Sexual Activity of Local Sahel Goat Breed in Niger
Mani Mamman
*
Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.
Hamadou Issa
Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.
Moussa Garba Mahamadou
Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.
Marichatou Hamani
Faculté d’Agronomie de l’Université de Niamey, BP: 10960, Niamey, Niger.
Sawadogo Germain Jérôme
Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires de Dakar, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: In Niger, the Sahel goat breed counts for around 80% of the national goat herd. However, it is scientifically little or not known. Thus, one of the aims of its zootechnical characterization is the control of its sexual activity, a fundamental physiological basis of reproductive function.
Study Design: For this purpose, a sample of 47 Sahel goats in two phenotypically different sub-samples: from the Tahoua region (22) and Tillabéry region (25) was installed and monitored for heat control in order to characterize female sexual activities.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted for a period of 9 months (January to September) at the experimental station of University of Niamey Faculty of Agronomy.
Methodology: Heat controls by using harnessed males with a non-marking protective apron were carried out twice daily (8 am and 5 pm).
Results: A total of 146 heats and 100 cycles were observed. It appeared that heat starts and ends mostly in the morning (76% and 70% respectively). Annual sexual activity has gone through two phases. A phase of an almost total rupture of heat from February to April and a phase of regular sexual activity from May to September and by extension the rest of the year. The mean duration of estrus and sexual cycle are respectively 35.75 ± 15.72 hours and 20.9 ± 9.7 days with strong individual variations (12 to 132 hours and 4 to 55 days for respective estrus and sexual cycle). The “T” test showed that there are no significant differences in these parameters between the two sub-samples (Tahoua and Tillabéry).
Conclusion: Ultimately, the estrus and sexual cycle of Niger Sahel goat are common to those of the goat species in general.
Keywords: Cycle length, estrus duration, annual sexual activity evolution, sahel goat, Niger.