Success of captive breeding and a hormonal trial to increase the reproductive efficacy of Arabian Tahr, Arabitrgus jayakari

Abstract

This is the first study shows the results of breeding of Arabian Tahr, Arabitrgus jayakari, with a hormonal attempt to increase its reproductive efficacy in a captive breeding unite. Data of reproductive success of a small population of Arabian Tahr kept in a protected area of Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah, was summarized from 2018-2022. The pregnancy rate, which was around 90% in the first three breeding seasons, decreased to 66.7% in the last breeding season. Rate of late abortion and/or still birth in all breeding seasons was between 11-25%. No multiple births or abortion of fetuses were observed during the four recorded breeding seasons. A hormonal trial was performed in the last breeding season 2021-2022 to synchronize the estrus and increase the reproductive efficacy. Eighteen parous females and 9 adult males were randomly mixed and divided into three groups: two treatment groups and a control group (G3; n = 6). Females were treated with an intravaginal sponge impregnated with 30 mg of Flurogestone acetate (FGA) for either fourteen (G1; n = 6) or seven (G2; n = 6) days, respectively. At the sponge removal, females of G1 and G2 groups were received intramuscular injections of 200 IU of eCG and 75 µg of Cloprostenol. Pregnancy rate was higher in G2 compared to the other two groups and it was also higher in G1 than in G3. Lambing rate was 100% in the control group, and it was higher in G2 compared to G1. Rate of estrous synchronization was similar in both treated groups. In conclusion, Breeding of Arabian Tahr in captivity can be improved by estrous synchronization and induction of ovulation early in the breeding season by using short-term progestagen treatment followed by

eCG injection. More research on other doses of eCG and on the nutritional requirements are required to increase the reproductive efficacy of Arabian Tahr in captive breeding.