The present study aimed to compare two different insemination times (72 vs 84 h) associated with an ovulation induction (GnRH) in a 7-day CIDR Co-synch to improve the conception rate of Nili Ravi buffalo heifers. Forty Nili Ravi buffalo heifers were randomly separated into two treatments based on artificial insemination (AI) timing (72 vs 84 h). All heifers were subjected to controlled internal drug release (CIDR), containing 1.38 g of progesterone for 7 days. On CIDR removal, both treatments received 150 µg of prostaglandin intramuscularly. In 7-day CIDR Co-synch (n = 20), animals were injected 100 µg of GnRH administration intramuscularly and inseminated concurrently at 72 h after CIDR removal. The remaining half (n = 20) were injected and inseminated concurrently at 84 h of CIDR removal. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 40 of timed artificial insemination (TAI) with ultrasound. The follicular growth rate between 72 h after PGF2α/CIDR removal to pre-ovulatory follicle in 7-day CIDR Co-synch was more (0.102 ± 0.005 mm vs 0.079 ± 0.003 mm; P = 0.01) at 84 than 72 h. The interval from GnRH administration/TAI to ovulation was high (26.8 ± 1.64 h vs. 15.1 ± 1.25 h, P = 0.01) in 72 than 84 h. Conception rates were considerably higher in buffalo heifers inseminated at 84 h (65%) than 72 h (25%) in 7-day CIDR Co-synch protocol. In conclusion that in Nili Ravi buffalo heifers, GnRH administration/TAI after 84 h of CIDR removal allows greater follicular growth rate and shortens interval from AI to ovulation compared to the GnRH administration/TAI after 72 h of CIDR removal in 7-day CIDR-Co-synch protocol.
Keywords: Buffalo heifers; CIDR Co-synch; Conception rate; GnRH; Timed artificial insemination.
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