Effects of using Elaeagnus angustifolia L. fruit powder in flushing diet on reproductive performance of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes

The present study was to investigate the effect of replacing Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) with wheat straw in the flushing diet of ewes on reproductive parameters and serum urea levels of ewes during the breeding season. The sample of healthy Lori-Bakhtiari ewes (n=66) with an average weight of 48.7±7 kg in the breeding season were randomly assigned to three experimental groups according to a completely randomized design: control (base flushing diet recipient), and two treatment group fed rations supplemented with 1% and 1.5% of Russian olive fruit (dry matter basis) respectively. The powder of this fruit was replaced by wheat straw in the base flushing diet. Each prepared flushing diet was fed to the experimental ewes two weeks ran introducing until four weeks after mating. The serum urea levels were assessed at the end of the fourth week post-mating and finally, some reproductive parameters including pregnancy rate, parturition rate, percentage of multiple births, prolificacy, and fecundity was recorded. The results of the present study indicated that Russian olive fruit supplementation in the flushing diet increased the fecundity rate (P<0.05) of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes and decreased their mean urea serum levels (P<0.01). The resultant increase in the lambing rates may be linked to decreased blood urea concentrations in the experimental ewes. In general, supplementing the flushing diet of Lori-bakhtiari ewes with 1% Russian olive fruit (dry matter basis) is recommended to produce more lambs from mated ewes.