¹Laboratory of Biotechnologies Related to Animal Reproduction (LBRA), Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahleb University, BP270, Soumaa, 09000, Blida, ALGERIA
²Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj- Napoca ROMANIA
³Animal Health & Production Laboratory, Higher National Veterinary School, Issad Abbes, 16059, Algiers, ALGERIA DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2023.30898 This study aimed to estimate the estrous cycle length of the Algerian Arbia goat in Northern Algeria. For this, eighteen (18) Arbia goats, aged between 2 and 6 years, were used in our work that took place in the experimental farm of the Saad Dahlab University (Blida, Algeria). Blood samples were taken from each goat twice a week (at a 2 or 3-day interval) for 3 months. The serum progesterone concentration was determined by Radio-Immuno-Assay. Smears of the vaginal mucosa were taken at the same time as the blood samples. The predominance of superficial cells on the smear of the vaginal mucosa as well as a serum progesterone level less than 1 ng/mL expressed the return to estrous which was considered the beginning of a new cycle. A negative correlation was observed between the percentage of superficial cells (SC) and serum progesterone (P4) levels in all goats. Our results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between the means of different cycle lengths obtained among the females. In addition, normal cycles had an average of 20.11±1.85 days (17-25 days) representing 59.6% of cycles. Besides, a large number of short cycles (<17 days) with an average of 14.41±1.51 days were found representing 25.5% of recorded cycles. The number of long cycles (>25 days; with an average of 32.14±5.58 days), represented 14.9% of recorded cycles. Following these results, it can be concluded that the local goat in Northern Algeria had different types of cycles (normal, short, and long) with a large percentage of normal cycles. Keywords : Arbia goat, Cycle length, Serum progesterone, Vaginal cytology smears