Abstract
AimThis study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats and to investigate potential risk factors associated with the condition in Khartoum State.Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2015 to February 2016. A total of 378 female goats which presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, for routine ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis were examined. Ultrasound scanning was performed using a real-time scanner equipped with dual-frequency (3.5-5 MHz) curvilinear transducer.ResultsThe results showed that the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats in Khartoum State was 10.6%. Risk factors such as general body condition (χ2=5.974; p=0.05), age (χ2=11.760; p=0.0129), type of estrus (χ2=12.794; p=0.000), and previous reproductive performance (χ2=13.397; p=0.020) showed significant association (p≤0.05) with the occurrence of pseudopregnancy in the univariate analysis. Breed (χ2=12.627; p=0.082), milk yield (χ2=5.951; p=0.114), type of feeding (χ2=1.721; p=0.190), season (χ2=2.661; p=0.264), locality (χ2=7.66; p=0.264), parity number (χ2=0.451; p=0.767), and rearing system (χ2=1.593; p=0.451) were not significantly associated with pseudopregnancy.ConclusionThe prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats in Khartoum State was 10.6%. Pseudopregnancy in goats is significantly associated with age, type of estrus, general body condition, and previous reproductive performance. This study showed for the first time that pseudopregnancy is a real reproductive problem in goats in Khartoum State.
Highlights
During the last decade, interest in goats has increased worldwide due to their importance in agricultural systems in low-income countries and an increased demand for goat products in developed countries [1]
The results showed that the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in goats in Khartoum State was 10.6%
Pseudopregnancy in goats is significantly associated with age, type of estrus, general body condition, and previous reproductive performance
Summary
Interest in goats has increased worldwide due to their importance in agricultural systems in low-income countries and an increased demand for goat products in developed countries [1]. Sudan possesses over 100 million head of livestock population; among this population, the estimated population of goats is about 31 million head [2] This population figure puts Sudan as a leading livestock producer in Africa and Arab countries [3]. As reproduction is the backbone of the animal production chain, it is essential to increase the reproduction efficiency in goats [4]. Reproductive ultrasonography in small ruminants is the most efficient diagnostic tool for managing reproduction [5].
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