الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present study was carried out at the Experimental Agricultural Project (Sheep Farm) and Animal Nutrition Research Unit, Radiobiology Applications Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Abu Zabeel, during the years 2006 and 2007. Fifty- six Barki ewes of about 2-3 years of age and of about 35.2-36.5 kg live body weight were used in the present study.
The study included two parts. In the first part, ewes were divided randomly into four groups to determine the effect of flushing and Reproton treatment on reproductive performance, and in the second part twenty ewes during late gestation were divided randomly into two groups, these groups received 100 (T1) and 120% (T2) of dietary allowances recommended by Tommi (1963). The formulated rations were given before eight weeks of expected date of lambing.
1. G1: fed 100 gm yellow corn for 10 days (pre- mating season) and 7 days (during mating), and treated with reproton.
2. G2: fed 100 gm yellow corn for 10 days (pre- mating season) and 7 days (during mating).
3. G3: fed 100 gm yellow corn for 17 days (during mating season) and treated with reproton.
4. G4: fed 100 gm yellow corn for 17 days (during mating season).
Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out by the ultrasonic instrument on day 50 post breeding. The objective of this study was improving the reproductive and productive performance of Barki sheep. Through dietary treatments and Reporton supplement.
Reproton is a natural biostmulant herb mixture of which formed from a dry mixture about 5 plants, which was proved to be effective in inducing and synchronizing estrous cycles in buffalo and cattle.
The results obtained from the first treatment (flushing and reproton) ewes be summarized as follow:
• No significant differences were found between the different Groups in conception rate.
• The percentages of lambing rate for the four groups were 100%.
• The average litter size was 1.08, 1.00, 1.07 and 1.00 for four groups, respectively.
• The twinning rate was increased in groups treated with reproton (G1 8.00 %, G37.14 %), but no twinning was found in G2 and G4.
Live body weight of ewes
• the average live body weights (Kg) of ewes at lambing were (47.70± 0.81) and (46.18± 0.77) and at weaning they were (39.80± 0.81) and( 39.45 ±0.77) Kg for T1and T2 groups, respectively
• No significant difference was found between the two feeding levels in ewe’s live weight change during lactation period.
Blood serum biochemical parameters
• There were insignificant differences (P< 0.05) between T1and T2 groups for serum total protein values which were 6.22 and 6.65 (g / dl) for T1 and T2 respectively.
• Serum albumin was slightly increased until 45 days of lactation for the two groups, and there was no difference between T1 and T2. values which were 4.34 and 4.01 , respectively
• All values of serum GPT for the two treatments (G1 and G2) within were in normal range, and slightly increased until 45 days of lactation.
• Serum urea in T1 and T2 displayed the higher values after 2 weeks of parturition, but overall mean recorded 28.25 and 28.21 mg / 100 ml, respectively.
Milk yield and composition
• Average actual milk yield of ewes were 540.88 and 406.8 for T2 and T1 and the values of 4 % FCM were 571.32 and 427.30 g/h/d, respectively.
• Increasing the level of feeding improved fat corrected milk yield by 33.70 % in T2 compared with T1.While fat and protein percentage were not affected as compared to ewes in T1.
• T2 recorded the highest value of fat yield compared with T1, values were 23.71 and 17.54, respectively.
Performance of lambs
• 120 % of feeding level during late pregnancy slightly improved birth weight of lambs 4.49 and 4.34 for T2 and T1.
• Results indicated that daily gains of lambs in (T2) were improved by 8.10% compared with those of (T1), with no significant difference between them.