Effect of Seasonal Change on Reproductive Physiology of Capra ibex in the Central Parts of Iraqi

Abstract

The current study were carried on 7 females and two males of Capra ibex , age 2.5 – 4 years respectively . All animals were put under normal environmental conditions for the whole study period: Results showed that the beginning of the reproductive season in female ibex were started from the middle of October , while the females were out of heat until the middle of November , which were considered as the beginning of females breeding season which continued until the 19th February , the end of their breeding season , when sexual behaviour and activities of males and females were ceased up to the 15th of March . Estrous cycle length were 22.67 + 0.60 days , the longest were noted during November , while the shortest were during February . No significant differences were recorded through out the study period. December represented the climax of the reproductive season with (10) cycles and 100% estrus signs as compared to the other months of the study. The period of proestrus , estrus and diestrus stayes were 1.37 + 0.19 , 1.67 + 0.16 and 19.60 + 0.60 days respectively , no significant differences were recorded for the whole period of the study . the value activity of serum progesterone concentration were an important tool in reflecting the ovarian function in female , which were at its lowest level 0.41 + 0.00 ng/ml during the 3rd day of heat , while its highest level 7.21 + 0.60 ng/ml were recorded during the 13th day of luteal stage , the most significant increases in progesteron concentration (P < 0.05) 4.44 + 0.43 ng / ml were recorded during luteal phase as compared to proestrus and estrus phase. It may be concluded that , femal capra ibex are seasonal breeders , and their breeding season exteneds from the middle of October until the middle of February, while December represented the climax of the reproductive season.