Effect of CIDR protocol on conception rate in RFM affected and normally calved buffaloes

Abstract

Delayed re-establishment of ovarian cyclicity after parturition leads to increased inter-calving interval in buffaloes. This interval is further extended by the occurrence of post-partum disorders especially retained fetal membranes (RFM) which in turn causes heavy economic loss to the farming community. A total of 16 buffaloes at 45 to 60 days post-partum period including 8 buffaloes treated for retained fetal membranes (RFM) and 8 normally calved (NC) were selected and dewormed orally with Albendazole and administered orally with 50 g mineral mixture for 15 days after deworming. All the buffaloes at 60 to 75 days post-partum were inserted with CIDR intravaginally and left in situ for 9 days. All the buffaloes received an intra-muscular injection of 500 µg PGF₂α at 24 h prior to CIDR withdrawal. At 48 (first AI) and 72 h (second AI) of CIDR removal, the buffaloes were artificially inseminated. Further, those buffaloes which failed to conceive and returned to oestrus (subsequent oestrus) following breeding at induced oestrus, were artificially inseminated twice at an interval of 24 h. Pregnancy diagnosis was done by rectal examination at 60 days post-insemination.
Retention rate of CIDR from insertion to withdrawal was 100%. The percentage of ovulatory response assessed by ultrasonography following oestrus induction in NC and RFM affected buffaloes was 100 and 87.50%. The first service, second service and overall conception rates were 25, 37.50 and 62.50 and 62.50, 25 and 87.50 in RFM and NC groups respectively.
In both the groups, the serum mean progesterone levels increased from the time of selection to the time of PGF₂α injection but at first AI, the serum progesterone levels reached below 0.5 ng/ml and at 10 days post AI, there was an elevated progesterone levels in both the groups. The serum oestradiol levels increased from the time selection of animals to the time of first AI and then declined at 10 days post AI. The mean serum oestradiol levels were higher in NC buffaloes from the time of selection of animal to first AI in all the groups when compared to RFM affected buffaloes. It is concluded that oestrus induction with CIDR plus PGF₂α with prior deworming and mineral mixture supplementation could be used in post-partum NC or RFM affected buffaloes to achieve maximum conception rate under field conditions.