Effect of lunar cycle on some reproductive aspects of female goats

ABSTRACT

The aim was to evaluate the possible effects of different lunar phases at birth on the pre-pubertal changes in the body measurements, blood parameters and hormonal profile of female goats. Based on the birth date, 36 female Nubian kids (3 months of age) were selected to equally represent the new (NL), full (FL) and old (OL) phases of the lunar cycle. Female goats in the FL group showed significantly higher body weights at weeks 20, 24 and 28 of age compared to the OL group (P = 0.050, 0.033 and 0.046, respectively). Female goats in the FL group exhibited estrus signs earlier than those in the OL group (P = 0.013). At the age of puberty, the values of Spinnbarkeit and ferning arborization of cervical mucus in the FL group were significantly greater than the NL and OL groups (P = 0.001 and 0.040, respectively). At weeks 26 and 27 of age, female goats in the FL group had significantly greater serum progesterone (P = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively) than did the NL and OL groups. In conclusion, the FL group reached the puberty at an early age and exhibited higher cyclic progesterone levels than did the NL and OL groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Goats
• lunar cycle
• puberty
• progesterone

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical statement

The experimental procedures of the current research were in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee of the Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Inshas, Egypt.