Fertility response on intrauterine administration of lochial extract in postpartum dairy buffaloes

Abstract

The present investigation aimed to assess the effect of intrauterine administration of lochial extract on fertility, uterine bacterial load, serum biochemical and hormonal profiles in postpartum buffaloes. Therefore, experiment was conducted in 30 postpartum buffaloes, randomly divided into 3 groups (10 each). Animals of G 1 received PBS (30 ml) however, in G 2, Lochial extract (30 ml) and in G 3, gentamicin (200 mg) were given as intrauterine infusion on day 15 postpartum. Fertility was ascertained in terms of uterine involution, induction of estrus and conception rate. Bacterial load in uterine contents, serum progesterone, calcium and phosphorus concentrations were also studied before and after the treatments. The uterine involution within 30 days postpartum was highest in both groups 2 and 3 (80% in each). The oestrus induction within 60 days postpartum was also highest in both groups 2 and 3 (60% in each). The conception rate at induced estrus was recorded higher (100%) in lochial extract group followed by gentamicin (83.33%) and control (75%) group. No significant differences were observed in the data of fertility responses. There was significant reduction in bacterial load after treatment in both the treated groups. However, no significant difference was recorded in serum progesterone, calcium and phosphorus neither within the group nor among the groups before and after treatments. Overall results of the present study revealed better and comparable fertility with low uterine bacterial load in postpartum buffaloes administered intrauterine lochial extract and gentamicin.