R.D. Sharma

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.

Responses of different doses of prostaglandin F2 alpha on estrus induction, fertility and progesterone levels in subestrous buffaloes

Responses of different doses of PGF(2) alpha (Lutalyse) on estrus induction, fertility, and progesterone levels were studied in buffaloes. Of the total 70 subestrous buffaloes, 71.0 percent (50) exhibited estrus and 44.0 percent (22) conceived to induced estrus with different doses of PGF(2) alpha. Serum progesterone levels were variable before treatment of PGF(2) alpha in subestrous buffaloes and ranged from 0.60 to 4.90 ng/ml. An abrupt decrease in progesterone levels was observed within 24 hours of treatment with 30 mg or 5.0 mg PGF(2) alpha given intramuscularly or by intrauterine fusion, respectively. Serum progesterone levels further decreased and were minimum or similar to those seen in spontaneous estrus (/ 0.5ng/ml) on day 2 to 5 or 6 after PGF(2) alpha treatment. Progesterone patterns further revealed that, in most of the buffaloes, corpora lutea were formed and were functional after the treatment. With 2.5 mg of PGF(2) alpha administered into the uterus, morphological regression of corpus luteum and progesterone were not adequate to induce estrus and ovulation.

Studies on oestrous symptoms of buffalo heifers

Abstract Studies based on frequent daily observations for nine months, encompassing 92 oestrous periods in 31 Murrah buffalo heifers, revealed that the vulval discharge of clear mucus in varying quantities in a recumbent animal, even in silent heat, was the most reliable single sign of heat in buffalo heifers. Of the other signs observed, wall walking (segregation) and bellowing confirmed oestrus in 83.69% and 80.43%, respectively, while placid response of the animal to the placing of palm of hand on the rump ano response to light massage of vulval lips were seen in 86.95% and 83.69%, respectively. Based upon the degree of manifestation of oestrous symptoms, intensity of oestrus was divided into four categories. Four daily observations of the animal for important symptoms of heat a few days before the expected oestrus could make oestrous detection a sure success.

Treatment of summer anestrous buffalo (bubalus bubalis) with progesterone releasing intravaginal device plus pregnant mare serum go nadotropin.

Three experiments were conducted to treat forty-two summer-anestrous buffalo at three different villages. In all the experiments animals were randomly divided into two groups. One group was treated with a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) plus 800 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at the time of PRID removal. The second group was retained as untreated control animals. All the treated animals were clinically examined and inseminated twice 48 and 72 h post treatment. Ovulation and fertility rates at induced estrus were 88, 90 and 100% and 50, 60 and 50% during Experiments I, II and III, respectively. None of the controls exhibited estrus during the course of the study.

Phosphatase and transaminase activity in the seminal plasma of bulls in relation to freezability of semen

A total of 112 ejaculates from 16 Holstein-Friesian bulls were studied for phosphatase and transaminase activities in seminal plasma regarding the freezability of semen. Semen freezability was categorized into three groups: Group I (> 85% ejaculates freezable), Group II (65 to 85% ejaculates freezable) and Group III (< 65% ejaculates freezable). The mean acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in Group I was 425.76 ± 19.79 King Armstrong Units (KAU)/100 ml. Significantly P/ 0.01) higher ACP was recorded in Group II (559.90 ± 21.65 KAU/100 ml) and III (599.38±22.58 KAU/100 ml) ejaculates. The mean alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity was found to be significantly higher in Groups II (802.33±32.16 KAU/100 ml) and III (1002.65±31.22 KAU/100 ml) as compared to Group I (717.21±20.31 KAU/100 ml) ejaculates. Mean glutamic oxaloacetic (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic (GPT) transaminase levels were comparable in Group I (744.28±14.55 units/ml; 33.59±0.65 units/ml respectively) and II (747.23±15.64; 33.04±1.08 units/ml, respectively) bulls; however these levels were significantly (P/ 0.01) higher in Group III (815.40±9.28; 36.65±0.48 units/ml, respectively). The significant, higher levels of phosphatase and transminase in the least freezable (Group III) ejaculates might reflect initial damage of the spermatozoan membrane, with subsequent increase in its permeability, resulting in leakage of enzymes in the seminal plasma.

Efficacy of prostaglandin F2-alpha administration for inducing estrus in buffalo

Abstract Two groups of normal cycling buffalo at Days 8 to 10 of the estrous cycle were used to find the efficacy of two different dosagesin the two different routes of Prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2-alpha) administration. A 25-mg intramuscular (i.m.) dose and an 8-mg intravulvosubmucosal (i.v.s.m.) dose of PGF2-alpha were administered for the induction of estrus. In i.m. and i.v.s.m. treated groups, 87.5 and 68.73% of the buffalo exhibited estrus within 144 h of treatment, respectively; whereas the average time required for induction of estrus was 82.28 and 93.81 h posttreatment, respectively. The ovulation rates for the i.m. and i.v.s.m. routes were 92.85 and 63.63%; respectively. It was concluded that both the treatment schedules employed were effective in inducing estrus and ovulation in buffalo.

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 lactic dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase release in relation to deep freezing of buffalo semen in certain extenders

Forty seminal ejaculates from five mature buffalo bulls (n=8 from each bull), exhibiting more than 70% initial sperm motility, were frozen in the following three extenders: egg-yolk sodium citrate glycerol (EYCG); tris-egg yolk glycerol (TYG); and citric acid whey glycerol (CAWG). The extenders were evaluated for the release of intracellular enzymes, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SODH) from the spermatozoa during freezing (in fresh semen, after dilution and after equilibration) and post freezing (24 h and 7 d after freezing. It was found that the release of LDH and SODH enzymes was significantly lower in TYG than in EYCG and CAWG extenders. The most critical stage, at which the enzyme release was maximal, was between equilibration and 24 h post freezing in all three extenders.

Sialo proteins and phosphatases in estrual cervical mucus of fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis )

Concentrations of sialic acid and protein and activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were determined in estrual cervical mucus of fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes during late estrus. Significantly (P < 0.01) higher concentrations of sialic acid and ACP and AKP activities were observed in fertile buffaloes as compared with repeat breeder buffaloes. However, differences were nonsignificant in protein content between fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes, albeit protein concentration was higher in fertile buffaloes. The significance of sialoproteins and phosphatases in fertility has been clarified.