Oestrus synchronization using two intravaginal progestagens (FGA and CIDR) for eCG-estrus induction in indigenous Red Sokoto goats during the cold dry season

The efficiency of two progestagen for eCG-estrus induction and pregnancy was evaluated in indigenous Red Sokoto goats during the cold dry season. One hundred (n=110) Red Sokoto does were allocated to two groups and treated with devices containing progesterone (CIDR group; n = 50) or fluorogestone sponges (FGA group; n = 60) for 15 days. At withdrawal of intravaginal progestagens, does that retained the progestagens were further allocated to two groups per progestagen type with one half treated with 400 IU eCG (CIDR group; n = 18, CIDReCG; n = 19) and (FGA group; n = 20, FGAeCG; n = 21). All does were grouped with bucks. Does in estrus were identified twice daily (morning and evening) during a 120 h observation period and bred. Pregnancy was determined by trans-cutaneous ultrasonography 30 days later. Progestagen retention rates were 74 % (CIDR) and 68 % (FGA). There were significant differences among treatments for does in estrus (CIDR: 22 %, CIDReCG: 84 %, FGA: 45 %, FGAeCG: 95 %). The average time interval from withdrawal of progestagen to onset of estrus was 39.8±3.5, 32.4±3.0, 55.6±3.6 and 28.2±1.9 h. Duration of estrus was 23.9±1.1, 29.9±0.6, 15.1±0.9 and 90.0±4.9 in the CIDR, CIDReCG, FGA and FGAeCG groups, respectively. Pregnancy rates (CIDR: 100 %, CIDReCG: 87 %, FGA: 89 %. FGAeCG: 80 %) did not differ significantly with treatment. The use both progestagens plus intramuscular administration of eCG improved estrus response rates and compact synchronization but did not significantly improve pregnancy rates in Red Sokoto does during the cold dry season.