The relationships between plasma esradiol-17 β and progesterone concentrators and each of the ovarian response and embryo yield were investigated in thirteen It buffaloes. Super ovulation was induced in these animals using FSH in combination with prostaglandin F2 α. Blood samples were collected daily for hormonal analysis from the day of treatment (day-4) 9 the day of embryo recovery (day 6 post-estrus).
The results revealed that 30.77% (G 1) of the treated buffaloes did not respond to super ovulatory treatment (developed two or less copora lutea) whereas 69.23% responded to FSH-treatment by experiencing more than two corpora lutea. progesterone (P4) concentration at the initialization of superovulation was higher (P < 001) in G Il than in G I. This difference continued during all treatment days (days -4 to -1) and reappeared at day three post- estrus onwards. Estradiol-17 β (E2) level differed significantly (P < 0.01) between the two groups on the day of estrus as well as one day before and after estrus. In G Il, significant correlations existed between the number of recovered embryos and P4 concentration at the initiation of superovulation, at estrus and on the day of embryo recovery. This revealed that P4 level at the start of superovulation can be used as a reliable method to predict the embryo yield in buffalo species. E2 concentration was conflated with the number of recovered embryos on the day of estrus and on the day of embryo collection. On the other hand, no correlations were found between P4 or E2 levels and the ovulation rate on the first day of treatment or on the day of embryo recovery.
Hormonal profiles in buffaloes of G II showed marked changes in pre-and post- ovulation phase. However, in animals of G 1 no significant changes in hormone concentration were noted and this was considered a clear indication of the ovaries that are non-responsive to exogenous gonadotrophin.