An Approach Study for Reducing the Early Embryonic Loss in Egyptian Buffalo-cows

This study evaluated the efficacy of a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on day 12 or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on day 7 post-mating on pregnancy rate (PR) of repeat breeder buffaloes. Buffaloes (n=21) in heat were naturally mated, and divided into three groups (7 in each). Animals in the 1st group (G1) were i.m. injected with 5 ml GnRH on 12-day post-mating, while those in G2 were i.m. injected with 1500 IU of hCG on day 7 post-mating. In G3, animals were kept as control. Results show that PR was higher (P<0.05) in G1 (71.428) and G2 (57.142) than G3 (28.571). The peak of serum P4 was recorded (P<0.05) on day 15 in G2, and day 18 in G1 and G3. On days 21 and 24 post-mating, P4 was the highest (P<0.05) in G1, followed by G2, and the lowest in G3. Average CL diameter increased (P<0.05) CL in G1and G2 compared with G3 on days 15 and 18 post-mating. The concentration of P4 was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant animals on different post-mating days, regardless of treatment. The concentration of P4 was the highest in pregnant of G2, and the lowest in non-pregnants of G3, being more obvious from 18 to 24-day post-mating. Injection of repeat breeder lactating buffaloes with 5 ml GnRH or 1500 IU hCG on day 12 and 7 post-mating, respectively, improved P4 production and pregnancy rate. GnRH treatment reduced the early embryonic loss showing the highest pregnancy rate to increase the farmer economy.