Evaluation of the Fertility Rate of the Mouflon Semen Through Artificial Insemination in Synchronized Sheep

The European mouflon is a wild species of sheep native in the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. The researches conducted to preserve these species play an important role in long term conservation for these animal. Experimental study was conducted with the aim to evaluate in vivo the reproductive quality of the mouflon semen, obtained by electroejaculation, using artificial insemination in sheep and evaluating the fertility rate. The sheep included in the study (36) were hormonal synchronized with progesteron and eCG (Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin). Following synchronization, vaginal artificial insemination was performed with mouflon semen. The pregnancy diagnosys was performed by ultrasound examination at 55 and145 days after artificial insemination. The concieving rate was 36,11%, the prolificacy rate was 61,53% and fecundity rate was 22,22%. The data obtained after assessing the mouflon semen, collected by electrostimulation, confirmed the pretability of the semen for artificial insemination.