Long-day photoperiod exposure in lactating goats to induce post-partum ovulatory activity

In the present study, the continuous application of an artificial long-day photoperiod to induce a refractory state affecting the recovery of post-partum ovulatory activity in subtropical Creole does kidding in autumn, was investigated. For this purpose, a group of does was kept under a natural photoperiod from parturition up to 158 days of lactation (control group: n = 16). The other group was subjected to an artificial long-day photoperiod (16 h light:8 h darkness; treated group: n = 16) from day 10 to 158 of lactation. For the first 96 days postpartum, all does from both the control and treatment groups did not show ovulation. However, from day 108 to 156 post-partum, the proportion of does that exhibited ovulation was greater (P < 0.01) in the treated group (11/16; 69%), than in the control group (2/16; 12.5%). In addition, the does in the treated group produced 15% more milk on average than the does in the control group at 60 and 90 days of lactation (P < 0.001). The body weight and body condition were not affected by the photoperiod treatment (P > 0.05). It could be concluded that, for subtropical lactating does that gave birth in autumn, continuous exposure to an artificial long-day photoperiod induces post-partum ovulatory activity after 150 days of exposure. This behaviour is probably attributable to the induction of a refractory state of the ovary, following continuous exposure to the artificial long days. Furthermore, this photoperiod treatment also increased the milk production level in goats at 60 and 90 days of lactation.