Study on Factors Affecting the Success of Artificial Insemination Program in Cattle, Siltie Zone
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
Efficiency of artificial insemination service might be lower due to various factors including failure of estrus detection, poor management, inadequate nutrition and poor quality of semen. Failure of estrus detection and improper timing of insemination has been the single most known factor in dairy animals. In this study, the performance of the conventional method of AI delivery was evaluated to compare with improved estrus detection method through artificial estrus induction. Pregnancy rate was compared between dairy animals inseminated by the conventional way and those inseminated after estrus induction using synthetic prostaglandin. Pregnancy rate for the whole of the study group using AI was 42.9%. There was also a significant breed difference in pregnancy rate (p<0.05, 34.4%; n=203 local breeds, and 66.6%; n=72 in cross breeds) among the study animals. The pregnancy rate was 48.1% (n=77) for induced animals while it was 28.2% (n=85) for those that were inseminated without estrus induction. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in pregnancy rate between induced and non induced animals. The mean (±SE) length of induction to first estrus sign and estrus to AI were 57.49±1.9 hrs and 8.62±0.15 hrs (range 6-12.3 hrs), respectively. The overall mean (±SE) service per conception in conventional insemination service was 2.34±0.05. Bellowing, standing to be mounted and vaginal mucus discharges were found to be the most common estrus manifestations observed by dairy owners as a reason for AI. Animals inseminated after vaginal mucus discharge had a significantly higher rate of pregnancy compared to other estrus signs. There was also a significant difference (p<0.05) in pregnancy rate among animals inseminated at different times with the highest record being for animals brought on-time (6-12 hrs of first estrus manifestation). In conclusion, estrus manifestation and body conditions were the two most important factors associated with pregnancy rate. The use of artificial induction of estrus has improved the success of AI though dramatic changes were to be obtained only after a concomitant improvement of the body condition of the cows.
Keywords: AI, Cows, Estrus detection, Estrus induction, Pregnancy rate
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Keywords
AI Cows, Estrus detection, Estrus induction, Pregnancy rate