Characteristics of Cervical Mucus for Estrus Detection in Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of the experiment was to study the changes in different characteristics of cervical mucus of Murrah buffaloes in relation to occurrence of estrus. The Murrah buffaloes maintained at Livestock Research Centre (LRC), ICAR-NDRI, Karnal were classified into three groups viz. heifers, primipara and pluripara. Cervical mucus was collected on the day of estrus prior to the artificial insemination by aspiration from the mid cervix using blue sterile sheath and Universal artificial insemination gun through recto-vaginal method. Immediately after collection, mucus sample was taken to the laboratory various physical and chemical parameters were assessed. From the present study it can be concluded that the changes in cervical mucus characteristics can be used for prediction of estrus time and subsequently time of artificial insemination. Murrah buffaloes exhibited higher proportion (70%) of copious discharge, 86 % buffaloes had clean appearance and 68% of buffaloes showed moderate consistency of cervical mucus. The spinnbarkeit value of cervical mucus of 46% of estruses were in 8-16 cm and 58% showed the typical fern pattern predominantly with primary, secondary and tertiary venation. pH of cervical mucus were within 7.5-8.0 and conductivity in a range of 13.50-15.00 mS/cm.