Fixed-time induction of ovulation in camels superovulated by different eCG modalities during the transition period in Egypt : Superovulation in camels during the transition period

The current investigation aimed to establish a fixed-time induction of ovulation/ insemination protocol in camels superovulated by different equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) regimens during the transition period in Egypt (mid-October to mid-November). Seventeen pluriparous camels, Camelus dromedarius, were used. All females retained controlled intra-vaginal drug releasers (CIDRs) for 13 consecutive days, and at CIDR withdrawal, the camels were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (n = 5) received 1 ml saline intra-muscularly (i.m.), whereas remaining camels were superovulated by 2500 IU eCG either in a single shot (SS, n = 6) or in serial decreasing doses over 3 days (DD, n = 6). Ovarian dynamics were monitored by transrectal ultrasonography at 2-day intervals, and ovulation was induced by 5000 IU hCG i.m. The changes in reproductive hormones throughout the period of the study were determined. The results showed that mean values of total no. of follicles and size of dominant follicles remained low (P