Ultrasonographic guided follicular dynamics in Gaddi goats during non-breeding season

Abstract

Goat rearing is an important component of the agrarian society of Himachal Pradesh, India. Gaddi goats constitute about three-fourth of the total goat population of the state and are reared by approximately 35% traditional Gaddi families as migratory flocks on sub-mountainous pastures during winter and high altitude alpine pastures during summers. Out of season breeding is practiced by shepherds which however, needs to be validated with follicular dynamics and endocrine estimations. Adult, healthy, non-pregnant Gaddi does (11), aged 3.74±0.28 years, weighing 24.27±0.70 kg were investigated during conventional non-breeding season of long days (May-June 2016) at University Livestock Farm of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalya, Palampur for follicular wave characteristics. The follicular wave pattern comprised either three (81.8%, 9) or four (18.2%, 2) waves, the average being 3.18±0.12 during non-breeding seasons with none of these being ovulatory. The data combined for all waves during non-breeding season revealed an average inter wave interval of 5.66±0.28 days, the average growth rate and maximum size of dominant follicles was 0.65±0.03 mm per day and 7.66±0.10 mm, respectively. The dominant follicle (DF) persisted for lesser duration in majority of four wave animals than three wave animals with second wave exhibiting significantly lower (10.0±3.0 vs 13.78±0.57) duration of persistence of DF. Significant difference in the average daily count of small, medium and large follicles were observed in present study. The average daily progesterone concentration during the period of investigation was 0.30±0.04 ng/ml. In conclusion, out of seasonal breeding, could not be supported by repeated ovarian ultrasonography examination in Gaddi goats during long days revealing recurrent follicular waves without ovulation.