A comparison between intravaginal progestagen and melatonin implant treatments on the reproductive efficiency of ewes

A total of 548 Manchega ewes were used to compare progestagen impregnated intravaginal sponges (12 days) plus eCG with melatonin implant (100 days) treatments, as possible stimulants of reproductive performance during the seasonal anoestrus and the lactation period. The use of both methods of oestrous manipulation induced a significant improvement in conception rate (78% for progestagen and eCG; 78% for melatonin versus 65% for the control) and fecundity (1.50 for progestagen and eCG; 1.55 for melatonin versus 1.26 for the control), when compared to the control group. Likewise, the lambing rate was also increased (1.17 for progestagen and eCG; 1.21 for melatonin versus 0.82 for control). A total of 35 and 39 extra lambs/100 ewes mated were produced, with an increase in productivity (percentage of extra lambs) of 43% and 48%, for ewes treated with progestagen sponges and melatonin, respectively, compared to the control group. The interval between ram introduction and parturition was significantly decreased, with matings in February–April (early seasonal anoestrus), compared to matings in March–May (seasonal anoestrus) in the group treated with progestagen sponges. An increase in the interval between parturition and the following mating was also recorded. As the body condition improved, the number of lambing ewes and fecundity were significantly improved in all groups. All the fertility results obtained with the progestagen sponges and melatonin treatments were similar. It could be concluded that progestagen sponges plus eCG and melatonin implants improved the reproductive performance of ewes, in seasonal anoestrus and during the lactation period, to a similar extent.