EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATION OF hCG AT THE TIME OF MATING ON THE CONCEPTION AND LITTER SIZE IN LABRADOR FEMALE DOGS

A clinical study was conducted to document the effect of administration of hCG at the time of mating on the conception and litter size in Labrador female dogs. A total of 50 Labrador female dogs were used for this study and were assigned to five different groups, each group contained 10 animals. The conception rate, litter size and gestational period of control group were 60 per cent, 5.83 ± 0.70 and 66.67 ± 0.33 days respectively. The conception rate in group 2, 4 and 5 was 70 per cent and group 3 was 80 per cent. The litter size in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 6.28 ± 0.47, 6.75 ± 0.45, 6.42 ± 0.64 and 6.57 ± 0.57 respectively. The gestational period in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 65.14 ± 0.34, 64.88 ± 0.40, 64.71 ± 0.29 and 64.86 ± 0.46 respectively. There was no significant difference in the conception rate and litter size between the control group and group 2, 3, 4 and 5 (p>0.05). Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the gestational period between control group and group 3, 4 and 5.