POST PARTUM UTERINE INVOLUTION AND RESUMPTION OF OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN WHITE FULANI (BUNAJI) AND FRIESIAN BUNAJI COWS AS DETERMINED BY RECTAL PALPATION

Abstract

The rate of involution of the uterus and cervix, and resumption of ovarian activity were studied in Friesian x Bunaji and purebred Bunaji Zebu cattle. Determinations of the above parameters were made by rectal palpation of the genitalia, visual observations and by vasectomized bulls for signs of oestrus.
Involution was found to be complete by 16 to 30 days for the crossbreeds and 17 to 27 days for the Bunaji. The mean interval from parturition to first oestrus was 18.5 ± 2.9 vs 21.4 ± 5.4 days for the Bunaji and Frieslam x Bunaji respectively. The interval between the first and second oestrus in the crossbred was significantly longer than in the purebred Buanji (P<.05). By 60 days postpartum, all the Bunaji had exhibited no less than 3 oestrous cycles as against the Friesian crosses with a mean of 2.4 cycles. Cystic ovaries (6.9%), pyometra (6.9%) and anoestrus (13.8%) observed among the crossbreds were not seen among the Bunaji cows examined.
Calving records of the palpated cows were examined for their last three calvings under the range management practised on the farm. Three calving interval groups viz less than 322, 322 to 342 and above 342 days were recognized. In both breeds, most calvings were in the greater than 342 days interval, during which the 'Bunaji had longer calving interval (P< .01) in the pernultimate calving than the crosses.