Implementation of Cent Percent Artificial Insemination in the Institute Mithun Farm

The shy nature of mithun bull and a less pronounced oestrous sign of mithun female make semen collection and artificial insemination (AI) in mithun a tiresome task. Nevertheless, AI is an important step for the implementation of any genetic improvement programme. A team of Scientists of the Animal Physiology and Reproduction section developed a protocol for the freezing of mithun semen using a controlled bio-freezer. In order to address the problem of detection of estrus in mithun, successfully validated the ‘Ovsynch’ protocol for timed AI. Subsequently, the collection of semen using an artificial vagina was also standardized.

During this year, in order to implement 100% AI in the Mithun Farm, estrus synchronization and timed AI was introduced. Estrus synchronization of 28 mithun cows was carried out. Out of these animals, 24 (85.71%) exhibited estrus behaviour. 19 animals were inseminated with frozen-thawed Mithun and 14 (73.68%) were confirmed as pregnant on the basis of nonreturn rate and per-rectal examination. Till March 2017, 11 AI inseminated cows were calved producing 09 female and 2 male calves. Efforts are also being made to implement AI in the farmer's herd.