Advanced breeding and "buck effect" in indigenous Greek goats

This article presented the results of "buck effect" in local Greek genotypes. These observations were made in an experimental station and in private flocks where sexual activity of males and females were determined. Testis volume increased two-fold from January to July. Intensity of sexual behaviour also rose in March when five of 14 bucks displayed sexual behaviour. All five bucks remained seasonally active throughout the experiment. The volume of their ejaculate increased from 0.8 to 1.2 ml, but the total counts of spermatozoa and the concentration decreased. Motility and viability remained high (4% and 70-80%, respectively) during the full experimentation period and did not show significant seasonal differences. Ovarian activity of some females continued up to March but all females were in ovarian inactivity throughout spring. Despite this 100% inactivity, all ovulated after buck introduction. This suggested that the breeding period could be advanced using "buck effect", with males that where not at the maximum of their sexual activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.