Studies on ovarian functions in anestrous buffaloes treated with buffalo follicular fluid
Abstract
The study was conducted on twenty four anestrous buffaloes selected from field and the buffaloes were
randomly divided into four groups with six animals in each group. Animals in group I were kept as untreated
control while the animals of group II, III and IV were administered 2.5, 5 and 10 ml charcoal treated buffalo
follicular fluid (buFF) subcutaneously twice a day at 12 hours interval for three days. All the experimental animals
were subjected to real time B-mode trans-rectal ultrasonography from day-5 till day of estrus induction. Blood
samples were collected on days -5 till day 7 post buFF treatment and serum samples were stored at -20° till
estimation of progesterone concentrations using enzyme immune assay kits. Estrus detection was carried out by
the individual farmers by visual observations well as by per rectal examination aided by daily real time B mode
transrectal ultrasonography. Administration of buFF in lowest dose (2.5 ml) had no effect on follicular dynamics.
Following treatment (5, 10ml) the no. of small, medium and total follicles and diameter of small follicles was
almost similar. A significant (P<0.05) increase in number of large follicles was observed on days 4-7 and 2-3 after
the end of treatment in group III & IV, respectively, compared to that of control animals. This increase in number
of large follicles in group III was also significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to mean value on the day of start of
treatment (day -2). Diameter of medium and large follicle was observed to be significantly (P<0.05) higher on day
2-5 and 3-6 respectively in group III compared to that of the respective control values. Similarly diameter of
medium and large follicle in group IV was recorded to be significantly (P<0.05) higher on days 2-4 and 3-5
respectively. The diameter of dominant follicle in group III was significantly higher as compared to the mean
values of diameter observed in group IV. The concentration of progesterone remained less than 1ng/ml during
pre-treatment, treatment and post treatment till estrus induction indicating no luteal activity. Five out of six
(83.33%) and four out of six (66.66%) animals were induced to estrus in group III and IV, respectively. The mean
interval from the last treatment to the onset of estrus was 5.40±0.24 and 3.50±0.29 days for groups III and IV,
respectively. Out of these five and four animals which exhibited estrus, five (100%) and two (50%) animals
ovulated in group III and IV, respectively. Based on the results, it may be concluded that 5 ml buFF treatment was
effective in augmenting fertility in anestrous buffaloes.
Description
Keywords
Anestrous, Buffalo, Ultrasonography, Dominant follicle, Progesterone, Follicular Fluid, BuFF