Reproductive indices of Manipuri horses reared under arid zone region

Abstract

The current study was undertaken with an object to record and analyse the data related to reproductive indices such as estrus cycle length, duration of estrus, size of the follicle at ovulation, day of ovulation, gestation length and estrus after foaling (foal heat) in respect of Manipuri mares. The mares were closely monitored for their estrus exhibition, examined with transrectal ultrasonography for the size of the follicle variation and to determine the size of the follicle at ovulation. The mares were inseminated with the frozen thawed semen collected from Manipuri stallions at appropriate time. This is the first time ever report that Manipuri stallion semen was cryopreserved successfully and live foals have been obtained using frozen semen via artificial insemination. The data on reproductive characteristics of the mares of Manipuri breed in India are scanty and there are no available reports on reproductive parameters of Manipuri breed until today in the literature. The results of the present findings are of much useful as a ready reckoner for the reproductive parameters and traits of Manipuri breed as well as indigenous horses reared under arid region. The differences observed in various parameters in relation to other breeds of Indian horses may be caused by breed effect and other environmental factors.