Previous evaluation of ovarian follicular dynamics as an indicator to initiate superovulation protocol in acyclic Toggenburg goats
Abstract
This study evaluated ovarian follicular dynamics during estrus induction to determine the optimal time to initiate superovulation (SOV) in acyclic Toggenburg goats. In Experiment 1, goats (n = 6) underwent estrus induction using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for six days, combined with 37.5 µg d-cloprostenol administered via the laterovulvar (l.v.) route on Day 0 (D0). Ovarian ultrasonography was performed daily from D0 until ovulation (D9). The population of Class 1 follicles (≤ 3.9 mm) progressively increased, reaching a maximum on D4. On this day, significantly fewer Class 3 (5.0 - 5.9 mm) and Class 4 (≥ 6.0 mm) follicles were observed compared with Class 1 follicles (P < 0.0001). Based on the follicular profile identified in Experiment 1, SOV in Experiment 2 was initiated on D4, the first day characterized by the highest number of follicles ≤3.9 mm and a minimal number of follicles ≥6 mm. Goats were allocated into two groups: superovulated (GSOV, n = 10) and non-superovulated (Gnon-SOV, n = 10), followed by nonsurgical embryo recovery (NSER). No difference in estrus response was observed between Gnon-SOV (100 %) and GSOV (90 %) (P > 0.05). However, GSOV exhibited a greater mean corpora lutea count and a superior mean number of recovered structures (10.8 ± 0.2 and 6.3 ± 0.8, respectively) compared with Gnon-SOV (1.6 ± 0.3 and 1.0 ± 0.2, respectively). Conversely, the proportion of viable structures was superior in Gnon-SOV (60 %) than in GSOV (10.5 %) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that ovarian follicular profiling may be a suitable approach for guiding SOV in acyclic goats. However, further investigation is warranted, particularly regarding the optimal timing of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration within the follicular wave.
Keywords: caprine; FSH; NSER; progesterone.
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