Monitoring Post-partum period

for

Improving Reproductive Efficiency

of

Cattle and Buffaloes

Dr. H.J.Derashri and Dr. F.S.Kavani

Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics

College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,

Anand Agricultural University, Anand. 388 001.

Rationale of the Project

(JUSTIFICATION)

Dairy industry is well established in Gujarat state and is

taken as model for other states in the Country.

The policy of the state Government is to support the dairy

development through Village Co-operative Societies and

District Milk Producers’ Unions and their federation.

Gujarat state has well recognised milk purpose buffalo

breeds. Mehsani, Jafrabadi, Surti breeds of buffaloes are

well known for their high milk yielding capacity.

Rationale of the Project

Particularly Surti buffaloes are present in the Irrigated Agro-Eco system under Sugarcane Production area. A total of approximately 22.5 lakh breedable Surti buffaloes are there in the state (Government of Gujarat, 1999-2000).

As per FAO, for economic maintenance of Buffaloes, the animals should attain maturity at the age of three years and should have inter-calving period of 13-14 months. Any extension in the inter-calving period beyond 14 months increases maintenance cost of the animal.

Introduction

Normal reproduction is the basis for sound animal

husbandry and is one of the most important

considerations determining the profitability of bovine

reproduction.

Introduction

The efficiency of reproduction in a given species depends

on

- the length of the sexual season,

- frequency of estrus,

- number of ovulations,

- duration of pregnancy,

- litter size,

- suckling period,

- puberty age and

- duration of the reproductive period in Animal’s life.

Introduction

The efficiency of reproductive period may decline as a result of

-seasonal, -genetic,

-nutritional, -anatomic,

-hormonal, -neural,

-immunological, -humoral or

-pathologic factors.

These factors may result in partial or complete reproductive failure. Those concerned with farm animals have the continuous objective of preventing such failure.

Introduction

Cattle are kept for economic gain, and the ultimate

goal of preventive medicine programmes concerned with

reproduction should be to maintain production on the

most profitable level.

The progressive dairy husbandry cannot be

maintained on a high level unless calving intervals are

kept at a minimum.

In attempting to achieve a desirable economically

necessary 12 – 14 month calving interval, the interval

from calving to conception must be 85 – 115 days

respectively.

Introduction

To achieve this goal, breeding of cows and buffaloes

that have normal calving and post-partum periods should

begin at 50 days after two post-partum estrous cycles, 14

to 18 days and 30 to 38 days.

These are necessary to result in good conception rates.

This then allows two breeding periods between 50 and 85

days or three breeding periods between 50 and 115 days.

Introduction

Breeding prior to 50 days post-partum is generally not

desirable because of reduced conception rate and this

practice could cause an abbreviated dry period.

Economic losses occur when large numbers of

conception occur earlier than 50 days or more than 100

days.

Introduction

Prevention is better than Cure.

Correction of factors causing prolonged calving

intervals is more important than early post-partum

breeding to an economically profitable production record

for a herd.

Therefore, the early onset of the observation of and

recording of regular post-partum estrous cycles of all

animals is imperative.

Calving should be

Calving should be

in

a clean,

well bedded with straw or hay,

disinfected stall

and

a clean pasture

to avoid post-partum retained placenta

and

post-partum infections.

Calving should be

Animals with

milk fever, retained placenta, metritis,

post-parturient ketosis, displaced abomasums,

acute mastitis,

fail to return to a level or positive energy balance.

Animals developing cystic ovaries

and

owners failing to detect animals in oestrus,

all result in a delayed return to service

and a prolonged calving to conception interval.

Calving care

In older animals

prompt treatment of incipient milk fever

or retained placentas

with calcium products and oxytocin

and possibly parenteral antibiotics is imperative.

Dry cow therapy

and dipping of teats should be practiced

when drying the cow off and teats should be dipped for a

week or so before calving.

Post-partum Animal Examination

Post-partum examination

of the animals

at about

21 and / or 35 to 45

is indicated

to be certain normal involution

and estorus cycling is occurring

and that post-partum infections

or

cystic ovaries have not developed.

Post-partum Animal Examination

If cystic ovaries have developed prompt treatment of GnRH or hCG is indicated.

In older animals or high producing animals

it may be desirable to give 100 to 250 ug of GnRH on 12th to 14th day post-partum or

when follicles 1.0 cm in diameter are present, to promote ovulation, normal CL formation

and estrous cycling and

prevent the development of luteal or follicular cysts.

Reproductive Examination in the

Post-partum Period

Gynaecological examination:

7TH week post-partum -

Two treatment groups

Treatment Group -I : Anoestrus Animals

(Animals having Inactive Ovaries)

Treatment group – II :Sub-oestrus Animals

(Animals having palpable CL on the ovaries)

Technical Report: GAU, Anand.

Group – I

Anoestrus Animals

(Treatment : Receptal, 5 ml, I/m)

Group of

Animals

Animals

Treated

Animals

Conceived

Treatment 32 25

(78.12 %)

Control 24 10

(41.66 %)

Anoestrus Animals

100 10088.89

58.33

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2

Treatment group Control group

No

. o

f an

imals

No. of animals Animals responded Animals conceived

78.12

41.25

Technical Report : GAU, Anand.

Group – II

Sub-oestrus animals

(Treatment : Lutalyse, 5 ml, I/m)

Group of Animals Animals Treated Animals Conceived

Treatment 30 21

(70.00 %)

Control 20 07

(35.00 %)

Sub-oestrus Animals

100 100

83.33

41.6735.00

70.00

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2

Treatment group Contrl group

No

. o

f an

imals

No. of animals Animals responded Animals conceived

Progesterone and Fertility

Progesterone (ng/ml)

In pregnant animals – 4.16 + 0.76

In non-pregnant animals – 2.21 + 0.19

Average concentration of progesterone in both groups

was non-significant up to 7th week post-partum,

thereafter it showed increasing trend in pregnant

group of animals.

Impacts of the Project

1. Economic Impact

Inter-calving Period :

Treatment groups Vs Control groups.

Group Inter-calving

Period

Advantage in

days

GnRH-T 418 days 48 Days

GnRH-C 466 days

PGF2α-T 380 days 48 Days

PGF2α-C 428 days

Economic Impact

Av. Maintenance Cost:

@ Rs.50/- per day/animal

GROSS SAVINGS:

Rs.50/- X 48 Days =Rs.2,400/-

LESS:

Cost of Services & Treatment Rs.400/-

NET GAIN:

Rs,2,000/-PER LACTATION

Economic Impact

Gujarat state has

Approx. 22.5 lacs breedable Surti buffaloes (Govt. of Gujarat, 1999-2000)

30 % (6.75 lacs) of these buffaloes

– Always Pregnant

With 10.00% (0.675 lac) adoption of the technology

0.675 lac buffaloes x advantage

@ Rs. 2000/- per animal per lactation

Total benefit of the technology

Can be estimated at

Approx. Rs. 13.50 crores annually

Economic Impact

An improvement in Conception Rate

to the Tune of 50 %

was observed as compared to Control Group

Conception Rate

• Groups T C

• GnRH 78.25 37.50

• PGF2 a 83.33 35.00

Other Impacts

a. Most common infertility problems like post-partum anoestrus and suboestrus conditions in Buffaloes were minimized in experimental animals.

b. Calving interval in Buffaloes has been optimized to an ideal period of 13 to 14 months.

c. Service period in buffaloes has been shortened.

d. No. of Calves born during the life span of the animal will increase.

e. Milk production of the animals will increase.

Package of Practices for Field

Veterinarians

1. Monitoring of Post-partum period through Sexual Health Control Programme.

2. Post-partum animals should be examined through rectal palpation for resumption of Ovarian cyclicity.

3. Cyclic/Sub-oestrus animals should be induced to oestrus through luteolysis. Contd.,

Package of Practices for Field

Veterinarians (Contd.,)

4. Post-partum anoestrus animals should be induced to

oestrus through supplementation of Gonadotropin

releasing hormone.

5. The owner should be advised to detect oestrus and

timely breeding subsequent to treatment.

6. Pregnancy diagnosis should be carried out by 42– 45

days, so that, non-pregnant animals can be brought to

cyclicity and be bred at the earliest.

Dissemination

Veterinarians working with various Government agencies like

– Veterinary Polyclinics

– ICDPs

– Key Village Schemes

– Co-operative Dairies

should be given refresher training giving emphasis for Reproductive Health check-up in the seventh week

post-partum and explaining the benefits to the farmers for adoption of the technology for Early Conception &

Optimizing inter-calving period.

Package of Practices for Farmers

1. The Dairy farmers will be informed about the

importance of better management of post-partum period to avail the advantage of the technology with the help of Veterinarians.

2. The farmers will be explained regarding the economic return due to early conception and shortening inter-calving period to the optimum.

3. Educating the farmers for maintenance of Reproductive Records.

4. Educating the farmers for improving heat detection practices and timely breeding.

5. Explaining the farmers regarding early pregnancy diagnosis for detecting non-pregnant animals so that they can be treated and conceived at an early date.

Degree of Acceptance by Dairy Farmers

A survey was carried out in surrounding villages of

Anand.

Nearly 60.00 % of the progressive dairy farmers and

40.00 % of small and marginal dairy farmers are ready to

adopt this technology.

Bridging the Gaps due to Research Outcome

• Through various agencies, the gap between the animal

owner, field Veterinarian and the Scientist can be

reduced and the Lab to land programme can be

implemented effectively.

Progesterone (ng/ml) (Mean + SE )

Anoestrus Buffaloes Sub-oestrus Buffaloes

GnRH 0.89 + 0.04 PGF 1.26 + 0.06

GnRH-T 0.88 + 0.05 PGF-T 1.39 + 0.07*

GnRH-C 0.91 + 0.07 PGF-C 1.06 + 0.09

GnRH-T-P 0.95 + 0.06* PGF-T-P 1.58 + 0.09*

GnRH-T-NP 0.63 + 0.08 PGF-T-NP 0.90 + 0.10

GnRH-C-P 0.76 + 0.08 PGF-C-P 0.65 + 0.11

GnRH-C-NP 1.01 + 0.10 PGF-C-NP 1.29 + 0.12 *