Evaluation of EAZI-Breed CIDR and FGA-30 Intravaginal Sponge as Estrus Synchronizing Agents in Pre-Partum Red Sokoto Does

The efficiency of EAZI-Breed CIDR and FGA-30 intravaginal sponges in synchronizing estrus was investigated in prepartum Red Sokoto does. About 19 randomly cycling pre-partum Red Sokoto does aged between 1.5-2 years and weighing between 12-14 kg were used for this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups, Group A (FGA, n = 10) and Group B (CIDR , n = 9) for 21 days. Natural mating was performed following progestagen withdrawal for animals detected to be on heat. Estrus response was 20 and 55.6% in groups A and B, respectively. The time to estrus onset following progestagen withdrawal for FGA and CIDR (Mean±S.D.) was 93.09±2.06 and 50.29±4.71 h; duration of induced estrus (0.08±0.05 and 39.99±6.05 h) while estrus cessation was (93.14±2.03 and 90.48±4.69 h) in group A and B, respectively. Interval between withdrawal of progestagen and onset of estrus was significantly (p<0.05) longer in FGA compared to CIDR. The duration of induced estrus period was significantly (p<0.05) longer in CIDR treatment. Retention rate was 100% (FGA) and 88.9% (CIDR) in group A and B, respectively. Drawstring breakage was observed in FGA sponges but absent in CIDR devices. Also, vaginal discharge rate was higher in FGA than CIDR groups. These results show that CIDR devices are more efficient in synchronizing estrus in prepartum Red Sokoto does. This is because CIDR provides higher estrus response rate, shorter time to estrus, longer duration of estrus, absence of drawstring breakage and better ease of application. Therefore, the use of CIDR is advocated.