Introduction
In many countries, goats serve as an important source of both milk and meat. Worldwide, meat goats outnumber dairy goats, especially in tropical environments where they have a great impact on the food supply. The demand for goat milk and meat is on the rise in the United States; therefore, U.S. goat production has experienced a significant increase. The goat is now being recognized as a significant food source as well as providing a diversity of products. Since the early 1990s, there has been a shortage of goat meat to satisfy the increasing demand. One method of increasing goat production to meet this demand is through improved reproductive efficiency in our herds. Understanding the estrous cycle and how hormones interact to influence patterns and behavior during this time has led to the ability of to manipulation the estrous cycle to benefit the the goat industry. Therefore, a basic understanding of reproductive biology/physiology promotes better management practices for high reproductive rates.
