Suckling delays post-partum heat in goats [Philippines].

The average interval from kidding to first estrus (first breeding) was 64 days in the suckled does and 25 days in the non-suckled does, the differences being highly significant. The average interval for the does with male was 37 days and 52 days for the does without male, the difference being not significant. The range for the interval from kidding to first estrus (first breeding) was 11 to 92 days with an overall mean of 44 plus or minus 17 days. The average interval from first breeding to conception was 2 days for the suckled does and 12 days in the non-suckled does, the difference being significant. The average interval in the presence of male was 11 days and 3 days when the male was absent, the difference being not significant. The range for the interval from first breeding to conception was 0 to 43 days with an overall mean of 7 plus or minus 4 days. The interval from kidding to conception (service period) was significantly less in the non-suckled does than in the suckled does, 37 days versus 66 days. The average interval when the male was present was 48 days and 55 days in the absence of male, the difference being not significant. The range for the interval from kidding to conception (service period) was 22 to 97 days with an overall mean of 51 plus or minus 13 days. There was a negative (-0.45) and insignificant correlation between the interval from kidding to first estrus (first breeding) and the interval from first breeding to conception. The standard partial regression (b') of service period on the interval from parturition to first estrus (first breeding) and on the interval from first breeding to conception were highly significant with the former interval being more than twice as important as the latter in determining the variability of the interval from kidding to conception (service period). The right ovary was predominantly ovulating compared to the left ovary.