445 RELATIONSHIPS OF LUTEAL PHASE VARIABLES (PRIOR TO AI) WITH FOLLICULAR WAVES IN WATER BUFFALOES

Abstract

This study was done to consider relationships of luteal phase variables (prior to AI) with follicular waves. The estrous cycles of 15 buffaloes were synchronized with 2 i.m. injections of prostaglandin F_2α given 11 days apart. The buffaloes were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Buffaloes in the control treatment received no treatment, whereas G6 buffalos received a GnRH injection between Day 5 and 7 and G16 buffalos received a GnRH injection between Day 15 and 17 of the estrous cycle (estrus = Day 0). Daily, from estrus Day 0 to the next estrus Day 23, buffaloes had their ovaries scanned by ultrasound. Blood samples were collected by tail following each ultrasound examination from estrus until next estrus (estrus = 0). Concentrations of plasma progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay kit. The limit of detection of the assay was 0.1 45 ng mL^-1 and the intra- and interassay coeffients of variation were 7.4% and 9.2%, respectively. Data were analyzed by using PROC GLM of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). For comparisons between groups, the 2-sample t-test was used for continuous traits, such as size of CL or hormone concentrations. Prospective comparisons of indices of progesterone indicated that the length of luteal lifespan was longer in 3-wave than in 2-wave buffaloes (P < 0.01). Plasma progesterone concentrations were similar at peak and measured as area under the curve on Day 5 through 17 preceding insemination in 2-wave (5.30 ± 0.40 ng mL^-1) and 3-wave buffaloes (5.10 ± 0.20 ng mL^-1). Length of the luteal phase (defined as from the day of estrus until the last day on which plasma progesterone remained >2 ng mL^-1) was <2 days shorter in 2-wave buffaloes than in 3-wave buffaloes (15.20 ± 0.40 v. 17.10 ± 0.50 d; P < 0.05). In addition, the day of peak progesterone occurred earlier in 2-wave buffaloes (13.50 ± 0.30 v. 15.30 ± 0.70 d; P < 0.05).