engleski

FLOCK - REPROD non hormonal insemination protocols for goats

Project developed innovative solutions to supply the hormone-free goat’s milk all year round. FLOCK-REPROD, supported by 7th Framework Program, proposed solutions that require no hormonal treatment and allow control of seasonality and application of artificial insemination (AI). In this manner, FLOCK-REPROD will help breeders produce more milk and provide an alternative way to meet EU legal requirements which restricts the use of hormones. Researchers developed new progestagen-free AI protocols (PG1, PG2, HF) involving procedures based on male effect and light treatments to induce and synchronize ovulations in any season. FLOCK-REPROD protocols exclude the use of progestagens. PG1 and PG2 are based on either 1 or 2 injections of prostaglandin (not subjected to residues constraints). The HF protocol is hormone-free, and can thus be applied in organic farms. New AI protocols have been tested in field conditions. Best results were obtained with HF (58% pregnancy, similar to classical hormonal treatment HT) followed by PG2 (54%) and PG1 (45%). Main problem for implementation of PG1 and HF protocols was high variability of fertility results depending on farms. New AI protocols were less efficient in terms of working time and costs of inputs, in comparison to the HT. PG1 was the most time-consuming protocol followed by HF and PG2. HF appeared to be the most expensive protocol whereas PG2 was cheaper than PG1. Increased workload and higher costs generated by new AI protocols were mainly due to number of supplementary bucks needed to carry out male effect (higher feed costs, time-consuming bucks’ handling).

No hormonal protocols; hormone free; artificial insemination; goats; male effect; photoperiodic treatments

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