Estrogen and Progesterone hormone levels in Punganur Cattle

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Livestock Research Station, Palamaner, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh to estimate female reproductive hormone values in Punganur cattle. The blood samples were collected from the twelve Punganur cows on 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days of estrous cycle. The serum was separated from the blood samples and was transferred into sterile eppendorf tubes, labeled and stored in deep freeze (-20 o C) until hormonal assay for progesterone and estrogen was carried out. The estrogen level (ng/ml) in Punganur cows during estrus cycle was significantly higher (P<0.01) on '0' day (20.24) and decreased upto 15 th days (12.36) and thereafter gradually increased to a level of 22.58 on day '00'.The mean progesterone level (ng/ml) in Punganur cows during estrus cycle increased significantly (P<0.01) upto 15 th day of estrus cycle and gradually decreased thereafter with the values ranging from 0.43 ('0' day) to 10.66 (15 th day) and from 8.64 (18 th day) to 0.34 (day 00). Indian subcontinent has a variety of indigenous breeds of cattle (Bos indicus) with wide genetic diversity. Most of these breeds are undergoing genetic degradation due to indiscriminate cross breeding and irregular mating among the breeds situated in each other's vicinity. As a result several indigenous breeds with many desirable traits are threatened with extinction while others are in the process of getting replaced completely by certain high producing crossbred animals. Punganur is one such breed of Indigenous cattle at the verge of extinction (Ramesha, 2001). Punganur, is the Worlds shortest, humped cattle with long tail with switch touching the ground, white and light grey in color with a broad forehead and short horns. The average height is 60-100 centimeters and weight 115-200 kgs. Indian breeds of cattle like Kankrej, Hariana, Gir, Deoni, Ongole, Redkhandari, Malvi, and Rathi (Mithuji et al., 1966 and Deshpande et al., 1987) reproductive hormone levels are available, where as Punganur cattle are poorly characterized both in terms of physiology and reproductively. Therefore there is a need to establish reproductive hormone levels to help conservation and propagation of these breed. Accordingly the present study was undertaken to establish the base line values of reproductive hormone levels in Punganur cattle. I. Materials And Methods The present investigation was conducted at Livestock Research Station (LRS), Palamaner, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The institute is located at an altitude of 2550 feet above mean sea level, at the longitude of 78° and Latitude 13.15° and mean environmental temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure ranged between 12-40° C, 59-85% and 7-17 mm Hg, respectively. A total of twelve (12) Punganur cows in estrus were selected from the Livestock Research Station. Estrus period in animals was detected by using teaser animal, the symptoms exhibited by the animals like vulval discharge, frequent urination, bellowing and also through rectal palpitation. All animals were maintained under uniform managemental and husbandry conditions. They were housed in well-ventilated asbestos roofed shed with cemented anti-slippery floor. The animals fed with concentrate mixture consisted of maize 40%, wheat bran 37%, ground nut cake 20%, mineral mixture 2% and common salt 1% on dry matter basis and fresh greens and bhoosa were given ad libitum. The animals were provided with clean drinking water ad libitum twice a day at about 9.30 AM and 3.30 PM. The blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days of estrous cycle. The serum was separated from the blood and was transferred into sterile eppendorf tubes, labeled and stored in deep freeze (-20 o C) until hormonal assay for progesterone and estrogen was carried out. Estrogen and Progestrone hormone levels were estimated by ELISA method. The data was analyzed as per the Snedecor and Cohron., 1980. II.