Original scientific paper
FLOCK-REPROD non hormonal insemination protocols for goats
Juraj Grizelj
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Guido Bruni
; Melpomeni AVDI
Joao Pedro Barbas
Karine Boissard
Andrea Branca
Sandra Cavaco-Gonçalves
Gian Paolo Epifani
Branimira Špoljarić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Alice Fatet
Sandrine Freret
Antonio Lopez-Sebastian
Miguel Angel Coloma
Ramiro Mascarenhas
Stela Zamfirescu
Pascal Boue
Ivan Folnožić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Maria Teresa Pellicer
Apostolos Marantidis
Silvijo Vince
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The project has developed innovative solutions for the production of hormone-free goat milk throughout the year. FLOCK-REPROD (“Hormone-free non-seasonal or seasonal goat reproduction for a sustainable European goat-milk market”), supported by the 7th Framework Programme, created non-hormonal solutions that enable seasonal control of reproduction, which include the use of artificial insemination (AI). In this way, FLOCK-REPROD helps farmers to produce more milk and provides an alternative in line with the EU legislation which restricts the use of hormones. New “progestagen free” AI protocols (PG1, PG2, HF) have been developed, which include protocols based on the male effect and light treatment in order to provide induction and synchronization of blokiovulation throughout the year. PG1 and PG2 are based on one or two injections of prostaglandins (not subject to residual restrictions so far). The HF protocol is hormone-free and can be applied even in organic farming systems. New AI protocols have been tested in field conditions. The best results were obtained with HF (58% pregnancy, similar to classical hormonal protocol HT results), and then with PG2 (54%) and PG1 (45%). The main problem for the implementation of protocols PG1 and HF is the high variability of fertility between goat farms. New AI protocols are less effective with regard to working hours and input costs compared with HT protocols. PG1 is a protocol that requires the greatest working hour input, followed by the HF and PG2 protocols. HF has proven to be the most expensive protocol, while the PG 2 is cheaper than the PG1 protocol. The greater work engagement and higher input costs created by new AI protocols arise mainly due to the need for additional bucks to perform the male effect (higher feeding costs, more time spent in handling males).
Keywords
non hormonal protocols; hormone free; artificial insemination; goats; male effect; photoperiodic treatments
Hrčak ID:
231471
URI
Publication date:
8.12.2014.
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