Energy supplementation in Santa Inês sheep subjected to estrus induction treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 20% increase in dietary energy during short-term estrus induction treatment on the reproductive parameters of Santa Inês ewes. Females (n=43) were allocated into two experimental groups according to the amount of energy inclusion in the diet: maintenance diet or maintenance diet plus 20% energy. Ultrasound examinations were performed in order to detect ovulation. To assess sexual behavior, ewes were teased and further mated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of glucose and insulin concentrations. There was no difference (P>0.05) between groups in the following categories: ovulation rate (80.00% vs. 60.00%), largest follicle diameter (6.00 ± 0.20 vs. 5.90 ± 0.60), interval from device removal to ovulation (52.80 ± 14.87 vs. 59.01 ± 8.34 hours), animals in estrus (75.00% vs. 65.21%), interval from device removal to estrus (30.00 ± 15.49 vs. 30.00 ± 13.35 hours) and conception rate (50.00% vs. 21.73%). There were differences (P