Reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats kept under tropical conditions.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to verify the reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats from distinct parity orders (nulliparous, primiparous, and pluriparous) throughout an entire year in the Southeast Region of Brazil. In addition, it was also verified the influence of environmental indexes, metabolic profile, body weight, and social interactions on the reproductive seasonality of these animals. Forty Saanen goats kept under intensive system at latitude 22° 52' 30″ s and tropical photoperiod (11-13 h of light per day) were used. Every 15 days, blood from 24 animals (8 animals per group) was collected for assessment of serum progesterone levels. Monthly, environmental data (rainfall index, maximum and minimum temperature, and time of natural daylight) and blood were collected to evaluate the metabolic profile. Weighting and body condition score measurement were also carried out every 2 months. There was no difference in body weight and body condition score in primiparous and pluriparous goats. Nulliparous goats showed natural breeding season in the winter season while the primiparous and pluriparous goats remained cyclical in autumn and winter season. Regardless of the parity order, all goats showed a seasonal anestrus in the spring season. From December, social interactions were able to reestablish, in distinct degrees, the cyclical state in the goats. Likewise, environmental and weight indexes had low and moderate influence, respectively, on the reproductive seasonality in the Saanen goats kept under tropical conditions.