Induction of estrus in Sahel goats using Fluorogestone Acetate (FGA) sponges and Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (ECG)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a progestagen treatment alone or in combination with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on estrus response in Sahel (SH) goats. One hundred (n=100) SH does were treated with 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponge for 14 days. At the end progestagen treatment, does that retained the intravaginal pessary were allocated into two groups; A: FGA & eCG (n=42) and B: FGA (n=41). Does in group A received additional 200 IU eCG i.m. concurrent with sponge removal. Estrus was detected twice daily (at 07.00 – 10.00 and 15.00 – 18.00 h) using sexually active bucks for 5 days after pessary removal. Estrus response was different (p<0.05) between A (73.8 %) and B (58.5 %). Estrus onset for group A and B (Mean ± S.E.M.) was 27.9 ± 8.3 and 38.4 ± 9.6 h while estrus duration (Mean ± S.E.M.) for group A and B was 35.8 ± 3.2 and 23.1 ± 5.2 h, respectively. Estrus onset and duration of estrus were different (p<0.05) between group A (FGA & eCG) and B (FGA). It is concluded that additional eCG treatment following a 14-day progestagen (Fluorogestone acetate) treatment increased estrus response, hastened onset of estrus, lengthened duration of estrus and improved tightness of synchrony in Sahel does.