Serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) Concentrations in Prepubertal Female Norduz Lambs

In this study, serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) concentrations of prepubertal 48 female Norduz lambs born in Sheep Farm of Agricultural Faculty of Yüzüncü Yıl University were determined. Lambs were born in February, and within a month. After the parturition, live weights of ewes and lambs were recorded. The lambs were kept with their dams for three months. The lambs were fed adlibitum by crushed sainfoin hay (onobrychis viciifolia) containing 7.5% crude protein during research period. Serum FSH concentration was analyzed from blood samples collected at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks of age for each female lamb. Serum FSH concentrations of female Norduz lambs were 5.471, 6.415, 6.625, 7.383, and 5.927 ng/ml at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks of age, respectively. The sampling period and the live weight at sampling period significantly affected (p<0.05) serum FSH concentrations of female lambs while birth type, dam age, and birth weight did not affect (p>0.05). Results showed that serum FSH concentrations increased from 3 week to 9 week then decreased after 11 week post-natally in female lambs of Norduz sheep breed.