A.S. Nanda

Effectiveness of lipopolysaccharide as an intrauterine immunomodulator in curing bacterial endometritis in repeat breeding cross-bred cows

Antibiotics are usually used to combat microbial infections of the uterus, responsible for hindering establishment of pregnancy in cross-bred cows. The major disadvantages of antibiotics are: development of bacterial resistance, high costs and diminishing uterine defense mechanisms (UDM). As an alternative therapy, intrauterine application of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide (E. coli LPS) as a uterine defense stimulator was used in this study in confirmed clinical cases of repeat breeding associated with bacterial endometritis. In the treated group (n=12), on the day of estrus, 100 microg of E. coli LPS dissolved in 30-ml sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was infused intrauterine; while in the control group (n=12), only 30 ml of PBS was infused. Six-hour post-treatment, in the treatment group uterine washings showed a 100-fold increase in the total leucocytic count (TLC). Out of the cellular contents, more than 80% of the cells were recognised as neutrophils; above 60% were alive and their phagocytic activity was five bacteria/neutrophil. Such a cellular response was maintained until 72-h post-treatment. At the subsequent estrus period, the cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) became clear in 9 out of 12 cows (75%) and showed no bacterial growth. In the control group, similar micro-organisms were present in CVM of all the 12 cows before and after the PBS infusions. During the subsequent estrus, all nine cows with sterile CVM in the treatment group conceived while only one cow conceived from the control group. It was concluded that, administration of intrauterine E. coli LPS as single infusion in cows with bacterial endometritis stimulated UDM and cleared the infection within one estrous cycle, and thereby restoring fertility.

Experimental treatment of summer anoestrous — Buffaloes with norgestomet and prid

Abstract Two experiments were undertaken to treat summer anoestrous buffaloes drawn from two distinct levels of total management, i.e., village vs. farm. At both locations, animals were randomly divided into three groups. One group was treated with norgestomet implants a plus 700 I.U. PMSG at implant removal; the second group was treated with progesterone releasing intravaginal devices (PRID) b and the third group was retained as untreated control. Serum samples were collected immediately before the commencement of treatments, before the withdrawal of treatments and on day 10 post-insemination (Artificial Insemination done 48 and 72 hours after the withdrawal of treatments). The samples were analysed for progesterone by radioimmunoassay. The ovulation and conception rates of norgestomet-treated animals were 58.33% vs. 77.79% and 40.16% vs. 60.11%, respectively, at village vs. farm. Similarly, the ovulation and conception rates of PRID-treated animals were 33.33% vs. 38.33% and 8.33% vs. 27.77%, respectively, at village vs. farm. None of the control animals exhibited oestrus during the course of the study.

Ovulation and fertility after PRID, PRID + GnRH and GnRH in anestrous buffaloes

Abstract Two experiments, one in the winter (January) and the other in the summer (June), were undertaken to treat anestrous buffaloes at a farm. During experiment I, animals were treated with a progesterone releasing intra-vaginal device (PRID) a , whereas during experiment II, animals were allocated to PRID + GnRH b (125 μg) and GnRH-treated (250 μg). In both the experiments, animals were retained as untreated controls. All the treated animals were clinically examined four days post-treatment and inseminated two or three times at 24-hour intervals. The ovulation and fertility rates of PRID, PRID + GnRH and GnRH-treated animals were 25 and 12 %, 43 and 14 %, and 11 and 0 %, respectively. None of the controls exhibited estrus during the course of the study.

Ovarian and uterine responses in relation to norgestomet-PMSG treatment in the true anoestrous buffalo

Abstract Two experiments, one in the villages and one at an organized Government Farm, were undertaken to study the follicular development, ovulation and uterine responses in relation to norgestomet-PMSG treatment (norgestomet ear implant plus 700 IU PMSG at implant removal) in anoestrous buffaloes. The animals were clinically examined 4 days post-treatment. Serum samples for progesterone assay were obtained before the commencement of the treatment and on day 12 after the withdrawal of the treatment. The results demonstrated that treated animals exhibited a good ovarian and uterine response, revealing an overall ovulation rate of 65%; however, the majority of ovulations occurred between 48 and 72 h post-treatment.

Studies on serum progesterone levels in relation to occurrence of uterine torsion in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis ).

Serum samples from 32 buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion at approximately the completion of the gestation period were analyzed for progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Fifteen buffaloes had progesterone concentrations of more than 1.0 ng/ml (1.65 +/- 0.13 ng/ml; 1.1 to 2.8 ng/ml), while the serum progesterone concentrations of the remaining 17 buffaloes were below 1.0 ng/ml (599 +/- 59 pg/ml; 200 to 900 pg/ml). The occurrence of uterine torsion was associated with labour and/or abdominal pain around the expected time of parturition at the completion of the gestation period. High progesterone concentrations at labour in cases of torsion in almost half of the buffaloes may suggest that there were instances of premature labour resulting from an impaired hormonal milieu. Disturbances in the onset of labour owing to hormonal imbalance as evidenced by high progesterone levels may also contribute to the causation of uterine torsion. Cases of uterine torsion having low progesterone values are also discussed in this study.

Dystocia due to urinary bladder carcinoma in two water buffaloes (bubalus bubalis) — Clinical case report

Two buffaloes with full-term pregnancy suffered from dystocia because the cervix did not dilate in spite of strong labour pains and other parturition signs shown by each animal. The urinary bladder, cervix, vagina and surrounding area were very firm. Dead, emphysemated fetuses were removed by caesarean in each case and anuria was also noticed. One buffalo died and the other was euthanised after surgery because it did not improve. The post-mortem examinations revealed transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder infiltrating the cervix, vagina and surrounding area in each case.