RESUMO
Background: Reproductive biotechnology, such as estrus synchronization, can quickly boost the genetics of local cattle breeds, shorten generational cycles, and spread genetic material within populations of breeding animals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 154 purposively selected smallholder dairy owners using a semistructured questionnaire to assess factors that influence the success of estrus synchronization in smallholder dairy farms located in Agula, Wukro, and Enderta districts, Northern Ethiopia. Results: The estrus synchronization programme was positively accepted by 39.6% of illiterate participants. However, the education level and marital status of the participants had no significant association (p > 0.05) between the different study sites. On the other hand, approximately 10% of interviewees did not have awareness of dairy cattle estrus synchronization technology at the time of implementation, whereas 36 (23.4%) farmers who were aware of estrus synchronization gave negative feedback on the technology. Factors such as breed, management system, feed type, feeding, and watering frequency significantly varied (p < 0.05) among the three study sites, whereas the breeding practice had no significant association (p > 0.05) within these districts. The cause of failure during AI, awareness about synchronization, satisfaction with the AI, and estrus synchronization service have a significant variation (p < 0.05) within the three districts. On the other hand, the cause of AI failure, awareness about AI programs, source of synchronization information, and AI programs had no significant association (p > 0.05) with study sites. Anestrous (30.5%) and repeat breeders (38.9%) were among the causes of the low conception rate during the synchronization program. There were no significant variations in terms of AI program constraints in the three districts. Conclusion: AI technicians and farm owners need continuous training to improve their heat detection skills, increase their knowledge, and obtain a successful program.
RESUMO
The study was conducted to evaluate estrus response, time to the onset of estrus, and conception rate at fixed time AI and AI at detected estrus in local and crossbred heifers and cows subjected to double administration of PGF2α. One hundred twenty local (heifers, n = 27; cows, n = 33) and crossbreds (heifers, n = 21; cows, n = 39) were used for the study. About 63 and 85.7 % of the local and crossbred heifers, respectively, exhibited estrus. Similarly, all crossbred cows and 90.9 % of local cows showed estrus. Most heifers came to estrus between 48 and 72 h while cows exhibited behavioral signs of estrus between 72 and 96 h. AI at detected estrus resulted in higher conception rate than fixed time AI. Pregnancy per artificial insemination was higher in AI at detected estrus than fixed time AI. Accurate estrus detection followed by insemination are crucial factors in maximizing pregnancy, and this study has demonstrated that conception rate in smallholder heifers and cows should be inseminated following estrus detection to maximize the conception rate of the animals.
