Abstract

The present study was carried out with the objective to know the calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in serum of repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes during oestrus. On the day of estrus, blood samples were collected from 35 buffaloes with a history of repeat breeding (RB) and 35 normal cycling (NC) buffaloes for mineral estimation. In the second part of the study, 35 repeat breeder (RBS) buffaloes were treated with a mineral mixture given orally for 10 days at the dosage rate of 150 g per day whereas other 35 repeat breeder buffaloes were given no mineral mixture (RBC). The overall pregnancy rate as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rate was calculated. The serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.01) in RB buffaloes as compared to NC buffaloes. Sodium concentrations differed non-significantly between repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes. Repeat breeder buffaloes (RBS) when fed orally 150 g per day of the mineral mixture for 10 days, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rates were 42, 25 and 20%, while, overall pregnancy rate in these animals was 87%; whereas in repeat breeder control buffaloes, the overall pregnancy rate was 21%. In conclusion, the concentrations of macro and micro minerals were significantly lower in repeat breeder buffaloes and mineral mixtures should be added in the food stuff to improve reproductive efficiency of repeat breeder buffaloes.

Key words: Buffalo, repeat breeder, minerals, pregnancy rate.