Oestrous behaviour and development of preovulatory follicles in goats induced to ovulate using the male effect with and without progesterone priming

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to examine follicular dynamics in goats induced to ovulate by using the male effect with or without progesterone pretreatment. Ten Murciano–Granadina goats were treated with a single dose of 25 mg of progesterone in olive oil on the day of male effect induction (Day 0), whereas ten does remained untreated. Changes in the ovarian follicular population and onset of oestrous behaviour were checked daily from Day 0 to the day on which ovulation was detected by ultrasonography. All of the treated goats and only 20% of control goats (P < 0.001) showed oestrous behaviour between 72 and 96 h after the introduction of bucks. Differences in follicle growth were found between the groups. The control goats exhibiting oestrous behaviour during the first 4 days of ovarian screening and all of the goats treated with progesterone had their preovulatory follicles in growing phase. However, the largest follicles in control does not showing oestrus in these first 4 days were in regressing phase, being necessary for the emergence of new preovulatory follicles from a new follicular wave between Days 6 and 7, for exhibition of oestrous behaviour and subsequent ovulation. In conclusion, the appearance of short luteal phases and delayed ovulation in goats treated with the male effect during seasonal anoestrous depends on the stage of follicle development at the time of buck introduction. A single injection of progesterone stimulates the emergence of a new follicular wave, able to grow and give adequate ovulation after induction of the male effect.