Jalal Uddin Ahmed

Milk progesterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a tool to investigate ovarian cyclicity of water buffaloes in relation to body condition score and milk production

BackgroundApplication of assisted reproductive technologies in buffaloes is limited to some extent by farmers’ inability to detect oestrus because of its poor expression. The present study aimed at investigating reliability of a milk progesterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the ovarian cyclicity during post partum, oestrus and post-breeding periods in water buffaloes.MethodsProgesterone concentrations were measured by an ELISA in milk of 23 postpartum buffaloes in relation to oestrus, pregnancy, body condition score (BCS) and milk production. Two milk samples were taken at 10 days intervals, every month starting from day 30 and continued to day 150 post partum. BCS and milk production were recorded during sample collection. Milk samples from bred buffaloes were collected at Day 0 (day of breeding), Days 10–12 and Days 22–24. Defatted milk was preserved at −80°C until analysis. Pregnancy was confirmed by palpation per rectum on Days 70–90.ResultsSeventeen buffaloes had 47 ovulatory cycles, one to four in each, 13 were detected in oestrus once (28 % oestrus detection rate). Progesterone concentration ≥1 ng/ml in one of the two 10-day-interval milk samples reflected ovulation and corpus luteum formation. The intervals between calving to first luteal activity and to first detected oestrus varied from 41 to 123 days (n = 17) and 83 to 135 (n = 13) days, respectively. Eight buffaloes were bred in the course of the study and seven were found pregnant. These buffaloes had a progesterone profile of low (<1 ng/ml), high (≥ 1 ng/ml) and high (≥ 1 ng/ml) on Day 0, Days 10–12 and Days 22–24, respectively. Buffaloes cycling later in the postpartum period had fewer missed oestruses (P < 0.05). Buffaloes with a superior BCS had a shorter calving to oestrus interval and produced more milk (P < 0.05).ConclusionsMilk progesterone ELISA is a reliable tool for monitoring ovarian cyclicity and good BCS may be an indicator of resuming cyclicity in water buffalo.

Evaluation of semen for breeding soundness of four different breeds of bull used for artificial insemination

The investigation was aimed to evaluate the bulls for breeding soundness by assessing their fresh semen. The study was performed in District AI center, Mymensingh and AI center,BAU, Mymensingh. Four different bulls of cross breed (Holstein-Friesian × Zebu, Sahiwal × Zebu, Sindhi × Zebu and Red Chittagong Bull) were examined physically with a special emphasis to the palpation of the scrotum and testicles and rectal palpation of the pelvic genitalia were carried out once every two weeks. The sexual behavior particularly the libido was observed at service. A total of 107 ejaculates were collected and evaluated with respect to ejaculate volume, mass activity, sperm motility, concentration of sperm, pH, percentages of live and dead spermatozoa from 1 May to 31 October, 2013. The bulls used in this study were regarded as clinically normal. During the study, mean value of semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility, mass activity, sperm concentration, percentage of live and dead sperm and pH were 5.81± 0.16ml, 66.64± 0.50%, 3.59± 0.05, 1115.97± 16.08 million/mm 3 , 77.62 ± 0.63 %, 15% to 45%,6.48± 0.01 respectively. The mean fertility rate (65.37± 0.31%) of the bulls was also recorded. The mean values of semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility, mass activity, sperm concentration, percentage of live sperm and dead sperm, pH and fertility varied significantly (p<0.01) among breeds. Significantly (P<0.01) the highest volume per ejaculation, sperm concentration, mass activity were found in Holstein cross and lowest in Red Chittagong breeds of bulls. Significantly (P<0.05) the highest live spermatozoa percentage, pH, fertility rate were found in Holstein - Friesian × Zebu and lowest in Red Chittagong breeds of bulls. It was concluded that the Holstein - Friesian × Zebu crossbred bull produced better quality semen in comparison to other breed. So, it can be suggested that, Holstein - Friesian × Zebu crossbred bull could be suitable as breeding bull to be used for AI.