FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFICIENCY OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE AND
BUFFALO IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
M. Anzar*,
U. Farooq**, M.A. Mirza*, M. Shahab** and N. Ahmad*
*Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural ResearchCenter, Islamabad, 45500 Pakistan
**Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam
University, Islamabad, 45500 Pakistan
Abstract
The main objective of this
study was to identify the factors that affect the success of artificial
insemination (A.I) services under field conditions. The data from a total of 459
inseminations were analyzed. The effects of farm, animal, semen/bull and A.I.
technician on conception rate were studied.Milk progesterone concentration was used as an indicator of conception.
Milk samples were collected from animals at day 0, 11 and 22 post-insemination
and analysed for progesterone (P4) concentrations using radioimmunoassay (RIA)
kits.Results indicated that the
overall conception rate through A.I. under field condition was 29%.Among the farm-related factors, only region had a significant effect on
conception rate (P<0.01). Nutrition had a significant effect on conception
(P<0.01).Housing system and the
time interval from first heat signs to A.I. had no effect on the conception rate
(P>0.05). Animals inseminated within 24 hours after the onset of estrus had a
higher, though statistically insignificant, conception rate than those
inseminated after 24 hours. Among the animal-related factors, species, milk
production, body condition score (BCS), lactation state, heat signs and uterine
tone had a significant effect on conception rate. The conception rate in
buffaloes was higher than in cattle (P<0.05). Animals with the higher BCS had a
better conception rate than those having lower condition. Conception rate in the
milking animals was more than the dry ones (P<0.05). Animals showing the passage
of mucus from external genitalia (P<0.05) and marked uterine tone (P<0.01)
showed better conception rate. Among the semen/bull related factors, bull breed,
semen type, quality and source had a marked effect on conception rate. The
conception rate was higher with the semen of cross bred and buffalo bulls
(P<0.05).The conception rate with
liquid semen was high and low with frozen semen (P<0.01). Good quality semen
yielded higher conception rate than poor quality semen (P<0.01). The conception
rate varied significantly due to A.I. technician (P<0.01). In conclusion, there
is a tremendous scope to improve the existing A.I. technology in field through
improved management of both animal and farm, supply of high quality frozen semen
and enhancement in insemination skill of A.I. technicians.