EFFECT OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL AS FOOD SUPPLEMENT ON REPRODUCTION IN THE MINK

The effects of addition of evening primrose oil (EPO) to a mink diet in the breeding season on the reproductive performance and kit and female performance during the lactation period were investigated in an experiment with 4 groups of male and female mink. Matings were carried out so that control males were mated to both control and supplemented females. Similarly, supplemented males mated both control and supplemented females. Reproductive results were evaluated both on a group basis and as an effect of male or female treatment, respectively. After males supplemented with EPO, there was a tendency for reduced rate of stillborn kits and kit losses during the first 21 days of life. These effects could not be explained physiologically. Female treatment did not affect reproductive performance, but there was a tendency for lower weight losses during lactation for EPO-supplemented females. Kit performance during the lactation period was independent of experimental treatment.