Effect of Supplementation of Aegle marmelos and Murraya koenigii on the Follicular Development in Delayed Pubertal Sahiwal Heifer

The present study was conducted to study the effect of Aegle marmelos and Murraya koenigii on the follicular development in delayed pubertal Sahiwal heifers. A total of 14 anoestrus Sahiwal heifers with a mean age of 32.85 ± 0.86 months and were divided in to two groups viz. Group-1 (G-l) (n=8) and Group-2 (G-2) (n=6). Heifers in G-l were treated with shade dried grinded leaves in combination in concentrate mixture for 9 days after dose extrapolation from the effective 50% ethanolic extract dose in rats (i.e. 1000 mg/Kg b. wt.) showing optimum ovarian function. Heifers in G-2 were not given any treatment. All the heifers were monitored by a trans-rectal USG scanner in alternate day for 10 occasions. At pretreatment, the difference in the mean number of total follicles and diameter of Largest follicles (LFs) between the groups remained (P> 0.05) similar. However, on herb supplementation, the mean size of LFs (12.8 mm) increased (P<0.001) significantly as compared to control (8.70 mm). The growth rate of LF was faster (P< 0.05) in herbs treated (0.55 mm/day) than control (0.25 mm/day) heifers. The mean number of total follicles prior to treatment and each day of scanning remained similar between the groups (P> 0.05). Results revealed that in the delayed pubertal heifers, the follicular development continues and the number of total follicles at any day remained constant. It was concluded that supplementation of Aegle marmelos and Murraya Koenigii can influence the growth processes of LF by the attainment of dominance, accelerated growth rate, preovulatory size and the process of ovulation.