Effect of prostaglandin F2α at the time of AI on progesterone levels and pregnancy rate in synchronized Italian Mediterranean buffaloes》.pdf

Available online at Theriogenology 69 (2008) 953–960 Effect of prostaglandin F2a at the time of AI on progesterone levels and pregnancy rate in synchronized Italian Mediterranean buffaloes G. Neglia a,b,*, A. Natale b, G. Esposito b, F. Salzillo b, L. Adinolfi b, G. Campanile a, M. Francillo b,c, L. Zicarelli a a DISCIZIA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ‘‘Federico II’’ University, Naples, Italy b ASSOVET, Association of Veterinarians, Pietramelara, Caserta, Italy c Raggio di Sole SpA, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Piacenza, Italy Received 26 April 2007; received in revised form 13 January 2008; accepted 19 January 2008 Abstract The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of an intravenous or intramuscular PGF2a analogue administration on the day of estrus on progesterone concentration and pregnancy rate in buffaloes undergoing artificial insemination (AI). To this end, two experiments were carried out. The first study was performed on 72 Mediterranean buffaloes synchronized by the Ovsynch-TAI Program. On the day of estrus only animals considered in heat were divided into four groups: Groups IVC and IMC received, respectively, an intravenous or intramuscular injection of cloprostenol (0.524 mg), whereas control Groups IVS and IMS received the same injections of saline. Milk samples were collected daily from each animal to assess progesterone concentration in the whey by RIA method. In addition on alternate days, buffaloes underwent transrectal ultrasound analysis. The second study was