Evaluation of Hormonal and Biochemical Profile of Ladakhi Cow during Estrous Cycle: The Future Perspective of Reproductive Management of Ladakhi Cow

Abstract

The Ladakhi cow is an indigenous breed from Ladakh, India, and has a unique genetic makeup to adapt to high-altitude hypobaric stress. Furthermore, little study is available on examining the Ladakhi cow’s blood biochemicals and reproductive hormonal status during various stages of the estrus cycle. Hence, the current study was conducted on eight reproductively mature Ladakhi cows at the experimental dairy cattle unit in Leh-Ladakh, India, to determine the changes in serum biochemical and hormonal levels during the estrus cycle. The estrus behaviour was initially observed before the blood sampling on days 0 (the day the cow exhibited heat symptoms), 2nd, 8th, 17th, and 21st days. The serum was isolated for biochemical and hormonal profiling as per standard procedures using commercially available kits. The results revealed that serum biochemicals, viz. Ca, Fe, ALT, AST, ALP, TG, TP, Albumin, Glucose, UA, Creatinine, and Urea levels were within the normal range of cows at high altitudes. However, reproductive hormones, e.g. GnRH, FSH, LH, progesterone, estrogen, PGF2α, IGF-1, and Insulin varied from the reference level at different stages of the estrus cycle. This study’s findings have provided new insights into the serum biochemical and hormonal profiling of Ladakhi cows during the estrus cycle and this information may help to develop a reference range and baseline value for the serum biochemicals and hormonal levels of Ladakhi cows for other breeding programs and health monitoring.