Reproductive traits in Nubian dairy goats

For 12 months, ten Nubian doe goats were examined daily for oestrus and blood was obtained twice weekly for serum progesterone (P) analysis. Before the onset of regular ovulatory cycles in the autumn, brief increases in serum P were noted. Ovulation without oestrus was associated with the onset of the breeding season in five of 13 instances. Ovarian activity as assessed by corpus luteum (CL) function began in either September or October and ceased in either January or February in nonpregnant does. CL function was absent postpartum until the beginning of the next breeding season. An instance of male pseudohermaphroditism and mucometra is noted.