Improving the breeding capabilities of short-term estrus synchronized Ossimi sheep using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin loaded chitosan-nanoparticles

Abstract

Group 1 had a significantly shorter onset of estrus (54.40 ± 4.50 h; <i>p</i> < 0.05) compared to Group 2 (71.60 ± 0.51 h) and Group 3 (72.20 ± 4.81 h). Pregnancy and lambing rates were highest in Group 2 (100%; <i>p</i> < 0.05), and Group 2 produced more fetuses (40) than Group 1 (30) and Group 3 (25). Fecundity was also highest in Group 2 (160%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Follicular diameter was greater in Group 2 on day 9, although the number of large follicles was similar across groups. The number of corpora lutea significantly increased on day 7 compared to day 0 in all groups. Progesterone levels peaked on day 7 and declined by day 9 across all groups. These results suggest that administering 300 IU of PMSG encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles can enhance reproductive performance more effectively than conventional PMSG, offering a promising strategy to improve fertility in short-term progesterone-synchronized ewes.