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

• Main Author: Souto, Paulo Francisco Maciel Póvoas
• Publication Date: 2019
• Other Authors: Pires, Tássia Ferreira-, Nascimento, Pábola Santos, Ferreira Silva, José Carlos, Moura, Marcelo Tigre, Silva Filho, Manoel Lopes, Bartolomeu, Cláudio Coutinho, Oliveira, Marcos Antonio Lemos
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Bioscience journal (Online)
• DOI: 10.14393/BJ-v35n1a2019-42078
• Download full: https://seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/view/42078
• topic: Corpus luteum; follicle; homeopathy; Ovarian dynamics; Agricultural Sciences

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). The conception rate after FTAI was not affected by homeopathic supplementation (CG: 74.67 %, and did HG: 77.33 %; 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.