Effects of Cidr-G and Melatonin Implants, and Their Combination on the Efficacy of Oestrus Induction and Fertility of Kilis Goats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of oestrus induction protocols on Kilis dairy goats kept on a goat farm situated close to Kilis, Turkey. Eighty goats were assigned randomly into four groups of 20 animals each in a factorial arrangement: (i) untreated control (CON), (ii) melatonin implant (MEL), (iii) CIDR-G (CIDR) and (iv) melatonin implant plus CIDR-G (MC). Experiments were performed in mid-anoestrus season under natural photoperiod environment. The differences among treatment groups in oestrus response were significant. Oestrus response was higher in the MC group than in other groups (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the time interval from cessation of treatment to the onset of oestrus among treatments. The CIDR-G treatment reduced intervals from buck introduction to oestrus. The time to onset of oestrus in both the MC and CIDR groups was significantly shorter, compared with the MEL and CON groups (p < 0.05). The number of does kidding and fertility were not different among treatment groups (p > 0.05). Fecundity was similar among goats in all groups. Prolificacy and twining rates showed similar trends as fecundity rates, with no differences (p > 0.05) between treatments. The results of this study showed that oestrus in Kilis does can be effectively induced by using melatonin and CIDR combined treatment, and fertility will not be adversely affected. However, this treatment did not improve fecundity, prolificacy and twining rates.