Resumption of Ovarian Cyclicity in Postpartum Beetal X Dwarf Goats

Abstract

The resumption of postpartum (pp) ovarian activity was assessed based on serum progesterone (P₄) concentration and reproductive behavior in crossbred (Beetal x Dwarf) goats. Fourteen multiparous goats were observed for evident reproductive activities, such as placental expulsion, lochia clearance, tightness of the sacrosciatic ligament, restoration of ovarian activity, and the onset of the first pp ovulation immediately after parturition. For P₄ analysis, serum samples were obtained every third day till day 60 pp. A fertile buck was used to confirm the commencement of estrus in pp goats. The average duration of fetal membrane expulsion was 118.5 ± 66.7 mins. On day 3.4 ± 1.08, the sacrosciatic ligament underwent full constriction. Lochia was cleared entirely in 4.9 ± 3.8 days pp. Twenty-one percent of the goats had estrus signs preceding to ovulation at a mean interval of 50.6 ± 1.5 days, whilst the other goats ovulated silently (no estrus signs) within 60 days. Concentration of serum P₄ depicted that ovarian cyclicity restarted on day 55.9 ± 5.7 pp. On days 12, 24, and 30, three P₄ peaks were observed prior to ovulation. Moreover, the average baseline and peak P₄ concentrations were 0.62 and 3.15 ng/ml, respectively. According to our investigation, normally the pp for Beetal x Dwarf goats under the conventional faming conditions is not more than two months.