The effects of buck teasing on synchronization of estrus in goats after intravulvo-submucosal administration of cloprostenol

Abstract

A study was conducted on 35 East African shorthorned female goats to determine if a combination of buck teasing and low doses of a prostaglandin (PGF 2 alpha) analogue, cloprostenol, given intravulvo-submucosally (i.v.s.m.) would be suitable for synchronization of estrus. Goats were allotted, with the onset of estrus, to seven groups (n = 5 goats per group). Five of the seven groups received varying doses of cloprostenol: Group 1 (125 μg cloprostenol i.m. per goat); Group 2 (62.5 μg cloprostenol i.v.s.m. per goat); Group 3 (62.5 μg cloprostenol i.v.s.m. per goat plus buck teasing); Group 4 (31.25 μg cloprostenol i.v.s.m. per goat); Group 5 (31.25 μg cloprostenol i.v.s.m. per goat plus buck teasing); Group 6 (buck teasing); Group 7, (2 ml physiological saline i.v.s.m. per goat, control group). Plasma progesterone concentration was measured on day of treatment and for 6 d thereafter. All goats in groups 1, 2, 3 and 5 exhibited estrus within 68 h. Thus, the number of goats receiving low doses of PG-cloprostenol intravulvo-submucosally observed in estrus increased (P < 0.05) with exposure to bucks. Exhibition of behavioral signs of estrus was maximal between 2 and 20 h after onset of signs of estrus. The exposure of females to males prior to intrauterine penetration was an advantage because copious mucus eased penetration.