Browsing by Author "Karakus, F"

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Controlling Reproduction in Karakas Ewes in Rural Conditions and Growth Characteristics of Their Lambs
(Tubitak Scientific & Technological Research Council Turkey, 2005) Gökdal, Ö; Ülker, H; Karakus, F; Askin, Y
The possibilities of synchronizing lambing and increasing reproduction by using exogenous hormones in Karaka ewes raised under rural farm conditions and growth characteristics of their lambs were investigated. 112 Karaka ewes at 2-5 ages were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 45) and control (n = 67) groups during breeding season. The ewes in treatment group were placed with 60 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) containing intravaginal passaries for 14 days and received 600 lU PMSG injections at passary withdrawal. Ewes in the control group were not treated and allowed to mate at their natural estrus. Ram introduction for both groups was performed in pasture in village common flock in free mating system. Litter size and twinning rates for treatment and control groups were 1.06 and 1.04; and 6.45 and 4.08 %, respectively, for the first two cycles related to passary withdrawal (P > 0.05). When the expected lambing time was considered, the proportions of the lambed ewes in the first 7 and 10 days were 70.97% and 70.97% for treatment, and 20.41% and 26.53% for control group. The differences in lambing rates in both periods between groups were significant (P < 0.05). Birth weight, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th month live weights, weaning weight and daily live weight gain in treatment group lambs were 3.63 +/- 0.13, 9.30 +/- 0.41, 16.54 +/- 0.50, 23.62 +/- 0.77, 31.97 +/- 0.66, 31.57 +/- 0.92 and 0.221 +/- 0.008 kg; and, in control group lambs were 3.26 +/- 0.12, 10.11 +/- 0.44, 17.80 +/- 0.53, 26.30 +/- 0.82, 34.59 +/- 0.75, 34.42 +/- 0.96 and 0.244 +/- 0.008 kg, respectively. Except birth weight, treatment group lambs' live weights in all periods were lower than control ones (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). The results of this study indicate that in order to run studies to control reproduction by using exogenous hormones in rural conditions successfully some precautions and technical support are required.
The Effects of Docking on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Male Karakas Lambs
(South African Journal of Animal Sciences, 2003) Gökdal, Ö; Aygün, T; Bingöl, M; Karakus, F
The effects of tail docking on growth performance and carcass characteristics of fat-tailed male Karakas lambs were investigated. A total of 23 Karakas single-born male lambs was used in this study. Nine were docked at one day of age using rubber elastrator rings and the rest was left intact. After weaning, the lambs were fed a finishing diet for 70 days, and then slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Total weight gains during the finishing period were 14.3 +/- 1.00 and 18.9 +/- 0.82 kg and average daily live weight gains 204.7 +/- 14.41 and 269.9 +/- 11.72 g for the undocked vs. the docked group, respectively. The carcasses of the docked group contained more kidney, pelvic and internal fat than the intact lambs as well as a higher percentage of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat. The weights of the different carcass cuts of the docked lambs were also heavier that those of the intact group. The results indicated that the tail docking of fat-tailed Karaka lambs improved weight gain and desirable carcass characteristics compared to those of undocked lambs.
Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Ram Lambs Immunized Against Recombinant Lhrh Fusion Proteins at 10 Weeks of Age
(Elsevier Science Bv, 2003) Ülker, H; Gökdal, Ö; Aygün, T; Karakus, F; DeAvila, DM; Reeves, JJ
Body growth, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of ram lambs (n = 16) immunized against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) at 10 weeks of age with recombinant LHRH fusion proteins were investigated. Recombinant fusion proteins, ovalbumin-LHRH-7 and thioredoxin-LHRH-7 were produced using recombinant DNA technology. Animals were immunized (n = 8) against LHRH with ovalbumin-LHRH-7 and thioredoxin-LHRH-7 recombinant protein mixture in the Freund's complete adjuvant. The immunization group received two booster injections 4 and 8 weeks later, with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Animals in control group (n = 8) were not treated. Animals were kept at relatively poor pasture until 27 weeks of age. This was followed by a 70 days finishing period that involved housing in groups and ad libitum feeding with concentrate. Carcasses were evaluated after chilling for 24 h at +4 degreesC. Live weights, finishing weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Carcass measurements, loin eye muscle area and back fat thickness were not affected from immunization. Immunization did not affect hot and cold carcass weights, dressing percentage, offal items and wholesale cuts weights. Immunized animals had smaller testis, chop and bone weights than control animals (P < 0.05). It was concluded that immunological castration could be achieved at 10 weeks of age in ram lambs using new recombinant LHRH fusion proteins and used in finishing programs without adverse effect on growth rate, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these proteins should be further evaluated with more animals. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Growth, Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Karakas and Crossbred Lambs (F1) (Ile De France X Akkaraman (G1) X Karakas) Under Rural Farm Conditions in Turkey
(South African Journal of Animal Sciences, 2004) Gökdal, Ö; Ülker, H; Karakus, F; Cengiz, F; Temur, C; Handil, H
In this study the possibilities of using the Ile de France x Akkaraman (G(1)) genotype (IDFAG(1)) in improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of fat-tailed Karakas sheep raised in rural farm conditions in the Van Region of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, were investigated. The aim was to obtain some preliminary results for future studies which will be designed to develop a genotype which has the ability to adapt to the region's conditions, has a high yield and quality meat, grows fast, has a high feed conversion ability and a thin fat tail. Growth and feedlot performances and carcass characteristics of Karakas (KAR) and crossbred (IDFAK) lambs obtained from the mating of IDFAG(1) rains with Karakas ewes were evaluated. A total of 97 KAR and IDFAK lambs reared under farm conditions was evaluated for growth characteristics. For the evaluation of feedlot performance and carcass characteristics, 10 KAR and seven IDFAK single-born male lambs wearied at two months of age were subjected to a finishing diet for 70 days and slaughtered. Least squares means of the weights of KAR and IDFAK lambs at birth and at six months were 3.2 +/- 0.08 and 3.5 +/- 0.08 kg and 29.6 +/- 1.24 and 30.2 +/- 1.41 kg, respectively. The means of untailed cold carcass weight and untailed dressing percentage of KAR and IDFAK lambs were 13.2 +/- 0.39 and 14.3 +/- 1.10 kg and 39.7 +/- 0.42 and 44.3 +/- 1.10%, respectively. Although feed efficiency and many carcass characteristics did not differ between groups, the carcasses of the IDFAK lambs contained a higher percentage of intramuscular fat that is desirable for consumers in Eastern Anatolia. Encouraging results have been obtained to suggest that IDFAG1 rams could be used to improve the productivity of Karakas sheep. Nevertheless, more detailed and larger scale experiments are needed to confirm the results on growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs under different farm conditions.
Testicular Development, Ultrasonographic and Histological Appearance of the Testis in Ram Lambs Immunized Against Recombinant Lhrh Fusion Proteins
(Elsevier Science Bv, 2005) Ülker, H; Kanter, M; Gökdal, Ö; Aygün, T; Karakus, F; Sakarya, ME; Reeves, JJ
Sixteen native ram lambs weaned at 10 wk of age were divided into two groups. Eight animals were immunized against LHRH with a mixture of two fusion proteins: ovalbumin-LHRH-7 and thioredoxin-LHRH-7. The immunized lambs received a primary immunization plus two booster immunizations at 4 and 12 wks. Animals in the control group (n = 8) were not treated. Scrotal measurements and blood samples were taken at 2-week intervals. Beginning at 25 wk of age, semen was collected and sexual behaviour was evaluated on a weekly basis. At 35 and 37 wk of age testes and accessory glands of all animals were subjected to ultrasound scanning. At 37 wk of age animals were slaughtered and testes were evaluated histologically. Serum LHRH antibodies (P < 0.01) were detected in animals of the immunized group which had reduced serum testosterone concentrations (P < 0.01). Testicular development was suppressed in the immunized animals (P < 0.01). Immunized animals exhibited mounting activity 5 wks later than control animals. No mature spermatozoa containing ejaculates were collected from immunized animals. Control animals had moderately echogenic ultrasonographic appearance at 37 wk age, whereas immunized animals had hypoechogenic images. Mean seminiferous tubule diameter in immunized lambs was significantly smaller than that in control lambs. Basal membrane was thickened and hyalinized; there was an increase in peritubular connective tissue. No proliferating spermatogonia or mature spermatozoa were present in the tubules in these animals. There were no differences in the ultrasonographic appearance of prostate and vesicular gland between control and immunized animals. The LHRH recombinant fusion proteins were effective in immunological castration in ram lambs when started at 10 wk of age as noted by differences in serum testosterone, testicular histology and ultrasonographic appearance of testis and weight of accessory sex glands. Determining the effects of immunization on ultrasonographic appearance of the testis related to time after immunization requires further investigations. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.