COMPARATIVE PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS WITH DIGITAL RECTAL PALPATION TECHNIQUE IN RED SOKOTO GOAT – PART II

Abstract

Comparative pregnancy diagnosis were carried out to evaluate effectiveness of digital rectal palpation technique in Red Sokoto goat. Experiment had 51 goats with 42 does and 9 bucks. Does were divided into three groups: group A (Recto-vaginal artificial insemination by digital rectal palpation; n = 14), group B (Vaginal speculum method artificial insemination; n = 14) and group C (Natural service; n = 14). Oestrus was synchronised with prostaglandin F2-alpha. Bucks were used for oestrus detection (n = 3) and breeding (n = 6). Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 21 using ultrasonography (US), digital rectal palpation (DRP), progesterone assay (P4) and non-return-to-heat (NRH). Pregnancy rates for group A was 64.3%, 42.9%, 78.6% and 85.7% for US, DRP, P4 and NRH respectively; group B had 92.9%, 57.1%, 78.6% and 78.6% for US, DRP, P4 and NRH, respectively; while group C was 100%, 57.1%, 100% and 92.9% for US, DRP, P4 and NRH, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between US, DRP, P4 and NRH in group A. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference between US, DRP, P4 and NRH in groups B and C. It was concluded that digital rectal palpation technique was effective in pregnancy diagnosis on day 21 and comparable to ultrasonography, progesterone assay and non-return-to-heat in Red Sokoto goat does; and result was consistent and confirms Part I of the experiment.