Estral and ovulatory responses in dairy goats following superovulatory treatment soon after ovulation

The effect of superovulatory treatment with p-FSH in absence of a dominant follicle (i.e. soon after ovulation) on estral and ovarian responses in goats (N. 32) was evaluated, for two treatment groups (N=16). In Group A) estrus and ovulation were synchronized with FGA vaginal sponges for 5 d + PG (ICI, 100 mcg) at the time of FGA insertion + GnRH (100 mcg) 36 h after sponge removal. The administration of p-FSH (250 IU, Pluset), in 6 decreasing doses, 12 h apart, started at 80 h after FGA removal. Together with 5th and 6th p-FSH doses, PG (125 mcg, respectively) was given. In Group B) estrus was synchronized with FGA (9 d) + PG at 7th d. p-FSH (250 IU) was administered from 7th d in 6 decreasing doses 12 h apart. Ovarian changes were monitored (N= 4) for each treatment by transrectal ultrasonography every 12 h. The goats were monitored for estrus. Ovulatory response (n. CL) was evaluated by laparoscopy. The incidence of estrus tended to be higher in group B) (91.7%; P>0.05). Group A) showed an earlier and synchronized occurrence of estrus (27.4 h; P<0.05), a higher number of medium and large follicles (12.2; P<0.05) and a tendency to a higher ovulation rate (13.8; P>0.05). The results demonstrated that superovulatory treatment starting soon after ovulation, tended to improve superovulatory response in dairy goats.