Estrus induction following PGF2α treatment in the superovulated buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Early retum-to-estrus after embryo collection would shorten the interval between consecutive superovulations and improve efficiency of embryo production. Following superovulation and embryo collection, 80 buffaloes were treated with 15.0 mg Luprostiol (PGF2alpha analogue) for the induction of luteolysis and early retum-to-estrus. A total of 67.5% donor animals returned to estrus, on average 11.8 +/- 0.84 days after the PGF2alpha treatment. The number of ovulations (less than or equal to5 or >5 CL) had no significant effect on the percentage of donors returning to estrus within 30 days, as 70% of the buffaloes with less than or equal to5 CL and 65% with >5 CL returned to estrus during this time. However, an increase in the number of ovulations significantly delayed the return to estrus as this duration was 9.7 +/- 0.93 days in the buffaloes with less than or equal to5 CL compared to 14.1 +/- 1.29 days in those having >5 CL. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.