Effect of different dose rates administration of FSH + LH (Pergonal®) on superovulation, hormonal profiles and leucocyte status of the Red Sokoto Goat

Abstract

Sixteen (16) healthy, Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats aged 2 – 4 years were used to study the effects of varying doses of FSH + LH (Pergonal®) on superovulation, hormonal profiles and leucocyte status. The does were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups administered of 19.0 IU, 38.0 IU and 76.0 IU FSH + LH (Pergonal®) and 1.0 ml physiological saline as the control treatment. The treatments were administered intramuscularly for 3 days consecutively. The results on the number of corpora lutea on the ovary did not show any significant differences (p>0.05) between goats on 19.0 IU (5.36 ± 0.46), 38.0 IU (6.15 ± 1.14) and 76.0 IU (6.60 ± 1.84) FSH + LH. The C.L did not show any significant differences (p>0.05) between goats on 19.0 IU (5.36 ± 0.46), 38.0 IU (6.15 ± 1.4) and 76.0 IU FSH + LH (6.60 ± 1.84). However, they differed significantly (p<0.05) from goats on the control in the number of corpora lutea on the ovary. The number of embryos recovered was not significantly different (p>0.05) between goats on 19.0 IU (4.35 ± 0.82), 38.0 IU (4.50 ± 0.65) and 76.0 IU FSH + LH (4.85 ± 1.38), however, they differed significantly (p<0.05) from goats on the control treatment (2.05 ± 0.02). Goats treated on 19.0 IU FSH + LH (63.4 ± 1.35%), 38.0 IU FSH + LH (67.8 ± 1.25%) and 76.0 IU FSH + LH (75 ± 2.51%) were similar (p>0.05) but they differed significantly (p<0.05) from the control treatment (35.0 ± 0.65%) in embryo recovery rate. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between treatment groups in ova/embryo wastage. LH and FSH values were highest at 38.0 IU FSH + LH with (3.80 ± 0.4) and (3.33 ± 0.14) (iu/l) respectively. Progesterone and estradiol showed higher values on 38.0 IU FSH + LH (51.19 ± 0.36) and 19.0 IU FSH + LH (11.6 ± 0.7) nmol/l respectively. Higher neutrophil counts were observed in goats treated with 76.0 IU FSH + LH (75.64 ± 1.48) nmol/l). The lymphocyte counts showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the treatment groups. The results showed that Pergonal administration was not detrimental to the superovulation, hormonal profiles and leucocyte status of Maradi goats.

Keywords: Superovulation, leucocyte, hormones, pergonal, goats