Dairy goats (n = ZO), aged 10 to 12 mo and weighmg 28 i 4.3 kg (mean i SD). were housed
and managed at our experimental farm (Canary Islands, Spain; 28”N, 23”W). Estrous cycles
were synchronized in December 1997 by insertion of an mtravaginal sponge with fluorogestone
acetate (45 mg; ChronogesP) for 11 d and at the time of sponge removal, followed by
administration of PGF2alpha analogue (7.5 mg, im; Prosolvin”) and eCG (250 lU, im:
Folligon”). All goats were inseminated close to the cervix using 200 x lo6 frozen-thawed
spermatozoa 24 h after the onset of es&us as detected by vasectomized bucks. The day of AI
was considered as Day 0 for calculation of the pregnancy day, Pregnancy was tested at Day 35
after AI by ultrasonographic scanning using a Toshiba Sonolayer SAL32. The fetuses were
identified and counted and later compared with the kidding or abortion rate,