The present study aimed to investigate the conceptus-related changes during early pregnancy in the Black Bengal breed of goat. A total of 22 gravid genitalia of the Black Bengal goats were collected from local slaughterhouses. The crown-rump lengths (CRL) of the conceptuses were determined to estimate the gestational age (GA). The length and diameter of uterine horn and amniotic sac were measured, and volume of amniotic and allantoic fluid formed by individual conceptus were recorded. The results reveal that the CRL is positively correlated with GA of the conceptus (R2 = 0.89, p < 0.05); however, CRL was not influenced by number of conceptus. Both the left and the right uterine horn gradually increased in size with the advancement of pregnancy irrespective of conceptus number present in the horn. The size of the amniotic sac of conceptus gradually increased with the conceptus age but maintained spherical shape from 5 to 7 weeks of pregnancy. The amniotic fluid formed by individual conceptus rapidly increased from 5 weeks (3.4 ± 0.3 mL) to 7 weeks (21.0 ± 2.0 mL) and 9 weeks (111.5 ± 4.0 mL). The volume of allantoic fluid formed by individual conceptus was steadily increased until 7 weeks (60.0 ± 5.0 mL) and began to decline slowly thereafter (50.0 ± 5.0 mL at 9 weeks). Notably, there was no effect of conceptus number per pregnancy on individual amniotic and allantoic fluid volume. The cotyledons have first appeared on the allanto-chorionic surface from 4 to 5 weeks of pregnancy. The closed eye, nostril and hooves of the conceptus became visible at 7 weeks of pregnancy. The present study has shown the basic information on conceptus-related developmental changes during early pregnancy up to 9 weeks in Black Bengal goat.

This study was aimed to determine the biometry of genital organs, incidence of gynecological disorders and pregnancy loss in Black Bengal goat (Capra hircus). Genitalia of 118 does were collected from local abattoirs. Biometric parameters of genital organs were measured and gross and histopathological examinations were carried out for detection of abnormalities. For gravid uterus, age of the fetus was determined by measuring crown-rump length. There was no significant difference in the length, width and weight of right and left ovaries (P>0.05). However, the number of follicles between left (5.3 ± 2.3) and right ovaries (7.4 ± 2.7) varied significantly (P<0.05). The mean length of right fallopian tube and uterine horn were not varied with those of left fallopian tube and uterine horn. The length of uterine body, cervix and vagina were 1.3 ± 0.1 cm, 3.3 ± 0.5 cm and 6.8 ± 1.3 cm, respectively. Overall, 29 (24.6%) genitalia had abnormalities. Fifteen genitalia (12.7%) had ovarian abnormalities including ovaro-bursal adhesions (6.8%), parovarian cyst (5.1%) and follicular cyst (0.9%). Uterine abnormalities were found in 12 genitalia (10.2%) and predominant uterine lesion was endometritis (6.8%) followed by adenomyosis (1.7%), hemorrhagic lesion on endometrial surface (0.9%) and cyst in broad ligament (0.9%). In addition, cyst in fallopian tube (0.9%) and vagina (0.9%) were recorded. The proportion of slaughtered pregnant goats was 15.3% (18/118). The pregnancy wastage was highest in the first month (50.0%) followed by second (33.3%) and third (16.7%) month. It can be concluded that ovaro-bursal adhesions, parovarian cyst and endometritis are the gynecological disorders of major concern in Black Bengal goat.

In vitro maturation and activation of oocytes are primary steps towards biotechnological manipulation in embryology. The objectives of the present study were to determine the oocyte recovery rate per ovary, in vitro maturation rates of oocytes and rates of parthenogenetically activation of matured oocytes in Black Bengal goats. All visible follicles were aspirated to recover follicular fluid from individual ovaries (number of ovaries = 456). The immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 1289) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 27 hours at with 5% in humidified air. The matured oocytes (n = 248) were activated with 5 ionomycin for 5 minutes followed by treatment with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) for 4 hours. After activation, oocytes were cultured for another 14 hours in TCM-199 supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at with 5% in humidified air. The pronucleus formation in activated oocytes was determined by staining with 1% orcein (whole mount technique). Matured oocytes (n = 176) without activation stimuli were used as control. The mean number of oocytes recovered per ovary was . The proportion of oocytes matured in vitro, confirmed by the presence of first polar body, was . Parthenogenetic activation, evidenced by formation of pronucleus, occurred in of matured oocytes. No pronucleus formation was observed in control oocytes. In conclusion, a combination of ionomycin and 6-DMAP induces activation in one third of Black Bengal goats' oocytes.