Profile of growth hormone, FSH, LH and steroid hormones during gestationin Murrah buffalo

The study was conducted on 11 apparently healthy Murrah buffaloes, aged 8.18 ± 0.61 years and in 2nd to 6th lactation. The buffalo, exhibited estrus was served naturally and blood samples from each buffalo were collected after the service. On confirmation of pregnancy by rectal palpation, blood collection from that animal was continued at every fortnightly interval, during entire gestation, till parturition. If the inseminated buffalo expressed estrus at the next subsequent estrous cycle, it was excluded from the study. The results indicated that the average gestation length in Murrah buffaloes was 321 ± 2.65 days. The growth hormone exhibited increase with advancement in gestation. The FSH showed increasing trend from early to mid gestation, the levels were low during late gestation. The LH and estradiol exhibited increasing trend from early through late gestation. Higher concentration of progesterone was recorded during mid gestation.. Serum cortisol did not significantly differ.