Sanjeev Mehrotra

Sustained delivery of exogenous melatonin influences biomarkers of oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity in summer-stressed anestrous water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

High ambient temperature during summer in tropical and subtropical countries predisposes water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to develop oxidative stress having antigonadotropic and antisteroidogenic actions. Melatonin is a regulator of seasonal reproduction in photoperiodic species and highly effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Therefore, a study was designed to evaluate the effect of sustained-release melatonin on biomarkers of oxidative stress i.e., the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC). For the study, postpartum buffaloes diagnosed as summer anestrus (absence of overt signs of estrus, concurrent rectal examination, and RIA for serum progesterone) were grouped as treated (single subcutaneous injection of melatonin at 18 mg/50 kg body weight dissolved in sterilized corn oil as vehicle, n = 20) and untreated (subcutaneous sterilized corn oil, n = 8). Blood sampling for estimation of serum TAC and MDA (mmol/L) and NO (μmol/L) was carried out at 4 days of interval from 8 days before treatment till 28 days after treatment or for the ensuing entire cycle length. Results showed serum TAC concentration was higher in the treatment group with a significant (P < 0.05) increasing trend, whereas MDA and NO revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decline. Serum MDA and NO were higher in control compared with those of treatment group. Moreover, buffaloes in the treatment group showed 90% estrus induction with 18.06 ± 1.57 days mean interval from treatment to the onset of estrus. These results report that melatonin has a protective effect by elevating antioxidant status and reducing oxidative stress resulting in the induction of cyclicity in summer-stressed anestrous buffaloes.

Evaluation of follicular oxidant-antioxidant balance and oxidative damage during reproductive acyclicity in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract Objective To investigate changes in follicular fluid concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and degree of oxidative damage to follicular cells, using protein carbonyl (PC) as marker of oxidative stress, were investigated during reproductive acyclicity in buffalo. Methods Follicular fluid was aspirated from follicles grouped into three classes depending upon their diameter [small (5.0–7.0 mm), medium (7.1–10.0 mm), and large (>10.0 mm)]. Progesterone and estradiol were estimated to determine functional status (P:E ratio) of the follicles. Results Acyclic buffaloes had greater concentrations of ROS ( P P =0.0412) and lower concentrations of TAC ( P =0.0280) than cyclic buffaloes. An interesting novel finding was the complete absence of low P:E functionally active follicles in acyclic buffaloes. Results indicated a pronounced follicular fluid oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and oxidative damage to follicular cells during acyclicity in buffalo. Conclusion In conclusion, this study provided evidence about role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of reproductive acyclicity.

Supplementation of Slow‐Release Melatonin Improves Recovery of Ovarian Cyclicity and Conception in Summer Anoestrous Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The role of melatonin as a protective neurohormone against restoring cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals in photoperiod species has gained wider acceptance. This study was designed to uncover the evidence the slow-release melatonin (MLT) has on initiation of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate (CR) in summer anoestrous buffaloes. Thus, buffaloes diagnosed as summer anoestrous (absence of overt signs of oestrus, concurrent rectal examination and radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone at 10 days interval) were grouped as untreated (Group I, sterilized corn oil, n = 8) and treated (Group II, single subcutaneous injection of MLT @18 mg/50 kg bwt in sterilized corn oil, n = 20). Animals treated and detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI) followed by division into Group III (second dose of MLT on 5th day post-AI, n = 8) and Group IV (no melatonin administration, n = 10). Blood samples were collected at 4 days interval for estimation of serum MLT, progesterone and oestrogen using radioimmunoassay kit. Mean oestrous induction rate (OIR), oestrous induction interval (OII), interoestrous interval (IOI) and CR were estimated. Compared to control, concentration of melatonin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated group ranging from 14.34 ± 1.72 to 412.31 ± 14.47 pg/ml whereas other two hormones did not show any concentration difference. Melatonin-administered buffaloes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher (90%) OIR with OII of 18.06 ± 1.57 days. Results showed improvement in conception rate in buffaloes administered with post-insemination melatonin. It can be concluded from the study that slow-release melatonin supplementation restored cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals resulting in improvement in conception rate in buffaloes.

Circulatory level of interleukin-1 in periparturient cows with or without postpartum reproductive diseases

Abstract Objective To determine the concentration of interleukin-1, a pro-inflammatory cytokine in periparturient cows and their association with the clinical outcome of postpartum reproductive diseases (PRD). Methods Blood sampling was done from advanced pregnant cows on 15 days prepartum (−15 d), calving day (0 d), 15 days (15 d) and 30 days (30 d) post partum and thorough gynaecological examination was performed on 0 d, 15 d, 30 d and 45 d for diagnosis of PRD like retained placenta (ROP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis (CE), cervicitis (CT) and delayed involution of uterus (DIU). The blood serum was used for estimation of pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 1 (IL-1) in different groups of cows using an enzyme immunoassay technique. Results The IL-1 concentration was significantly higher for normal cows than ROP, CM, CE and DIU cows at 15 d prepartum (−15 d) and on the day of calving (0 d). However, IL-1 level was significantly ( P Conclusions Decreased level of IL-1 at 15 d prior or at calving may be used to identify the cows susceptible for development of PRD. Further, increased serum level of IL-1 may be considered as a diagnostic tool for screening of endometritic cows around 4 wk postpartum in a large herd, where individual monitoring is difficult.

Effect of leukotriene B4 and oyster glycogen in resolving subclinical endometritis in repeat breeding crossbred cows

In the present study an innovative attempt was made using Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and Oyster glycogen (OG), non-specific immunomodulators, for the treatment of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in repeat breeding crossbred cows. Thirty six subclinical endometritis repeat breeding cows were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (G-I, G-II and G-III). The cows in treatment groups G-I and G-II received single intrauterine (iu) infusion with 50 ml of 30 nmol/L LTB4 and 10 mg/ml OG, respectively, whereas the cows in G-III served as control. Blood samples collected just before treatment (0 hr), 24 hr post-treatment and at subsequent estrus were assayed for total leukocyte count (TLC), lipid peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO). Following treatment the recovery rate was assessed at subsequent estrus by determining the pH of cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM), white side test and percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in uterine cytology. The recovery rate in G-I (83.3%) and G-II (75.0%) was greater (P

Effect of High Energy Diet with Additional Supplementation of Copper, Zinc, Selenium and Vit. E during the Transition Period on Ovarian Steroids and Reproductive Performance in the Crossbred Cows

The study was conducted with the objective to study the effect of high energy diet supplemented with copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and Vit E on ovarian steroids and reproductive performance and during transition period in crossbred cattle. Periparturient crossbred cows (n= 20) between 2nd to 4th parity with lactation yield of >10 L/day were divided into two equal groups. Cows in Group I were given high energy diet in the form of 20% additional concentrate supplemented with Cu (15.7mg), Zn (22 mg), Se (0.3 mg) and vitamin E (80 IU) per kilogram of dry matter (DM). Whereas Group II cows were fed basal diet without any supplementation to serve as control. Cu, Zn, Se and Vit E were supplemented with wheat flour bolus -4 to +8 week of calving where as energy allowance was increased from 2 to 8 week postpartum on daily basis. Blood samples were collected on weekly interval from 4 weeks pre to 8 weeks post calving to determine estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the serum using RIA. Postpartum reproductive performance was assessed in terms of early resumption of postpartum estrus, calving to conception interval, pregnancy rate and service per conception. Serum estradiol increased significantly from -1 to +8 weeks in Group I as compared to Group II. Further, Serum progesterone level increased significantly from +1, +2 and +6 weeks in Group I in comparison with Group II. Marked improvement in the fertility was recorded in terms of early resumption of postpartum estrus, reduced calving to conception interval, service per conception and higher pregnancy rate.

Oestrus synchronization in goats using impregnated intravaginal progesterone sponge and buck effect

A study was conducted with the objective to compare the efficacy of the intravaginal progesterone sponge and buck effect on oestrus synchronization, conception rate and oestrous behaviour during non-breeding season in non-descript goats. The study was carried out from November, 2015 to February, 2016 and does (n=18) were divided into three equal groups. T1 group was treated with intravaginal progesterone (P4) sponge kept in situ for 15 d (350mg P4/sponge) and T2 group was teased with a sexually active aproned buck for 6 h/dy for 15 d. The does in control group were kept without any treatment. The does in T1 group exhibited 100% oestrus as against 50% in T2 group within 72 h of treatment. The interval between removal of sponge and onset of oestrus was significantly (P<0.05) shorter in T1 (36.00±5.58 h) than introduction of buck in T2 (174.5±73.52 h) and control (245.30±79.90 h) groups. The conception rate (CR) between control (50%) and T1 (100%) group differed significantly (P<0.05). The study revealed that the intravaginal progesterone sponge synchronized the oestrus and fertility.

Effect of CIDR on Conception Rate in Repeat Breeding Cattle Inseminated with Liquid Semen

A trial was conducted to study the effect of CIDR on conception rate (CR) in repeat breeding (RB) Vrindavani cows following insemination with liquid semen. After insemination with liquid semen, the experimental RB cows were divided into two groups: group-I (n=13) was treated with CIDR between day 5 and 18 post-insemination, while group-II (n=12) was kept as negative control. Pregnancy diagnosis was done on day 60 post-insemination by per rectal palpation. Conception rate (%) in CIDR treated group was 5/13 (38.46%), whereas, it was 2/12 (16.67%) in the control group. Though the increase of CR by 21.79% in the CIDR treated group was statistically non-significant as compared to the control.