Manipulation of lactation and suckling on the resumption of postpartum reproductive activity in Damascus goats

The reproductive activity of Damascus goats was studied in does that were not allowed to mate (non-lactating does) (Group C) and lactating does with different suckling treatments (Groups A and B). Time resumption of sexual activity was not significantly different between lactating and non-lactating does or between does’ groups of different suckling treatments. All does started to demonstrate estrous behavior during autumn (September). In Groups A, B and C the mean length of the estrous cycle was 19.0±0.6, 19.5±0.3 and 22.0±2.0 days, duration of the estrous period 29.6±3.0, 31.0±5.3 and 25.3±5.8h, mean corpus luteum (CL) counts 1.6±0.2, 1.8±0.2 and 1.8±0.3, while mean litter size was 1.1±0.1, 1.2±0.2 and 1.3±0.5, respectively.