AGE AT PUBERTY IN FEMALE DWARF GOAT KIDS AND ESTROUS CYCLE LENGTH ON THE BASIS OF HORMONES

Abstract

A lot of five healthy female dwarf goat kids was reared at NIAB farm. Blood sampling was started at the age of 75 days. Progesterone and oestradiol profiles were monitored duri.ng prepuberal period and estrous cycle by using Radio-immunoassay (RIA) technique. During prepuberal period progesterone remained at the basal levels of 0.1-0.5 ng/ml. A small rise upto 2 pg/ml was noticed in oestradiol at the transition from prepuberal to puberal period. Hormonal levels begin to rise at the age of 4-5 months ( 120-160 days). Oestradiol started to increase to peak levels indicating estrous phase. After this period, progesterone values started to rise and attained the peak levels of 4-9 nglml during the 15 days. In the next 4 to 5 days, it started to fall and reached to basal levels. On the day of oestrous, peak values of oestradiol, ranged from 10-16 pg/ml were observed. The overall pattern of release of these hormones was similar in all the animals of the lot and the mean age at puberty in the dwarf goat was found to be 1371+31 days with a mean estrous cycle length of 201+1 days.