Fertility of Bunaji (zebu) cows after treatment with PRID with or without PGF2alpha.

A study was undertaken to determine the oestrus response and fertility rates of zebu cows treated with PRID alone or in combination with PGF2alpha. A total of 184 non-suckled cycling Bunaji cows were allotted randomly to four treatment groups of 46 animals per group as follows: group 1 (PRID-12), PRID was inserted for 12 days; group 2 (PRID+7+PGF2alpha-6, PRID was inserted for 7 days and PGF2alpha was administered intramuscularly 1 day prior to PRID withdrawal; group 3 (PRID-7+PGF2alpha-7, PRID was inserted for 7 days and PGF2alpha was administered intramuscularly on the day of PRID withdrawal; group 4 (2 x PGF2alpha-13, two intramuscular injections of PGF2alpha 13 days apart. At the end of each treatment period, the cows were observed for 7 days for behavioural oestrus and were inseminated 12 h following detection of oestrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation 30-40 days post-insemination. The respective oestrus response rates were 78.3%, 76.1%, 87.0% and 89.1% for groups 1-4. While the corresponding pregnancy rates were 39.1%, 41.3%, 52.2% and 52.2%, the conception rates were 50.0%, 54.3%, 60.3% and 58.6% for groups 1-4. Although individual variations in progesterone levels were observed, the progesterone profiles were generally typical and normal. The results of the study have confirmed the effectiveness of the four regimes in synchronizing and controlling oestrus and ovulation in Bunaji cows. However, groups 3 and 4 showed some superiority over the other treatments. The results of this study provide feasible options from which clinicians involved in intensive breeding programmes and herd health fertility programmes can choose.

Fertility of N'dama and Bunaji cattle to artificial insemination following oestrus synchronization with PRID and PGF2alpha in the hot humid zone of Nigeria.

A study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2alpha) in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cows and heifers and the fertility following artificial insemination at the synchronized oestrus. A total of 116 cows and heifers (58 N'dama and 58 Bunaji) were used in two separate trials. In the first trial, oestrus was synchronized using a PRID, which was inserted for 12 days; in the second trial, oestrus was synchronized by giving two injections of PGF2alpha 13 days apart. Only animals that did not respond to the first injection were given the second injection. At the end of each treatment period, the animals were observed for oestrus for 7 days and inseminated approximately 12 h following detection of oestrus. Standing to be mounted was the single criterion used to judge an animal to have been in oestrus. PGF2alpha and PRID were both effective in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cows and heifers. The respective oestrus response rates, pregnancy rate and conception rates for PRID and PGF2alpha were 85.7%, 53.6% and 62.5% for PRID, and 91.7%, 68.3% and 74.6% for PGF2alpha. N'dama cattle showed significantly (p<0.05) better oestrus response rate, pregnancy rate and conception rate than Bunaji cattle following both PRID and PGF2alpha treatments. The pregnancy rate and conception rate following PGF2alpha treatment were better (p < 0.05) than for PRID, although the oestrus response rate did not differ. It is concluded that both PRID and PGF2alpha are effective in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cattle in the hot humid zone of Nigeria and the fertility to artificial insemination at the synchronized oestrus was normal and acceptable. Thus, PRID and PGF2alpha can effectively be used in intensive breeding programmes for the rapid multiplication and distribution of both cattle breeds, especially the N'dama, which is a unique and beneficial animal genetic resource for the tsetse infested hot humid zone of Nigeria.

Detection of oestrus in Bunaji cows under field conditions.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of some aids for detecting oestrus in 72 Bunaji cows synchronized using two injections of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) 13 days apart. Blood samples to determine the accuracy of the aids and ovarian activity by radioimmunoassay technique were collected daily from the day of the second PGF2 alpha injection until oestrus or for 168 hours for 'non-responders'. The aids for detecting oestrus, tail painting, KaMar detectors and a chin-ball mating device (CMD) were applied at the time of the second injection. The oestrus response rate was 73.6% and 61.1%, from the serum progesterone concentration and visual observation, respectively. Based on the total number of oestrus events observed, unaided visual observation, tail painting, KaMar and CMD detected 52.2%, 82.6%, 82.6% and 76.8%, respectively. Visual observation of standing oestrus alone failed to detect 47.8% of the occurrence of oestrus as shown by the concentration of progesterone in the serum and 30.4%, 30.4% and 24.6%, respectively, of the oestrus periods recorded by tail painting, KaMar and CMD. Twenty-eight cows showed abnormalities in progesterone concentration. These investigations showed that oestrus may be detected by using the aids in cows that have been regarded as 'anoestrous' by visual observation of standing heat.

Serum biochemistry of Zebu bulls and their Friesian crosses fed two planes of protein.

Twenty-one Bunaji (White Fulani, Zebu) and 21 Friesian X Bunaji cross-bred bull calves, approximately 6 months of age, were each divided after weaning into two groups and fed isocaloric rations containing 14.45% (high protein) and 8.51% (low protein) crude protein for 10 months. Serum samples were collected biweekly for 10 months and analysed for serum proteins. Age had no significant effect. The Bunaji had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, and alpha 1-globulin than Friesian X Bunaji. While there was no significant difference in body condition score between the two breeds, the Friesian X Bunaji had a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher growth rate. Animals on high protein diets had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, alpha 2-globulin, gamma-globulin and total globulin than those on low protein. However, alpha 1-globulin and beta-globulin were not significantly (P greater than 0.05) different for the two treatment groups.

Use of plasma progesterone profiles for the assessment of reproductive functions in indigenous Nigerian Zebu cattle.

The reproductive performance of Zebu cattle is generally low. However, blood concentrations of progesterone may be of practical value in assessing the reproductive status of the Zebu female. This paper reviews recent findings regarding plasma progesterone profiles during different phases of the reproductive cycle of some Nigerian Zebu cattle. The reproductive phases examined include the estrous cycle, early pregnancy and the postpartum periods. Our findings describe variations in plasma progesterone profiles observed under field conditions. The practical implications of these findings in assessing reproductive functions in indigenous Nigerian Zebu cattle are examined.

Estrus response of indigenous Nigerian Zebu cows after prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue treatment under continuous observations for two seasons.

The study was undertaken to determine the estrus response pattern of Zebu cows indigenous to Nigeria following treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha analogue and to determine the effect of season on the estrus parameters. Eighty cyclic Zebu cows were used in both the dry and wet seasons. Two single intramuscular injections of 25 mg of PGF2alpha analogue were given per cow 11 days apart regardless of the stage of the estrous cycle. The cows were then observed continuously for 168 h following each injection. The proportion of treated cows responding to PGF2alpha treatment in the wet season (90%) was significantly higher (P<0.005) than in the dry season (70.0%). The mean post-injection interval to onset of non-standing estrus (mucus discharge) was 30.6 h and 28.5 h in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Similarly, the intervals to standing estrus were 69.7 h and 63.9 h in the two seasons, respectively. Seasonal effects were not significant. The duration of non-standing estrus was similar for the two seasons (164.2 h and 162.0 h) while the duration of standing estrus was significantly (P<0.01) longer in the wet season (19.2 h) than in the dry season (12.6 h). Also there was seasonal influence on the body condition score of cows, the palpability of corpora lutea (CL) and the intensity of estrus as determined by the number of mounts (17.9+/-2.0 and 51.2+/-3.4 mounts per cow per estrus period in the dry and wet seasons, respectively).