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A note on the effect of suckling stimulus on uterine involution, post-partum ovarian activity and fertility in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. H. Usmani
Affiliation:
Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, PO National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan
N. Ullah
Affiliation:
Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, PO National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan
S. K. Shah
Affiliation:
Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, PO National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Abstract

Nineteen pluriparous buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed which calved during the months of October and November 1983 were studied for the effects of sucking stimulus on the uterine involution, post-partum ovarian functions and fertility. On the day of calving, buffaloes were assigned to either a limited-suckling (LS) or non-suckling (NS) group. Changes in reproductive organs were monitored by rectal palpations at weekly intervals. Buffaloes were observed for oestrus twice daily (04.00 and 18.00 h) with the help of a teaser bull, and were artificially inseminated at the first post-partum and each subsequent oestrus. LS buffaloes had a shorter period to uterine involution (20 days) than NS buffaloes (28 days). Intervals to regression of the corpora lutea of pregnancy and to resumption of post-partum follicular development did not differ in the two groups. LS buffaloes had longer intervals to first post-partum oestrus and conception (54 and 88 days respectively) than NS buffaloes (39 and 68 days respectively). However, the difference in services per conception of LS and NS buffaloes was non-significant (2-05 v. 1·62). These limited data reveal that the suckling stimulus has a negative effect on the post-partum resumption of oestrous activity, and that conception is delayed. Further studies are indicated to verify these observations in a larger sample size and during all seasons of the year.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1985

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References

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