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Artificial Insemination (AI) in goats is less developed compared to the large animals due to the lack of suitable protocol of goat semen freezing and AI in India. The AI plays a pivotal role in the long-term ex-situ in vitro conservation of threatened breeds, increased productivity, and performance of a large number of nondescript and low potential goats. The objective of the present study was to enhance the life and fertility potential of cryopreserved semen and consequently the conception rate through frozen semen AI by the addition of catalase in an extender. Ejaculates (30) were collected and were extended with tris-citric acid-fructose diluent. Catalases were added in diluent (0 IU/mL, 200 IU/mL, 400 IU/mL, 600 IU/mL, 800 IU/mL and 1000 IU/mL). Analysis of data using SPSS 16 revealed that motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity, and hypo-osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa were counted differed significantly (P<0.05) at different concentrations of catalase. The post-thaw motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity, and hypo-osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa were significantly (P<0.05) highest in 800 U/mL of catalase used in the present study. Mitochondrial membrane potential was also significantly highest (P<0.05) in frozen semen in 800 IU/mL catalase. Goats (20) were inseminated with frozen semen straw of 800 IU/mL catalase and 8 goats (40%) were pregnant. The conception rate in the control group was 35%. Our study suggested that the addition of catalase reduced the detrimental effects of freezing on motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity and can be used for routine semen freezing and AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (oestrogen receptor1) responsible for better fertility. ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression and presence of ESR1 gene in fertile and low‐fertile male goat breeds. We identified ESR1 gene through various molecular tools. Genotyping was carried out by high resonance melting analysis using Roche Light Cycler 480(LC‐480) system and found three different genotypes. Genotypic frequency‐AA (blue‐0.67), BB(Red‐0.2), AB(Green‐0.08) with allele frequency A(0.71 and B (0.29). The predominance of this gene in head of epididymis in fertile bucks was confirmed by SDS‐PAGE, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. From the results, we corroborated that the present study provides a useful and effective way to predict male fertility in goat breeds, which in turn increases the percentage of fertility in flock leading to more number of offspring in a kidding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Buck mounting per cent during May and June were 93.88 % and 90.81 % respectively while comparatively lower values (61.64 %, 57.93 %) were observed in November and December month respectively. • The progressive motility, live sperm count, abnormality, hypo osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa and acrosomal integrity (Mean ± SE) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in post thaw semen in November and December month compared to other month. • The comfortable THI during November and December month have beneficial effect on semen quality in spite of poor libido. • The freezable quality of semen (mass activity >4) was good in November (73.33 %) and December (66.33 %) month. The present study suggests that semen freezing should be carried out in November-December months not round the year in Barbari breed of goats. Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is a single value representing the combination of air temperature and humidity associated with the level of thermal stress. Ejaculates (n = 890) from 12 Barbari bucks (2–4 years) maintained under semi-intensive management system were utilized to find out the effect of THI on sexual behavior and semen quality in Barbari buck. Semen with mass activity ≥ 4 was considered freezable. Buck mounting per cent during May and June were high whereas comparatively lower during November and December. Interestingly freezable quality of semen was good during November and December. The poorest freezable quality was observed during January and February. The comfortable THI (<72) during November and December have beneficial effect on semen quality in spite of poor libido. It is suggested that semen freezing should be carried out in November-December not round the year in Barbari bucks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]