EVALUATION OF ALFAGLANDIN C AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS ON EFFICIENCY OF COWS' ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN NORTH SHOA OROMIA, ETHIOPIA.

Synchronization of estrus involves handling the estrus cycle so that a large number of cows can be bred at approximately the same time. Proper cow/heifer selection as well as efficient coordination are all key elements for the success of synchronization programs which were lacking in the study area. The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effect of Alfaglandin C and fixed factors on estrus synchronization and efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) in North Shoa zone of the Oromia region. The study population encompassed indigenous and crossbred cows and heifers found in six purposively selected kebeles (smallest administrative unit within a district) from the three selected districts (Wucale, Dagam and Kuyuu). Multistage sampling procedure was used to select target districts, kebeles and experimental cows/heifers. A total of 180 cows and heifers fulfilling estrus synchronization criteria were selected purposively and injected with synchronizing hormone (Alfaglandin C). The level of significance among categorical variables was determined using the chi-square (ω²) test. About 70.6% of the cows and heifers injected with Alfaglandin C exhibited estrus. Exhibition of estrus following hormone injection was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Wuchale district compared with that of the other two districts. Likewise, the agroecology, farming system, herd group, and breed had a significant (p<0.05) effect on estrus exhibition. Among cows and heifers inseminated following estrus exhibition, 62.2% conceived as confirmed by pregnancy diagnosis (PD) test conducted at 45-day post AI, which dropped to 58.3% as observed by the PD test conducted three months' post AI. Agroecology, farming system, herd group, and genotype of cows and heifers showed significant (p<0.05) influence on the conception rate (CR). The highest CR was observed among cows of Kuyuu district, which was significantly (p<0.05) different from that of the other two districts. The overall calving rate was 91.1%. The semi-intensive part of the study also showed better estrus synchronization response and better reproductive performances which directly associated with the management practices. Treating industrial byproducts, better management, and promoting AI can achieve better estrus synchronization and efficiency of artificial insemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]