ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY LAPAROSCOPY IN SHEEP UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS IN VALLE DEL MEZQUITAL, HIDALGO

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the technique of artificial insemination by laparoscopy (AIL) under field conditions on the reproductive variables in ewes and their social impacts with sheep farmers from the region of Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo.

Design / methodology / approach: The experimental design was completely random. We used 387 ewes distributed in 7 Municipalities and 14 units of sheep production (USP), of the breeds: 162 Katahdin, 145 Hampshire, 45 Dorset and 35 Suffolk. The estrus was synchronized with intravaginal sponges for 11 days, two days before the removal, 400 IU of gonadotropin was applied. The AIL was carried out at 50 h post synchronization of estrus in each one of the USP.

Results: The response and start of estrus did not show differences (P>0.05) between the different breeds of ewes. The percentage of pregnant ewes presented differences by breeds (P<0.05), the Katahdin showed higher gestation rate despite the field conditions and diversity in the USP; however, the prolificacy between the breeds was similar.

Study limitations / implications: It is suggested the inclusion of new breeds of hair that meet the expectations of the sheep farmers and satisfy the demand of the product for the barbacoa commerce.

Findings / conclusions: The AIL technique and the hormonal protocol for estrus synchronization present favorable results in gestation and prolificacy, which is why they are effective for the Program for the Genetic Improvement of Sheep in the region of the Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo, México.