Abstract
| The present study evaluated the seasonal differences in ovarian follicular dynamics in Gaddi goats. Transrectal ultrasonographic ovarian examinations were carried out during a full estrous cycle in breeding (B; January-February, n=7) and 21 days in non-breeding (NB; May-June, n=11) seasons. Blood sampling on alternate days was done during both the seasons for serum progesterone (P4) estimations. Follicular growth was characterized by presence of three to five numbers of follicular waves in both seasons. Significantly higher (P<0.01) number of follicular waves (4.0±0.21 versus 3.18±0.12), number of follicles at wave emergence during second (2.85±0.26 versus 1.77±0.14; P<0.01) and third wave (2.57±0.2 versus 2.0±0.16; P<0.05), along with shorter persistence of dominant follicle (DF, 9.25±0.45 versus 12.02±0.44, P<0.001) and early attainment of DF during first three waves was observed during B compared to the NB season. Whereas, significantly higher maximum diameter of DF (7.66±0.10 versus 7.11±0.14 mm, P<0.05) and longer Inter wave interval (IWI) between 2nd and 3rd wave (5.81±0.46 versus 4.28±0.28 days) were observed during NB season. Average mean P4 concentration was 0.30±0.04 ng/ml throughout the period of observation during NB whereas, peak P4 concentration of 11.89±1.55 ng/ml was observed at Day 14 of estrous cycle during B season. Significant difference between average daily counts of small, medium along with daily total number of visible follicles were observed during B season. In conclusion, ovarian follicular growth in Gaddi goats during B and NB season is characterized by wave like pattern and exhibited the seasonal differences.