Indian Journal o f Animal Reproduct ion 33 (1) : June 2012 6 STUDIES ON FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT AND OVARIAN STEROID PROFILE IN SEASONAL ANESTRUS GOATS

The present study was conducted with the objective to study the follicular growth and steroid profile in acyclic goats. The seasonal anestrus goats (n=7) were selected on the basis of absence of estrus after buck parading. All the goats were subjected to twice in a week (Day 0(day of first scanning), 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20) ultrasonographic scanning of ovaries using real time B-mode scanner equipped with 6.0 MHz linear array transducer to examine follicular development. Follicles were counted, measured and classified as small (<3.0mm), medium (3-4mm) and large (>4.0mm). Blood samples were also collected through jugular venipuncture on the day of scanning for estimation of estradiol and progesterone. Serum estradiol and progesterone were estimated by Radioimmunoassay (RIA). In the present study, there was no significant difference in different category of follicles and total follicular population in anestrus goat indicating emergence of relatively constant number of follicles on different days of observation. There was no appreciable difference in the follicular diameter between different days of observation. Serum estrogen values did not differ significantly on different examination days in acyclic goats. Serum progesterone was significantly low throughout study period