Effect of photoperiod, lunar cycle and some environmental factors on gestation and parturition time in purebred and crossbred goats (F1, F2 and B1 generations)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of photoperiod, lunar cycle and various environmental factors on gestation period and parturition time in 624 kids born to Hair and Saanen × Hair and Alpine × Hair crossbred goats (F1, F2 and B1). The effects of maternal genotype, parity, kid genotype, sex, birth type, flock and year factors on parturition time were found to be significant (p<0.05). The majority of births (83.5%) occurred during daylight hours. The effect of lunar cycle and natural light/dark nights on parturition time showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Only 8% of births were recorded during the new moon phase, while the highest number of births (19%) was recorded during the waning gibbous moon phase (p<0.05). In addition, the frequency of goat births was higher on bright nights than on dark nights (p<0.01). Moon phase, parental genotype, and birth type affected gestation length in goats (p<0.01). Parturition time and lunar cycle were important factors affecting gestation length (p<0.05). Goats exposed to higher levels of bright moon phases during parturition had shorter gestation periods than those exposed to dark moon phases. The study showed that environmental factors significantly influence gestation period and parturition time. In addition, the lunar cycle and photoperiod also have a significant effect on these parameters. The results suggest that potential environmental effects should be carefully considered in studies investigating goat reproduction.