Studies on Puerperal Events and Reproductive Efficiency Following Hormone Therapy at Day 42 Postpartum in Surti Buffaloes

Abstract

A study was carried out on 59 normally calved postpartum Surti buffaloes of University farm over first 105 days postpartum without and with GnRH and PGF2α treatment on day 40 42 with a view to improve their reproductive efficiency. All the animals were periodically palpated per rectum to monitor uterine and ovarian changes and related reproductive peridata. Buffaloes were identified through rectal palpation as having suboestrus condition (29) or inactive ovaries (30) by day 40 42 postpartum. Eighteen suboestrus buffaloes were then treated with single i/m injection of 5 mL Lutalyse (PGF2α) keeping 11 animals of same status as control. Similarly, other 18 buffaloes with inactive ovaries were treated with single i/m injection of 5 mL Receptal (GnRH analogue) on day 40 42 postpartum and 12 animals of same status were kept as control. The results revealed that the regression of pregnancy CL and uterine involution were complete by day 9.39±0.27 and 31.22±0.93 postpartum without group differences. However, the resumption of ovarian activity (52.75±9.07 day) and first oestrus postpartum (78.80±6.29 days) were earlier in both GnRH and PGF2α treated conceived than control conceived buffaloes. The service period averaged 91.85±7.06 days and calving interval 402.02±7.07 days; both were shorter by 1 cycle in GnRH treated conceived than the control conceived buffaloes (69.93±4.29 vs 87.71±4.00 & 380.36±4.02 vs 400.28±3.97 days), but not in PGF2α treated and control conceived group (59.73±3.76 vs 61.20±10.87 & 369.13±3.80 vs 373.00±10.33 days). The response to treatment at day 40 42 postpartum was excellent, as 88.88% (16/18) of GnRH treated buffaloes responded and came in oestrus by mean interval of 19.21±1.03 days and 77.77% (14/18) of them conceived as against 58.33% (7/12) conception rate with a mean oestrus interval of 32.14±9.03 days in control group. In PGF2α treatment group also, 83.33% (15/18) treated buffaloes responded with mean interval of 4.07±0.53 days post-treatment and all of them conceived, in contrast to 45.45% (5/11) buffaloes conceived with a mean oestrus interval of 13.4±6.76 days in PGF2α control group. The first service conception rate was above 70% in both the treatment groups. Hence, both the drug-dose regimes may be recommended for routine use to enhance postpartum reproductive efficiency of buffaloes and thereby economic return. Key Word: Surti buffalo; Puerperal events; Reproductive efficiency; Hormonal therapy; Postpartum