Bioscience Journal (Feb 2019)

Reproductive efficiency of nellore (Bos indicus) cows subject to both ftai and homeopathic supplementation

  • Paulo Francisco Maciel Póvoas Souto,
  • Tássia Ferreira- Pires,
  • Pábola Santos Nascimento,
  • José Carlos Ferreira Silva,
  • Marcelo Tigre Moura,
  • Manoel Lopes Silva Filho,
  • Cláudio Coutinho Bartolomeu,
  • Marcos Antonio Lemos Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v35n1a2019-42078
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 1

Abstract

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The aim of this work was to determine the effect of homeopathic supplementation on both ovarian dynamics and conception rate in Nellore cows subjected to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Cows (n = 150) were randomly distributed to the control (CG) and the homeopathy group (HG). The HG cows were supplemented with Pró-cio in the mineral salt for 60 days and both experimental groups were further subjected to FTAI. Cows were evaluated for ovarian dynamics (n = 16), progesterone (P4) concentration (n = 16), and conception rates (n = 150). Ovarian dynamics determined by ultrasonography and showed similar findings for CG and HG, respectively. Thus follicular diameter (8.7 ± 1.0 mm vs. 10.0 ± 0.8 mm), mean pre-ovulatory follicle volume (0.46 ± 0.15 mL vs. 0.61 ± 0.12 mL), and mean follicular growth (3.65 ± 1.41 mm vs. 4.60 ± 1.21 mm) did not differ between groups. Moreover, corpus luteum diameter was similar between groups (CG: 16.28 ± 0.7 mm vs. HG: 15.6 ± 0.8 mm; P > 0.05), although P4 levels did differ (CG: 2.55 ± 0.85 ng mL-1 vs. HG: 6.52 ± 1.19 ng mL-1; P 0.05). In conclusion, the homeopathic supplementation Pró-cio increases P4 concentrations but does improve the reproductive efficiency of Nellore cows subject to FTAI.

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