Goat Reproductive Failure Psychological Factors

Psychological Factors

Any form of STRESS may result in a psychological and physiological causes of reproductive failure. Examples of stressful conditions include but are not limited to:

Natural mating (fighting, chasing) or artificial insemination (nervous female)
Isolation
Transportation
Heat/cold stress (can impact sex drive)
Trauma/injury
Semen collection (discomfort can reduce sex drive)

Regardless of the source of the stress, if an animal is under stress at a critical time, stress hormones including adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol can reduce reproductive hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH). This can then delay or prevent release of eggs in the female which can result in no kids or a reduced number of kids born and it can cause reduced libido (sex drive) in males. It is therefore important to minimize any types of stress during the breeding season for good reproductive results. For additional information on hormones and their role in goat reproduction please visit http://www.extension.org/pages/19731/reproductive-biology-goat-reproductive-physiology

For For more information about reproduction and breeding in goats see:

http://www.extension.org/pages/19565/goat-reproduction

Maryland Small Ruminant Page – Reproduction