Comparative efficacy of different CIDR protocols for the treatment of postpartum anestrous in Iraqi buffaloes

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different CIDR protocols including some hormonal preparations for the treatment of postpartum anestrous of Iraqi northern buffaloes. The present study was conducted on 70 anestrous buffaloes suffering from postpartum ovarian inactivity. Buffaloes were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Buffaloes in Treatment 1 (n=20) injected on day 0 of the experiment, GnRH 250 ìg and a CIDR was placed in the anterior vagina. On day 7, they were injected with 25 mg of PGF2á and on the following day (day 8) the CIDR were removed. On day 9 a second dose of GnRH (250 ìg) was injected. Buffaloes in Treatment 2 (n=20) received on day 0 GnRH (250 ìg) and a CIDR were placed in the anterior vagina. On day 7, CIDR were removed and injected with GnRH (250 ìg). Treatment 3 (n=20) on day 0 a CIDR were placed in the anterior vagina. On day 6, they were injected with 1000 IU of eCG. CIDR were removed on day 7 and injected with GnRH (250 ìg). A control group (n=10) received no treatments. Results showed that in 8days treatment 1 (GnRH+CIDR— —7 PGF á+9 GnRH), 15 out of 20 buffaloes received treatment exhibited estrus 2 within 69.4 ± 8.4 h after CIDR removal. The estrus induction rate was 75%. Total number of buffaloes became 7 days pregnant was 4 (26.7%). In treatment 2 (GnRH+CIDR— —GnRH), 65% of the buffaloes received treatment exhibited estrus within 77.8 ± 5.6 h after CIDR removal. Total number of buffaloes became pregnant was 4 7 days (26.7%). In treatment 3 (CIDR— — 6 eCG+7 GnRH), 100% of the buffaloes received treatment exhibited estrus within 78.3 ± 11.8 h after CIDR removal. In conclusion, our results indicate that the addition of GnRH and eCG to a progesterone-based CIDR protocol substantially improves the estrus induction and pregnancy rates in postpartum anestrous buffaloes.


Introduction
most common single cause of infertility of buffaloes in Iraq and its incidence ranged 12-18% (Rahawy et al., Anestrous is generally defined as the state of 2006; Azawi et al., 2008).Exogenous progesterone ovarian acyclicity, reflected by complete sexual administration induces cyclicity in a substantial inactivity without manifestation of estrus (Wright and proportion of cows within few days of its withdrawal Malmo, 1992).Postpartum anestrous is the period (Day, 2002).CIDR have been used mainly for the after parturition during which buffalo cow do not show synchronization of ovulation and estrus (Ravikumar et behavioral signs of estrus.True anestrous condition is al., 2011) but are less applied for induction of cyclicity associated with the presence of static ovaries, and even in true acyclic buffaloes.though there is follicular development, none of the Various research workers (Saini et al., 1986; ovarian follicles that start growing becomes mature Chohan et al., 1995) have obtained satisfactory results enough to ovulate.As a result of this lack of follicular to stimulate ovulation, and resumption of normal maturation, ovulation does not occur while anestrous cyclicity of anestrous in buffaloes.Ravikumar et al. is present (Moro et al., 1994).Field surveys on (2010) used CIDR-GnRH protocol in postpartum reproductive disorders revealed that anestrous was the period and found higher fertility response in the uterus, uterine tubes, ovaries and cervix was buffaloes.Employing CIDR regimes are more performed to each buffalo cow with smooth ovaries desirable than other that are 10 days or less in duration (without palpable corpus luteum and follicle).Any buffalo with abnormal vaginal discharge was excluded and which combine synchronized luteolysis with from the study.A fluid aliquot was collected from the synchronized ovarian wave patterns.CIDR may be uterine lumen for the determination of the percentage easier to insert and remove than other intravaginal of polymorphonuclear cells.included in this study were having smooth inactive Although much work has been done using ovsynch ovaries without palpable corpus luteum and follicle plus CIDR in cattle, information on their use in (Noakes et al., 2001).buffaloes especially postpartum lactating with infertility problems is limited.
Treatment protocols: Buffaloes were randomly Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate assigned to three treatment groups.Buffaloes in Treatment 1 and compare the efficacy of CIDR and some hormonal (n=20) injected on day 0 of the experiment, GnRH 250 preparations for the treatment of postpartum anestrous µg (Cystorelin, Ceva Sante Animale, La Ballastierein Iraqi northern buffaloes. 33501, Libourne Cedex, France) as the dose suggested for Iraqi buffaloes by Rahawy et al. (2006), and a

Materials and methods
CIDR was placed in the anterior vagina.On day 7, they Animals: The study protocol was approved by the were injected with 25 mg of PGF2α (Intervet, B.V., Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Centre.Boxmer, Holland) and on the following day (day 8) the The study began in April 2011 and continued until July CIDR were removed.On day 9 a second dose of GnRH 2011.This study was conducted on Iraqi northern (250 µg) was injected.Buffaloes in Treatment 2 buffalo cows in Nineveh province housed at smallholders' (n=20) received on day 0 GnRH (250 µg) and a CIDR dairy farms (latitude: 36º 20´N, longitude: 43º 8´E).were placed in the anterior vagina.On day 7, CIDR Postpartum lactating buffaloes included in this study were removed and injected with GnRH (250 µg).had a mean age 8.18 ± 0.33 y, mean body weight 430.4 Treatment 3 (n=20) on day 0 a CIDR were placed in ± 19.6 kg, mean body condition score 2.88 ± 0.06 the anterior vagina.On day 6, they were injected with (which is a subjective, visual assessment based on rib 1000 IU of eCG (Synncropart, Ceva Sante Animal, France) as the dose recommended by Hammam et al. visibility, rump-fat thickness and fat thickness around (2009) .CIDR were removed on day 7 and injected the hooks and pins).The animals were kept outdoors with GnRH (250 µg).To reduce the possibility of near the rivers for wallowing and milked twice daily.A CIDR removal by pen mates or other buffaloes, CIDR balanced nutritional diet including green fodder and tails were clipped to be appearing on vulva lips.A concentrate mixture were fed to these animals.control group (n=10) received no treatments.Estrus Animals with a history of caesarean operation, cystic was detected on farm by expert personnel using visual ovaries, pyometra, metritis, endometritis, lameness, estrus detection every 3 hours (8 times daily) as the abdominal disorders or other undercurrent diseases method described by Senger (1994).According to were excluded from the study on the basis of clinical Suthar and Dhami (2010) acceptance of the male is examinations to remove any conflicting influence considered as the most reliable estrus indicator in during the study period.Following data was recorded buffalo as well as frequent urination, bellowing, valver for each buffalo cow included in the present study: swelling and clear, shiny, stringy odorless mucus name of buffalo, breed, number of parturitions, discharge.All buffaloes were mated naturally at least obstetrical problems if present, type of last parturition, two times after estrous detection with buffalo bulls of retained placenta, vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, proven fertility.Pregnancy status was diagnosed by abortion, number of services, and milk production.
palpation of uterine contents 35 days after the natural st mating of the 1 induced estrous.Clinical examinations: Rectal examination of Statistical analysis: Data were expressed as means buffaloes out of 20) were found in buffaloes treated 7 days (±SE).Pregnancy rates and percent of buffaloes with CIDR--6 eCG+7 GnRH.exhibiting estrus among different treatment groups Discussion 2 and control were compared using χ test.The During the last few years, several studies have difference between means of time exhibiting estrus been attempted to treat infertility in buffaloes by using was tested by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and controlled internal drug release (CIDR), hormonal least significance differences (LSD).The level of treatments such as gonadotropin releasing hormone significance was observed at the 5% level.Statistical (GnRH), gonadotropins (Gn), estrogen and analyses were performed with the software (Sigma prostaglandin F(PGF ) (Metwelly, 2006).CIDR has stat, Jandel scientific software V2.0 2004; Richmond, 2α CA, USA).

Results
which are saturated with progesterone causes an None of the CIDR devices were lost during the increased circulatory concentration of progesterone experiment.Numbers and percentages of buffaloes exerted negative feedback on hypothalamus and exhibited estrus after the various treatment protocols anterior pituitary.Hence, result in favoring GnRH, of CIDR and pregnancy results are shown in Table 1.FSH and LH storage.Following termination of 8days In treatment 1(GnRH+CIDR--7 PGF α+9 progesterone therapy (after CIDR withdrawal by the 2 day 7 after insertion), the rapid drop in circulatory GnRH), 15 out of 20 buffaloes received treatment concentration of progesterone promotes the release of exhibited estrus within 69.4 ± 8.4 h after CIDR GnRH as the negative feedback of progesterone was removal.The estrus induction rate was 75%.Total abolished, followed by FSH an LH release with number of buffaloes became pregnant was 4 (26.7%).