SERUM PROGESTERONE AND ESTRADIOL-17β PROFILES IN NILI RAVI BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS) WITH AND WITHOUT RETENTION OF FETAL MEMBRANES

Serum progesterone and estradiol-17p levels were estimated in Nili Ravi buffaloes (n=190) with and without fetal membranes retention in three agro-ecological zones of Punjab. The results showed that serum progesterone concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in buffaloes with retention of fetal membranes (RFM) compared to buffaloes without retention of fetal membranes (NRFM). The comparison amongst the three agro-ecological zones revealed that the mean serum estradiol-17-p level in buffaloes with RFM in the northern irrigated zone was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to those in the southern irrigated zone and the arid zone, whereas the latter two zones did not differ (P>0.05) significantly from each other.