Abstract

IN a factorial experiment involving 4 treatment affecting ovulation rate and 20 ewes per cell the effect of oestradiol was dominant, reducing the ovulation rate. In the non-oestradiol treated ewes a positive effect of high protein intake was evident. Phenobarbital increased ovulations in ewes on a low protein diet whilst carbon tetrachloride (CC14) had a slight negative effect only on the low protein diet. Neither phenobarbital or CC14 had any effect on the high protein diet. There was a decrease in plasma FSH at day 11 with oestradiol, protein and phenobarbital and an increase with CC14. Hence an increase in FSH does not always accompany increases in ovulation rate.

GS, Spencer, JJ Bass, and SC Hodgkinson

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 50, , 101-104, 1990