Influence of Buck Effect and Exogenous Hormone Treatments on Oestrus Synchronisation and Litter Size in Shami (Damascus) Goats

Authors: MAHMUT KESKİN

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the influence of buck effect and exogenous hormone treatments on oestrus synchronisation and the litter size of Shami (Damascus) goats. Goats were divided into four treatment groups, a buck effect group (group A), a buck effect + one dose of prostaglandinF_{2a} (PGF_{2a}) group (group B), a buck effect + two doses of PGF2a, 11 days apart group (group C), and a abuck effect + two doses of PGF_{2a}, 11 days apart + pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) group (group D). The time interval (mean ± s.e.) for each group between the cessation of treatment and onset of oestrus was 52.4 ± 4.69 h, 50.1 ± 4.10 h, 24.5 ± 0.66 h and 30.0 ± 1.43 h, respectively (p < 0.01). It was also found that PMSG treatment has a statistically significant effect on litter size (p < 0.01). Litter sizes of the groups were 1.46, 1.59, 1.54 and 1.96 in the order A to D.

Keywords: Shami goat, oestrus synchronisation, litter size

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