Superovulation and embryo transfer in South African Boer and Indigenous feral goats

Abstract

With the international interest in South African Boer goats and the possible utilization of superior genetic material, 56 Indigenous feral and 25 Boer goat does were used either as recipients or donor animals in a superovulation and embryo transfer program. Donor animals (Boer, n=8; Indigenous, n=16) were superovulated using 20 mg follicle stimulating hormone-p (FSH-p) (Folltropin) and recipients (Boer, n=20; Indigenous, n=40) synchronized with intravaginal controlled interval drug release devices (CIDRs) for 17 days. Surgical flushing of donors and embryo transfer was performed 6 days following artificial insemination (AI) of the donors. A higher percentage (87.5%) of the Indigenous goats responded to superovulation, compared to the Boer goats (50%). The interval from the cessation of treatment to oestrus for donor (42.0±18.0 and 33.5±5.2 h) and recipient (27.2±6.6 and 28.5±8.3 h) Boer and Indigenous does, respectively, did not differ significantly. The duration of the induced oestrous period for the recipient Indigenous does was significantly longer than in the Boer goat recipients (42.0±10.7 versus 58.3±25.2 h, respectively). The mean serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration following treatment was not significantly different between the two donor breeds (0.16±0.07 versus 0.2±0.04 ng/ml for the Boer and Indigenous does, respectively). Recipient Indigenous does had a significantly higher mean serum LH level following cessation of treatment, compared to the Boer goat (0.7±0.2 versus 0.2±0.1 ng/ml). In the donor group, the interval from device withdrawal to the LH peak was significantly shorter in the Indigenous does. The mean serum progesterone concentration was significantly higher for the Indigenous recipient group (2.3±0.9 versus 1.5±0.2 ng/ml) compared to the Boer goat recipients. The mean ovulation rate following superovulation was 14.6 and 17.5 (Indigenous and Boer goats, respectively), with a mean embryo recovery rate following flushing of 80 and 94%, respectively. Acceptable pregnancy rates were diagnosed by laparoscopy in Boer and Indigenous does (mean of 63% for both breeds), 5 weeks following embryo transfer. Folltropin as such proved to be an efficient superovulation agent in goats. Pregnancy rates confirmed multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and the program used in this trial as a viable technique for accelerated breeding in goats, irrespective of the breed.