Abstract

Oluropo Michael Obafemi*, Afolarin Akintomiwa Bolaji, Tayo Peter Ogundunmade, Kabir Ayobami Raheem, Adedeji Suleimon Balogun, Abiodun Muideen Lamidi and Olufisayo Oluwadamilare Leigh

Fertility parameters prior to insemination at 72 and 96 hours were investigated in forty Bunaji cows (≥ 1 parity, weight range: 245 kg to 350 kg), that were treated with two shots of intramuscular 500 μg Synchromate® (11 days apart) in order to develop pregnancy predictive models. Saliva Fern Pattern (SFP), External Cervical Diameter (ECD), Site of Semen Deposition (SSD), Reproductive Tract Score (RTS) and Mucous Discharge (MD) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logit Regression with significance at P<0.05. Pregnancy was diagnosed via ELISA (DG Blue Eyes® at 30 days post insemination). Following double fixed-timed artificial insemination at 72 and 96 hours, good pregnancy outcomes were obtained with SFP (Fair/Fair, Good/Fair and Good/ Good), ECD (>15 or 20 mm), SSD (MC/MC, IU/AC or IU/IU), RTS (≥ 2–4) and MD (positive or negative) while low or poor outcomes were obtained with SFP (Fair/None or None/None), ECD (<15 mm), SSD (MC/IU) and RTS of 1. Two pregnancy models were generated with equal (82.35%) predictive accuracies. These findings will reduce losses, increase precisions and improve pregnancy outcomes at cattle breeding stations.