Efficacy of the Ovsynch protocol for synchronization of ovulation and fixed-time artificial insemination in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Two experiments were conducted to assess the timing and synchrony of ovulation, plasma LH concentrations, and pregnancy rate in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) treated with the Ovsynch (GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH) protocol. In Experiment 1, 10 non-lactating cycling buffaloes received 10 μg of a GnRH analogue i.m. (buserelin acetate) without regard to the stage of the estrous cycle (day of treatment, day 0), followed by 25 mg of PGF2α i.m. (dinoprost thromethamine) 7 days later. A second-treatment of the same GnRH analogue (10 μg, i.m.) was given 48 h after PGF2α. Ovulation was confirmed by transrectal palpation (at 2-h intervals) from the second-GnRH treatment to detection of ovulation or up to 96 h after the second-GnRH treatment. Plasma LH concentrations were determined in blood samples collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h, starting at the second-GnRH treatment, and thereafter at 2-h intervals until 2 h after detection of ovulation. Ovulation occurred in 9/10 buffalo (90%) 23.3 ± 1.3 h (mean ± S.E.M.; range 20-32 h) after the second-GnRH treatment. Peak LH concentrations 13.5 ± 3.5 ng/mL (range 3.9-40.0 ng/mL) occurred 2.1 ± 0.1 h (range 1.2-3.0 h) after the second-GnRH treatment. In Experiment 2, 15 lactating, cycling buffaloes were subjected to the Ovsynch protocol, with fixed-time AI 12 and 24 h after the second-GnRH treatment and 75 lactating buffaloes were inseminated, approximately 12 h after detection of spontaneous estrus. Pregnancy rates were 33.3% for TAI and were 30.7% for buffaloes inseminated following spontaneous estrus (P = 0.84). In conclusion, the Ovsynch protocol effectively synchronized ovulation in Murrah buffaloes and resulted in conception rates (to two fixed-time inseminations) that were comparable to those achieved with a single AI after detection of spontaneous estrus.