Luteal Dynamics and Fertility Response to Post-Insemination hCG and Progesterone in Sub-Fertile Buffaloes
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Keywords:
Buffalo, Sub-fertility, Progesterone, hCG, DopplerAbstract
Luteal insufficiency, marked by inadequate progesterone (P4) secretion, is a key cause of early embryonic mortality in buffaloes. This study evaluated whether post-insemination administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or P4 could enhance luteal function and fertility in sub-fertile buffaloes. Thirty buffaloes free from subclinical endometritis and ovulatory defect were inseminated and assigned to three groups: control (saline), hCG (1500 IU on Days 4 and 11 post-AI), and P4 (500 mg hydroxyprogesterone caproate on Days 4 and 11 post-AI). Ovarian structures and luteal blood flow were assessed using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography, and pregnancy was diagnosed on day 55-60 post-AI. Conception rates were highest in the P4 group (70%), followed by hCG (50%) and control (10%). Pre-ovulatory follicle size showed a positive correlation with CL area (p<0.05) and blood supply (p>0.05), but not with plasma P4 concentration. CL area correlated significantly with blood supply (p<0.05), while plasma P4 values on Days 4, 11, and 21 post-AI showed strong intra-day correlations. These findings confirm that P4 and hCG supplementation, particularly P4, improve conception in sub-fertile buffaloes by enhancing luteal growth, vascularization, and functional capacity, thereby mitigating luteal insufficiency.
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