Study of the ovarian function in Awassi ewes

An experiment was carried out on indigenous Awassi ewes to study some reproductive criteria by measuring the changes of progesterone concentrations in the blood sera for about one year using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Average basal pre-mating progesterone concentration was 0.60 ± 0.42 n mol/1 (0-107 n mol/1). Average maximum progesterone concentration during the luteal phase in non-pregnant ewes was 11.1 ± mol/1 (5.8-18.00 n mol/1). Average maximum progesterone concentration during gestation was 58.4 ± 20.9 n mol/1 (29.25-100.00 n mol/1). The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis at around 21 days post mating using RIA was 100%. (author)