Abstract

The present study was carried out with the objective to know the calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in serum of repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes during oestrus. On the day of estrus, blood samples were collected from 35 buffaloes with a history of repeat breeding (RB) and 35 normal cycling (NC) buffaloes for mineral estimation. In the second part of the study, 35 repeat breeder (RBS) buffaloes were treated with a mineral mixture given orally for 10 days at the dosage rate of 150 g per day whereas other 35 repeat breeder buffaloes were given no mineral mixture (RBC). The overall pregnancy rate as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rate was calculated. The serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in RB buffaloes as compared to NC buffaloes. Sodium concentrations differed non-significantly between repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes. Repeat breeder buffaloes (RBS) when fed orally 150 g per day of the mineral mixture for 10 days, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rates were 42, 25 and 20%, while, overall pregnancy rate in these animals was 87%; whereas in repeat breeder control buffaloes, the overall pregnancy rate was 21%. In conclusion, the concentrations of macro and micro minerals were significantly lower in repeat breeder buffaloes and mineral mixtures should be added in the food stuff to improve reproductive efficiency of repeat breeder buffaloes. Keywords: Buffalo, repeat breeder, minerals, pregnancy rate African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol. 13(10), pp. 1143-1146, 5 March, 2014

Highlights

  • Livestock is an important sector of agriculture in Pakistan contributing about 55.1% of the agricultural value added as well as 11.5% to gross domestic product

  • The concentrations of copper, iron and zinc were significantly lower (P

  • Thirty five (35) repeat breeder buffaloes were given orally as 150 g per day of the mineral mixture for 10 days and at estrus, these animals were artificially inseminated with semen of a fertile bull

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Summary

Introduction

Livestock is an important sector of agriculture in Pakistan contributing about 55.1% of the agricultural value added as well as 11.5% to gross domestic product. Repeat breeding is one of the most important reproductive problem in buffalo which anguish fertility and results to massive economic losses to buffalo farmers. Augmented competence for milk production has been related through a decreased fertility in lactating dairy cows (Butler, 2000) by alterations in reproductive physiology (Wiltbank et al, 2006), causing more number of services per conception (Lucy, 2001). The incidence varies from 15 to 32% and is higher in adult buffaloes up to the third parity (Noakes et al, 2009). The different risk factors associated with repeat breeding includes abnormal recommencement of postpartum ovarian cycles, lower parity and shorter days in milk at first artificial insemination (AI) (Yusuf et al, 2010)

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