Effect of hormonal therapies at breeding on plasma progesterone profile and fertility in repeat breeding holstein friesian cows Patel JA1, Dhami AJ1, Kavani FS1, Sarvaiya NP2 1Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Gujarat College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001 (India) 2Reproductive Biology Research Unit, Gujarat College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001 (India) Abstract Twenty four repeat breeding HF cows with more than three infertile cycles were divided at random in 4 groups each of 6 animals with a view to study the relative efficacies of different hormonal therapies over control at breeding (GnRH 0.02 mg; LH/hCG 1500 IU; Progesterone 500 mg; all i/m) towards improving their reproductive efficiency together with the weekly profile of plasma progesterone, total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides from the day of treatment up to 7 weeks post-treatment. The conception rates obtained within two cycles following 3 treatments were 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00%, respectively, with an overall mean of 66.66% (12/18) against 33.33% (2/6) in control untreated cows (P < 0.01). In GnRH, LH and progesterone treated and control groups, the pooled mean plasma progesterone concentrations averaged 3.42 ± 0.38, 5.19 ± 0.52, 4.03 ± 0.49 and 3.38 ± 0.41 ng/ml (P < 0.05), respectively, with an overall mean of 4.00 ± 0.23 ng/ml. The value in hCG treated cows was significantly (P < 0.05) higher as compared to control group. The mean P4 levels in conceived and non-conceived groups were 5.68 ± 0.35 and 2.59 ± 0.23 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The overall weekly-pooled mean progesterone profile recorded from 0 to 7th week post-oestrus/insemination was at basal level on day of oestrus, which increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 7th day post-oestrus, fluctuated insignificantly till 7th week with the peak value on 5th week post-oestrus. The progesterone concentration in conceived group remained more or less at constant high level till 7th week post-insemination, while in non-conceiving cows it showed peaks on 2nd and 5th week with drops on 3rd and 6th week. The progesterone level on day ‘7’ post-insemination was relatively lower in non-conceived cows as compared to conceived ones (2.99 ± 0.47 vs 4.78 ± 0.85 ng/ml), suggesting luteal deficiency. Top Key words Hormonal therapies, Plasma progesterone profile, Fertility, Repeat breeding cows. Top |