Effect of L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on hormonal profile and estrous cycle length in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on serum nitric oxide, progesterone, estradiol profiles and estrous cycle length in buffaloes. Murrah buffaloes (n = 16) exhibiting regular estrous cycles were randomly allocated to two groups of eight animals. In the treatment group, buffaloes were administered 400 mg/h L-NAME over 2 h (total dose = 800 mg) via the coccygeal artery and the aorta abdominalis on day 15 of the estrous cycle.