Enhancing the conception rate in water buffalo using post-AI intravaginal bio-stimulation and clitoral massage.

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal reproductive performance following artificial insemination (AI) remains a primary constraint to the profitability of buffalo farming in Bangladesh.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal bio-stimulation and clitoral massage (CM) in enhancing the post-AI conception rates in buffaloes.

METHODS

A total of 125 female buffaloes were randomly selected, and their age, parity, breed, body condition score, reproductive health (RH), and calving difficulty were recorded. The buffaloes were divided into five groups (n = 25 in each group): group A (natural mating), group B (AI during observed estrus), group C [AI followed by penis-like device (PLD) application], group D (AI with CM), and group E (AI followed by PLD and CM). Group B (only AI) served as the control for the intervention groups (C, D, and E).

RESULTS

The overall conception rate was 46.4%, with group A having the highest rate (64.0%). The conception rate of group E (52.0%) was higher than that of groups C (44.0%), D (40.0%), and B (32.0%). Parity and previous calving difficulty significantly influenced the conception rates (p < 0.05). Buffaloes aged between 4.6 and 5.5 years were 4.3 times more likely to conceive compared with other age groups (p < 0.05). Correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between age and parity (p < 0.01) and a significant negative correlation with the RH of cows.

CONCLUSION

Intravaginal bio-stimulation using a PLD combined with CM post-AI significantly improves the conception rate in buffaloes.