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Abstract
Objective: Determine the chemical composition and in situ degradability of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. fruits, and evaluate whether focused nutrition (FN) with 300 g of flour from these fruits for seven days before the withdrawal of a progestogen, influences reproductive variables of Pelibuey sheep.
Design/methodology/approach: Proximal chemical analyses and in situ degradability of dry matter and protein from G. ulmifolia fruits were performed in two Rambouillet rams cannulated in the rumen at different incubation times (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). To determine the effect of FN on reproductive variables, 71 Pelibuey sheep were assigned to one of two CIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Release) treatments, CIDR (n=36), and CIDR + FN (300 g of G. ulmifolia flour) for seven days (n=35). At the end of day 9, the CIDRs were removed and FN was discontinued.
Results: The response to estrus synchronization was similar (p>0.05) between treatments. Sheep supplemented with G. ulmifolia fruits initiated estrus in less time (28.68±1.15 h), fertility indices were similar between treatments (p>0.05), and the highest fecundity was observed in sheep with CIDR + FN.
Limitations of the study/implications: Use of G. ulmifolia fruits as a food supplement promotes conservation of the tree species and its use in agrosilvopastoral and agroforestry systems in the tropics.
Findings/conclusions: FN with 300 g of G. ulmifolia fruit flour for 7 days before withdrawing the progestogen reduced the time to onset of estrus and increased the fecundity of Pelibuey ewes.
Keywords: Local resources, Estrus synchronization, Prolificacy, Food supplement.