Association of Enhanced Epididymal β-Galactosidase Activity with Breeding Season in Male Goats

Abstract

The impact of environmental cues on breeding in male goats has been investigated. Rainfall, temperature, humidity and day length characteristic of the monsoon season were found to be important factors that influenced breeding. An abattoir survey revealed a good linear correlation between the weight of testis and epididymis sampled from goats during the rainy months of July, August and September. The activity of β-galactosidase, en enzyme that participates in post translation modification of glycoproteins leading to sperm maturation in the epididymis, was also elevated during the monsoon months. This phenomenon is visualized as one among several physiological adjustments that goats make in response to environmental signals for successful mating.