{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,11]],"date-time":"2026-10-11T13:45:34Z","timestamp":1791726334297,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,23]],"date-time":"2023-05-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1684800000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"CGIAR Research Program"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The objective of the study was to establish the effect of appropriate supplementation days (days -21 to +7) using four isonitrogenous (14.7% CP) diets balanced to provide low (Lo-ME) or high (Hi-ME) metabolizable energy on the body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) change, and reproductive performances of sheep. Thirty-five Doyogena ewes (27.71 \u00b1 2.87 kg, 2\u20135 years of age, BCS of 2.0\u20132.5) grazing on natural pasture were randomly assigned to supplementary treatments consisting of combinations of enset leaf (EL) and commercial concentrate (CC): T0 (control), T1 (250 g EL + 500 g CC: Lo-ME), T2 (400 g EL + 500 g CC; Hi-ME), T3 (500 g EL + 400 g CC; Hi-ME), and T4 (500 g EL + 250 g CC; Lo-ME). The estrous cycle was synchronized with one intramuscular injection, 5 mg PGF2\u03b1, prior to artificial insemination. The dry matter (DM) from the pasture provided 1.10\u20131.46 kg\/day, which corresponds to the DM requirements of the ewes until late gestation. However, the pasture provided a protein content of 9.52%, which was insufficient for breeding, mid-gestation, and gestation, requiring minimums of 16.1%, 13.1%, and 14.8%, respectively. The pasture could only provide enough energy for breeding ewes with a BW of up to 30 kg. The energy provided by pasture was insufficient for ewes weighing &gt; 30 kg at mid-gestation and gestation, providing 6.9\u20139.2 MJ\/day, below the requirement of 11.92\u201316.32 MJ\/day required for mid-gestation and gestation. The energy was not sufficient for large ewes weighing &gt; 40 kg. Supplementary diets T1\u2013T4 provided DM in the range of 1.7\u20132.29 kg\/day. This was sufficient for AI, mid-gestation, and gestation phases. Dietary supplements increased (p &lt; 0.01) BW during breeding and mid-gestation. During lambing, T2 and T3 increased BW (p &lt; 0.05) compared to T4 and T1. T4 had a similar effect (p &gt; 0.05) on BW during lambing. T1, T2, and T3 significantly increased BCS (p &lt; 0.05). T2 and T3 increased (p &lt; 0.05) BCS at mid-gestation, but only T2 significantly increased BCD (p &lt; 0.05) during lambing. All dietary supplements resulted in a shorter (p &lt; 0.05) time to the resumption of estrous and the length of estrous (p &lt; 0.05). T1, T2, and T3 resulted in a stronger estrous response (p &lt; 0.05). Dietary supplements enhanced (p &lt; 0.05) the conception rate and fecundity rate. The conception rate was highest in T2 and T3 at 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively. T2 had the highest fecundity rate at 151.7% (p &lt; 0.05). Dietary supplementation increased the rate of lambing (LR), litter size (LS), and weight of lambs at birth (LBW). The LR for treatments T2, T3, and T4 was 100% versus 66.7% in the control. T1 and T2 significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05) LS, but T4 had a similar LS to the control. Dietary supplements T1, T3, and T4 tended to increase (p &lt; 0.05) LBW, but T2 increased LBW significantly (p &lt; 0.05). Supplementation (T2, T3) with 400 g enset + 500 g CC and 500 g enset + 400 g CC are promising feed supplements to increase the reproductive capacities of Doyogena ewes in Ethiopia. Energy is as important to ewe flushing as protein.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci10060368","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,23]],"date-time":"2023-05-23T02:02:27Z","timestamp":1684807347000},"page":"368","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["Effect of Nutritional Flushing Using Long-Term Energy and Protein Supplementation on Growth Performance and Reproductive Parameters of Doyogena Ewes in Ethiopia"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"given":"Asfaw","family":"Tesfaye","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 5501, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5065-6476","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bimrew","family":"Asmare","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 5501, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tesfaye","family":"Abiso","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Areka Agricultural Research Center, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jane","family":"Wamatu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2020). Agricultural Sample Survey, Livestock and Livestock Characteristics, CSA (Central Statistical Agency)."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"339","DOI":"10.1051\/rnd:2006016","article-title":"A review of the effects of supplementary nutrition in the ewe on the concentrations of reproductive and metabolic hormones and the mechanisms that regulate folliculogenesis and ovulation rate","volume":"46","author":"Scaramuzzi","year":"2006","journal-title":"Reprod. Nutr. Dev."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2010.09.005","article-title":"Intermittent nutritional stimulus by short-term treatment of high-energy diet promotes ovarian performance together with increases in blood levels of glucose and insulin in cycling goats","volume":"122","author":"Zabuli","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1677\/joe.0.1750383","article-title":"Contrasting effects of different levels of food intake and adiposity on LH secretion and hypothalamic gene expression in sheep","volume":"175","author":"Archer","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1068","DOI":"10.3923\/pjn.2009.1068.1073","article-title":"Influence of Nutritional Flushing Prior to Mating on the Performance of West African Dwarf Goats Mated in the Rainy Season","volume":"8","author":"Karikari","year":"2009","journal-title":"Pak. J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smallrumres.2010.07.006","article-title":"Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting Lori Bakhtiari ewe body weight and its relationship with productivity","volume":"94","author":"Vatankhah","year":"2010","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smallrumres.2015.10.004","article-title":"Effect of long-term or short-term supplementation of high energy or high energy-protein diets on ovarian follicles and blood metabolites and hormones in ewes","volume":"132","author":"Habibizad","year":"2015","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"Kebede, H.G. (2019). Estimates of Genetic Parameters and Genetic Trends for Productive and Reproductive Traits of Doyogena Sheep in Southern Ethiopia. [MSc Thesis, Jimma University]."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"924","DOI":"10.1111\/rda.12761","article-title":"GnRH and prostaglandin-based synchronization protocols as alternatives to progestogen-based treatments in sheep","volume":"51","author":"Rekik","year":"2016","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas) (2016). Field Solutions for Sheep Artificial Insemination, ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas). Technical Synthesis Report."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"175","article-title":"Effect of prelambing supplementation and ewe body condition score on lamb survival and total weight of lamb weaned","volume":"43","author":"Khan","year":"1992","journal-title":"Proc. West. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"785","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2007.10.004","article-title":"Ovsynchsynchronization and fixed time insemination in goats","volume":"69","author":"Holtz","year":"2008","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1111\/gfs.12143","article-title":"Stocking rate effects on liveweight gain of ewes and their twin lambs when grazing subterranean clover\u2013perennial grass pastures","volume":"70","author":"Ates","year":"2014","journal-title":"Grass Forage Sci."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"Van Soest, P., and Robertson, J. (1985). Analysis of Forage and Fibrous Foods. A Laboratory Manual for Animal Science, Cornell University New York."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"7","article-title":"Estimating the energetic feed value from chemical composition and in vitro gas production using rumen fluid","volume":"28","author":"Menke","year":"1988","journal-title":"Anim. Res. Dev."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.1017\/S0021859600086305","article-title":"The estimation of the digestibility and metabolizable energy content of ruminant feedstuff from the gas production when they are incubated with rumen liquor","volume":"93","author":"Menke","year":"1979","journal-title":"J. Agric. Sci."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"NRC (1985). Nutrient Requirements of Sheep, National Academy Press. [6th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Kearl, L. (1982). Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, Utah University."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"189","DOI":"10.1071\/RD9900189","article-title":"Feeding lupin grain for six days prior to a cloprostenol induced luteolysis can increase ovulation rate in sheep irrespective of when in the oestrous cycle supplementation commences","volume":"2","author":"Nottle","year":"1990","journal-title":"Reprod. Fertil. Dev."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.1677\/joe.0.1450315","article-title":"A mixture of branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, increase ovulation rate when infused during the late luteal phase of the oestrus cycle: An effect that may be mediated by insulin","volume":"145","author":"Downing","year":"1995","journal-title":"J. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1016\/0921-4488(95)00691-D","article-title":"Effect of grazing background and flushing supplementation on reproductive performance in Sarda ewes","volume":"17","author":"Molle","year":"1995","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1016\/j.livsci.2008.02.010","article-title":"The supplementary value of different parts of enset (Ensete ventricosum) to sheep-fed wheat straw and Desmodium intortum hay","volume":"119","author":"Nurfeta","year":"2008","journal-title":"Livest. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.3923\/pjbs.2003.115.121","article-title":"Economic benefits of flushing and supplemental feeding of salt-range ewes on Pothwar Ranges of Pakistan","volume":"6","author":"Rafiq","year":"2003","journal-title":"Pak. J. Biol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"55","article-title":"Effect of flushing on reproductive performance of Corriedale ewes","volume":"13","author":"Islam","year":"2007","journal-title":"Indian J. Small Rumin."},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"422","article-title":"Reproductive performance of ewes mated in the spring when given nutritional supplements to enhance energy levels","volume":"6","author":"Santos","year":"2009","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"161","article-title":"Aspects of fertility and lamb survival in Awassi sheep under semi-arid conditions","volume":"6","author":"Kassem","year":"1989","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Agric."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"80","article-title":"Effect of intravaginal device type and treatment length on estrus synchronization a reproductive performance of Farahani ewes out of breeding season","volume":"43","author":"Moghaddam","year":"2019","journal-title":"Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1144","DOI":"10.2527\/jas1987.6441144x","article-title":"Effects of plane of nutrition and phenobarbital during the pre-mating period on reproduction in ewes fed differentially during the summer and mated in the fall","volume":"64","author":"Thomas","year":"1987","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"149","article-title":"Pre-mating herbage intake in reproductive performance of North Country Cheviot ewes in different levels of body condition","volume":"52","author":"Gunn","year":"1991","journal-title":"Anim. Prod."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1007\/s11250-012-0185-2","article-title":"Effect of feed flushing during the summer season on growth, reproductive performance, and blood metabolites in Malpura ewes under semi-arid tropical environment","volume":"45","author":"Naqvi","year":"2012","journal-title":"Trop. Anim. Health Prod."},{"key":"ref_31","first-page":"97","article-title":"Prostaglandin versus progestagen protocols in estrus synchronization in the Yankasa ewe","volume":"4","author":"Danjuma","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sci. J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"1492","article-title":"Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and selenium on metabolic and reproductive performance of Egyptian Baladi ewes under subtropical conditions","volume":"12","author":"Abdel","year":"2011","journal-title":"World Appl. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"564","article-title":"Estrus synchronization response in Kheri ewes treated with prostaglandin F2\u03b1","volume":"68","author":"Naqvi","year":"1997","journal-title":"Indian J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1016\/0921-4488(94)90073-6","article-title":"Effect of different flushing periods and synchronized mating on body weight, blood glucose and reproductive performance in spring-mated ewes","volume":"13","author":"Venter","year":"1994","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"905","DOI":"10.1007\/s11250-011-9782-8","article-title":"Effect of concentrate supplementation on performance, ovarian response, and some biochemical profile of Malpura ewes","volume":"43","author":"Naqvi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Trop. Anim. Health Prod."},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"201","article-title":"Productive characteristics and reproductive responses to estrus synchronization and flushing in Abou-Delik ewes grazing in arid rangelands in Halaieb Shalateen\u2014Abouramad Triangle of Egypt","volume":"9","author":"Farrag","year":"2019","journal-title":"World Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"28","article-title":"Effect of new regime of nutritional flushing on reproductive performance of Egyptian Barki Ewes","volume":"2","author":"Sabra","year":"2008","journal-title":"Glob. Vet."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/S0921-4488(03)00057-9","article-title":"Effect of royal jelly and GnRH on the estrus synchronization and gestation rate in ewes using intravaginal sponges","volume":"49","author":"Kridli","year":"2003","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"218","DOI":"10.5958\/0973-9718.2022.00025.3","article-title":"Effect of flushing of ewes on body weight, estrous response, and conception rate","volume":"28","author":"Shafiullah","year":"2022","journal-title":"Indian J. Small Rumin."},{"key":"ref_40","first-page":"92","article-title":"Effects of flushing during the normal breeding season on reproductive performance and birth weights of lambs in Akkaraman ewes","volume":"4","author":"Huseyin","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"328","article-title":"Reproductive performance of Iraqi Awassi ewes owned by sheep owners and extension farms in response to flushing and estrus synchronization regimes","volume":"45","author":"Abdulkareem","year":"2014","journal-title":"Iraqi J. Agric. Sci."},{"key":"ref_42","first-page":"117","article-title":"Influence of supplementary feeding and the ram effect on conception rate of Barbarine ewes during spring mating","volume":"52","author":"Lassoued","year":"2014","journal-title":"Nutr. Foraging Ecol. Sheep Goats"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.5455\/ijlr.20140720053242","article-title":"Conception rate and frequency of single and multiple births in estrus synchronized nari suwarna ewes maintained under two different feeding strategies","volume":"4","author":"Ravindranath","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Livest. Res."},{"key":"ref_44","first-page":"135","article-title":"Productive and Reproductive Performance and Metabolic Profile of Barki Ewes Supplemented with Two Forms of Probiotics as Feed Additives","volume":"9","author":"Gawish","year":"2019","journal-title":"World Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.1071\/AN14419","article-title":"Environmental and genetic factors influence the live weight of adult Merino and Border Leicester X Merino ewes across multiple sites and years","volume":"56","author":"Blumer","year":"2015","journal-title":"Anim. Prod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1007\/s11250-012-0180-7","article-title":"Effect of multiple stresses (thermal, nutritional, and walking stress) on growth, physiological response, blood biochemical and endocrine responses in Malpura ewes under semi-arid tropical environment","volume":"45","author":"Sejian","year":"2013","journal-title":"Trop. Anim. Health Prod."},{"key":"ref_47","first-page":"18","article-title":"Flushing vs. Hormonal treatment, which better improve the reproductive performance of Ossimi ewes","volume":"13","author":"Zanouny","year":"2018","journal-title":"Egypt. J. Sheep Goat Sci."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.21608\/ejnf.2017.75166","article-title":"Effect of condensed tannins and saponin supplementation on reproductive performance in Barki ewes","volume":"20","author":"Baheg","year":"2017","journal-title":"Egypt. J. Nutr. Feed."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"413","DOI":"10.33899\/ijvs.2021.130460.1822","article-title":"Effect of adding carrots as fed supplementation on reproductive performances in Awassi ewes","volume":"36","author":"Dhahir","year":"2022","journal-title":"Iraqi J. Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1016\/S0921-4488(03)00010-5","article-title":"The effects of a strategic supplementation and prophylaxis on the reproductive performance of primiparous Fulbe ewes in the semi-arid zone of Cameroon","volume":"56","author":"Njoya","year":"2002","journal-title":"Small Rumin. Res."},{"key":"ref_51","unstructured":"Shambel, G. (2017). Evaluation of Estrus Response and Fertility in Ewes with and without Flushing and Mated to Begait Rams under Traditional Management in Eastern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. [Master\u2019s Thesis, Mekelle University]."},{"key":"ref_52","first-page":"93","article-title":"Effect of progestagen, PGF2\u03b1, PMSG, and GnRH on estrus synchronization and some reproductive and productive traits in Barki ewes","volume":"20","author":"Abdalla","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Agroaliment. Process. Technol."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"162","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2009.01.010","article-title":"The effect of hCG treatment on Day 12 post-mating on ovarian function and reproductive performance of ewes and ewe lambs","volume":"116","author":"Khan","year":"2009","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e09749","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2022.e09749","article-title":"Analysis of genetic parameters and genetic trends for early growth and reproductive traits of Doyogena sheep managed under community-based breeding program","volume":"8","author":"Habtegiorgis","year":"2022","journal-title":"Heliyon"}],"container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/10\/6\/368\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T19:40:18Z","timestamp":1760125218000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/10\/6\/368"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,23]]},"references-count":54,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,6]]}},"alternative-id":["vetsci10060368"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/vetsci10060368","relation":{},"ISSN":["2306-7381"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2306-7381","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,5,23]]}}}