PGF2α induced estrus characteristics and reproductive performance of goats under traditional husbandry system in Benishangul-Gumuz region

PGF2α induced estrus characteristics and reproductive performance of free ranging goats were studied in six districts of Assosa and Metekel zones of the Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia. Structured questionnaire and a field survey were applied on a total of 200 randomly selected households. The entire goats (n=1073) owned by the households were clinically examined for the presence of any health problem. Records of animal identification, parameters of reproductive performance such as weaning age and age at puberty, litter size, kidding interval (KI), the type of management practice and clinical parameters were taken on pre-designed format. Further, 40 cycling local breed does were selected and randomly assigned into PGF2α treatment (n=20) and control (n=20) groups to study estrus characteristics. Age at puberty was 6.5±1.22 and 6.7±1.22 months for male and female goats, respectively. The mean (±sd) kidding interval was 252.35±31.46 days with a mean (±sd) litter size of 1.6±0.3. Annual reproductive rate was found to be 2.2 kids/year. The mean (±sd) weaning age was 4.74±0.7 months. The major production constraints as perceived by the goat producers were health problems (53%), poor genetic potential (20.43%) and shortage of feed (20.32%). Gynecological examination of 461 animals revealed 16.1% prevalence of reproductive diseases. In the experiment, estrus response after PGF2α injection was over 80% on Day 3 post injection, while the time to onset of estrus and duration of estrus were 48.6±4.3hrs and 47.9±4.5 hrs, respectively. Major signs of estrus included restlessness, inappetence, mounting, slight edema of the vulva and hyperaemia of its mucosa, tail twitching, and frequent bleating. Management, especially health management and feeding regime were found to be the primary factors significantly affecting the reproductive parameters of goats. Kidding interval and weaning age were the most affected.Keywords: Estrus characteristics, Goat, Reproductive performance, Traditional husbandr