Efficacy of Ovsynch protocol in cyclic and acyclic Egyptian buffaloes in summer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an Ovsynch protocol in the cyclic and non-cyclic Egyptian buffaloes in the summer. The present study was carried out on 21 Egyptian pluriparous buffalo cows (11 cyclic and 10 acyclic) and 8 heifers (5 cyclic and 3 acyclic). All animals were administered 100 microg GnRH i.m. at Day 0, 500 microg of PGF2 proportional, variant i.m. at Day 7 and a second dose (100 microg) of GnRH i.m. at Day 9. Ovarian structures of the animals were recorded by means of transrectal ultrasonography (6-8 MHz linear-array transducer) daily from Day 0 (before treatment) to Day 9 (the second GnRH administration) and thereafter, at 12-h interval till ovulation or for a maximum of 48 h. After ultrasound examination, a blood sample was taken daily from each animal for progesterone analysis. The buffalo cows were inseminated at 16-20 h after 2nd GnRH administration. After the first administration of GnRH, 46% (5 of 11) of cyclic and 50% (5 of 10) of acyclic cows and 40% (2 of 5) of cyclic and 33% (1 of 3) of acyclic heifers responded by ovulation or luteinization of the follicles. The mean diameters (+/-S.E.M.) of the follicles in the responding cows and heifers were significantly higher than those in non-responding animals (9.7 +/- 0.4 mm vs. 6.7 +/- 0.6 mm, P < 0.0001; 11.1 +/- 1.5 mm vs. 7.3 +/- 0.7 mm, P < 0.05, respectively). After the second administration of GnRH, 81% (9 of 11) of cyclic and 60% (6 of 10) of acyclic cows and 80% (4 of 5) of cyclic and 33% (1 of 3) of acyclic heifers ovulated, respectively. Ovulations occurred earlier (P = 0.059) and over a wider range of time in the non-cyclic cows (26 +/- 4.8 h; range: 12-36 h) and in a heifer (12 h,) than in the cyclic cows (34.7 +/- 1.3 h; range 24-36 h) and heifers (33 +/- 3 h; range: 24-36 h). The conception rate was 18% (2 of 11) and 0% (0 of 10) in cyclic and non-cyclic cows, respectively. In conclusion, the Ovsynch protocol could be used effectively for synchronization of ovulation in cyclic cows and heifers in summer.