Administration of royal jelly in estrus synchronization protocols for wool and hair sheep

Resumen

Objective: To assess the most relevant results on the usage of royal jelly in reproductive protocols of wool and hair sheep.

Design/methodology/approach: A review of studies referenced and published in scientific databases regard the livestock sector.

Results: In ewes, administration of “royal jelly” in addition to reproductive management protocols improves the response to estrus synchronization, time of onset and duration of estrus, number of large follicles, ovulatory rate and gestation rate.

Study limitations/implications: Royal jelly is a substance with beneficial effects on reproductive variables in ewes; however, the cost may be a limitation for its incorporation in synchronization protocols. Additionally, it is necessary to clarify the active metabolites that exert the action and the most effective route of administration.

Findings/conclusions: Royal jelly can be an alternative incorporated to estrus synchronization programs in ewes to substitute some hormones without decreasing reproductive variables.