Indian Journal of Animal Research

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Research Article

Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 54 issue 1 (january 2020) : 20-23

Effect of bilateral ovarian massage on post-partum anoestrus interval in cross bred (Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal) dairy cows

Abdul Shakoor Noonari1, Muhammad Naeem1,*, Abdus Salam1, Muzaffar Ali1, Abir Ishtiaq1, Ammar Danyal Naeem1
1Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Zoology Division, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
Cite article:- Noonari Shakoor Abdul, Naeem Muhammad, Salam Abdus, Ali Muzaffar, Ishtiaq Abir, Naeem Danyal Ammar (2018). Effect of bilateral ovarian massage on post-partum anoestrus interval in cross bred (Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal) dairy cows . Indian Journal of Animal Research. 54(1): 20-23. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-892.

ABSTRACT

Post-partum anoestrus reduces  the productivity of dairy cows by delaying in producing a calf in a year. Therefore, to restore early ovarian cyclicity bilateral ovarian massage was attempted. In present study both ovaries were massaged repeatedly after every 15 days of cross-bred (Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal) dairy cows (n=141) during 2005-6 to 2009-10. Results revealed that the incidence of  anoestrus was reduced  to 14.18% (20/141) and a 64.53% (91/141) pregnancy rate was recorded following bilateral ovarian massage performed at 15th, 30th, and 45th day  post-partum. However, out of the 20 post-partum anoestrus  cows (n=20),  50% (10/20) of the animals exhibited estrus with 45% (9/20) conceiving following bilateral ovarian massage performed at 60th ,  75th ,  90th  and 105 days post-partum. The data in relation to   animal’s age, lactation number versus ovarian cyclicity resumption was insignificant. It was  concluded that bilateral ovarian massage was effective in inducing  cyclicity in  anestrus animals .

INTRODUCTION

Standard reproductive efficiency requires each cow to calve regularly each year to maximize economic output of milk production. Extended post-partum anestrous is major obstacle in improving economic efficiency due to reduced calf crop especially in rural areas (Yavas and Walton, 2000). Not only does it lengthen the postpartum interval (a period from parturition to oestrus), but also substantially reduce the farmer’s  financial returns from milk or beef sales due to overall reduced number of pregnancies (calving), withdrawal periods following treatment and the cost of managing prolonged postpartum anoestrus (Mwaanga and Janowski, 2000).
        
Duration of post-partum acyclicity is influenced by suckling status, nutritional status, calving season, animal age and several other factors (Yavas and Walton, 2000). A high percentage of the cows shows anestrus at 60 or more days postpartum. The higher proportion of subestrus among cows determined as anestrus indicates that poor estrus detection is a much more serious problem than true anestrus (Kamal et al., 2014). Restricted dietary intake in post-partum cows increases the intervals from calving to: first oestrous, first ovulation and conception; due to lower dietary energy (Murphy et al., 1991; Stumpf et al., 1992; De Castro et al., 2006; Ngongoni et al., 2006) and is associated with decreased secretion of leutinizing hormone (LH) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) (Dawuda et al., 2002). Moreover, blood glucose and daily milk yield also significantly affected post partum estrus (Qureshi et al., 2016).
        
Pregnancy reduces the pituitary sensitivity to respond GnRH and sensitivity of the pituitary to GnRH increases only gradually after calving. The resumption of ovarian cyclicity depends on the establishment of a pulsatile pattern of LH secretions which is low during early post-partum period and subsequently increase in frequency (Peter et al., 1985). The observed delay is probably, due to negative feedback effect of ovarian estradiol-17β, which results in absence of GnRH pulses and pre-ovulatory LH surge (Crowe et al., 1993; Yavas and Walton, 2000).
        
A number of factors affect LH secretion and ovarian function in postpartum cows, including body condition score, plan of nutrition, energy balance and suckling frequency (Murphy et al., 1991; Stumpf et al., 1992; Crowe et al., 1993; Yavas and Walton, 2000; De Castro et al., 2006; Ngongoni et al., 2006). 
        
Recent studies have revealed that post-partum anovulatory anoestrus in dairy cows is not due to a lack of follicular development but is a consequence of failure of a dominant follicle (DF) to ovulate. The lack of ovulation of the early dominant follicle is due to an inadequate LH peak (Murphy et al., 1990; Crowe et al., 1993; Stagg et al., 1995; Yavas and Walton, 2000). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of bilateral ovarian massage through rectal palpation on post-partum cyclicity and pregnancy rate in cross-bred (Holstein Friesian X Sahiwal) dairy cows.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted from years 2005-6 to 2009-10 during breeding seasons at a Nawab Naseer Ul Islam dairy farm, Shujabad, Multan (Lat: 30°15'N, Long:  71°36'E), Pakistan. Data presented in this study was collected from (n=141) lactating cross-bred dairy cows (Holestein Friesian x Sahiwal), aging between 4-7 years. The trial experimental animals were divided into three groups on yearly basis. Group A contained 67 animals during 2005-2006, Group B consisted of 31 animals during 2007-2008, while in group C had 43 animals during 2009-2010.
        
Animals were allowed pasture grazing daily for 5-6 hours and a standard ration was  provided to all the animals as per need.
        
All the experimental cows (n=141) were subjected to per rectum bilateral ovarian massage at day 15, day 30, and day 45 post-partum and if the animal failed to exhibit till day 60 postpartum after treatment it was considered as anestrous and these anestrous cows (n=20) were again subjected to the treatment at day 60, day 75, day 90 and day 105 post-partum.
        
Heat was detected twice daily during winter and 3 times daily during summer using teaser bull and cows were also examined per rectum after every 7 days to confirm heat.
        
Cows showing signs of estrus were first inseminated 10-11 hours after the onset of estrus and again after 6 hours. Pregnancy was confirmed 60 days after insemination. Statistical package SPSS 16.0 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results showed that in group A, 73.13% (49/67) animals induced to estrus following massage in with a conception rate of 61.19% (41/67) however, 93.54% (29/31) animals in group B exhibited cyclicity with a conception rate of 72.41% (21/31) but the estrus response was maximum (100%, 43/43) in group C with pregnancy rate of 67.44% (29/43) (Table 1).
        
Results showed 10 out of 20 confirmed post-partum anoestrus cows induced estrus cyclicity with manual ovarian massage. We further observed 45% (9/20) conceiving rate in tested post-partum anoestrus cows. On the other hand out of 20 post-partum anestrous cows 10 animals (50.00%) were induced to estrus with 9 animals  conceiving (45.00% pregnancy rate).  Over all cyclicity induction rate throughout the experimental period was 85.81% with a 64.53% pregnancy rate.  Furthermore, the incidence of post-partum anestrus was reduced to 14.18% (Table 1-3). Number of days at which anestrous animals started ovarian cyclicity are shown in Fig 1.
 

Table 1: Overall effects of bilateral ovarian massage of post-partum cows on induce the early estrus cylicity and fertility %.


 

Table 2: Overall effects of bilateral ovarian massage of post-partum cows on induce the early estrus cylicity and fertility % after every 15 to 45 days.


 

Table 3: Treatment/bilateral ovarian massage of anoestrus animals and their results.


 

Fig 1: Anestrous animals started ovarian cyclicity after days.


        
Current study revealed 14.18% of post-partum anoestrus incidences in experimental cows during 2005-2010 in Pakistan. Our results are comparable to anoestrus incidences reported 20% in dairy cows (Talukder et al., 2005) and 18.85% during (Ishaq et al., 2009). However, the primary factor of absence to exhibit estrus in cows immediate after calving reduce animal performance and can not be ignored. Failure of cows to exhibit estrus early in the after calving is the primary cause of decreased reproductive performance (Acosta et al., 1983). The overall incidence of post-partum anoestrus in experimental cows under study was 14.18% which is less than anoestrus incidences reported (18.85 %) in dairy cattle by Ishaq et al., (2009) and 20% reported by Talukder et al., (2005). Other factors like breed, milk yield, animal age, season and associated photoperiodism climate, and suckling also lengthen the post-partum to estrus interval (Mukasa-Mugerwa, 1989).
        
Results showed that 50% of confirmed anoestrus cows induced cyclicity when ovaries were manually massaged during a study period of consecutive five years. Here we reported the most economical method to induce the estrus cycles in post-partum anoestrus cows, primary factor responsible for lengthening of post-partum anoestrus period (Mwaanga and Janowski, 2000). A period of anoestrus following parturition is a normal physiological event and the ovarian cyclicity resumes as the involution of uterus is completed.  Increase of post-partum anoestrus period from standard (60 days) makes dairying an unprofitable business (Amjad et al., 2006).
        
Current study not only initiated the estrus induction in dairy cows but also showed good pregnancy rate (64.53%).  A delayed resumption of ovarian activity during the post-partum period is a major impediment to insemination of cows immediately after the end of the voluntary waiting period. Our results suggest that manual ovary massage may resumed ovulation cycles, however, negative energy balance may impair. Qocyte and embryo quality and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cattle. Mwaanga et al., (2000) have reported positive influence of ovary massage in acyclic pluriparaous cows at 60 days postpartum. Here we are reporting the positive influence of ovary massage in dairy cows in Pakistan first time.
           
Managemental, reproductive disease, and immune status also suppress the normal cyclicity of ovaries (Kiracofe, 1980). Malnutrition and suckling of calves had contribution to lengthen salving intervals in dairy cows (Williams, 1990; Yavas and Walton, 2000; De Castro et al., 2006; Ngongoni et al., 2006). Suckling decreases the LH secretions in body which inhibit ovarian resumption. (Acosta et al., 1983), however, in current study suckling affect may perhaps be overcome by manual ovaries massage, might stimulated estrogen release from ovaries (Akhtar, 2005).
        
Proper strategies are required to avoid malnutrition through good managemental practices and proper feeding as increased post-partum anoestrus drastically affects the production efficiency by decreased calf crop and total milk production (Stumpf et al., 1992; Bilal  et al., 2005; Ishaq et al., 2009). Taken together, in present study post-partum acyclic cows were started cyclicity in healthy cows, however, further studies are required to investigate the relationship of underfed cows with effect of bilateral ovarian massage, as malnutrition is a common factor in developing countries like Pakistan.             

CONCLUSION

The regular per rectum bilateral ovarian massage of dairy cows after parturition can reduce the incidence of post-partum anoestrus and ensure early resumption of ovarian activity, thus yielding a greater production by maintenance of an acceptable calving interval.

REFERENCES


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