Applicability of Day 0 superovulation protocol in Boer goats

• Day 0 protocol can induce superovulation in Boer goats although studies are needed to ascertain its beneficial effects.
• Follicular size and population at the onset of a superovulation treatment can determine the superovulation response.
• The size and number of follicles at the beginning of a superovulation can determine embryo quality.

This study evaluated the applicability of the Day 0 superovulation protocol in Boer goats by comparing it to a traditional pFSH protocol. Twenty Boer goat does were allocated into two groups comprising of 10 animals per group. For the Day 0 protocol, does oestrous cycles were synchronized for 9 days and superovulated with pFSH starting 84 h after the termination of progesterone treatment. For the traditional pFSH protocol, the oestrous cycle of does was synchronized for 9 days, followed by superovulation with pFSH initiated 48 h before CIDR withdrawal. For both groups does had two timed cervical inseminations with fresh undiluted semen. Embryos from both groups were flushed on day 6 following AI. The response to superovulation did not differ significantly between treatments but a tendency (P = 0.06) was found for both fertilization and number of unfertilized ova in favour of the Day 0 protocol. The number of follicles 2–3 mm, 4–5 mm and total number of follicles at the beginning of a superovulation treatment was positively correlated to the total number of structures and embryos recovered. It is therefore concluded that the Day 0 protocol can be used for superovulation in Boer goat does however, more studies with large number of animals are recommended to ascertain its benefits. The correlation results suggest that the response to superovulation and quality of embryos recovered could be more determine by the size and number of follicles at the beginning of a superovulation treatment.