Impacts of Trace Minerals Supplementation on Reproductive Performance and Blood Parameters of Ghezel Ewes

Nutrition is critical to maximizing genetic potential. Trace minerals play an important role in animal diets and can influence productivity and reproduction. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of trace mineral supplementation on reproductive function, hormonal and biochemical blood parameters in Ghezel ewes. Accordingly, 30 ewes were treated with three dietary treatments for a period of five weeks: 1- Flushed with trace minerals (TM): (Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, Zn, and Cr), 2- Flushed without trace minerals (NTM) 3- Control (CON): only pasture grazed only. Estrus synchronization was achieved by intravaginal fluorogestone acetate sponges for 12 days interval + 400 IU PMSG injection. The number of follicles and pregnancy were determined by ultrasound. Blood samples were also taken during the experiment. The ex-periment showed that the TM group had higher lambing rate, twinning, prolificacy as well as higher preg-nancy rate during the first estrus than the other groups (P<0.05), though no effect was observed on the number of follicles groups (P>0.05). Total protein and triglyceride were also lower in the TM group com-pared to the other groups (P<0.05). T4 level was higher in TM group (P<0.01). Progesterone and glu-tathione peroxidase activity were also highest in the TM group (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were highest in the NTM group (P<0.05). Serum estradiol and enzymes were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). In general, TM supplementation improved reproductive performance and some blood biochemi-cal parameters.