Some reproductive parameters of Zanskari mares reared in an organized farm under tropical climate

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to record the data on duration of estrus, estrus cycle length, size of the follicle at ovulation, period of gestation and estrus after foaling (foal heat) in respect of Zanskari mares for 4 consecutive breeding seasons (2010–2014). The mares were closely monitored with transrectal ultrasonography for their follicle size variation and to determine size of the follicle at ovulation. The mares were inseminated with frozen thawed semen from Zanskari stallions. This is the first time ever that Zanskari stallion semen was cryopreserved successfully and viable foals were produced by using frozen semen via artificial insemination. The reproductive parameters of the mares of Zanskari breed in India are poorly investigated and thus no reports are available on reproductive characteristics of Zanskari breed till today in the literature. Our results can be useful as a ready reference for some of the reproductive characteristics and traits of Zanskari breed as well as indigenous horses reared under tropical region. The reproductive parameters analysed in the present study are fitting within the characteristics of the other Indian horse breeds reared under this region and the differences may be caused by breed effect and other environmental factors.

Keywords

• Cryopreservation
• Estrus
• Estrus cycle
• Foal heat
• Follicular size
• Gestation length