Inducing fertile estrus in hair goats outside the breeding season using just the female-to-female effect

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the female- to-female effect on the fertility traits of does outside the breeding season. In the control group (n= 16 does, 3 bucks), progestogen-containing vaginal sponges were inserted into the does for 11 days, followed by the administration of 500 IU of eCG upon sponge removal. Matings were completed within 36 h after sponge removal. The mated does in the control group were immediately introduced to the female effect group. The does in the female effect group (n= 16 does, 3 bucks) did not undergo any medical procedures. Ultrasound examinations for pregnancy were conducted 30 to 35 days after mating and births were monitored to determine the number of offspring. The control group had a higher estrus rate compared to the female effect group P<0.005). The pregnancy, kidding, and abortion rates in the control and female effect groups were similar (P>0.05). Goats in the female-influence group tended to have a higher multiple birth rate (P=0.059) and numerically higher fertility and litter size compared to the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Considering these data, it is concluded that using the female- influence group can induce fertile estrus in goats outside the breeding season, but further studies using larger numbers of goats are needed to compare this method with hormonal methods.