Abattoir-based Evaluation of Gross Reproductive Tract Abnormalities and Estrous Cycle Stages in Female Goats

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during the months from August, 2024 to January, 2025 at the Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics CVAS, Bikaner, to identify gross genital abnormalities, evaluate the stage of the oestrus cycle Female goats at an abattoir. Out of 102 female goat genitalia, 16(15.7%) was pregnant, while 86(84.3%) was non-pregnant. Among the non-pregnant genitalia, 46(53.5%) were normal and 40(46.5%) exhibited significant abnormalities, with 57 gross abnormalities identified. The uterus (43.9%) and ovaries (22.8%) were the most commonly affected organs, followed by cervix (7.0%), fallopian tubes (5.3%) and miscellaneous (21.0%) etc. In terms of the stage of the estrus cycle, 28 (70%) of the abnormal genitalia were in the follicular stage and 12 (30%) in the luteal stage. For the normal genitalia, 41 (89.1%) were in the follicular stage and 5 (10.9%) were in the luteal stage. Overall, 55.88% of the genitalia exhibited gross abnormalities, with the uterus (24.52%) and ovaries (12.75%) being the most frequently affected, followed by cervix (3.92%), fallopian tubes (2.94%) and miscellaneous (11.76%) etc. Abnormalities were more prevalent in the follicular stage (67.6%) than in the luteal stage (32.4%).  Endometritis (12.74%) was the most common uterine abnormality, while ovarian abnormalities included follicular cysts (4.9%), luteal cysts (3.93%) and par ovarian cysts (1.96%). Other conditions such as hydrometra (9.8%), cervicitis (1.96%), fallopian tube adhesions (1.96%) and cysts (11.76%) were also observed.