Mass evaluation of a mineral based formulation* for estrous induction in bovines showing post-parturient anoestrous

Livestock sector is the best and most effective tool for livelihood security and poverty alleviation. The present study was conducted between 1999 to 2012, covering the island ecosystem of Andaman & Nicobar islands, Terai belt and 6 districts of UP representing northern plains of India and having low levels of various micro-minerals. Area specific mineral mixture (15-20 days feeding), commercially available estrogenic substances feeding as per the prescribed schedule, hormonal interventions as follicular stimulating hormone, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GNRH), lutelizing hormone (LH), and HCG were tried for correcting the hormonal imbalance. Keeping in view the lower success rate, a formulation was developed. The present formulation was fed orally for 10 days (in de-wormed animals directly). In random survey, out of 265 animals examined, palpable corpus luteum was observed in 37/156 cows (23.71%) and 19/109 buffaloes (17.43%). In majority of cases it was indistinct. The number of animals exhibiting estrous within 4-5 months of calving were 35 (24.6%) cows and 16 (18.6%) buffaloes, respectively. However, when the injection was given in animals having palpable corpus luteum, induction rate within 48-96 hrs was 93.2% in cows and 77.4% in buffaloes. The area specific mineral mixture was able to correct anestrous, by inducing estrous, in 33.33% (range 23-36%) of 462 oviparous animals. Various estrogenic products available commercially when given orally the induction rate varied widely with an average of 20.9% (range 11-29%). In oviparous cows the present formulation when given the induction rate was 92.3% (range 82-96%) while in buffaloes it was 73.1%. The conception rate in animals where estrous was induced by present formulation was 66.4% compared to 56.6% of area specific mineral mixture and 42.8% of estrogenic substances. Evaluation of cost showed that all the 3 treatment regimes have more or less similar cost which was around Rs. 80/- per animal. The area specific mineral mixture was not able to induce estrous beyond 36% in field animals which indicated that minerals are not alone responsible for follicular and corpus luteum development. Estrogenic substances provide estradiol which can help in inducing the estrous but cannot assure conception. The present formulation stimulated follicular and corpus luteum developments and thus corrected the cycle in the body which may be helpful in subsequent pregnancies and the cost is as low as mineral supplementation. This formulation has created a hope for poor dairy farmers facing the menace of infertility in their animals.