Md. Golam Shahi Alam

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.

Pathology of naturally occurring toxoplasma abortion and neonatal mortality in Black Bengal goat

Abstract Characteristic pathological lesions in Black Bengal goat abortions due to naturally occurring toxoplasmosis consist of focal inflammation of the placenta. No specific macroscopic changes were marked in other organs of the fetuses. The main microscopic changes were focal or diffuse infiltrations with round cells in the liver, brain and heart. These lesions were more common in the brain than in other organs. Toxoplasma organisms were demonstrated in these organs as single trophozoites or within the cyst. No characteristic gross or histological changes were demonstrated in lymph nodes, spleen, lung and kidney. These results could be useful for histopathological diagnosis of toxoplamosis in Black Bengal goats.

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.