Superovulatory Response and Progesterone Profile in Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Pretreated with GnRH Agonist

Background: Limited elite buffalo population need to be propagated at faster rate to sustain the dairy industry in India. Faster propagation could be achieved through embryo transfer technology. Low serum progesterone concentrations during the start of superstimulatory treatment is major factor that hampers the success of multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) in buffaloes. This study evaluated the effect of GnRH pretreatment before superovulatory regimen on progesterone profile, superovulation and correlation of progesterone with superstimulatory parameter in Murrah buffaloes. Methods: Buffaloes (n=27) were superstimulated using 600 mg Folltropin and divided into three groups on basis of pretreatment: Group I and group II were pretreated with GnRH @ 10 µg and 06 µg, respectively while no pretreatment was subjected in group III (control). Progesterone hormone concentration, superovulatory response, ovulation rate, embryo recovery were recorded. Result: Our study revealed that superovulatory response was non-significantly different in all three groups and ranged from 6-8 in terms of number of corpus luteum (CL). Average number of recovered embryos in this study was nearly 2.0. A positive correlation between progesterone concentrations at the initiation of FSH treatment with number of CL and embryo recovery was observed. The study indicated that GnRH pretreatment before superstimulation improve the serum progesterone concentration, superovulatory response and embryo recovery in Murrah buffaloes.