Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Cervical Mucus in Repeat Breeder Crossbred Cows Following Ceftiofur Therapy

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate physio-biochemical attributes of cervical mucus following treatment of repeat breeder crossbred cows (HF×K) with ceftiofur crystalline free acid @ 6.6 mg/kg body weight administer separately in two groups of cows through intramuscular (Group-I) and subcutaneous route (Group-II). Each group included 15 repeat breeder cows whose selection was random and based on history of conception failure, gyneco-clinical observation of genitalia and number of artificial insemination per conception. The findings envisaged higher percentage of thick consistency (53.33%) and cloudy colored cervical mucus (93.33%) which returned to their normal characteristics of thin and clear type at post-treatment oestrus in both groups (60.00 and 80.00 %, Group-I; 66.67 and 93.33%, Group-II). The calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents of cervical mucus were significantly higher (p<0.05) at post-treatment oestrus in repeat breeders of Group-I and II whereas total cholesterol declined following treatment (24.05±1.85 and 23.45±1.91 mg/dl) then pre-treatment values (31.12±2.68 and 35.40±4.74 mg/dl) in two groups of repeaters but difference was significant only in Group-I. On the other hand, cervical mucus concentration of sodium, potassium and acid phosphates decreased while total lipids and alkaline phosphatase increased non-significantly at post-treatment oestrus in repeat breeder cows of both groups. It is concluded from the finding that ceftiofur therapy of repeat breeder cows was beneficial to restore normalcy of physio-biochemical properties of cervical mucus in both groups.