Evidence that Murciano-Granadina does with longer anogenital distance are more fertile and prolific and produce heavier and male-biased litters

Abstract

Anogenital distance (AGD) is related to fertility in cows, but there is little information on the association of AGD and reproduction in does. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the relationship between AGD and reproductive variables in Murciano-Granadina does. AGD was measured as the distance between anus and clitoris and does (n = 578) were divided into two categories of AGD, including short AGD (AGD ≤ median of AGD in studied does; n = 313) and long AGD (AGD > median of AGD in studied does; n = 265). Data of reproductive variables were retrieved from the herd database and were analyzed using multivariable statistical models, in which the potential confounding factors were included. AGD data were not normally distributed (3.78 ± 0.02 cm) and ranged from 2.70 to 5.10 cm. AGD was longer in multiparous and primiparous does than nulliparous does (P < 0.0001), and was positively associated with age and body weight (P < 0.0001). The risk of pregnancy and kidding, litter size, fecundity, proportion of male offspring and birth weight of kids were higher in long AGD does than short AGD does (P < 0.05). But abortion risk did not differ between does with long and short AGD (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed that AGD had individual variation among Murciano-Granadina does, and does with long AGD were more fertile and more likely to produce larger, heavier and male-biased litters as compared with does with short AGD.

Keywords: Anogenital distance; Fertility; Goat; Prolificacy; Sex ratio.