Sheep Breeds of the Middle East: Diversity, Growth Patterns, and Reproductive Performance
Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, cilt.77, sa.2, ss.10283-10326, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 77 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.12681/jhvms.41843
- Dergi Adı: Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.10283-10326
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Growth characteristics, Middle Eastern sheep breeds, Ovine biological diversity, Prolificacy potential, Reproductive traits
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The Middle East exhibits considerable diversity, with prevalence varying across the region. Despite their critical importance, sufficient data to describe these breeds in this region are currently unavailable, and direct comparisons among them have not yet been made. The primary recognized Middle Eastern breeds were meticulously illustrated for each major Middle Eastern country, along with a description of each breed’s traits. Subsequently, two broad categories of growth and reproductive traits were taken using the available literature to compare among these breeds. To measure growth traits, average body weight was recorded at birth and at three-month intervals until maturity. Concerning reproductive traits, fertility, twinning, lambing, and survival rates were recorded. Turkey and Iran were found to have the highest ovine biological diversity. This number is drastically reduced in other regions of the Middle East, with only three breeds recorded in Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Comparisons across breeds showed that the Assaf had the highest average birth weight. Again, the Assaf breed showed the highest values for litter size, lambing rates, and prolificacy. Red Karaman showed the highest fertility rates, whereas the Bafra breed exhibited the highest twinning rates and prolificacy. In conclusion, the Assaf breed had the highest average body weight indices, indicating superior reproductive traits. Other Middle Eastern breeds, such as Bafra, red Karaman, and Hamdani, exhibited excellence in specific reproductive parameters, including twinning, fertility, and survival rates. This is the first comprehensive comparison of Middle Eastern sheep, providing insight into their unique characteristics and informing a better understanding of their potential for growth and reproductive success.