Conception rate through artificial insemination and embryo transfer in postpartum holstein friesian cows following antimicrobial and hormone therapy

The demands of today's cattle industry, coupled with modern technology, open a vast horizon for the development and propagation of superior germplasm to fulfill the desires of the cattle owner and a more discerning public. Animal reproductive biotechnology is the main tool to enhance the number of calves per year from dairy animals. Artificial insemination (AI) helps in the dissemination of male genotype whereas embryo transfer technology (ETT) disseminates female genotype. This study was conducted on 24 normally calved Holstein Friesian cows divided into four groups; each of six animals. Group I served as control - only AI; Group II-Treatment 1- Oxytetracycline (Urob lex oblet intrauterine on 2^nd day postpartum after expulsion of placenta) + GnRH (Inj. Receptal 50^th day postpartum) + AI; Group-III- Treatment 2- Oxytetracycline+GnRH + ET and Group IV-Treatment 3-Oxytetracycline + GnRH + Herbal (Bolus Bioheat 50^th day postpartum) + AI. The mean service period in Gr-I, Gr-II, Gr-III and Group-IV was 144.83±3.39, 84.83±13.47, 65.33±0.62 and 64.33±1.43 days respectively. It differed significantly (P<0.01) among groups for service period. Control Group (Gr-I) showed significantly higher service than all three-treatment groups, which were at par. Percentage of animals conceived in control and treatment groups were 33.33, 83.33, 50.00 and 100.00, respectively. The pooled conception rate of all treatment groups [77.78% (14/18)] was higher than the control group [33.33% (2/6)]. Out of treatment groups the greater number of animals conceived through artificial insemination [91.67% (11/12)] than the embryo transfer [50.00% (3/6)].