Reproductive performance and superovulatory endangered Cameroonian Namshi breed (Bos taurus)

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the reproductive performance of the endangered Bos-taurus Namshi breed of Cameroon. Ovarian response to superovulatory treatment was also evaluated. The following observations were recorded. The average calf mortality rate was 25.71% while the average birth weight was 12.22±0.82kg. The percentage of animals in oestrus during the wet and dry season was respectively 60% and 33.4%. The oestrus cycle length and the oestrus duration were respectively 20.80±1.20d and 7.00±0.80h: corresponding dry season figures for those parameters were 19.00±0.94d and 6.00±0.7h respectively. In the dry season the manifestation of oestrus was 80º during the day and 20º at night while in the wet season it was 55.55% and 44.5% respectively. Postpartum oestrus was at 18 months. The ovarian response to superovulatory treatment was about 6.40±2.50 ovulations per cow. Results indicate that the scarcity of Bos-taurus Namshi breed in Camerron could be attributed to high calf mortality rate, low calving rate and long postpartum periods. Embryo transfer could be a way to rapidly multiply this breed.