Comparison of Superovulatory Effect of Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin and Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Embryo Production in Crossbred (Boer x Katjang) Goats

An experiment was carried out using 25 crossbred does to evaluate the efficacy of gonadotrophin sources on ovarian responses during superovulation. Oestrus was synchronised by inserting CIDR for 14 days and 125 mu g of FGF2 alpha was injected intramuscularly on Day 11. All the donor does were divided into 2 groups, namely Groups 1 and 2 with the respective treatments of 1500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) through a single intramuscular injection and 200 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) through multiple intramuscular injections. Gonadotrophin treatments were initiated from 1 day before the CIDR removal. For ovulation synchronisation, 1000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) were injected intramuscularly through two equal dosages on Days 15 and 16. Ovarian responses of both treatments were evaluated on Day 7 after CIDR removal. In both treatments, all the does showed sign of oestrus and responded to the treatments by ovulating at least 4 follicles. After signs of oestrus were detected, the doe was placed in a pen with a buck male for natural mating. Average number of embryo recovery, corpus luteum, anovulatory follicles and unfertilised oocytes for Groups 1 and 2 were 0.53 vs. 2.0, 6.73 vs. 6.40, 13.00 vs. 13.70 and 1.53 vs. 1.80, respectively. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed between groups. In conclusion, superovulatory treatment using eCG was comparable with that of FSH in producing embryos in the crossbred goats; however, further studies are needed to conclude about the effectiveness of gonadotrophin source for goat superovulation under local condition.