Detection of embryonic mortality using progesterone and bovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein assays following artificial insemination of Gobra Zebu cattle in Senegal

Abstract

M. M. Mouliom Mouiche1, A. Sow2*, M. Kalandi2, P. Nyabinwa3, A.G. Ouedraogo4 & G.J. Sawadogo2

Senegal has embarked in artificial insemination (AI) to improve the productivity of small traditional dairy farms. However the success rate of the overall AI programmes remained low. This study aimed at assessing the incidence of embryonic mortality occurring in cows inseminated artificially by using progesterone and pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAGs) assays. For this purpose, 90 cows of local breed Gobra were sampled in 28 farms in the regions of Dakar and Thiès. Blood samples were collected from the cows on the day of insemination (D0), then 21 days (D21), 35 days (D35) and 60 days (D60) successively. Analyzes were performed by using by radioimmunological assays to determine plasma progesterone and PAGs levels. The pregnancy rate was 73.3% at D21 according to progesterone assays, and then, it dropped at 60% at D35 by using PAGs assays and finally, it was 47.8% at D60 with transrectal palpation. Non-pregnant (NP) and Early Embryonic Mortality (EEM) was estimated at 26.7% at day D21 and the Late Embryonic Mortality (LEM) was 25.5%. This study showed that the success of AI in Senegal is heavily influenced by embryonic mortality. Indeed, the high rate of LEM hampered the fertility of local cows breed and therefore, it might cause significant economic losses in small dairy farmers.