Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows

• Published in: Indian journal of animal research no. OF
• Main Authors: Naikoo, Mehrajuddin, Dhami, A. J., Ramakrishnan, Ammu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2016
• ISSN: 0367-6722; 0976-0555
• DOI: 10.18805/ijar.11164

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15±0.03 to 1.70±0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 ±0.19 to 4.09±1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (<1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09±1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70±0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68±0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09±0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 ±0.10), CIDR (4.92±0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87±0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows.