6. Estrus Synchronization in Black Bengal Goat Using Synthetic Progesterone

Abstract

Estrus synchronization is an effective technique that overcomes the bottlenecks associated with estrus detection failure in livestock. This study was directed to elucidate the beneficial outcomes of estrus synchronization in Black Bengal does by using intramuscular injection of synthetic progesterone. Two studies were carried out with a total of forty (40) adult cyclic fertile does weighing 10- 14 kg and aged between 1-2 years. Among them, thirty (30) does were arbitrarily assigned into three (3) groups and injected with 12.5, 15.0, and 17.5 mg progesterone, separately for 14 days, while the other ten (10) does were kept untreated (control). Almost similar behaviors were observed for all does in estrus within 61-73 hours after withdrawal of progesterone and duration of estrus was 24-36 hours. Then the heated does were artificially inseminated with deep-frozen semen within 24 hours of estrus. It was observed that estrus response and conception rate were significantly higher (p<0.05) in 12.5 mg (90% and 87.50%) and 15.0 mg progesterone (90% and 88.89%) treated does than those of untreated (40% and 75%) followed by treated with 17.5 mg (60% and 66.67%). In all groups, gestation period was ranged from 153-158 days and parturition was normal. The litter sizes were similar (1.83 and 1.88) for 12.5 mg and 15.0 mg progesterone treated does but significantly lower (p<0.05) in untreated group (1.25) followed by 17.5 mg progesterone treated group (1.50). Therefore, it might be assumed that 12.5 and 15.0 mg progesterone could be used as an effective way for estrus synchronization in Black Bengal does.