Effect of Estrus Synchronization using AVIKESIL-S® with eCG on the  Reproductive Efficiency in Crossbred Ewes

Vinay Yadav; R. K. Chandolia; Ravi Dutt; Amarjeet Bisla; Gitesh Saini; Gyan Singh

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20200116105226

Authors

Vinay Yadav Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar-125004, Haryana, INDIA
R. K. Chandolia Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar-125004, Haryana, INDIA
Ravi Dutt Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar-125004, Haryana, INDIA
Amarjeet Bisla Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-0146
Gitesh Saini Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar-125004, Haryana, INDIA
Gyan Singh Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, LUVAS, Hisar-125004, Haryana, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200116105226

Keywords:

AVIKESIL-S®, eCG, Ultrasonography, Reproductive Efficiency, Sheep

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of the cheaper intra-vaginal progesterone
releasing sponge (AVIKESIL-S®) and eCG (Equine chorionic gonadotropin) estrus synchronization
protocol on the reproductive traits in crossbred ewes. A total of 30 ewes were randomly divided into two
groups (n=15 in each group), control and treatment, after initial examination for non-pregnancy. Prior to
selection of ewes for estrus synchronization, pre-synchronization was done using double prostaglandin
(PG) protocol. AVIKESIL-S® (Intra-vaginal sponge with 350 mg natural progesterone designed by ICAR
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India) was inserted for 12 days with
200 IU eCG intramuscular (IM) on the day of sponge removal to the animals belonging to treatment group.
Blood sampling was carried out for estimation of plasma progesterone concentration in due course of study.
Trans-rectal real-time B-mode ultrasonography was done for early pregnancy diagnosis at day 25 post
mating with reconfirmation on day 45. The results of the present study showed that the protocol was highly
effective in induction of estrus resulting in better pregnancy rate and subsequent fertility in treated animals.
The fecundity (%) was significantly greater (P<0.05) in treated group than control. The progesterone
concentration did not vary significantly between both groups (P>0.05) on day 14, 25 and 45 post-mating.
Thus, the protocol could be advised for improvement of fertility and reproductive efficiency in crossbred
ewes.