Effect of minerals and concentrate supplementation on the fertility of Pote goat during the dry season

This study aimed to determine the effect of minerals and concentrate supplementations on the fertility of Pote goats in the long dry season. For this purpose, sixty healthy and not pregnant goats were divided randomly into three groups, designated T0, T1, and T2. All animals were fed forage 3 kg/animal/day; additionally, animals kept in T1 were supplemented with a mineral mixture at a dose of 0.5 g/kg BW/day, while animals kept in T2 were supplemented with concentrate at a dose of 0.5 g/kg BW/day for 45 days. The efficacy was assessed based on the body weight, blood urea nitrogen, total protein and albumin, two estrus synchronization, pregnancy rate, and litter size. The result showed that the body weight, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, and albumin were not significantly different among groups. In the first estrus synchronization, the T1 and T2 groups exhibited a higher estrus rate compared to group T0. For goats that were supplemented with concentrate (T2), the onset of estrus was faster (p<0.05) both in the first and second estrus synchronization. All goats were inseminated artificially. Pregnancy examination based on progesterone levels (21-day post-insemination) and Ultrasonography (USG at 45-day post-insemination) showed a variation in pregnancy rate. All goats diagnosed as pregnant based on USG examination had kidding with 1-2 kids per doe. In the T0 and T2 groups, serum progesterone levels on the 21st day in singlets were lower (p<0.05) than in twin kidding. It could be concluded that mineral or concentrate supplementations enhanced the performance parameters of goats during the long dry season.