Maintaining bucks over 35 days after a male effect improves pregnancy rate in goats
J. Araya A , M. Bedos B , G. Duarte A , H. Hernández A , M. Keller C , P. Chemineau C and J. A. Delgadillo A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Caprina (CIRCA), Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, C.P. 27054, Torreón, Coahuila, México.
B Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, México.
C Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, Agreenium, Nouzilly, France.
D Corresponding author. Email: joaldesa@yahoo.com
Animal Production Science 57(10) 2066-2071 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16194
Submitted: 30 March 2016 Accepted: 28 June 2016 Published: 29 August 2016
Abstract
The ovulation can be induced by the introduction of a male among a group of anovulatory goats, a phenomenon called the ‘male effect’. The objective of this study was to determine whether maintaining bucks over 35 days after the initial introduction of males, improves pregnancy rate in goats. We used sexually active bucks, which were joined (n = 2 each) with three groups of goats (n = 30 each): (i) males remained with females for 15 days (Control group); (ii) males remained with females for 35 days (same buck group); (iii) males were removed at Day 23 and replaced by other males, which were not familiar to the females and which remained with females until Day 35 (new buck group). Percentage of goats ovulating did not differ among groups at Day 19 (≥87%; P = 0.12). Pregnancy rates at Day 35 did not differ between groups (≥70%; P = 0.90). At Day 55, pregnancy rates were similar in the same and new buck groups (96%; P = 1.0), but were higher than that of the Control group (73%; P < 0.05). Therefore, maintaining bucks over 35 days after the onset of the male effect improved pregnancy rate more than 20 points compared with females that remained with the same bucks for 15 days only.
Additional keywords: caprine, novelty of males, photoperiod, ovulation, sexual behaviour.
References
Abecia JA, Chemineau P, Flores JA, Keller M, Duarte G, Forcada F, Delgadillo JA (2015) Continuous exposure to sexually active rams extends estrous activity in ewes in spring. Theriogenology 84, 1549–1555.| Continuous exposure to sexually active rams extends estrous activity in ewes in spring.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhtlyls7fN&md5=96a3fbde6818ed19d131409351fd3225CAS | 26329664PubMed |
Bedos M, Velázquez H, Fitz-Rodríguez G, Flores JA, Hernández H, Duarte G, Vielma J, Fernández IG, Retana-Márquez MS, Muñoz-Gutiérrez M, Keller M, Delgadillo JA (2012) Sexually active bucks are able to stimulate three successive groups of females per day with a 4-hour period contact. Physiology & Behavior 106, 259–263.
| Sexually active bucks are able to stimulate three successive groups of females per day with a 4-hour period contact.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XksFehtrk%3D&md5=937fbb4d91c540bdf8f2fcb43629aa11CAS |
Bedos M, Duarte G, Flores JA, Fitz-Rodríguez G, Hernández H, Vielma J, Fernández IG, Chemineau P, Keller M, Delgadillo JA (2014) Two or 24 h of daily contact with sexually active males results in different profiles of LH secretion that both lead to ovulation in anestrous goats. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 48, 93–99.
| Two or 24 h of daily contact with sexually active males results in different profiles of LH secretion that both lead to ovulation in anestrous goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXpvFGhtrY%3D&md5=140a231deb1bea74ed906bc3c17a5ed6CAS | 24906934PubMed |
Canépa S, Lainé AL, Bluteau A, Fagu C, Flon C, Monniaux D (2008) Validation d’une méthod immunoenzymatique pour le dosage de la progestérone dans le plasma des ovins et des bovins. Cahier des Tech de l’INRA 64, 19–30.
Chasles M, Chesneau D, Moussu C, Delgadillo JA, Chemineau P, Keller M (2016) Sexually active bucks are efficient to stimulate female ovulatory activity during the anestrous season also under temperate latitudes. Animal Reproduction Science 168, 86–91.
| Sexually active bucks are efficient to stimulate female ovulatory activity during the anestrous season also under temperate latitudes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28XksFKjsr0%3D&md5=772b225104820b1c8e18e64b61807ebeCAS | 27006331PubMed |
Chemineau P (1987) Possibilities for using bucks to stimulate ovarian and oestrus cycles in anovulatory goats – a review. Livestock Production Science 17, 135–147.
| Possibilities for using bucks to stimulate ovarian and oestrus cycles in anovulatory goats – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chemineau P, Normant E, Ravault JP, Thimonier J (1986) Induction and persistence of pituitary and ovarian activity in the out-of-season lactating dairy goat after a treatment combining a skeleton photoperiod, melatonin and the male effect. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 78, 497–504.
| Induction and persistence of pituitary and ovarian activity in the out-of-season lactating dairy goat after a treatment combining a skeleton photoperiod, melatonin and the male effect.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2sXhtlersQ%3D%3D&md5=bb586db8163865b1c0e576e6d4780f53CAS | 3643278PubMed |
Chemineau P, Pellicer-Rubio M, Lassoued N, Khaldi G, Monniaux D (2006) Male induced short oestrous and ovarian cycles in sheep and goats: a working hypothesis. A review. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 46, 417–429.
| Male induced short oestrous and ovarian cycles in sheep and goats: a working hypothesis. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtVOnsr3K&md5=abcbb8d509a4522022883912d0b972d3CAS | 16824450PubMed |
Delgadillo JA (2011) Environmental and social cues can be used in combination to develop sustainable breeding techniques for goat reproduction in the subtropics. Animal 5, 74–81.
| Environmental and social cues can be used in combination to develop sustainable breeding techniques for goat reproduction in the subtropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vovFajtw%3D%3D&md5=eb0fc2fdb1cbb3246c80c7af750f71b0CAS | 22440704PubMed |
Delgadillo JA, Flores JA, Villarreal O, Flores MJ, Hoyos G, Chemineau P, Malpaux B (1998) Length of postpartum anestrus in goats in subtropical Mexico: effect of season of parturition and duration of nursing. Theriogenology 49, 1209–1218.
| Length of postpartum anestrus in goats in subtropical Mexico: effect of season of parturition and duration of nursing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7ps1KjtQ%3D%3D&md5=e8d1b7d63c2c722b33ba1f79c4d6779eCAS | 10732058PubMed |
Delgadillo JA, Canedo GA, Chemineau P, Guillaume D, Malpaux B (1999) Evidence for an annual reproductive rhythm independent of food availability in male Creole goats in subtropical northern Mexico. Theriogenology 52, 727–737.
Delgadillo JA, Flores JA, Véliz FG, Hernández HF, Duarte G, Vielma J, Poindron P, Chemineau P, Malpaux B (2002) Induction of sexual activity of lactating anovulatory female goats using male goats treated only with artificial long days. Journal of Animal Science 80, 2780–2786.
Delgadillo JA, Ungerfeld R, Flores JA, Hernandez H, Fitz-Rodriguez G (2011) The ovulatory response of anoestrous goats exposed to the male effect in the subtropics is unrelated to their follicular diameter at male exposure. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 46, 687–691.
| The ovulatory response of anoestrous goats exposed to the male effect in the subtropics is unrelated to their follicular diameter at male exposure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3Mnmt1CjtA%3D%3D&md5=87e952ee7d22e4b2a4ec255ec27a8e31CAS | 21121970PubMed |
Delgadillo JA, Flores JA, Hernández H, Poindron P, Keller M, Fitz-Rodríguez G, Duarte G, Vielma J, Fernández IG, Chemineau P (2015) Sexually active males prevent the display of seasonal anestrus in female goats. Hormones and Behavior 69, 8–15.
| Sexually active males prevent the display of seasonal anestrus in female goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2Mznt1eitw%3D%3D&md5=d1131529b62d19cdbff19d1d0a9f7ee3CAS | 25497417PubMed |
Delgadillo-Sánchez JA, Flores-Cabrera JA, Véliz-Deras FG, Duarte-Moreno G, Vielma-Sifuentes J, Poindron-Massot P, Malpaux B (2003) Control of reproduction in goats from subtropical Mexico using photoperiodic treatments and the male effect. Veterinaria (México) 34, 69–79.
Duarte G, Flores JA, Malpaux B, Delgadillo JA (2008) Reproductive seasonality in female goats adapted to a subtropical environment persists independently of food availability. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 35, 362–370.
Fatet A, Pellicer-Rubio MT, Leboeuf B (2011) Reproductive cycle of goats. Animal Reproduction Science 124, 211–219.
| Reproductive cycle of goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXlvFWhtbg%3D&md5=897cbc84a89aa34c4b998824914fffecCAS | 20888155PubMed |
Fitz-Rodríguez G, De Santiago-Miramontes MA, Scaramuzzi RJ, Malpaux B, Delgadillo JA (2009) Nutritional supplementation improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in female goats managed under natural grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect. Animal Reproduction Science 116, 85–94.
| Nutritional supplementation improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in female goats managed under natural grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19231114PubMed |
Flores JA, Véliz FG, Pérez-Villanueva JA, Martínez de la Escalera G, Chemineau P, Poindron P, Malpaux B, Delgadillo JA (2000) Male reproductive condition is the limiting factor of efficiency in the male effect during seasonal anestrus in female goats. Biology of Reproduction 62, 1409–1414.
| Male reproductive condition is the limiting factor of efficiency in the male effect during seasonal anestrus in female goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXisl2hur4%3D&md5=66f5ffc395e397e10dd549a0261822f1CAS | 10775194PubMed |
Ginther OJ, Kot K (1994) Follicular dynamics during the ovulatory season in goats. Theriogenology 42, 987–1001.
| Follicular dynamics during the ovulatory season in goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28zgtVelsg%3D%3D&md5=cb7b2db95887c5da9f6cb57efa12c120CAS | 16727603PubMed |
González de Bulnes A, Santiago Moreno J, López Sebastián A (1998) Estimation of fetal development in Manchega dairy ewes by transrectal ultrasonographic measurements. Small Ruminant Research 27, 243–250.
| Estimation of fetal development in Manchega dairy ewes by transrectal ultrasonographic measurements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jorre de St Jorre T, Hawken PAR, Martin GB (2012) Role of male novelty and familiarity in male-induced LH secretion in female sheep. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 24, 523–530.
| Role of male novelty and familiarity in male-induced LH secretion in female sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XmtVKiurg%3D&md5=20d02357c326ee2316fe10892024ac94CAS |
López-Sebastian A, González-Bulnes A, Carrizosa JA, Urrutia B, Díaz-Delfa C, Santiago-Moreno J, Gómez-Brunet A (2007) New estrus synchronization and artificial insemination protocol for goats based on male exposure, progesterone and cloprostenol during the non-breeding season. Theriogenology 68, 1081–1087.
| New estrus synchronization and artificial insemination protocol for goats based on male exposure, progesterone and cloprostenol during the non-breeding season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17889303PubMed |
Loya-Carrera J, Bedos M, Ponce-Covarrubias JL, Hernández H, Chemineau P, Keller M, Delgadillo JA (2014) Switching photo-stimulated males between groups of goats does not improve the reproductive response during the male effect. Animal Reproduction Science 146, 21–26.
| Switching photo-stimulated males between groups of goats does not improve the reproductive response during the male effect.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2crhtlClsA%3D%3D&md5=e98b49ea4bcb43bb4aaa450a54aecf17CAS | 24602505PubMed |
Martínez-Alfaro JC, Hernández H, Flores JA, Duarte G, Fitz-Rodríguez G, Fernández IG, Bedos M, Chemineau P, Keller M, Delgadillo JA, Vielma J (2014) Importance of intense male sexual behavior for inducing the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation in seasonally anovulatory female goats. Theriogenology 82, 1028–1035.
| Importance of intense male sexual behavior for inducing the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation in seasonally anovulatory female goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25139756PubMed |
Muñoz AL, Bedos M, Aroña RM, Flores JA, Hernández H, Moussu C, Briefer EF, Chemineau P, Keller M, Delgadillo JA (2016) Efficiency of the male effect with photostimulated bucks does not depend on their familiarity with goats. Physiology & Behavior 158, 137–142.
| Efficiency of the male effect with photostimulated bucks does not depend on their familiarity with goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ott RS, Nelson DR, Hixon JE (1980) Effect of presence of the male on the initiation of estrous cycle activity of goats. Theriogenology 13, 183–190.
| Effect of presence of the male on the initiation of estrous cycle activity of goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXhslynsb8%3D&md5=c78c741f589b8685f914396c600eb659CAS | 16725490PubMed |
Pellicer-Rubio MT, Leboeuf B, Bernelas D, Forgerit Y, Pougnard JL, Bonneé JL, Senty E, Chemineau P (2007) Highly synchronous and fertile reproductive activity induced by the male effect during deep anoestrus in lactating goats subjected to treatment with artificially long days followed by natural photoperiod. Animal Reproduction Science 98, 241–258.
| Highly synchronous and fertile reproductive activity induced by the male effect during deep anoestrus in lactating goats subjected to treatment with artificially long days followed by natural photoperiod.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16616997PubMed |
Ponce JL, Velázquez H, Duarte G, Bedos M, Hernández H, Keller M, Chemineau P, Delgadillo JA (2014) Reducing exposure to long days from 75 to 30 days of extra-light treatment does not decrease the capacity of male goats to stimulate ovulatory activity in seasonally anovulatory females. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 48, 119–125.
| Reducing exposure to long days from 75 to 30 days of extra-light treatment does not decrease the capacity of male goats to stimulate ovulatory activity in seasonally anovulatory females.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXpvFGht7w%3D&md5=cbb5713481352922c3f8ec940dccd9bcCAS | 24906937PubMed |
Rivas-Muñoz R, Fitz-Rodríguez G, Poindron P, Malpaux B, Delgadillo JA (2007) Stimulation of estrous behavior in grazing female goats by continuous or discontinuous exposure to males. Journal of Animal Science 85, 1257–1263.
| Stimulation of estrous behavior in grazing female goats by continuous or discontinuous exposure to males.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17085732PubMed |
SAGARPA (2001) Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-062-ZOO: especificaciones técnicas para la producción, cuidado y uso de los animales de laboratorio. Diario Oficial de la Federación, México DF, 22 Agosto 2001.
Shelton M (1960) Influence of the presence of a male goat on the initiation of estrous cycling and ovulation of Angora does. Journal of Animal Science 19, 368–375.
SYSTAT 13 (2009) Product of Cranes Software International Ltd. San José, CA, USA.
Ungerfeld R, Forsberg M, Rubianes E (2004) Overview of the response of anoestrous ewes to the ram effect. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16, 479–490.
| Overview of the response of anoestrous ewes to the ram effect.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXlsVGjur0%3D&md5=a0f479011117d6422007c2e6030595a6CAS |
Walkden-Brown SW, Restall BJ, Scaramuzzi RJ, Martin GB, Blackberry MA (1997) Seasonality in male Australian cashmere goats: long term effects of castration and testosterone or oestradiol treatment on changes in LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations, and body growth. Small Ruminant Research 26, 239–252.
| Seasonality in male Australian cashmere goats: long term effects of castration and testosterone or oestradiol treatment on changes in LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations, and body growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walkden-Brown SW, Martin GB, Restall BJ (1999) Role of male-female interaction in regulating reproduction in sheep and goats. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement 52, 243–257.
Zarazaga LA, Gatica MC, Gallego-Calvo L, Celi I, Guzmán JL (2014) The timing of oestrus, the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation in Blanca Andaluza goats synchronised by intravaginal progestagen sponge treatment is modified by season but not by body condition score. Animal Reproduction Science 146, 170–175.
| The timing of oestrus, the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation in Blanca Andaluza goats synchronised by intravaginal progestagen sponge treatment is modified by season but not by body condition score.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXksFajsbc%3D&md5=e963410663b591f73b797988b7a8888dCAS | 24631172PubMed |
