Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.50

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.4 (2024)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 50 issue 4 (august 2016) : 460-465

Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows*

Mehrajuddin Naikoo1, A.J. Dhami*, Ammu Ramakrishnan2
1<p>Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,&nbsp;Anand Agricultural University, Anand- 388 001, Gujarat, India.</p>
Cite article:- Naikoo1 Mehrajuddin, Dhami* A.J., Ramakrishnan2 Ammu (NaN). Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows* . Indian Journal of Animal Research. 50(4): 460-465. doi: 10.18805/ijar.11164.

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15±0.03 to 1.70±0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 ±0.19 to 4.09±1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (<1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09±1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70±0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68±0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09±0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 ±0.10), CIDR (4.92±0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87±0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows.


  1. Ammu Ramakrishnan, Dhami, A.J., Naikoo, M., Parmar, B.C. and Divekar, B.S. (2012a). Estrus induction and fertility response in postpartum anoestrus Gir cows. Indian J. Anim. Reprod., 33: 37-42.

  2. Ammu Ramakrishnan, Dhami, A.J., Ankita Killedar and Pande, A.M. (2012b). Postpartum plasma progesterone and metabolic profile in pregnant and non-pregnant Gir cows following estrus synchronization. Indian J. Anim. Prod. & Mgmt., 24:40-44.

  3. Bhoraniya H.L., Dhami A.J., Naikoo M., Parmar B.C. and Sarvaiya N.P. (2012). Effect of estrus synchronization protocols on plasma progesterone profile and fertility in postpartum anoestrus Kankrej cows, Trop. Anim. Hlth Prod., 44: 1191-1197. 

  4. Deshmukh Y.D., Markandeya N.M., Patil M.G., Khandalikar S.C. and Lakde M.B. (2009). Studies on induction of estrus with reference to progesterone profile in Red Kandhari cows under Ovsynch protocol, Proc. XXVth Annual Convention of Indian Society for Study of Animal Reproduction and National Symposium, Namakkal, Tamilnadu- India, Dec 10-12, p. 275.

  5. Dhami, A.J., Nakrani, B.B., Hadiya, K.K., Patel, J.A. and Shah, R.G. (2015). Comparative efficacy of different estrus synchronization protocols on estrus induction response, fertility and plasma progesterone and biochemical profile in crossbred anoestrus cows. Vet. World, 8: 1310-1316. 

  6. Fallah Rad A.H. and Ajam G. (2008). Application of Ovsynch-CIDR Vs 2 consecutive injections of PGF2a, 14 days apart in dairy Holstein cows and comparison of reproductive parameters, plasma and milk E2 and P4 concentrations, J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 7: 312-315.

  7. Ghallab A.M., Moghney A.F.A. and Osman R.H. (2009). Efficacy of Ovsynch protocol on pregnancy in lactating dairy cattle during summer season, Vet. Med. J., 57: 193-202.

  8. Henricks D.M., Dickey J.F., Hill J.R. and Johnston W.E. (2010). Plasma estrogen and progesterone levels after mating, during late pregnancy and postpartum in cows, Endocrinology, 90: 1336-1342.

  9. Keskin A., Yilmazbas-Mecitoglu G., Gumen A., Karakaya E., Celik Y., Okut H. and Wiltbank M.C. (2011). Comparison of responses to Ovsynch between Holstein-Friesian and Swedish Red cows, J. Dairy Sci., 94: 1784-1789.

  10. Khade N.B., Patel D.M., Naikoo M., Dhami A.J., Sarvaiya N.P. and Gohel M.M. (2011). Estrus induction in pubertal anestrous Gir heifers using different hormone protocols, Indian J. Field Vets., 7: 4-8.

  11. Kubasic N.P., Hallauer G.D. and Brodows R.G. (1984). Evaluation of direct solid phase RIA for progesterone useful for monitoring luteal function, Clinical Chem., 30: 284-286.

  12. Mohan Krishna, Mishra U.K., Mishra O.P., Khan J.R. and Prakash B.S. (2010). Efficacy of Ovsynch protocol with fixed time insemination in anestrous Sahiwal cows and heifers, Indian Vet. J., 87: 297-298.

  13. Naikoo M., Dhami A.J., Ammu Ramakrishnan, Parmar B.C. and Divekar B.S. (2013). A study on puerperal events and postpartum reproductive performance in Kankrej cows. Indian J. Field Vets., 8:1-6.

  14. Naikoo M., Patel D.M., Sarvaiya N.P. and Killedar A. (2010). Estrus synchronization in postpartum anestrous Mehsana buffaloes using different hormone protocols. Indian J.Field Vets., 6:1-4.

  15. Nakrani, B.B., Panchal, M.T., Dhami, A.J., Hadiya, K.K., Patel, J.A. Gosai, R.K and Shah, R.G. (2014). Influence of controlled breeding techniques on estrus induction response, conception rate and plasma progesterone profile in anoestrus buffaloes. Global Journal of Medical Research (G), 14: 1-6.

  16. Patel, K.R., Dhami, A.J., Hadiya, K.K., Savalia and Sarvaiya, N.P. (2013). Effect of CIDR and Ovsynch protocols on estrus response, fertility and plasma progesterone and biochemical profile in true anoestrus crossbred cows. Indian J. Anim. Prod. Mgmt., 29: 50-58.

  17. Patel P.M., Dhami A.J., Sarvaiya N.P. and Kavani F.S. (2007). Monitoring postpartum period in Holstein Friesian cows through plasma progesterone profile with and without hormone therapy, Indian J. Anim. Sci., 77: 3-9.

  18. Sathiamoorty T. and Kathirchelvan M. (2010). Efficacy of PGF2a, CIDR and Ovsynch treatment on estrus response and fertility rate in crossbred cows, Indian J. Anim. Reprod., 31: 43-45.

  19. Savalia, K.K., Dhami, A.J., Hadiya, K.K., Patel, K.R. and Sarvaiya, N.P. (2014). Influence of controlled breeding techniques on fertility and plasma progesterone, protein and cholesterol profile in true anoestrus and repeat breeding buffaloes. Vet. World, 7: 727-732

  20. Shamsuddin M., Bhuiyan M.M.U., Chanda P.K., Alam M.G.S. and Galloway D. (2006). Radio immunoassay of milk progesterone as a tool for fertility control in small holder dairy farms, Trop. Anim. Hlth Prod., 38: 85-92.

Editorial Board

View all (0)