Corpus luteum function and embryonic mortality in buffaloes treated with a GnRH agonist, hCG and progesterone

The effect of treatment with a GnRH agonist, hCG or progesterone (P4) on corpus luteum function and embryonic mortality was investigated in buffaloes inseminated during mid-winter. Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (n = 309) were synchronized using the Ovsynch with timed-AI program and mated by AI at 16 h (Day 0) and 40 h after the second injection of GnRH. On Day 5, buffaloes were randomly assigned to four groups: Control (no treatment, n = 69), GnRH agonist (buserelin acetate, 12.6 μg, n = 73), hCG (1500 IU, n = 75) and P4 (PRID without E2 for 10 days, n = 77). Progesterone (pg/ml) was determined in milk whey on Days 5, 10, 15 and 20 and pregnancy diagnosis was undertaken on Day 26 by ultrasound and Day 40 by rectal palpation. Treatment with buserelin and hCG increased (p < 0.05) P4 on Day 15 compared with controls (456 ± 27, 451 ± 24 and 346 ± 28 pg/ml, respectively). Buffaloes treated with a PRID had intermediate P4 concentrations (380 ± 23 pg/ml). Embryonic mortality between Days 26 and 40 (22.9%) and pregnancies at Day 40 (48.9%) did not differ between treatments. A higher (p < 0.01) P4 concentration was found on Day 20 in pregnant animals compared with non-pregnant and embryonic mortality buffaloes, which did not differ. In summary, buserelin and hCG increased P4 concentrations on Day 15 but this was not associated with a reduced incidence of embryonic mortality in buffaloes during mid-winter.