Results of Mating Rams to Angora Female Goats

Abstract

The question of whether hybrids can be produced between sheep and goats has long been of interest to both the live stock breeder and the biologist. Contradictory reports are found in the literature of attempted crossing of sheep and goats (2) (3) (4). In order to find whether such hybrids could be produced from Angora goats and sheep of the breeds common in this country, as well as to secure information on a number of other points, such as: the cause of sterile matings between sheep and goats; what takes place in hybrid embryos, especially from the chromosome standpoint; and the inheritance of species characters in the hybrids (if produced), we have made such matings. It was soon found that part of the female Angora goats become fertilized by male sheep, but that the embryos perished before the end of the gestation period. The first matings were made in November, 1930. Four does were used in 1930, of which two became pregnant and showed definite signs of abortion. Blood samples from these does were submitted to the Division of Veterinary Science, Agricultural Experiment Station, where they were found to be negative to the agglutination test for Brucella infection, using bovine strain antigen. The entire flock was tested in 1933 and no reactors were found. During the 1931 breeding season, ten does were bred to rams. Two of these were sacrificed, one at 44 and the other at 62 days after breeding and apparently normal embryos were found. Of the other eight does that were bred, one or more times, three aborted and the embryos or fetuses were recovered. They were typical of resorbing fetuses. During the 1932 breeding season, 24 Angora does of 2 and 3 years of age were bred to rams. Of these, thirteen showed definite indications of abortion. However, only two fetuses were found and they were typical cases of resorption.