The effect of flaxseed and rumen undegradable protein in flushing diet on reproductive performance of Baluchi ewe

The aim of this research was to investigate the interaction effect of ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) level and flaxseed type in flushing diets of ewes on reproductive performance and ovarian activity. Seventy-two Baluchi ewes (2-3 years old) were fed one of six experimental diets. The experimental diets were: 1) diet without flaxseed with 20% RUP; 2) diet without flaxseed with 40% RUP; 3) diet containing 10% whole flaxseed with 20% RUP; 4) diet containing10% whole flaxseed with 40% RUP; 5) diet containing 10% extruded flaxseed with 20% RUP and 6) diet containing10% extruded flaxseed with 40% RUP. Dry matter intake of ewes was not affected by experimental diets. Flaxseed type significantly increased glucose, cholesterol and estrogen concentrations in 24 h before removing CIDR, and 24 hours after removing CIDR, caused a significant increase in glucose and estrogen concentration and a significant decrease in blood urea concentration of ewes (P ≤ 0.05). Increasing RUP level to 40%, significantly increased glucose and estrogen and decreased urea concentrations of ewes in 24 hours after removing CIDR (P ≤ 0.05). The diets containing of extruded flaxseed showed the highest serum progesterone concentration in 8 days after mating and finally, higher lambing rates compared to control diets. Finally, the use of flaxseed (especially in extruded form) at 10%DM with 40% RUP in flushing diets, increased the metabolites and hormones concentration associated with reproductive performance, especially glucose, cholesterol, progesterone and estrogen, and thus improves the reproductive performance of the animal.