A study was conducted during breeding season on 225 normal cyclic buffaloes selected at random from three villages of Anand district in Gujarat to evaluate their plasma profile of calcium, inorganic phosphorus and trace minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn) at the time of oestrus/insemination in relation to subsequent conception rate. The mean values of plasma Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co and Mn concentration observed at oestrus in buffaloes were 9.59±0.14 and 7.55±0.10 mg/dl, and 1.40±0.06, 5.01±0.09, 0.73±0.01,0.42±0.01 and 0.14±0.01 ppm, respectively. The levels of these minerals did not vary significantly between fertile and infertile oestruses, overall or at any of the centres. Among the centers, the plasma calcium concentration varied (P<0.01) with the mean values of 8.54±0.19, 9.75±0.18 and 10.52±0.27 mg/dl for Chikhodra, Bedva and Sarsa. The levels of Zn, Fe, Cu and Co were, however, higher (P<0.01) in buffaloes of Chikhodra as compared to those of Bedva and Sarsa, may be due to different soil type, and feeding management followed at the three centres. It was concluded that the assay of the minerals studied was not of much value to predict fertile or infertile oestrus in buffaloes under field condition.
Infertile oestrus, Mineral profile, Fertility, Buffalo
