The efficiency of estrus synchronization protocols and artificial insemination in the Abergelle goat on-station and on-farm conditions of Northern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different estrus synchronization protocols followed by artificial insemination on estrus response and the conception rate of Abergelle goats. Three estrus synchronization protocols: (i) the standard protocol associating progestogens, gonadotropins and prostaglandins (P₄ + eCG + PGF_2α), (ii) single injection of prostaglandin (PGF_S), (iii) double injection of prostaglandin (PGF_D) were evaluated and compared to a control group that did not receive a hormonal treatment. Estrus behaviour was monitored in all does and those in estrus were inseminated. The estrous response was significantly higher in P₄ + eCG + PGF_2α does than in counterparts in PGF_S and PGF_D groups (p < 0.001). Results also revealed an earlier onset of estrus in the PGF_D-treated group, a longer duration of estrus for second- and third- parity -does and an earlier onset of estrus in animals having a 3.5 body condition score. Even if the conception rate (CR) was highest when using the PGF_D protocol, the lowest kidding rate (KR) was obtained when using this same treatment. The P₄ + eCG + PGF protocol yielded the highest litter size. Farmers’ perception surveys revealed that a higher proportion of goat keepers used a controlled mating system and had culling practices and farmers selected PGF_D as a preferred protocol.

KEYWORDS:

• Artificial insemination
• prostaglandins
• exogenous gonadotropins
• conception rate
• estrus response

Acknowledgements

The authors thank farmers who kindly accepted to allow their flocks to be included in this study. We wish to extend our thanks to the Amhara Agriculture Research Institute for the study leave of the first author.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-funded project “Improving the Performance of Pro-Poor Sheep and Goat Value Chains for Enhanced Livelihoods, Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia (SmaRT-Ethiopia)” – IFAD Grant 2000000764-ICARDA.