Full Length Research Paper

Effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration and flushing on reproductive performance in Nadooshan goats of Iran

Zare Shahneh¹*, A. Sadeghipanah², H. Javaheri Barfourooshi² and M. A. Emami-mibody³

¹Department of Animal Science, University of Tehran.

²Animal Research Inst. Karaj, Iran.

³Animal Research Inst. Jahadehkeshavarsi Organisation, Yazd, Iran.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: azareh@ut.ac.ir.

Accepted 25 July, 2008

An experiment was conducted on Nadooshan goats of Iran, during the breeding season, to evaluate the effectiveness of flushing and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) treatment on reproductive traits. Ninety-two intact does with an average live weight of 25.11 ± 3.933 kg were randomly divided into four equal experimental groups. Controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) were inserted for 18 days in all groups. Experimental groups consist of: 1- Control (C); 2- eCG (600 IU; E); 3- eCG (600 IU) + Flushing (E+F); and 4- Flushing (F). Does in two last groups (E and E+F) were injected intramuscularly, at the time of CIDR withdrawal, with 600 IU of eCG. The first group (C) received no treatment and served as a control. All animals were submitted to pasture and mineral licks and groups E+F and F additionally received flushing ration. Pregnancy rate in group F was more than the control group (p < 0.05). Twinning rates and kid crops in groups E+F and F were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). Time of onset of estrus decreased in groups with eCG administration (E and E+F). Therefore, it is concluded that the flushing especially coupled with the eCG treatment can improve reproductive performance in Nadooshan goats treated with CIDR during the breeding season.

Key words: eCG (PMSG), flushing, reproductive performance, goat.