The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treatment of highenergy
diet after ovulation on ovarian function and metabolic status in ewe. Cycling ewes
Ossimi were divided into treatment group (TG; n = 6) and control group (CG; n = 6). After
ultrasonographic detection of ovulation (day 0), a high-energy diet (12.55 MJ DE/kg diet;
125% of maintenance) was fed to TG from day 1 to day 4 after ovulation (4 days). The highenergy
diet consisted of 850 g concentrate mixture and 150 g alfalfa hay, plus ad libitum
access to wheat straw. The CG was offered as maintenance diet (10 MJ DE/kg diet) throughout
the experiment. Follicular development was observed ultrasonographically every other
day while blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis
of glucose, total cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total proteins, aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). Transient
feeding of high-energy ration during early luteal phase of estrous cycle significantly
influenced the concentration of glucose and some metabolic profiles. Total proteins were
greater at first, third and fourth day after ovulation (ovulation is day 0) in TG when compared
to CG ewes. Blood glucose concentration was greater in TG than that of CG at days 1, 2, 3
and 4 postovulation. The average number of small follicles (2–2.9 mm) of the first follicular
wave after ovulation was greater in TG ewes (23.3 follicles) than that of CG (2.2). There was
no difference in the number of medium (3–5 mm) and large sized follicles (>5 mm) between
CG and TG ewes. Moreover, the maximum size of large follicles did not differ between CG
(5.6 mm) and TG ewes (5.9 mm). In conclusion, high-energy diet may improve number of
small follicles and alter energy metabolite during early luteal phase in cycling ewes.