This study investigated the reproductive performance, lamb survivability, and growing performance of Morkaraman ewes, the estrus of which was induced by natural and synthetic progesterone and which were inseminated by laparoscopic technique at the end of the mating season (December). In the study, 5 different estrus synchronization methods (CIDR, Crestar, Natural progesterone, Cronolone and MAP), 100 Morkaraman ewes, and lambs born to them were used. After the completion of the estrus synchronization methods, the first sign of estrus was detected earliest in the natural progesterone group (39.53±1.87 hours), and there was a significant difference between the natural progesterone and vaginal sponges containing MAP and Cronolone concerning the time to the first hour of estrus. Estrus rates were found significantly different across the study groups, with the shortest time to estrus having been achieved by MAP. The lambing rates for CIDR, Cronolone, Natural progesterone, MAP, and Crestar groups were 74%, 61%, 56%, 33%, and 10%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups concerning birth weight, weight at various periods, and survivability of lambs although a significant difference was found in their weaning weight.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of selenium, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin D3 treatments on reproductive parameters in Awassi sheep fed solely dry grass and grain stubble during the breeding season with estrus synchronization. Seventy-five sheep were implanted with intravaginal sponges containing 20 mg of flugestone acetate for 9 days for estrus synchronization. On the day the sponges were inserted, the first group received an intramuscular injection of a supplement containing 200,000 IU of vitamin A, 30,000 IU of vitamin D3, and 20 mg of vitamin E, as well as a supplement containing 1 mg of sodium selenite and 60 mg of vitamin E. The second group was the control group, with no supplementary vitamin injected. On the day of sponge removal, the sheep received intramuscular injections of 500 IU PMSG and 250 mcg cloprostenol sodium in both groups. The sheep in the first group were given a second injection of the supplement on the same day that contained 20 mg of vitamin E, 30,000 IU of vitamin D3, and 200,000 IU of vitamin A. The sheep that showed signs of estrus were mated naturally after the estrus synchronization. Estrus rates were 86.11% and 85.29%, conception rates were 74.19% and 58.62%, pregnancy rates were 63.88% and 50%, lambing rates were 100% and 100%, and litter size was found to be 126.08% and 123.52% in Group I and II, respectively (P=0.858). Although there was no significant difference in the reproductive characteristics between the groups (P>0.05), Group I had a greater pregnancy rate and litter size. During the breeding season, it is believed that the regular application of vitamin and mineral supplements on a program basis in sheep fed only dry pasture and grain stubble contributed to fertility.