Induction of oestrus with single or split eCG administrations in Turkish Van Cats during the non-breeding season [Anöstrüs Sezonundaki Van Kedilerinde Tek veya Bölünmüş Doz eCG Uygulamalari{dotless} ile Östrüslerin Uyari{dotless}lmasi{dotless}]

Effects of equine chrionic gonadotrophin (ecg) upon reproductive traits of van cats during the non-breeding season were investigated herein. in the non-breeding season (october),a total of 18 queens were divided equally into three experimental groups,as follows: one ml of 0.9% saline solution,as single placebo injection (intramuscularly,i.m.) was given to queens,as control (group i,n=6),while single (250 iu,i.m.) or split dose of ecg (75 iu/daily for 5 d) was injected in group ii and iii (n=6 each),respectively. data from the rates of oestrus,days of mating,pregnancy,parturition,litter size,survival of kittens and lactation period were recorded. the oestrus rates (100% both) in groups ii and iii were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those in controls (33.3±21.1%). days of mating (9.0±1.0,4.7±0.7 and 5.8±0.4 d) were significantly (p≤0.01) different between the groups (group i,ii and iii,resp.). pregnancy period (65.8±0.5 d) was significantly (p<0.05) longer in group iii ((65.8±1.0 d) than in group ii (62.4±1.0 d) and controls (62.5±0.5 d). the litter size tended (p=0.062) to be higher in group ii (4.6) than those in group iii (2.6) and controls (3.0). finally,the lactation period (105.2±2.6 d) was significantly (p<0.05) longer in group iii than those in group ii (94.6±1.7 d) and controls (95.0±5.0 d). findings suggest that; both single and split ecg injections were equally highly effective for induction of fertile oestrus in endemic van cats in non-breeding season.