Factors influencing the success of an artificial insemination program in Florida goats

Factors influencing the success of an artificial insemination program in Florida goats

F. A. Arrebola, B. Pardo, M. Sanchez, M. D. Lopez and C. C. Perez-Marin

IFAPA Centro de Hinojosa del Duque, Junta de Andalucía, 14270 Hinojosa del Duque, Cordoba, Spain; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; ACRIFLOR, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Cordoba, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Cordoba, Spain

An artificial insemination (AI) program using cooled semen was evaluated over a 7-year period in Florida goats. The effect of the following variables on  pregnancy rates was analysed: production system, year and season of AI, synchronisation treatment, bucks, AI technicians, semen deposition site, days in milk  at AI, milk yield and parity. Animals were reared under field conditions on commercial farms in southern Spain. Semen was collected from nine bucks and  cooled at 4°C until use. A total of 3,941 goats were synchronised using intravaginal progesterone sponges and inseminated 46.0 ± 0.5 h. after sponge removal.  Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography 42-46 days after AI, obtaining an average pregnancy rate of 48.7%. Logistic regression showed that production  system, AI year and season, bucks and semen deposition site had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on pregnancy rate, while the other variables analysed were  removed from the model. The final statistical model accounted for 59.7% of the cases analysed, suggesting that other factors not studied here may influence  pregnancy rates in Florida goats.

doi: 10.5424/sjar/2012102-223-11