a Hydramnios Syndrome in prolonged gestational (6 months) three years old awassi ewe bearing an abnormal fetus for first time, ultrasonography revealed signs of pregnancy with numerous small cotyledon, high amount of bright turbid fluid (Hyper-genic), with no signs of heart beat and small abnormal ribs. Vaginal examination indicated that complete closure cervix with pale mucous membrane.

The scientific research carried out in the research-development units was intensified after 1990. Under these conditions, some new populations appeared, with distinct characters associated with some of the specific productions of sheep. During this period, Palas milk breed, Palas meat breed, Black head sheep from Teleorman, Brown variety of Karakul of Botoșani breed and the Grey line from the same breed were approved as breeds. Regarding the new sheep population formed at the Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goat Breeding, Secuieni-Bacău, the works were started in 1982 when were introduced for breeding at Luncani farm rams of Awassi breed which were used for natural and artificial breeding on a number of 114 local Rusty Țigaie sheep. In 1983, according to the Technical Report prepared by Eng. V. Caprosu et al. cited by Pascal (2018) crosses were made with 1500 Țigaie sheep from two units in Bacău County, namely SCPCO BACAU, currently SCDCOC Secuieni-Bacău, (500 sheep) and CAP Mărgineni (1000 adult sheep) and rams of Awassi breed brought from SCPCO Rușețu. During the crossing process the males obtained in F1 and R1 were sacrificed and the females with desired traits were selected in order to continue the formation process. From the R2 generation, along with the females, the males with valuable qualities (growth intensity, vigour, vivacity) with correct exterior and a robust constitution were also selected. From that moment on, the individuals R2 and R3 reproduced themselves for 4 generations (back cross), applying a rigorous selection and a directed crossing in which, in order to increase the degree of phenotypic similarity, a moderate inbreeding was used. Currently, the nucleus has been closed reproductive for over seven generations, and against this background the degree of similarity between them has increased, the production and reproduction characteristics have been very well consolidated, as well as those that confer a resistance to pedoclimatic factors specific to the training area. The new population is distinguished from other breeds with which it cohabits in the formation area, having a distinct phenodeme and genodema. Also, highlighting the differences between it and the local sheep, which dominate in the breed structure located in the training area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ceylanpınar State Farm Agricultural Enterprise conditions, 2-3-4-5-6-7> 537 head of the Awassi sheep flock, by examining the lambing parameters, this study was carried out to determine the number and ratio of single, twin, total and general lambs according to age groups. In this context, the highest, lowest and general average values according to age groups are respectively (head;%, head); 2 (age) 122±1.38; 89.71-14±1.09; 10.29, 136±1.24, 4 (age) 75±1.39; 78.13-21±1.13; 21.87, 96±1.26 and 448±1.33; 83.43-89±1.11; 16.57, 537±1.22.When the distribution of the effects of birth type, sex on lamb birth live weight is examined, single male (kg/head), single female (kg/head), total of single lamb (head) and overall average single lamb birth live weight (kg/head) When ordering twin male (kg/head), twin female (kg/head), total twin (head), overall average twin lamb birth live weight(kg/head) maximum, minimum and general respectively; 5 (age) 5.3±1.28, 4.9±1.22 - 61±1.41, 5.1±1.25 ; 4.6±1.29, 4.0±1.22 - 32±1.15, 4.3±1.30, 2 (age) 4.2±1.19, 3.8±1.17 - 122±1.38, 4.0±1.18; 3.6±1.19, 3.1±1.14 - 28±1.09, 3.4±1.17, determined. This result were statistically significant differences between lambing mother age and lambing type, lamb sex and live birth weight it was determined (P≤0.05). Increasing the demand for mutton in the process of Covid-19 pandemic, these differences can be lamb meat under the conditions of limited sheep breeding, local sheep presence and sheep products can be increased. In terms of lambing parameters, if the high breeding populations are used as breeding material for the breeding of domestic breeds as Awassi, it will be possible to increase the local and regional sheep production efficiency. The pandemic negative impact of sheep breeding process can be minimized in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Firat Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Veteriner Dergisi is the property of Firat Universitesiu, Saglik Bilimleri Enstitusu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)