J Vet Sci.  2014 Sep;15(3):427-432. 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.3.427.

Use of a domestic Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) with its chest crayon-harnessed in detecting estrus of Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

• Yong H
• Lee E

• KMID: 2155627
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2014.15.3.427

Abstract

The reliability of a Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) to detect estrus in Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) for an artificial breeding program was investigated. Estrus in six female Himalayan tahrs was synchronized using fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges. Thirteen days later, 200 IU of PMSG and 100 IU of hCG were injected before removing the sponges and simultaneously injecting 5 mg of PGF2alpha the next day. Penetration of the cervical canal and the thickness and location of red crayon marks were examined 40~43 h later. Two females treated with sponges containing 60 or 45 mg of FGA had estrogen levels of 8.7 and 11.1 pg/mL, respectively. No red marks were found on the backs of these two tahrs. The remaining females had higher levels of estradiol, and the red crayon marks were clearly shown. The cervical folds of these tahrs were readily penetrated and the insemination gun was smoothly inserted into the uterine body. In conclusion, a Korean domestic goat with its chest crayon-harnessed was successfully used to detect estrus of Himalayan tahrs. This technique might be utilized as a part of breeding programs for wild goats and avoid the need for a vasectomy of conspecific males.

Keyword

estrus detection; goat; Himalayan tahr; teaser

MeSH Terms

Animals
Breeding/methods
Estradiol/blood
Estrus/physiology
Estrus Detection/*methods
Estrus Synchronization/methods
Female
Goats/*physiology
Male
Progesterone/blood
Estradiol
Progesterone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A vasectomized male Korean black goat harnessed with a crayon that had undergone penile translocation to serve as a teaser buck (A) and its ability to detect estrus (B). The crayon obviously marked the rump of a Himalayan tahr that displayed behavior associated with estrus including submission to mounting and intromission. The picture shown in panel B was incidentally taken by a zookeeper holding a cell phone at the moment of mounting.

• 

  Fig. 2 Appearances of the back and external genitalia of female Himalayan tahrs at the time of cervical penetration. Red crayon (square box) was smudged on the rump of animals shown in panels A, E, I and K. Cervical mucus of these females (panels B, F, J, and L) was also clearly observed on the external genital region at the time of cervical penetration 2 days after sponge removal. The Himalayan tahrs (panels A, C, E, G, I, and K) were headed in the right direction.

Reference

1. Alawneh JI, Williamson NB, Bailey D. Comparison of a camera-software system and typical farm management for detecting oestrus in dairy cattle at pasture. N Z Vet J. 2006; 54:73–77.

2. Bowers SD, Brown CG, Strauch TA, Gandy BS, Neuendorff DA, Randel RD, Willard ST. Artificial insemination following observational versus eletronic methods of estrus detection in red deer hinds (Cervus elephus). Theriogenology. 2004; 62:652–663.

3. Bunch TD, Nadler CF. Giemsa-band patterns of the tahr and chromosomal evolution of the tribe Caprini. J Hered. 1980; 71:110–116.

4. Corteel JM. The use of progestagens of control the oestrous cycle of the dairy goat. Ann Biol Anim Biochim Biophys. 1975; 15:353–363.

5. Dematteis A, Menzano A, Tizzani P, Karmacharya B, Meneguz PG, Lovari S. Immobilization of Himalayan tahr with a xylazine-ketamine mixture and reversal with atipamezole under field conditions. J Wildl Dis. 2006; 42:633–639.

6. Dufour JJ, Fahmy MH, Minvielle F. Seasonal changes in breeding activity, testicular size, testosterone concentration and seminal characteristics in rams with long or short breeding season. J Anim Sci. 1984; 58:416–422.

7. Greyling JPC, van der Nest M, Schwalbach LMJ, Muller T. Superovulation and embryo transfer in South African Boer and indigenous feral goats. Small Rumin Res. 2002; 43:45–51.

8. Holt WV, Moore HDM, North RD, Hartman TD, Hodges JK. Hormonal and behavioural detection of oestrus in blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra, and successful artificial insemination with fresh and frozen semen. J Reprod Fertil. 1988; 82:717–725.

9. Johnston SD, Blyde D, Pedrana R, Gibbs A. Laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia). Aust Vet J. 2000; 78:714–717.

10. Jussiaux M. The use of a vasectomized stallion for heat detection in a herd of mares kept at liberty. Livest Prod Sci. 1974; 1:219–223.

11. Kerr OM, McCaughey WJ. Tail painting technique as an aid to oestrus detection in cattle. Vet Rec. 1984; 114:605–607.

12. Kiddy CA, Mitchell DS, Bolt DJ, Hawk HW. Detection of estrus-related odors in cows by trained dogs. Biol Reprod. 1978; 19:389–395.

13. Kim SK, Kim SH, Kwun BH, Yong HY. Penile translocation surgery of a calf for exact and quick detection of estrus on a dairy farm. J Vet Clin. 2009; 26:376–378.

14. Kiser TE, Britt JH, Ritchie HD. Testosterone treatment of cows for use in detection of estrus. J Anim Sci. 1977; 44:1030–1035.

15. Legan SJ, Karsch FJ. Importance of retinal photoreceptors to the photoperiodic control of seasonal breeding in the ewe. Biol Reprod. 1983; 29:316–325.

16. Menassol JB, Collet A, Chesneau D, Malpaux B, Scaramuzzi RJ. The interaction between photoperiod and nutrition and its effects on seasonal rhythms of reproduction in the ewe. Biol Reprod. 2012; 86:52.

17. Roelofs J, López-Gatius F, Hunter RHF, van Eerdenburg FJCM, Hanzen Ch. When is a cow in estrus? Clinical and practical aspects. Theriogenology. 2010; 74:327–344.

18. Rowell JE, Sousa MC, Shipka MP. The male effect, mounting behavior, and the onset of estrus in farmed muskoxen. J Anim Sci. 2003; 81:2669–2674.

19. Song HB. Reproduction traits in the Korean native goat doe. Korean J Animal Reprod. 2003; 27:287–297.

20. Williamson NB. Tail painting as an aid to detection of oestrus in cattle. Aust Vet J. 1980; 56:98–100.

21. Yong H, Kim M, Ha Y, Kim H, Kim M, Cho D, Oh C, Kim D, Lim Y, Yoo M, Bae B, Kim S. Changes of sex hormones and cervical mucus in estrus-synchronized Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in non-breeding season. Korean J Embryo Transf. 2011; 26:219–222.

22. Yong H, Park J, Kim M, Bae B, Kim S, Ha Y, Oh C, Kim D, Kim M, Yoo M, Jeong Y, Ro S. Transcervical or laparoscopic insemination of frozen-thawed semen in estrus-synchronized Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus). Korean J Embryo Transf. 2010; 25:291–295.

23. Zicarelli L, Esposito L, Campanile G, Di Palo R, Armstrong DT. Effects of using vasectomized bulls in artificial insemination practice on the reproductive efficiency of Italian buffalo cows. Anim Reprod Sci. 1997; 47:171–180.