Efficacy of different methods for detecting the onset of ovarian cyclicity in post-partum Murrah buffaloes

This study was designed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of three methods for detecting the onset of cyclicity in post-partum Murrah buffaloes. The methods investigated were visual signs, transrectal ultrasonography, and serum progesterone (P₄) assay. For this study, 102 post-partum Murrah buffalo cows were grouped for monitoring their ovarian activity. The first group of buffaloes was between 26 and 35 days post-partum. Thereafter, the buffalo cows that calved were grouped after every 10 days for the study sample. Thus, the study animals were adjudged between 26 and 35, 36-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66-75, 76-85, and 86-95 days post-partum with an average of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 days post-partum, respectively. Visual estrus signs were monitored twice daily, and simultaneously, ultrasound examination was carried out at 10 days interval for accessing the presence of corpus luteum (CL). Serum P₄ was estimated in the animals which were adjudged cyclic by ultrasound examination, and the assay was repeated after 10 days. The buffalo cows in estrus were inseminated artificially, and pregnancy status was assessed after 30 days post-insemination. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of visual observation were low (39.37 and 70.73%, respectively) when compared to P₄ assay (98.80 and 96.47%) and ultrasound examination (single, 97.59 and 97.59%; double, 100 and 100%), respectively. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of single and double ultrasound examination and P₄ assay were comparable. In conclusion, this study reports that single and double ultrasound examination and P₄ assay are more efficient than visual observation in detecting the onset of ovarian cyclicity in post-partum Murrah buffaloes.