Induction of oestrus and ovulation in anoestrous fallow deer (Dama dama) by using progesterone and GnRH treatment

Abstract

Summary. Fourteen seasonally anoestrous, non-lactating fallow does were each treated with an intravaginal progesterone device for 14 days followed by a subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipump delivering synthetic GnRH at doses of 125 ng/h (7 does) or 250 ng/h (7 does) for up to 7 days, about 6 weeks before the natural breeding season. One doe (low delivery rate) lost its intravaginal device and 6 of the remaining does (46·2%) exhibited oestrus between 71 and 120 h after progesterone withdrawal/minipump insertion. Only one of these does received the low GnRH delivery rate and 5 received the high rate. Serum progesterone profiles indicated that an induced oestrus was followed by apparently normal luteal development. Does which did not exhibit oestrus failed to show a luteal response. Only 1 doe conceived at induced oestrus, producing a viable female fawn 6 weeks before the start of the natural fawning season. The remaining does returned to an anoestrous state until the onset of the natural breeding season.