Onset of Puberty in Hebsi and Zomri Goats as Monitored by Plasma Progesterone Concentrations

Abstract

Al-Hozab, A. and Basiouni, G. 1999. Onset of puberty in Hebsi and Zomri goats as monitored by plasma progesterone concentrations. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 15: 69–74.

Onset of puberty in Hebsi and Zomri goats, native to Saudi Arabia, was determined by monitoring plasma progesterone concentrations. Hebsi and Zomri goats reached puberty at 366±1.7 and 374±2 days of age, respectively, which differed significantly. Weights at puberty were similar at 21.8±0.8 and 21.5±0.9 kg for Hebsi and Zomri goats, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 0.5 ng/ml during the prepubertal period and reached more than 2 ng/ml at first estrus. The results of this study show that attainment of proper weight is more critical than age in determining time of sexual maturity in both Hebsi and Zomri goats.

Key words:

• Goat
• age at puberty
• weight at puberty
• progesterone