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Artificial insemination protocols depend on efficient behavioral estrus detection and insemination time in Angora goat. Therefore, we aim to determine the accuracy of an estrus scoring system in Angora goats with different PMSG doses during the breeding season. Does (n: 260) were randomly divided into three groups: group-1 (n: 93), group-2 (n: 85) and group-3 (n: 82). All animals received an intravaginal sponge on day 0 for 11 days, and on the day of sponge insertion 150 μg prostaglandin F2Α was administered. Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin was injected 300, 400 and 500 IU intramuscularly 24 h before sponge removal to groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Estrus signs were detected with a teaser buck, 24 h after sponge removal according to a visual scoring system. Artificial insemination was performed with 0.25 ml fresh diluted semen at 43 to 45 h after sponge removal. Differences were observed within PMSG groups in terms of standing, tail wagging, courtship behavior, vaginal discharge and vaginal hyperemia (P<0.001). Nevertheless, the most accurate indicators of estrus that result in pregnancy were tail wagging and courtship behavior followed by standing estrus (P<0.05). According to the results obtained, 300 IU PMSG dose is sufficient, both to inseminate at a fixed time (43 to 45 h after sponge removal) and to record the estrus behavior by teaser male 24 h after sponge removal. Higher PMSG doses (400 to 500 IU) altered the timing of ovulation; specifically, 500 IU dose shortened the duration of estrus behaviors. In conclusion, even though the different doses of PMSG displayed similar effects on estrus synchronization and pregnancy rates, we concluded that tail wagging, courtship behavior and standing heat are the most reliable estrus signs for artificial insemination in Angora goat.

IntroductionReproduction in fish is under the influence of various external factors. The most important factors are photoperiod, water temperature, water quality (dissolved oxygen, pH, hardness, salinity, alkalinity), floods, water currents, tides and cycles of the moon, weather conditions (atmospheric pressure, rainfall), spawning substrates (aquatic plants, pieces of wood, wards), nutrition, diseases, parasites, and the presence of other fish (1). In natural conditions, these fish are mostly female after 2 years of age (2). Seabream (Sparus aurata) has reproductive properties such as protandrous hermaphroditism, asynchronous ovarian development, and multiple daily spawnings (3,4).Newly spawned seabream eggs are approximately 0.9-1 mm in diameter and are transparent. Normally they contain one single oil drop and have a pelagic structure. Since the eggs have a pelagic structure, only the eggs that can float in water are viable and can form embryos (5,6). The egg membrane is transparent and thin, and the micropile hole is about 14 µm (2,7). After the seabream eggs complete their maturation and they are left in water and hydrolyzed, the egg diameter can be up to 1100 µm (8).Since fish spermatozoa are not motile when they leave the testes, they should be activated in species-specific ways (fresh water or sea fish species) (9). For spermatozoa activation, a number of extracellular agents were reported. Flagellar activation is provided by hyperosmotic-osmotic (500-1100 mOsm) medium in sea fish and by hypoosmotic (0-100 mOsm) medium in freshwater fish. In salmonids and sturgeon the most important motility activation factor is potassium (K + ) concentration (10,11). It was stated that in seabream K + and calcium (Ca 2+ ) had no effect on spermatozoa activation and that the optimal osmolarity for this activation was 1100 mOsm/kg (11).Penetration happens quickly after extending because fish spermatozoa are very small in structure; thus, an equilibration step is not required. The toxic effects of cryoprotectants can be minimized by not applying the equilibration stage. In a study conducted on seabream, when dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-added semen was left for equilibration for more than 2 min, fertilization rates were lower (12,13).Fish semen is not appropriate for freezing without extending. The extenders used for freezing sea fish semen are mostly salty (1%-10% concentration) or sugary

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The overall purpose of this study was to describe a method of semen collection via trans-rectal digital massage (TDM) and to carry out a related fertility trial in Angora goat. Sixteen Angora bucks (ranging 1-4 years) and 28 nulliparous does (1-2 years) were used in this study. Semen samples were collected via trans-rectal massage from 85.71% of the bucks in multiple attempts (18/21). The mean values of volume, pH, mass motility, total motility, concentration, viability, abnormal spermatozoa rate and ejaculation time were 0.64 ± 0.09 ml, 6.3 ± 0.21, 2.7 ± 0.34, 58.18 ± 5.1%, 3.68 ± 0.31 × 10 9 /ml, 71.38 ± 7.12%, 18.22 ± 2.48% and 3.4 ± 0.33 min respectively.Oestrus was detected with teaser buck and confirmed by using infrared thermography and ultrasonography (US). The success rate of synchronisation was found as 71.4% (20/28). On Day 21, pregnancy diagnosis was performed trans-rectally with US and the pregnancy rate was determined as 78.57% (11/14). TDM method of semen collection seems to be easily applicable to the buck and it could be a good alternative to collect semen as well as its use in artificial insemination campaign. Thermal monitoring is found to be a valuable tool to monitor the response to hormonal driven ovulatory synchronisation in Angora does during timed artificial insemination. K E Y W O R D Sampulla massage, angora goat, fertility, infrared thermography, semen, trans-rectal massage