Effect of Season on Dry Matter Intake and Reproductive Activity of Merghoz Buck Goats in West of Iran

Ten male Merghoz goats with initial live weights of 29.2 ± 1.2 kg (Mean±SE) were used to investigate the effect of natural changes in photoperiod on dry matter intake (DMI) and reproductive activity during a 365 day study. The bucks were housed in individual pens, under natural daylength condition at west of Iran, Kermanshah (34˚ 18¢N and 47˚ 3¢E and 1420 m above sea level). A diet was offered with an estimated concentration of metabolizable energy and crude protein of 7.9 MJ and 98.8 g per kg dry matter (DM) respectively. Live weight, DMI, and additive daily gain (ADG) of individual animals were recorded weekly. The serum testosterone concentrations were determined in blood samples collected at monthly intervals. During the observation period, semen was collected monthly with the aid of an electro-ejaculator and examined microscopically immediately after collection. The physical parameters of semen and the semen index were recorded. The sexual behavior and testicular size of goats were assessed monthly throughout the study period. The highest DMI was observed during summer (64.3±0.9 g/kg BW0.75) and spring (62.2±2.9 g/kg BW0.75) however, the lowest was recorded in the winter season (54.0±0.9 g/kg BW0.75). The seasonal values of ADG (g/d) ranked spring > summer > winter > autumn. Bucks demonstrated the highest sexual behavior in late summer and, thereafter during autumn, using the lower (P