褪黑素对中国绒山羊在非生绒期促绒生长与绒产量的影响

用简易的外科手术对阿白羊,盖县红山羊及二者杂交改良型绒山羊在梳绒后于其颈部皮下埋植一种含褪黑素的胶囊,经５周后受试羊群开始长绒,而对照群羊则未见绒生长。在９月中旬天然生绒开始时,受试群羊绒已分别长至３－５ｃｍ,,而对照群则刚开始生长至２ｃｍ。表明上述各受试群当年被成功地诱发二次生绒。     

含褪黑素微型胶囊促使银狐毛皮提早成熟的效应

本文报道了在扩大实施《控制毛皮动物毛皮生长周期的方法及专用工具》（发明专利号９０１００７５９·５）的基础上，根据动物的种类、体型大小，调整制备了系列含褪黑素微型胶囊，供商品皮兽用。在银狐养殖场的试验结果表明，受试动物手术后４周夏毛即开始脱落，并诱发冬毛生长；除种兽及仔兽（２月龄内）外，对当年商品皮兽，其毛皮可提早４─６周成熟；对大龄（２─５岁龄）商品兽毛皮可提早６０天以上。受试狐毛皮等级率可提高约２０％。受试狐群养殖期大为缩短，提高了饲料报酬，显示了显著的社会经济与生态效益。     

四种绒螯蟹分子分类与系统发育

利用PCR技术,扩增了中华绒螯解、狭额绒螯蟹线粒体16SrDNA片段,经测序,与GenBank数据库中的日本绒螯解16SrDNA同源序列进行比较。结果显示,在长为376bp的16SrDNA同源序列中有33个多态性核革酸位点（8．78％）,其中种间多态性核苷酸位点28个（7．45％）,种间差异远大于种内差异。引入方蟹科其它近缘种类厚纹蟹、相手蟹和张口蟹的16SrDNA同源序列与上述4种绒螯蟹比较分析,MP法和NJ法构建的分子系统树表明：中华绒螯蟹与日本绒螯蟹亲缘关系最近,首先聚在一起,然后与台湾绒螯蟹聚为一支,狭额绒螯蟹则为相对独立的一支,且进化速度大于前3种绒螯蟹,但最后与前者仍聚在同一组,狭额绒螯蟹只是绒螯蟹属系统进化中的一个侧支,故本研究结果不支持Sakai（1983）和Guo等（1997）把狭额绒螯蟹和台湾绒螯蟹各自立为新属的观点。     

春季和夏初黄羊的集群行为

本文对春季和夏初在野外观察到的６３７群黄羊（Ｐｒｏｃａｐｒａｇｕｔｔｕｒｏｓａ）的集群行为进行了研究。给出了春季和夏初各种类型黄羊群平均大小及其方差,并对黄羊群的平均大小、所占比例及其稳定性也进行了比较分析。结果表明,春季和夏初羊群的平均大小存在着显著差异（Ｆ＝３．０９＞Ｆ０．０５）,春季羊群（２～４１２只）较夏初羊群（２～１０３只）变动范围要大。春季羊群主要是混合群（６３．１４％）,夏初羊群主要是雌性群（６０．７３％）。在春季和夏初两个季节,雄性群比例皆最低,分别为７．４５％和７．５９％。较大的集群往往是混合群,春季平均大小为３８．９５只,夏初为２９．１３只。而雄性群和雌性群集群规模皆较小。在春季,雌性群平均大小为１１．３５只,雄性群平均大小为８．８４只。在夏初,雌性群平均大小为４．８８只,雄性群平均大小为９．６３只。混合群的社群组织最为松散,处于不稳定状态,雄性群最为稳定,羊群波动最小。产仔期、食物丰富度及羊群类型是影响黄羊春季和夏初集群变化的重要因素。     

观叶新宠—羽裂绿蔓绿绒

羽裂绿蔓绿绒（又名维利多蔓绿绒）是近年引进的众多观叶植物中较为引人注目的一种。是天南星科蔓绿绒属（即喜林芋属）多年生常绿植物,学名Philodendronpluto。叶片长椭圆形,长15－20厘米、宽10－12厘米,其光瑞渐尖,叶基心形,叶绿波状有羽状浅裂5－6对,羽裂上有明显侧脉。叶表光滑浓绿,叶柄长20－30厘米,近圆柱形,一侧略有凹槽。羽裂绿蔓绿绒原产南美洲,适应性较强,喜光照明亮、气候温暖湿润的环境。但忌强阳光曝晒,也耐半荫。生长适温为20－25℃,也能耐38－40℃的高温,越冬温度不得低于6－7℃。宜用富含有机质且排水良好的…     

引起梨叶斑的菌绒孢属一新种

寄生在梨叶上引起梨叶枯病的菌绒孢属一新种：梨生菌绒孢Mycovellosiellapyricola.研究的标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所菌物标本馆（HMAS）。     

植物油对虫霉菌液体培养与保存的作用

在萨氏营养液（SDB）中加入用0．1％蔗糖脂肪酸酯－15（SE15）乳化的0．50％芝麻油，可使在SDB中生长慢而结块的新蚜虫疠霉、飞虱虫疠霉和根虫瘟霉等四种虫霉的五个菌株形成均匀分散的菌丝体和能稳定转接的菌液。在SDB中加入乳化芝麻油（0．25％－1．5％）、菜籽油（0．50％－1．5％）和色拉油（80％花生油和20％菜籽油，0．75％－1．5％），能明显提高新蚜虫疠霉F98018的生物量；而在SDB中加入0．50％乳化芝麻油，可使液培菌丝产孢量增加近一倍；在SDB中加入的三种植物油（0．75％），在F98018生长4d后，含量分别下降了85％－94％，但其中脂肪酸相对组成基本不变，表明该菌生长能充分利用植物油中各脂肪酸。用萨氏培养基（SDAY）、加入0．50％乳化芝麻油的SDAY（OSSDAY）和牛奶蛋黄培养基（SEMA）培养安徽虫瘟霉F97028和新蚜虫疠霉F98028，两菌株在SEMA上生长最快；在OS－SDAY以较慢速度正常生长；而在SDAY上，两菌株或不能生长，或在第二次培养时出现明显退化。用SEMA和OS－SDAY上，两菌株或不能生长，或在第二次培养时出现明显退化。用SEMA和OS－SDAY在3℃下来保上述四种虫霉的七个菌株，在OS－SDAY上，所有菌株在9个月后仍保持活性，而在SEMA上有五个菌株死亡；同时比较F97028和F98028在用OS－SDAY保存前后的生长速度和菌落形态，无退化产生。     

藏南绿绒蒿

正藏南绿绒蒿(Meconopsis zangnanensis)隶属于罂粟科绿绒蒿属。为多年生低矮草本,高约10 cm。叶全部基生,叶片近于狭菱形,先端圆钝,基部楔形下延,边缘全缘,两面无毛;叶柄线形,长1.5~2.5 cm。花葶1~5,长8~15 cm,被黄褐色伸展的刚毛。花单生于花葶上,常下垂;萼片外面被毛,边缘     

引起梨叶斑的菌绒孢属一新种

寄生在梨叶上引起梨叶枯病的菌绒孢属一新种：梨生菌绒孢Ｍｙｃｏｖｅｌｌｏｓｉｅｌｌａ ｐｙｒｉｃｏｌａ。研究的标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所菌物标本馆（ＨＭＡＳ）。     

转sck+cry1Ac基因水稻对二化螟及二化螟绒茧蜂存活和生长发育的影响

在实验室研究了转sck+cry1Ac基因水稻（MSB）对二化螟Chilo suppressalis (Walker)生长、存活以及经寄主对二化螟绒茧蜂Apanteles chilonis (Munakata)生物学特性的影响。连续取食转sck+cry1Ac基因水稻的二化螟, 体重下降、死亡率上升,从第2天开始,其体重显著低于取食明恢86的对照组;从第6天开始,死亡率极显著高于对照组。二化螟取食MSB 36 h后移至对照水稻上继续取食3、6、9、12天后,死亡率与对照差异都不显著;但体重均低于对照,其中第3天的体重差异达显著水平。二化螟绒茧蜂分别以取食MSB一定时间的3、4、5龄二化螟幼虫为寄主时,寄生率均低于以对照组,其中对4龄幼虫的寄生率差异显著;结茧率与对照差异均不显著;寄生在取食MSB的5龄二化螟幼虫体内的蜂、蛹期显著长于对照,而所结茧的茧长显著短于对照;但卵 幼虫历期、每茧块茧数、羽化率、雌性率、成蜂寿命和前翅长与对照无显著差异。结果表明转sck+cry1Ac基因水稻不仅对二化螟生长和存活有显著影响, 而且可经寄主二化螟影响到二化螟绒茧蜂的一些生物学特性。     

Effect of melatonin administration to lactating cashmere goats on milk production of dams and on hair follicle development in their offspring

Melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats can increase cashmere yield and improve cashmere fibre quality by inducing cashmere growth during cashmere non-growth period, of which time cashmere goats are in the mid and late stages of lactation. However, whether melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats affects their offspring’s growth performance remains unknown. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats on cashmere and milk production performance in dams and on hair follicle development and subsequent cashmere production in their offspring. Twenty-four lactating Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat dams (50 ± 2 days in milk, mean ± SD) and their single-born female offspring (50 ± 2 days old, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to one of two groups supplemented with melatonin implants (MEL; n = 12) or without (CON; n = 12). The melatonin implants were subcutaneously implanted behind the ear at a dose of 2 mg/kg live weight on two occasions – 30 April and 30 June 2016. The results demonstrated that melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats increased cashmere production and improved cashmere fibre quality as indicated by greater cashmere yield, longer cashmere fibre staple length, finer cashmere fibre diameter and thicker cashmere fibre density. The milk fat content was higher in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. The daily yields of milk production, milk protein and milk lactose were lower in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. Serum melatonin concentrations were greater, serum prolactin concentrations were lower and milk melatonin concentrations and yields were greater in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. With regard to offspring, there were no differences in cashmere yield, fibre staple length, fibre diameter and fibre density at yearling combing, and the primary and secondary hair follicles population and maturation between treatments. In conclusion, melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats during cashmere non-growth period is a practical and an effective way in cashmere industry as indicated by not only increasing cashmere yield and improving cashmere fibre quality in adult cashmere goat dams but also having no impairment in hair follicle development and the subsequent cashmere production in their single-born offspring.     

褪黑激素对绒山羊皮肤中毛囊周期相关miRNAs表达模式的影响

褪黑激素(Melatonin, MT)和miRNAs在毛囊的生长发育过程中发挥重要的作用, 但MT对绒山羊皮肤毛囊miRNAs表达模式的影响尚未见报道。为探索MT从miRNAs层次影响山羊绒生长的机制, 文章在内蒙古绒山羊中实施了褪黑激素埋植试验：5只青年母羊作为实验组埋植褪黑激素, 另外5只青年母羊作为对照。利用荧光定量PCR检测褪黑激素埋植前后毛囊周期相关miRNAs的表达变化。结果表明, 埋植MT明显改变了6个绒毛相关miRNAs的表达规律：在一个绒毛周期内, 除let-7a外, miR-203、miR-205、miR-96、miR-183和miR-199a的表达量均发生3次跃迁;埋植MT改变了miRNAs之间的共表达模式。对照组各miRNA之间相关系数范围为0.87~0.99(P<0.01)。与对照组相比, 埋植组中let-7a与miR-96、miR-199a、miR-205, miR-203与miR-96、miR-199a, miR-96与miR-183, miR-183与miR-199a之间的相关系数被明显消弱;MT通过下调6月份埋植组各miRNA的表达量提早诱发二次生绒。     

褪黑素对绒山羊皮肤FGF5等绒毛生长相关基因的影响

目的:旨在分析埋植褪黑素后对绒山羊皮肤绒毛生长相关基因表达的影响,进而探讨褪黑素促绒毛生长的机理。方法:以内蒙古白绒山羊为研究对象,选取体况相近的4月龄母羔羊10只,按试验要求随机分为2组,处理组按照2mg/kg BW(体重)的剂量每两个月耳后皮下埋植褪黑素,对照组不埋植,试验时间为1年。实验开始后每月采集绒山羊体侧皮肤和毛样,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测9个绒毛生长相关基因的表达变化。结果:(1)埋植褪黑素后各个基因的平均表达水平都有所上调,其中显著上调FGF5(P<0.0001),而对β-catenin、MSX-2、Wnt10b、BMP2、BMPRIB、NTRK3、Delta1、hairless等无显著影响(P>0.05);(2)埋植褪黑素明显提高了FGF5与hairless的相关性,并且使FGF5与β-catenin、NTRK3的相关性由负相关变成正相关,与Wnt10b的相关性降低,FGF5与其余4个基因的相关性变化不大。结论:结果提示,褪黑素上调绒山羊皮肤FGF的表达,影响FGF5与hairless、β-catenin、NTRK3之间的相关性;山羊中FGF5基因对被毛表型的作用与其他动物不同;褪黑素对复杂组织和单个细胞的作用不同;MAPK信号通路是受褪黑素影响最大的一个信号途径。推测褪黑素可能通过调节绒山羊皮肤中RORα来发挥作用,影响FGF5与hairless、β-catenin、NTRK3和Wnt10b等的相关性,同时抑制MSX2和BMP2的功能,进而促进绒毛的生长。     

Melatonin treatment of embryo donor and recipient ewes during anestrus affects their endocrine status, but not ovulation rate, embryo survival or pregnancy

Thirty-two Border Leicester x Scottish Blackface ewes that lambed in March were individually penned with their lambs from April 16th and given daily an oral dose of 3 mg melatonin at 1500 h (Group M). A further 32 acted as controls (Group C). Within each group half were used as embryo donors (Group D) following superovulation and half received embryos (Group R) following an induced estrus. Prior to weaning on 21 May ewes received ad libitum a complete diet providing 9 megajoules (MJ) of metabolizable energy and 125 g/kg crude protein. Thereafter each received 1.6 kg of the diet daily. In early June each ewe received an intravaginal device (300 mg progesterone) inserted for 12 d. Donors were superovulated with 4 i.m. injections of porcine FSH 12 h apart, commencing 24 h before progesterone withdrawal. Ovulation in recipients was induced with 800 IU PMSG injected i.m. at progesterone removal. Donor ewes were inseminated 52 h after progesterone withdrawal. Embryos were collected 4 d later and transferred to recipients. Melatonin suppressed plasma prolactin (P < 0.001) and advanced estrus (P < 0.05) and timing of the LH peak (P < 0.05). These events also occurred earlier in donors than in recipients (P < 0.01). Mean (+/- SEM) ovulation rates for melatonin-treated and control donors were 5.5 +/- 0.71 and 4.7 +/- 0.66, respectively (NS). Corresponding recipient values were 3.3 +/- 0.40 and 3.4 +/- 0.39 (NS). Mean (+/- SEM) embryo yields were 2.9 +/- 0.64 and 2.6 +/- 0.73 for melatonin-treated (n = 15) and control (n = 16) donors, respectively, and for the 12 ewes per treatment that supplied embryos, corresponding numbers classified as viable were 2.7 +/- 0.47 and 2.3 +/- 0.61 (NS). Following transfer, 57% of embryos developed to lambs when both donor and recipient received melatonin, 86% when only the donor received melatonin, 91% when only the recipient received melatonin, and 67% when neither received melatonin (NS). Thus, embryo survival following transfer was not improved by treating recipients with melatonin. Gestation length and lamb birthweights were unaffected by melatonin. Unlike nonpregnant control ewes, melatonin-treated recipients that failed to remain pregnant sustained estrous cyclicity following embryo transfer.     

Gene Expression and Localization of LAMTOR3 in the Skin Cells of Liaoning Cashmere Goats

Liaoning cashmere goats are the most precious genetic resources in China. The function of LAMTOR3 [late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin activator 3/MAPK scaffold protein 1] gene is expressed in the skin of Liaoning cashmere goats. In situ hybridization (ISH) found that LAMTOR3 is expressed in the inner root sheath (IRS) of hair follicles. During the anagen or catagen phase, the expression of LAMTOR3 is higher in secondary hair follicles than in primary hair follicles. Expression of LAMTOR3 in skin cells treated with melatonin or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is lower than in untreated cells. In addition, the simultaneous treatment of fibroblast growth factor 5 and melatonin decrease the expression of LAMTOR3 in skin cells. The simultaneous treatment with melatonin and 10^?5?g/L IGF-1 or 10^?4?g/L IGF-1 increases the expression of LAMTOR3 gene in skin cells. If Noggin expression is decreased, then LAMTOR3 expression is increased. This hypothesis suggested that LAMTOR3 influences the character of cashmere fiber, and it may regulate the development of hair follicle and cashmere growth by inducing the MAPK signaling pathway.     

Effect of a single subcutaneous injection of melatonin on estrous response and conception rate in goats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of a single subcutaneous injection of melatonin, on estrous induction and conception rate during the non-breeding season at different times of the year. In Experiment 1 the melatonin powder was dissolved in an oily vitamin A, D, E solution and injected subcutaneously randomly to goats in two dose treatment groups of 20 mg (MLT-20; n = 20) and 40 mg (MLT-40; n = 20) in January (winter). Twenty does were injected with 1 ml vitamin A and served as the control. In the MLT-20 treated goats 70% of the does were in estrus within 20.0 ± 2.0 days, whereas in the MLT-40 group 85% of the does were in estrus within 15.5 ± 2.5 days and 100% and 80% of the does, respectively, conceived on mating with the bucks. Only 10% of the untreated control does exhibited estrus, but none conceived. The breeding season was thus initiated earlier by 1–1.5 months in the treated goats. In Experiment 2, goats were treated with similar MLT-20 and MLT-40 treatments in May (spring), with 20 goats in each treatment group and 20 control goats. The proportion of goats that responded to the melatonin treatments was 80% and 90% in the MLT-20 and MLT-40 treatments, respectively, with no significant differences recorded regarding the estrous response. However, in the MLT-20 treatment group the estrous induction interval was significantly longer (P < 0.05), compared to the MLT-40 treatment. The pregnancy rates were not significantly different for the MLT-20 and MLT-40 treatments, with melatonin resulting in significantly higher pregnancy rates than in the control (88.4% versus 33.3%) and the breeding season initiated 2 months earlier. It could be concluded that a single subcutaneous injection of melatonin can initiate the breeding season (irrespective of the season of the year) earlier by 1–2 months in goats and this could be advantageous when using accelerated breeding systems.     

Highly synchronous and fertile reproductive activity induced by the male effect during deep anoestrus in lactating goats subjected to treatment with artificially long days followed by a natural photoperiod

The response to the male effect was studied in two flocks of Saanen and three of Alpine goats during deep anoestrus in three consecutive years. Males and females were subjected to artificially long days for about 3 months (between December 4 and April 1) followed by a natural photoperiod. Bucks joined goats 42-63 days after the end of the long days treatment (between April 20 and June 3) and fertilisation was ensured by natural mating. In experiment 1 (n=248), female goats were treated or untreated with melatonin at the end of the long days treatment and treated or untreated for 11 days with fluorogestone acetate (FGA) before teasing. The males received melatonin implants. In experiment 2 (n=337), the factor studied was the association or non-association of the 11-day FGA treatment. Neither males nor females received melatonin implants. In experiment 3 (n=180), goats were treated for 11 days with FGA or with natural progesterone (CIDR). Neither males nor females received melatonin implants. In experiment 1, among the non-cycling goats (n=218), 99% ovulated and 81% kidded at 161+/-8 days after joining. Ninety-two percent of FGA-treated goats displayed an LH surge at 65+/-11h after teasing. Melatonin treatment did not affect any parameter but FGA advanced the kidding date. In experiment 2, 94% of the goats ovulated and 87% kidded. A major peak of conception was observed on days 3 and 8 after joining in FGA-treated and untreated goats, respectively. Among the FGA-treated goats, 83% displayed an LH surge. Over all flocks, most of the LH surges occurred over a 24-36 h interval, but the surge was initiated at different times in different flocks (36, 48 or 60 h after joining). FGA treatment did not influence the results, except for advancement of births of about 5 days. Differences among flocks were highly significant. In experiment 3, 94% of the goats displayed the LH surge, 93% ovulated and 68% kidded. Significant differences were found among flocks, but not between the FGA and CIDR groups. Bucks marked 85% of the goats 24-72 h after joining. The time interval between the detection of marked goats and detection of the LH surge depended on the time of marking (r=-0.62; p<0.05). In conclusion, treatment of both males and females goats with artificially long days followed by a natural photoperiod is very effective in inducing highly synchronous and fertile reproductive activity via the male effect in the middle of seasonal anoestrus.     

Sources of variation affecting cashmere grown in the Pamir mountain districts of Tajikistan and implications for industry development

We aimed to quantify the sources of variation contributing to the main quality attributes of cashmere produced from goats in the Pamir mountain districts of Murghab, Shugnon and Vanj in Tajikistan. In early spring 2010, mid-side samples were taken from 194 adult females, 43 adult males and 20 castrates belonging to 58 farmers and pastoralists in 14 villages. For 57 goats, samples were also taken from the shoulder and hip sites. Mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre curvature (FC) and cashmere staple length (SL) data were examined using a general linear model to determine the relationships between fleece attributes and other possible effects. For females, the mean (s.d.) for MFD, FC and SL were: 16.5 (1.70) μm; 46 (12.1)°/mm; 53 (22.9) mm. MFD was affected by district, SL and age of goat. SL was affected by district, MFD, gender, age of goat and village. FC was affected by district, MFD, shade of cashmere, age of goat and farmer. Cashmere from Vanj district was finer and shorter than cashmere from Murghab and Shugnon. Cashmere grown on the mid-side and hip sites was finer and had higher FC than cashmere grown on the shoulder. Cashmere grown on the hip was shorter than cashmere grown on the mid-side and shoulder. About 50% of the cashmere sampled was < 16.4 μm and potentially suitable for knitwear. Of this fine cashmere, 53% was 34 mm or longer. A further 37% of the cashmere was 16.4-18.5 μm, and suitable for weaving as 97% was longer than 36 mm. Almost 12% of samples were > 18.5 μm and may only be suitable for weaving or, if cashgora, will have little commercial value. Most of the cashmere was coloured. There are cashmere goats in the Murghab, Shugnon and Vanj districts of Tajikistan which produce the finest qualities of cashmere, comparable to premium grades of Chinese cashmere. There is substantial scope to increase the commercial value of cashmere produced by goats in Tajikistan, in particular increasing SL for fine cashmere, reducing MFD for the longest cashmere and ensuring cashmere has acceptable FC and white colour.     

Synchronization of estrus and fertility in goats with norgestomet ear implants

Estrus was synchronized in 64 dairy goats in July with norgestomet ear implants. Half the does received ear implants that contained 6 mg norgestomet and the remaining does received implants that contained 3 mg. Implants were left in place for 11 days. Each doe received i.m. injections of 400 IU PMSG and 50 mug cloprostenol 24 hours prior to implant removal. Twenty-eight of 32 does (87.5%) that received 6 mg or 3 mg norgestomet exhibited onset of estrus within 24 hours of implant removal. All does had exhibited onset of standing estrus by 43 hours after implant removal. Does were hand-mated to fertile bucks twice daily while in standing estrus. There were no differences between does implanted with 6 mg or 3 mg in fertility to the induced estrus (74.2% vs 75% kidding), mean length of gestation (151.0 +/- 3.2 vs 151.6 +/- 2.0 days), mean number of kids per doe (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs 2.3 +/- 0.7) or in mean kid weights (3.10 +/- 0.80 vs 3.06 +/- 0.86 kg) (6 mg vs 3 mg, respectively). It was concluded that ear implants that contained 3 mg of norgestomet were equally as effective as implants that contained 6 mg for synchronization of estrus in dairy goats.     

Superovulation of goats with purified pFSH supplemented with defined amounts of pLH

The superovulatory response of goats treated with purified pFSH supplemented with 30, 40 or 50% pLH was compared. Sixty-four Boer goat does were synchronized by progestagen-containing ear implant, randomly allotted to 3 groups and, beginning 2 d before implant removal, treated with purified pFSH supplemented with 30, 40 or 50% pLH. Each animal received 16 Armour Units of pFSH administered in 6 descending doses at 12-h intervals. Along with the last 2 injections, the does received 5 mg PGF(2alpha). Embryos were flushed either surgically or after slaughter on Day 5 or 6 after the last day of standing estrus. The percentage of animals responding to treatment was not different among groups treated with pFSH supplemented with 30, 40 or 50% pLH (76, 71 and 63%, respectively). The corresponding data for number of ovulations was 11.3 +/- 1.6, 16.3 +/- 1.8 and 16.4 +/- 2.6, for number of ova and embryos recovered 8.1 +/- 1.9, 12.0 +/- 1.5 and 13.5 +/- 2.9 and for number of transferable embryos 6.6 +/- 1.9, 9.1 +/- 1.5 and 7.1 +/- 2.1 (x +/- SEM). Results confirm the earlier finding of a good response of goats to pFSH preparations with a high FSH:LH ratio, and, although group differences were statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05), they suggest that supplementation with approximately 40% pLH may be close to the optimum.