Recent advances in treatments for resynchronization of ovulation in small ruminants: a review

Hormonal methodologies to control small ruminants' estrous cycle are worldwide used and evolved, adjusting the application to the precise female physiological moments to enhance reproductive performance. The estrous cycle can be induced and/or synchronized, aiming for fixed-time artificial insemination, or based on estrus behavior signs for insemination, natural or guided mating. Successive protocols can be performed to resynchronize ovulation and increase reproductive outcomes in females that failed to conceive. These recently developed treatments aim to resynchronize the ovulation as earlier as non-pregnancy is detected. The present review aimed to summarize the recent advances and main findings regarding resynchronization protocols used in small ruminants. Lastly, we present future perspectives and new paths to be studied in the subject. The resynchronization treatment is still a growing field in small ruminant reproduction, nevertheless, some enhancements are found in the reproductive outcome, showing that such protocols can be successfully used in sheep and goat production.

Automated summary

Hormonal methodologies are widely used and evolved to control small ruminants' estrous cycle, aiming to optimize reproductive performance. The induced and/or synchronized estrous cycle can be utilized for fixed-time artificial insemination or based on estrus behavior signs for natural or guided mating. Resynchronization protocols have been developed to increase reproductive outcomes in females that failed to conceive, aiming to resynchronize ovulation as early as non-pregnancy is detected. This review provides a summary of recent advances and main findings regarding resynchronization protocols in small ruminants, as well as future perspectives and new research directions. Although the field of resynchronization treatment in small ruminant reproduction is still developing, enhancements in reproductive outcomes indicate that these protocols can be successfully utilized in sheep and goat production.