Estrus induction in the non-breeding season is not associated with hydrometra in dairy goats

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hydrometra (HD) at the end of the reproductive season in goats subjected (HORM and LIGHT) or not (Control-HORM and Control-LIGHT) to estrus induction by either hormonal protocol or light program, respectively, in the non-breeding season. HORM-goats received intravaginal sponges (six days) associated with cloprostenol plus eCG 24 h before sponge removal while LIGHT-goats were submitted to 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness for 60 days. Pregnant goats from both groups gave birth at the early reproductive season and were evaluated by transrectal ultrasound ~45 days after the end of the season. The control goats (Control-HORM and Control-LIGHT) were also examined. There was no difference in the prevalence of HD between goats from HORM (8/31; 25.8%) compared to Control-HORM (4/26; 15.4%), or LIGHT (9/54; 16.7%) compared to Control-LIGHT (7/51; 13.7%), as well as between HORM and LIGHT groups. In conclusion, estrus induction with both hormonal and light protocols is not associated with the development of HD in dairy goats.

Efeitos da hCG administrada por diferentes vias e dias do ciclo estral sobre a eficiência reprodutiva de cabras leiteiras

“…Hydrometra is the main cause of reproductive disorders in dairy goats managed in the production systems like that in the present study [44], and the etiology of hydrometra remains complex [45]. Hormonal treatments used to synchronize estrus in cyclic and anovular goats [46] are not a likely cause of hydrometra since this disorder has also been identified in goats with estrus synchronized by the light program [17,47] as well as nonsynchronized animals (i.e., without estrus induction) [47].…”