Mucus and hormonal traits in three gestation patterns (pre-, full- and post-term) of Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) crossbred doe goats

In the present study, 48 crossbred does (Nubian x Baladi) were used to investigate physiological (mucus and hormonal) traits as affected by gestation pattern (pre-, full- and post-term parturitions). The incidence of full-term (does with a gestation length of 146-152 days) was the highest (54.5%), followed by pre-term (does with a gestation length of 140-145 days; 36.9%) and post-term (does with a gestation length of 153 days; 8.9%), respectively. Prediction of gestation pattern by using some body measurements was also studied. Cervical mucus samples were collected during estrus to determine spinnbarkeit (i.e. strength, viscosity or stretchability) and pH values of the mucus. Mucus was also collected preparturition daily from day 140 of gestation until delivery, to evaluate the ferning arborization. Blood samples were collected on the day before mating (0 time), 1 (at mating), 30, 60, 90 and 145 days after mating. The results showed that spinnbarkeit and pH in cervical mucus at estrus, serum estradiol-17alpha (E2) at day 5 before delivery, and progesterone (P4) levels differed insignificantly according to gestation pattern. The fern degree between day 140 of gestation and day of delivery was the highest in pre-term does, while it was the lowest in post- and full-term does. The gestation length was the highest in post-term does (157.5 days), and the lowest in pre-term does (141.5 days). During winter, the incidence of pre-term deliveries was the highest (54.5%), but in spring, full-term deliveries were the most common (58.3%). Most of the traits studied were insignificantly affected by season of birth. Post-term delivery can be estimated by doe weight and wither height, while full-term delivery can be anticipated using by hip height and abdomen girth. Pre-term does can be detected by cervical mucus fern between day 140 of gestation and day of delivery. Post-term does can be defined by doe weight and wither height, while full-term deliveries can be defined by hip height and abdomen girth, during pregnancy.