Serum progesterone analysis for monitoring estrus, pregnancy and parturition in Shami goats

Abstract

Serum progesterone profiles during the estrus phase, gestation period and parturition in twenty female Shami goats (Capra hircus) aged 2-3 years were monitored. Estrus was synchronized by intra-vaginal sponges (containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)) kept for 14 days followed by intramuscular injection of 300 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) immediately after sponges withdrawal. Does were monitored for signs of estrus by means of an patronized detector buck. Those which came into estrus were hand-mated to known fertility bucks. Following the service, blood sampling was carried out at day 0 (at estrus phase) then weekly till parturition. Serum was isolated and utilized for progesterone assay. Progesterone was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods. The observation regarding the length of gestation and litter size were recorded. Results were indicated that the monthly gestation, means of progesterone concentration were (4.8±0.70, 5.85±0.88, 8.95±0.72, 9.15±0.33 & 4.37±0.23) ng/ml in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th months of pregnancy respectively. Monthly progesterone concentration in does bearing single fetus for the above mentioned months of pregnancy was (4.1±0.33, 5.0±0.21, 7.1±0.49, 7.5±0.69, and 2.05±0.31) ng/ml respectively, while in those bearing twin were (5.8±0.36, 6.2±0.42, 10.0±0.21, 9.9±0.28, and 6.5±0.62) ng/ml respectively. In conclusion, the progesterone assay proved to be a reliable method for detection of estrus and early pregnancy and predicting litter size and parturition date.