author(s)
Prasanna S Patted, BM Ravindranath, A Sahadev, G Sudha and GP Kalmath

abstract
Present study was conducted to ascertain the efficiency of different methods of artificial insemination on conception rate in Mandya ewes at Livestock Research and Information Centre (Sheep), Nagamangala, between April and May 2019. A total of 48 healthy ewes were selected and were synchronized for estrus using intravaginal progesterone sponge containing 350 mg of natural progesterone (Avikesil-S^®) for 12 days followed by injection of 125 μg cloprostenol sodium (Estrumate^®) and 200 IU eCG (Folligon^®) intramuscularly on the day of sponge removal. Ewes were divided in to four groups with 12 animals in each group. Fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) was carried out (48-56 hrs) using chilled semen with 200 million spermatozoa by vaginal, cervical and intra-cervical methods in group I, II and III, respectively. The animals of Group IV were allowed for natural mating by the rams. Conception rates of 25, 41.66, 58.33 and 66.66 per cent were recorded in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. Significantly higher conception rates were recorded in group IV compared to Group I, II and III. However, conception rate in group II and II were not significantly different. Lower conception rate in group I compared group IV ewes might be due to handling stress, type of semen used, dose of semen used, inherent variation in ewes and rams and other factors like experience of inseminator and nutritional status. From the study it is concluded the artificial insemination in sheep can be effectively practiced using appropriate method of insemination by avoiding possible stress factors that influence the conception rate in Mandya ewes.