Two experiments were conducted to determine the response of Creole male goats treated with long days and melatonin implants, and the response of the anovulatory does to male effect using males treated only with artificially long days. All animals were allocated to open sheds. In Exp. 1, one group of males was under natural photoperiod (CG; n = 7); the second group was submitted to 2.5 mo of long days followed by the insertion of two s.c. melatonin implants (LD+MEL; n = 7); the third group was subjected only to 2.5 mo of long days (LD; n = 7). Testicular weight was measured every 2 wk. Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined weekly. A treatment x time interaction was detected (P < 0.001) for testicular weight and plasma testosterone concentration. In the LD+MEL and LD groups, testicular size and plasma testosterone levels varied in a similar way, but differed from those observed in CG (P < 0.001). In this latter group, testicular weight displayed seasonal variations and peaked in June, whereas in treated groups this peak occurred in March. In CG, testosterone varied in a seasonal manner and plasma concentrations increased in June and remained elevated throughout the study. In experimental groups, testosterone increased in February and peaked in March. In Exp. 2, one group of males was left under natural photoperiod (CG, n = 5) and the other one was submitted to 2.5 mo of artificially long days (LD, n = 4). On March 16, two control and two treated males were put in contact with 20 and 19 females, respectively. Sexual behavior of the bucks was observed during the 5 d following male introduction. Progesterone assays and estrous behavior were used to determine ovarian and behavioral responses of the females to teasing. The anogenital sniffing, nudging, and mount instances registered in LD-treated males were greater than those observed in CG (P < 0.05). Of the does exposed to CG, none ovulated and only two of 20 females displayed estrous behavior. All does in contact with LD-treated males ovulated and showed at least one estrous behavior during the 15 d following joining (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the sexual activity of male goats from subtropical latitudes can be induced using only artificially long days. In addition, males treated in this way are capable of stimulating sexual activity in anovulatory females by the male effect.

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Reproductive seasonality is observed in some breeds originating from or adapted to subtropical latitudes. In 'photoperiodic flexible breeds', such as Australian cashmere goats, the annual breeding season can be manipulated through nutrition, whereas in 'photoperiodic rigid breeds', such as Creole goats from subtropical Mexico, sexual activity can be controlled by altering the photoperiod. In males from the latter breed, artificial long days, whether or not accompanied by the administration of melatonin, stimulate sexual activity during the non-breeding season. These treated males are able to induce the sexual activity of anoestrous females through the male effect under intensive or extensive conditions. Photoperiodic treatments and the male effect can be easily integrated into different breeding management systems in subtropical latitudes.

-Under temperate and subtropical latitudes, ewes and goats display a reproductive seasonal pattern and their sexual activity during the anestrous period can be stimulated and synchronized by the introduction of males in the group, which is called the "male effect". The response of females to the male effect in the middle of the anestrous season is weak or absent. This failure may be due to the inability of the female to respond to males, as a result of a refractoriness of the female to the male stimulus. But, it may also be due to a low quality stimulus provided by the male which is, as the females, in seasonal rest. We tested this latter hypothesis in seasonally inactive goats kept under subtropical conditions by comparing the use of males with their sexual behavior stimulated or not by photoperiodic treatments. Treated males were able to induce estrous activity of females during the whole anestrus season. We have also determined that previous separation of the males and continuous contact during teasing are not absolute requisites when active bucks are used. While odor from the male and its sexual behavior play a primary role in inducing ovulation, vocalizations appear to facilitate the display of the does' estrous. It remains to be determined to which extent these conclusions apply under temperate latitudes and with more seasonal breeds.goat / male effect / buck vocalizations / male odor / sexual behavior / photoperiodic treatment

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