IMPROVED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION EFFICIENCY THROUGH AN OVARIAN STRUCTURE-BASED CONTROLLED BREEDING PROGRAM IN POST-PARTUM BUFFALOES

Abstract

Recently, interest in improving AI efficiency in buffaloes is on ovarian structure-based Timed AI (TAI) and was investigated in the study. In Study 1, a comparison of efficiencies between corpus luteum (CL)- and dominant follicle (DF)-based TAI was performed. Buffaloes (n=143) with CL were treated with Prostaglandin to induce its regression and estrus (T1); while buffaloes (n=157) with DF were injected with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) to induce ovulation (T2). In Study 2, a comparison among follicle-based protocols was performed, namely: Ovsynch protocol (n= 152) for T1; Controlled Internal Drug Release-Synch-human-Chorionic Gonadotropin (CIDR-Synch-hCG) protocol (n=167) for T2; and SELECT AI (n=170) for T3. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted 35-40 days after TAI. Results in Study 1 revealed a significantly higher (P<0.05) pregnancy in follicle-based (33.41%) than in CL-based protocol (26.47%).  In Study 2, a significantly higher (P<0.05) pregnancy was observed in CIDR-Synch-hCG (42.61%, T2) than in Ovsynch protocol (35.06%, T1); while SELECT AI (50.53%, T3) significantly differs (P<0.05) from T1 and T2.   The study demonstrated that follicle-based- is better than CL-based protocol. While supplementing follicle-based/Ovsynch protocol with progesterone (CIDR) and replacing GnRH with hCG (CIDR-Synch-hCG) improved pregnancy.   Moreover, achieving a follicle size (≥12.0 mm) on the day of AI with SELECT AI enhanced pregnancy in water buffaloes.