Season Impacts Reproduction Out of Season Breeding


Out-of-Season Breeding

Goats are considered seasonal breeders, with some breeds more seasonal than others.  To read more on the effects of season on reproduction before proceeding please visit: http://www.extension.org/pages/19372/season-impacts-reproduction-influence-of-daylength

Being able to breed outside of the normal season could:

  • Help provide a more consistent supply of milk and meat products
  • Allow for accelerated kidding (three kiddings in two years)
  • Allow producers to schedule kidding when feed and labor are available and to take advantage of specific niche markets or price

Out-of-Season Breeding Progestagen Use

Progestagen Use

 

Various forms of progestagen with different routes of administration have been used to extend the lifespan of the corpus luteum for synchronization in both cycling as well as non-cycling does.  Options for hormone control with progestagens (synthetic proegesterones) include:

1.Intravaginalprogestogensponges (pessaries)

2.CIDRs– (controlled intravaginal drug-releasing devices)

3.Melengestrolacetate (MGA)  

 

None of the pharmacological treatments listed above have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in goats, only one (CIDRs® ) has been approved for …

Out-of-Season Breeding Artificial Lighting and Melatonin

Artificial Lighting and Melatonin

Photo of kid nursing dam.

Light treatment to alter photoperiod response is a well-known synchronization and/or induction method for out-of-season breeding in the dairy goat industry. Artificial lighting is mostly employed for long day simulation, administered as 16 hours of daylight followed by eight hours of darkness. To simulate long days it is not necessary to provide the entire 16-hour light period, but treatment can be divided into the natural daylight period followed by an appropriately …

Estrous Synchronization Artificial Lighting and Melatonin

Artificial Lighting and Melatonin

Photo of kid nursing

 

Because the length of the day determines breeding in goats, light treatment to alter this photoperiod response is a well-known method to help get a doe to come in heat for breeding during the non-breeding season, especially in the dairy goat industry. Artificial lighting is used to mimic a long day (16 hours of either sunlight or artificial light) followed by eight hours of darkness. Then, the does are exposed to 8 …