Impact of Antioxidant (Astaxanthin) Supplementation on Farafra Ewes Reproductive Performance and Growth Performance of Their Lambs Exposed to Heat Stress

This study was carried out to investigate the effect oral administration of astaxanthin (Keto antioxidants) on the reproductive performance of Farafra ewes and the growth performances of their lambs exposed to heat stress. Sixty-seven apparently healthy, pluripara Farafra ewes were divided randomly into two similar groups and they were similar in initial body weight (36.18 + 0.56 kg) and age. The ewes in control (CG33 ewes) were fed on control diet (concentrate feed mixture without any supplement). The treated group (ASXG, n= 34 ewes), ewes were fed control diets plus 0.25 mg, orally administration, astaxanthin /kg/ body wt/d. during pre-mating, mating and pregnancy. Animals of both groups exposed to solar radiation for two hours daily as a heat stress. Reproductive traits were recorded and data were statistically analyzed using SPSS program. The results revealed that, the oral administration of astaxanthin increased the percentage of ewes in estrus and the conception rate of all ewes by about 20% and 12%, respectively. Also, no of lambs born and lambs born alive increased by about 53% and 33% in favor of ASXG. Oral ASX improved (P< 0.05) twining rate. Moreover, the group that received ASX had higher (P< 0.05) lambs weaning weight by about 25% than the control one. However, gestation length and average birth weight did not differ between the CG and ASXG. In conclusion, supplementation of ASX around mating and during pregnancy could improve the reproductive performance of ewes exposed to heat stress.