Effect of feeding fermented rice punch on oestrous induction in anoestrous bitches

INTRODUCTION: As a consequence of poor productivity caused by a long anoestrous period, considerable research effort has been given to oestrus induction in dogs to enhance the productivity of young dogs and to preserve breeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oestrus was induced in 30 anoestrous bitches more than three months after the last oestrus. Bitches orally received fermented rice punch with or without bromocriptine once daily for 21 consecutive days. The bitches were divided into two groups (n=10 per group): Group (1) fed fermented rice punch and Group (2) administered bromocriptine (100 µg/kg/day) and fed fermented rice punch. RESULTS: The concentration of dopamine in fermented rice punch was 47.2 mg/kg (parts per million). Six of 10 (60.0 per cent) and seven of 10 (70.0 per cent) bitches showed pro-oestrual bleeding in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean and median values (min–max) to oestrus induction was not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2 (9.7±7.3, 6.5 (3–22) and 11.3±6.6, 7.9 (5–21) days) after treatment commencement (P>0.05). The pregnancy rate was very similar between Groups 1, 2 (66.0%) and control (66.0, 57.0 and 50.0 per cent). The mean and median values (min–max) of pups per bitch are also not significantly different between Groups 1, 2 and control (7.0±1.8, 7.0 (5–9) and 7.5±2.1, 7.5 (5–10) and 7.0±0, 7.0 (7–7)). CONCLUSION: We suggest that rice punch effectively induces oestrus in bitches.