Seasonality of oestrus, ovulation and ovulation rate of Sicilo‐Sarde sheep

This study aimed to investigate monthly changes in oestrus and ovulatory activity of Sicilo‐Sarde sheep. Experimental animals comprised 25 adult and 10 maiden ewes at the start of the experiment. For 12 consecutive months (September–August), the females were exposed to natural photoperiod and permanently kept in presence of seven aproned rams. Oestrus was checked daily and ovarian activity was monitored by monthly endoscopies during the last week of each month. Ovulation rate for a particular month was assessed as the sum of corpora lutea or corpora albicans present on both ovaries at the time of endoscopy. Proportions of ewes observed in oestrus at least once a month were lowest in March (24.3%) and highest in June and October (100%). They tended (p