Estrus Induction in Belgian Malinois Dogs Using Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Protocol

The induction of estrus in females, particularly in valuable breeds such as the Belgian Malinois dog, is a practice increasingly adopted in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to reduce the duration of the anestrus phase using a protocol based on the administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A total of one hundred and five multiparous bitches, with an average age of 3.41 ± 0.96 years and an average weight of (24.25 ± 4.39) kg Prior to induction, a gynecological and cytological examination was performed to confirm that the bitches were in anestrus state. Each bitch received a daily intramuscular injection of PMSG (Folligon®) at 500 IU for five days, followed on the fifth day by an injection of hCG (Endo 5000®) at 500 IU. Induced heat was observed by monitoring blood flow and vaginal smears. Ultrasound examination confirmed pregnancy at 4 weeks. The results showed that 81.3% of the females responded favorably to the induction treatment, with over 72.0% of them carrying a pregnancy to term. In addition, statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the onset of heat after induction and the number of puppies per litter. However, the weight parameters and body condition score of the females showed no impact on the onset of heat. This study concludes that heat induction is an effective tool for optimizing reproduction in specialized Belgian Malinois Shepherd dog farms in Algeria.