author(s)
AA Malik, MR Fazili, A Khatun, MA Rather, HM Khan and RA Shah

abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and ascorbic acid (AA) in pregnant and non-pregnant cross bred sheep during non-breeding season. The esperiment was conducted at Mountain Research Centre for Sheep and Goat, FVSc & AH, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama from March to May 2017. Cross bred ewes (n=24) were subjected to estrus induction protocol involving insertion of intravaginal sponges for 10 days followed by an injection of 500 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal. Subsequently the animals were subjected to natural tupping, cervical insemination or laparoscopic insemination (LAI). Blood samples were collected on different days for analysis of serum NO and AA concentration. The serum NO concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in pregnant than non-pregnant ewes on day 17 (157.19±7.13 µM vs 138.58±3.36 µM) and day 35 (161.63±5.07 µM vs 142.20±3.14 µM) post tupping/insemination. The serum AA levels were also significantly higher (P<0.05) in pregnant than non-pregnant ewes on day 17 (77.21±7.71 µg/ml vs 54.49±4.97 µg/ml) and day 35 (81.95±4.85 µg/ml vs 60.37±5.10 µg/ml) post tupping/insemination.