Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oestrus synchronization on the growth characteristics of the Turkish Saanen kids under extensive production. In this study, 70 goats undergoing estrus cycles were synchronized and mated by 10 Turkish Saanen bucks, and together with the produced 124 Turkish Saanen kids, provided the animal material of the study. As a result, 204 animals were used as a material in this study. The estrus cycles of goats were synchronized with intra-vaginal progestagen sponges impregnated with 45 mg cronolone. Ten day after the application, 0.5 ml prostaglandin F2α (PGF₂α) (Ä°liren®) were injected. After 12 days, sponges were removed and the females received an intramuscular injection 400 IUPMSG (pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin) and each goat was mated by Turkish Saanen bucks. It was observed that the effects of FGA/PGF2α /PMSG on fertility and litter size were significant (P<0.01). The mother age was found as significant variable effecting the does weight (P<0.01). Fertility, litter size and weaned rate were found averages of 79%, 1.49 and 81%, respectively. It was also found that birth weight was  significantly affected by the birth type and sex while the mother age had no no significant effect on the birth weight (P<0.01). The effects of birth type and age on weaning weight were not significant (P>0.05). In conclusion, the use of intravaginal sponges impregnated with 45 mg FGA and 0.5 ml PGF₂α, in combination, is convenient for estrous synchronization of Turkish Saanen goat in Turkey during the breeding season.

Key words: Estrus synchronization, fluorogestone acetate (FGA), pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), Turkish Saanen goat, fertility, litter size.