1Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Gynaecology, NAU, Navsari
Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh, 362001 (Gujarat)
2Associate Professor and Head, Department of Gynaecology, NAU, Navsari
3Research Associate, Department of Gynaecology, AAU, Anand
4Veterinary Officer, SAG, Bidaj, Kheda
5Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, NAU, Navsari
The study was conducted on eighteen post-partum subestrus (>45 days post-partum) Surti buffaloes, divided into three equal groups to evaluate fertility response and serum metabolic and minerals profile following treatment with Norgestomet ear implant alone and in combination with Cloprostenol. The buffaloes in Group-I and Group-II were implanted with Norgestomet ear implant for nine days alongwith injection of Estradiol valerate on the day of implant insertion. In Group-II, additionally 500 μg Cloprostenol (PGF2α) was given i/m on 8th day. The buffaloes in Group-III served as untreated sub-estrus controls and were given 5 ml normal saline as placebo treatment on 0 and 8th day. The estrus was induced in all buffaloes in Group-I and II with mean estrus induction intervals of 2.17 ± 0.06 and 2.03 ± 0.05 days, respectively. These intervals were significantly (p<0.01) shorter as compared to control Group-III (8.33 ± 2.01 days). The conception rate of induced estrus was highest (83.33%) in Group-II followed by Group-I (66.67%) and Group-III (50.0%). The service periods (days) of anestrus buffaloes under Group-I (75.75 ± 7.26) and II (73.00 ± 4.36) were significantly (p<0.01) shorter than control group (94.33 ± 4.06). The mean serum total protein levels differed significantly (p<0.05) within groups but not differed (p>0.05) between treatment and control groups at different time intervals. The mean serum total cholesterol levels at 10th day and estrus day were found significantly lower (p<0.05) in control group as compared to treatment groups. The overall mean serum Cobalt, Zinc, Iron and Manganese values did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between different time intervals among any of the groups. Norgestomet ear implant alone and in combination with Cloprostenol can be successfully used to induce fertile estrus in post-partum subestrus Surti buffaloes. No significant differences were observed in serum micro-minerals (Cu, Co, Zn, Fe, and Mn) constituents between treated and control groups at different time intervals might be due to organized farm maintained on optimum nutritional supplementation and healthcare strategies.
Buffalo, cloprostenol, fertility, norgestomet, sub-estrus
