Ovulation in Jakhrana goats native to tropical climates

Ovulation pattern (rate and time) of 35 adult (age: 2–3.5 years, average body weight: 25–36 kg) normal cycling (nulliparous and parous) Jakhrana goats native to the semi-arid areas of India was investigated. Randomly selected goats (seven per group) were laparotomized 20, 28, 36, 48 and 54 h following natural oestrus and were observed for the onset of ovulation, its sequence and rate. None of the goat ovulated 20 h post-onset of natural oestrus. Ovulation occurred 28 h post-onset of oestrus (towards the end of the oestrous period) in Jakhrana goats and reached to its peak at 36 h of post-oestrus. No further increase in ovulation rate 48 to 54 h post-oestrus was observed in this breed. Mean ovulation rate was 1.33 ± 0.10 (range 1–2). Study concluded that Jakhrana goat ovulated towards the end of oestrus and ovulation was over 12 h after the end of oestrous period. Ovulation rate in Jakhrana goats followed a similar trend to other large sized goat breeds of Indian origin. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.