An apparent Effect of Immunopotentiation During Late Gestation on the Postpartum Reproductive Performance of Nili-Ravi Buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis)

Thirty-two Nili-Ravi buffaloes were used to determine the effect of prepartum immunopotentiation in late gestation with levamisole hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg), vitamin E+selenium (vitE-Se) (Etosol-SE, 10 ml intramuscularly) or Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) (0.5 ml/animal, subcutaneously) on postpartum reproductive performance. The immunopotentiating treatment was given twice, with treatments one week apart, approximately 80 days prior to the expected date of parturition. Prepartum treatment with vitE-Se or BCG significantly (p<0.05) reduced the calving to first oestrus interval and the length of the postpartum service period compared to the control group. The uterine involution period was significantly shorter in buffaloes treated with vitE-Se compared to the control group. Levamisole hydrochloride apparently improved the reproductive performance, but this result was not statistically significant.