AICRP on Nutritional and Physiological Interventions for Enhancing Reproductive Perfomance in Animals

Date/ Year of start: April 2014
Budget: Rs. 1265 lakhs
Coordinator: R. Bhatta, Director, ICAR-NIANP
Principal Investigators: NKS Gowda/JP Ravindra
Co-PIs: IJ Reddy, KS Roy, Binsila B Krishnan, SC Roy, A Arangasamy, DT Pal

Documentation of current status/extent of infertility and various causes of reproductive failures in animals

A survey was carried out in nine different states (Assam, Odessa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) representing various agro-eco zones of the country to assess the infertility status of animals. About 65000 animals’ data had been collected to find out the extent of reproductive problems throughout the country.

Physiological Intervention to improve reproductive efficiency

Synchronization for estrus induction
The reproductive efficiency of cattle and buffaloes having reproductive problems was improved through estrus induction and timed AI using the different synchronization protocols. The average conception rate was increased up to 68% (ranging from 39 to 75%) by treating almost 1700 cows and buffaloes. In case of cows, the ovsynch and estradoublesynch and in case of buffalo estradoublesynch were found better than other protocols. Considering both the species, estradoublesynch could be used for improving the conception rate and thus enhanced the reproductive efficiency in cattle and buffaloes.

Nutritional interventions to ameliorate infertility and improve reproductive efficiency

It was evident that most of the animals with reproductive problems had low energy and protein intake in diet with inadequate mineral supply. Accordingly, a supplement was formulated comprising of source of easily available energy, rumen degradable and non-degradable source of protein, most critical minerals etc. The milk fat increased to 3.85 % (range 3.5 to 4.2%) from 2.58% (range 2.5 - 3.0%) after 20 days of feeding the supplement. All the reproductive disordered animals supplemented with this specific feed formulation came to estrus (100%) and 76% of animals become pregnant.

Developed Markers for predicting fertility status

Developed an extender for semen cryopreservation

Developed mineral mixture for breeding bull