Effect of feeding sesame (Sesamum indicum) seed on reproductive events in post-partum Murrah buffaloes – A pilot study

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate a traditional practice on buffalo reproductive events during postpartum period. Eighteen Murrah buffaloes’ parity ranged between 2^nd and 9^th were included in the study. A mixture of 250 g sesame and 250 g jaggery made as an electuary and fed to the treatment group (Sesame fed group) of buffaloes, the first dose of this electuary was fed within 30 min of calving and continued daily once till eighth day post-partum. The control group was given 250 g jaggery and 350 g of compound feed to ensure equal quantity of protein and energy to both the groups. The results indicate that buffaloes which were fed sesame within 30 min post-partum have expelled fetal membranes significantly (p<0.001) quicker than buffaloes of control group. Continuous sesame feeding had evacuated the uterus from lochial discharges in shorter time. Feeding sesame for first eight days of post-partum had accelerated the uterine involution process with significant (p<0.001) reduction in time taken for attaining normalcy of palpable internal genitalia and symmetrical uterine horns. The time taken for expression of observable first post-partum heat was reduced significantly (p<0.001) by feeding sesame for eight days. The observations of this study indicate that feeding sesame seed to the buffaloes for 8 days of postpartum would enhance fertility.