Reproductive Functions in Nili-Ravi Buffaloes after Short Term Treatment with Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin Hormone

Effects of short-term treatment with somidobove (recombinantly produced bovine somatotropin, BST) on estrous cyclicity and fertility were studied in dairy buffaloes. Twenty buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed calving during the same season were assigned to either control (n=8) or treated group (n=12). The buffaloes of treated group received single infection (prolonged release) of 320 mg of somidobove on day-60 postpartum. The mean values for interval to first postpartum estrus, first service conception rate, services per conception, service period and calving interval for the treated group were 96.4 days, 66.7%, 1.70, 164 days and 473 days, respectively. The corresponding values for the control group were 92.5 days, 62.5%, 1.87, 135 days and 439 days. Means of all variables did not differ between control and treated group (p > 0.05). Three buffaloes of the control and four buffaloes of the treated group did not conceive at first service. Out of these, two buffaloes of control and one buffalo of treated group exhibited normal estrous cycles. It is concluded from these data that short term BST-treatment has no adverse effect on reproductive functions of dairy buffaloes.