Effect of Prostaglandin on Estrus Synchronization under Smallholder Dairy Farmers

This study evaluated the effect of single and double-dose injections of prostaglandin hormone in the Adaberga, Ejere, and Metarobi districts. 130 cows or heifers were injected with single and double doses of prostaglandin to evaluate the effectiveness based on estrus induction, conception rate, and number of services per conception. Cow/heifers that did not respond by a single injection were reinjected with another single dose of prostaglandin. Descriptive statistics, Frequency distribution procedures, and Chi-Square test were used. Among cows or heifers treated with a single dose of prostaglandin 43.68%, 29.23%, and 27.69% open heat, silent heat, and no response respectively. There was a significant difference between breeds in silent-responded cows/heifers and local silent-responded cows /heifers were greater than the crossed-responded cows/heifers. Estrus rate was estimated to be 61.36%, 81.82%, and 73.81% in Adaberga, Ejere, and Metarobi for a single dose of prostaglandin injection respectively. There was a significant difference between AITS on the estrus rate. The conception rate for a single dose of prostaglandin was 40.7%, 72.22%, and 64.52% in Adaberga, Ejere, and Metarobi whereas the number of services per conception was 2.46, 1.56 and 1.55 in Adaberga, Ejere and Metarobi respectively. The overall conception rate and number of services per conception for a single dose of prostaglandin injection was 57.44 % and 1.74 respectively. The overall estrus rate, conception rate, and number of services per conception for both single and double doses of prostaglandin injection were 83.85%, 52.29%, and 1. 91 respectively. Improvements in facilities and management should be necessary before implementing effective estrous synchronization and mass artificial insemination programs. The skill and knowledge-based training for enhancement estrus synchronization must be given to both the farmers and implementers to enhance perception and adoption of the technology. The AITS must update recent skills and knowledge. Finally, evaluating the effect of single and double doses of prostaglandin injection serves as a basis for improvement of the fertility of dairy cows in turn it will help in designing appropriate breeding strategies for dairy cattle.