Do Serum Ascorbic Acid And Nitric Oxide Levels Differ Between Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Crossbred Ewes At Early Stages During Breeding Season?

Fabiha Rasool; Farooz Ahmad Lone; Mohamad Naiem Banday; Mehrajuddin Naikoo; Muzamil Rashid

Authors

Fabiha Rasool Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1728-6810
Farooz Ahmad Lone Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, INDIA
Mohamad Naiem Banday Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, INDIA
Mehrajuddin Naikoo Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, INDIA
Muzamil Rashid Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, INDIA

Keywords:

Ascorbic Acid, Breeding Season, Ewe, Nitric Oxide, Pregnant

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the serum ascorbic acid and nitric oxide levels in pregnant and non-pregnant ewes during early stages of pregnancy. A total of 24 crossbred ewes were selected randomly and estrus was synchronized by placing progesterone sponges in vagina for 11 days along with an injection of PGF_2α24 hours before sponge removal and GnRH at first fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) which was done 48 hours after sponge removal and repeated at 12 hours interval. Pregnancy was determined at 45 days by real time B-mode ultrasonography. After obtaining a pregnancy rate of 37.5 %, ewes were grouped in to pregnant and non-pregnant. Jugular blood samples were collected from all animals at day 0 (before treatment), day of AI, day 15 post AI and day 35 post AI. The serum nitric oxide level in pregnant ewes was significantly higher (P<0.05) at day 35. The serum ascorbic acid level was significantly higher in pregnant ewes from day 15 to day 35 as compared to non-pregnant ewes. In conclusion, serum ascorbic acid and nitric oxide levels differ between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes during early stages of pregnancy.