Relationship of Some Blood Serum Parameters with Reproductive Performance of Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes After Hormonal Treatment During The Early Postpartum (Preliminary Study)

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the relationship between some routinely assayed blood serum biochemical parameters and the reproductive performance of hormonally treated buffaloes from the aforementioned breed during the early postpartum period. The study was conducted with 16 Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes, weighing 480-520 kg, aged 3-5 years, clinically healthy, with normal parturition, without signs of endometritis. The study was carried out from April to May, 2012. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture on days 5, 21 and 28 postpartum immediately before hormonal treatments. Blood serum parameters such as glucose, calcium, phosphorus, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, AST, ALT and total protein were measured. Each animal was treated with 500 mg PGF2? on day 5 post partum, 100 µg GnRH on day 21 and new prostaglandin injection 7 days latter. Two proven fertile bulls were introduced into the herd at the start of the experiment. Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was performed on days 30 and 40 after the last prostaglandin, respectively. During the second ultrasound six pregnancies were detected. After the last ultrasonography two groups were formed: Group I (n=10) - non-pregnant and group II (n=6) - pregnant buffaloes. The data were processed statistically and mean values for each parameter were calculated. A comparative analysis between the different days and groups was made. The results of blood analysis on day 5 post partum (first PGF2? injection) indicated absence of significant differences in mean values between the different groups. The levels of glucose, phosphorus and total cholesterol on day 2 were higher (p < 0.05) in the second group. Significant differences (? < 0.05) in serum concentration of glucose, calcium, phosphorus and total cholesterol between group I and II were determined on day 28. In conclusion, the blood serum levels of glucose, calcium, phosphorus and total cholesterol between post partum days 21 and 28 could influence the success of applied hormonal treatment, but it has to be confirmed in future experiments with large number of animals. The metabolic status of Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes has relationship with their reproductive performance after PGF2?-GnRH- PGF2? treatment during the early postpartum period.