Begum Fatema Zohara

Effects of Proportion of Egg Yolk and Preservation Time on Chilled Semen from Indigenous Rams

The study was set out to determine the effects of different percentages of egg yolk on quality of chilled semen in Indigenous Rams. Different percentages of egg yolk were used to preserve semen from indigenous rams in Tris based extender at 4°C. Nine 2 to 3 years old rams, weighing 21.5±1.2 kg, body condition score 3.9±0.1 with scrotal circumference of 22.4 ±0.4 cm were selected for collection of semen once a week using artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was divided into four portions, and extended with Tris based diluents containing 5, 10, 15, and 20% egg yolk and kept chilled at 4 to 5°C for up to 48h. Motility, viability, functional integrity and morphology were evaluated before and 24h and 48h of preservation. The results showed significantly (p<0.05) better motility, viability and functional integrity with 10% egg yolk compared to other concentrations of egg yolk during preservation. However, the proportion of egg yolk did not affect spermatozoa quality before preservation and normal morphology in any time during preservation. Time of preservation decreased (p<0.01) the rate of motility, viability, functional integrity, and normal morphology of spermatozoa. Positive correlation coefficient observed between spermatozoa motility, viability, and functional integrity. Functional integrity of spermatozoa positively correlated to morphologically normal spermatozoa. It is concluded that 10% egg yolk in Ttris based diluents may be best for chilled Indigenous ram semen.

Effects of cloprostenol and flurogestone acetate sponge on embryo yields and quality in indigenous ewes in Bangladesh

The effects of two doses of cloprostenol and two doses of flurogestone acetate sponge on the onset of oestrus, and embryo recovery and quality were evaluated. Thirty-two indigenous ewes (Wera breed) were allocated into four groups of eight. All ewes were synchronised with 100 µg (Group I) or 175 µg (Group II) cloprostenol injection, 9 days apart, or insertion of intravaginal sponges containing 30 mg (Group III) or 45 mg (Group IV) flurogestone acetate (FGA) for 12 days. The ewes were superovulated with 600 IU PMSG intramuscularly 10 days after the second cloprostenol injection or immediately after sponge removal on Day 12. After the detection of oestrus, the ewes were mated naturally at 6 and 12 h, and some ewes were inseminated laparoscopically. Embryos were recovered surgically 5 or 6 days after service. All ewes exhibited oestrus. The onset of oestrus occurred significantly (P 0.05) in the mean time of onset of oestrus (50.0 ± 1.5 and 48.0 ± 0.00 h) between the two doses of cloprostenol. The mean number of corpora lutea (8.1 ± 1.26) and embryos recovered (6.1 ± 1.00) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with 45 mg FGA than in ewes treated with cloprostenol. Embryo recovery rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with 45 mg FGA (75.4%) than in other groups (41.7% and 51.6% in 100 μg and 175 μg cloprostenol- and 52.7% in 30 mg FGA-treated groups, respectively). Fertilisation rate was 93.3% in ewes given 100 µg cloprostenol, whereas other groups showed 100% fertilisation rate. The highest percentage (100%) of Grade 1 embryos was in FGA groups. In conclusion, despite FGA protocol presenting superior results, cloprostenol protocol was equally efficient in synchronising oestrus. The embryo recovery rate was better after 45 mg FGA than 30 mg FGA or after either dose of cloprostenol.

Comparisons of commercial Triladyl and locally manufactured extenders for the chilling of semen and their effects on pregnancy rates after transcervical AI in Bangladeshi Indigenous (Ovis aries) sheep

Two different extenders were compared for their effects on preservation of semen from Indigenous rams and on pregnancy rate (PR) in Indigenous ewes. Semen was collected from nine Indigenous rams (Ovis aries) once a week using an artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was divided into 2 aliquots, diluted with either commercial (Triladyl®) or locally manufactured (tris, fructose, citric acid, egg yolk: TFE, prepared in own laboratory) extenders and kept at 4°C for 48 h. Motility, viability, functional integrity and morphological changes were evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 h. Synchronized oestrus ewes inseminated transcervically with 24 and 48 h of preserved chilled semen diluted with Triladyl and TFE extenders separately. Semen preserved in Triladyl had better motility, viability, and functional integrity at 24 and 48 h (P 0.05) over the entire period of preservation. The quality of semen decreased (P 0.05) the overall PR after transcervical AI (TCAI) in ewes. Increased preservation time (48 h) negatively affected the PR in TFE extended semen compared with than that of Triladyl. The results suggest that the quality of chilled semen (motility, viability, and functional integrity) is more improved when preserved in Triladyl than if extended with a TFE. PR may higher when TCAI is performed with chilled semen preserved in Triladyl for a longer time than TFE. However, TFE extender may be used to dilute the semen for chilling and used in TCAI to get similar PR of Triladyl up to 24 h of preservation.

Oestrus Synchronization with Ovuprost ® and Prostenol ® in the Indigenous Ewes of Bangladesh

The present study was designed to observe the oestrus responses in the indigenous ewe induced by cloprostenol sodium manufactured by two different companies (Ovuprost, BOMAC, Newzealandand Prostenol, Techno, Bangladesh). Twelve local ewes were divided into 3 groups (n= 8). The ewes in Group I and II were induced by intramuscular injection of 100 μg (0.4 ml) of cloprostenol sodium (Ovuprost and Prostenol), respectively. The 2 injection in each group was given at 9 days apart. The ewes in Group III were kept as control for observing natural oestrus characteristics and comparing the responses with induced oestrus. Hundred and 75% ewes showed oestrus following 2 injection of Ovuprost and Prostenol, respectively. The average time of onset of oestrus following 1 and 2 injection of Ovuprost and Prostenol were 50.5 ± 3.5 vs 48.0 ± 0.0 h and 49.9 ± 1.9 vs 49.5 ± 1.7 h, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two types of cloprostenol sodium group on the onset of oestrus. The average duration of oestrus was 27.5 ± 0.7 vs 27.5 ± 0.0 h and 25.9 ± 3.3 vs 24.2 ± 0.3 h in Ovuprost and Prostenol treated ewes, respectively. For natural oestrus, the duration of oestrus was 25.2 ± 3.3 h. There was no significant difference among the cloprostenol sodium produced by two different companies and natural oestrous ewes on the duration of oestrus. The higher percentages of cornified cells were present in induced oestrus (90 and 85%) compared with natural oestrus (80%), although there was no significant difference among them. The pregnancy rates were 75, 66.7 and 100% in Ovuprost, Prostenol and natural oestrous ewes, respectively. The above results indicate the suitability of using cloprostenol sodium for synchronization of oestrus in indigenous ewes in Bangladesh. (

Reproductive Performances of Indigenous Ewes in Bangladesh

The ewes were randomly divided into controlled and supplemented group to determine the reproductive performances of indigenous ewes in Bangladesh. Ewe lambs on supplemented group was growing faster and reached puberty at significantly (p 0.05) different between the two groups. The stage of the estrous cycle was determined by observing exfoliated vaginal cells in both the groups. Average progesterone concentration was significantly different (p<0.01) among days of the oestrous cycle. Progesterone concentration was <1.0 ng/ml on day of estrus, rose steadily to peak on days 10 and followed by a rapid decline on day 15 in both group. The nutritional supplement did not improve sexual behaviors. The pregnancy rates were 83.33 and 100% in controlled and supplemented groups. The gestation length varied from 141 to 145 days. The post partum onset of estrus was significantly shorter in supplemented group than controlled group (p<0.05). The lambing rates, litter size and lamb survival rate were 75 and 100%, 1.22±0.44 and .1.58±0.67 and 91.67 and 100%, in controlled and supplemented group, respectively. Mean birth weights of lambs were 1.00±0.30 and 1.33±0.25kg in controlled and supplemented group, respectively. The pre-weaning average daily gain of lambs were significantly different (p<0.01) between two groups. The present study indicates the influence of nutrition on reproductive performances of ewes that may increase and improve the sheep production.

Baseline Study of Reproductive Performances of Indigenous Rams in Bangladesh

Selection of breeding rams would be the prerequisite for getting better fertility can be accomplished through selecting some important reproductive traits. Cited information regarding reproductive performances of ram necessary for breeding programme is absent in our country (if available). The objective of the present study was to measure the reproductive performances of indigenous rams. Ram lambs were selected on the basis of indigenous characteristics. They were maintained on natural grazing with lump some amount of concentrate. Body weight and growth rate, scrotal circumference and its growth rate, BCS and libido index were measured weekly. Age, body weight, BCS and scrotal circumference at puberty were recorded. Semen was collected once a weak using artificial vagina and subjected for evaluation of volume, color, density, mass motility, concentration, motility, functional integrity and normal morphology of spermatozoa. The body weight, BCS, scrotal circumference, growth rate of body weight and scrotal circumference were 20.8±0.6(kg), 3.6±0.1, 22.8±0.2(cm), 17.0±0.6(g/d), 1.6±0.2(mm/15d), respectively. Age, body weight, BCS and scrotal circumferences at puberty were 6.8±0.1(months), 10.0±0.4(kg), 3.2±0.1, 18.6±0.7(cm), respectively. The volume, density, mass motility, concentration were 1.2±0.0ml, 2.9±0.0, 4.3±0.0 and 4.1±0.7x10 9 , respectively. The rate of motility: 89.0±0.2, 72.4±0.2, 62.0±0.6, viability: 91.8±0.1, 75.6±0.2, 64.8±0.6, functional integrity: 87.3±0.2, 69.1±0.2, 50.2±0.5 and normal spermatozoa were 94.0±0.1, 77.3±0.1 and 75.0±0.2 in fresh, chilled and frozen semen, respectively.