Abstract
The present study was carried out to establish a practical regimen for artificial parturition induction using prostaglandin F2$\alpha$(PGF2$\alpha$) and estradiol-benezoate in Korean native goats. The effect of parturition induction and the time intervals to induced parturition after injection were investigated. The birth weight and body weight of kids at 15 days of age were measured. A total of 24 pluriparous goats were offered for this experiment. The animals were divided into 4 goats per treatment by the injection time(142, 145 or 148 day of pregnancy) and dosage(5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg). The results obtained were summarized as follows : A total of 24 pregnant goats were intramusculary treated with 5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg of PGF2$\alpha$ and estradiol-benzoate for parturition induction of Day 142, 145 or 148 of gestation. Parturition was induced in all of the goats(100%) treated. The kids produced from induced parturition were all healthy. The time intervals to induced parturition after PGF2$\alpha$ and estradiol-benezoate injection of 5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg to pregnant goats on Day 148(23.22$\pm$0.51~23.40$\pm$1.26hrs) were significantly(P<.01) shorter than those of the 142 days of the gestation(26.34$\pm$2.22~28.39$\pm$3.02hrs). No significant difference was found in the time intervals between the doses(5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg) treated for parturition induction. The birth weight of kids from induced parturition was no significant difference between on Day 148 and on Day 142 of gestation. However, the birth weight of kids from parturition induced on Day 148 was found significantly(P<.01) heavier than that of the 142 days of gestation. The body weight of kids at 15 days old was also significantly(P<.01) lighter in the parturition induced on day 142 than those on Day 142. The birth weight and body weight of kids at 15 days old were not affected by 5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg injection of PGF2$\alpha$ and estradiol-benzoate for inducing parturition. From the above results, it was concluded that the parturition induction by PGF2$\alpha$ and estradiol-benezoate injection of 5.0$\times$10 or 7.5$\times$7.5mg on Day 142 of gestation, which was correspondent to 8 days before expected spontaneous parturition, was available without any significant troubles.
