Vascular Perfusion of the Preovulatory Follicle and its Relationship in Pregnancy Establishment during Natural and Induced Estrus in Buffaloes

Background: In buffaloes, little attention has been devoted on the haemodynamics of preovulatory follicle (POF) and serum estradiol profiles and their relationship with conception rate following AI at natural and induced estrus. Methods: Sixty healthy pleuriparous graded Murrah buffaloes were selected and divided into two groups, viz., Group I and II. Group I buffaloes were artificially inseminated twice at an interval of 24 hours during natural estrus. Estrus induction was done using PIVD and PGF2α in group II buffaloes and AI was performed 48 h and 72 h after the withdrawal of PIVD. The blood flow of the preovulatory follicle (POF) and early pregnancy were assessed in both the groups by Doppler ultrasonography. Result: On statistical analysis, the mean (± SE) of spectral indices revealed there was an increased blood flow to the POF during induced estrus (Group II) when compared to natural estrus (Group I). The conception rate observed was 66.67 and 58.33 per cent in group I and II, respectively. It is concluded that increased vascular perfusion to POF resulted in almost similar conception rates in induced and natural estrus following AI in buffaloes.