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Background: Artificial insemination with frozen semen is of great value for livestock breeding and improvement. However, the procedure of cryopreservation leads to varying degree of oxidative and cryodamage to sperms deteriorating its quality, capacitation status and fertility. Hence, a variety of protocols, cryoprotectants and additives have been tried to protect sperms from such damages. This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cryocapacitation inhibitory potential of Mifepristone, Sericin and Taurine in routine extender on cryopreserved bull semen including in vivo fertility. Methods: Semen ejaculates of 3 Gir and 3 Murrah bulls with >75% initial motility were split-diluted @ 100 million spermatozoa ml-1 using TFYG extender without and with Mifepristone (10 µg/ml), Sericin (5 mg/ml) and Taurine (4 mg/ml) and frozen in LN2 using a programmable biofreezer. The freshly diluted as well as frozen-thawed samples were assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, CTC (chlortetracycline) fluorescence assay and seminal plasma oxidative markers. The straws frozen as above were used to inseminate 100-375 cows and/or buffaloes with each treatment involving well trained field AI technicians. Conception rates were determined based on confirmation of pregnancy per-rectum 45-60 days after first AI in non-return cases. Result: The mean percentages, on dilution and at post-thaw stage in particular, of motile, live, HOS reactive and non-capacitated sperm were significantly (p<0.01) higher with reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA, SOD and GPx) whereas capacitated and acrosome reacted sperm were lower in Mifepristone supplemented extender than in control extender and the values for Sericin and Taurine fortified extender were intermediary in both the species. The first AI conception rates obtained for Gir and Murrah bull semen cryopreserved in control extender and extender supplemented with Mifepristone, Sericin and Taurine were 44.48, 51.11, 47.22 and 48.72% in cattle and 44.44, 55.40, 51.57 and 52.05% in buffaloes, respectively, suggesting that all additives used and Mefipristone in particular can be advantageously incorporated in the semen extender for cryopreservation of both cattle and buffalo semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The evaluation of bull fertility essentially involves semen analysis and conception rates among inseminated females. The conventional evaluation is relatively imprecise, time consuming and subjected to individual variations, while computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) is a quite faster, precise and objective tool to identify differences in sperm motility and velocity/kinematics attributes and avoids subjective errors. The present study was planned to evaluate and compare the CASA traits of fresh and frozenthawed semen of Gir and Murrah bulls in Tris extender without and with different antioxidant additives by adopting Biovis CASA. Methods: The semen ejaculates with >75% initial motility from 3 Gir and 3 Murrah bulls were split-diluted at 100 million sperm per ml using Tris-citrate-fructose-yolk-glycerol (TFYG) extender without (control) and with three antioxidant additives, viz., Mifepriston (10 µg/ml), Sericin (5 mg/ml) and Taurine (4 mg/ml), were filled in French mini straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour using a programmable biofreezer. The freshly diluted and frozen-thawed semen samples were assessed for sperm motion characteristics, velocity/kinematics using Biovis CASA. Result: The mean percentages of total motile spermatozoa, irrespective of additives, in freshly diluted and frozen-thawed semen were 85.50±0.92 and 48.76±1.69 for Gir bulls and 85.03±0.72 and 52.61±1.46 for Murrah bulls, respectively. The mean total motile as well as rapid and slow progressive motile sperm percentage were significantly enhanced by fortification of TFYG extender with Mifepristone than in control extender, while values for Sericin and Taurine were intermediary and statistically similar to Mifepristone. The per cent decline in total motile sperm due to freezing-thawing was more or less same in both the breeds for all the extender additives, being lowest in Mifepristone supplemented extender in cattle (32.27 vs 48.81%) and buffalo (31.27 vs 43.14%) semen. The rapid and slow progressive motile sperm also followed the same pattern. The values of VAP and VCL were significantly (p<0.05) higher and VSL lower in Murrah than Gir breed at post-thaw stage. The overall mean linearity (%), straightness (%), beat-cross frequency (hz), lateral head displacement (µm), wobbling index (%), dancing velocity (µm2/s) and dancing mean (µm2/s) of sperm were higher in Murrahs than in Gir semen with significant (p<0.01) difference at post-thaw stage. The fortification of extender with Mifepristone improved all these traits at post-thaw stage compared to other additives and control TFYG extender. The per cent decline in these traits due to freezing stress was much lower in buffalo sperm than the cattle sperm particularly with Mifepristone fortification. It was concluded that freezing-thawing stress adversely affected the motion and kinematics of both cattle and buffalo sperm and that Tris extender fortified with antioxidant additives, particularly Mifepristone @ 10 µg/ml, protected sperm from adverse effect of dilution and cryopreservation with improved post-thaw sperm quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum fertility in dairy bovines is one of the important criteria of sustainable dairy industry and economy of farmers. The Kankrej, a dual purpose zebu cattle, is known for its endurance, but is slow breeder with very late maturity, prolonged postpartum anestrous/subestrous and thereby calving interval. These peculiarities necessitate scientists to adopt fixed time AI (FTAI) protocols of estrus synchronization for improving their reproductive efficiency. Hence this study was aimed to assess the fertility and plasma metabolic profile of normal and synchronized anestrous/ subestrous suckled Kankrej cows of an organized farm. Methods: The study involved 36 parturient Kankrej cows of the University Farm that were maintained under identical nutritional and managerial practices. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers from all the animals on the day of calving and then at 10 days interval till 90 days for plasma metabolic profile. Animals monitored by per rectal palpation 10 days apart around day 70-80 postpartum revealed 30 cows to be anestrous or subestrous, which were randomly allocated to five different estrus synchronization protocols at day 90-92, each with six cows and a group of six cows that exhibited estrus and were bred by day 70-90 served as normal control. The treatment protocols included Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and double PGF2α together with estimation of plasma metabolites on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) and then at 10 days interval up to day 40 post-AI. Result: The mean plasma total protein levels varied non-significantly, while total cholesterol and triglycerides varied significantly (p<0.01) between intervals until 90 days postpartum in most of the groups with gradual increase in the mean values from the day of calving. The estrus synchronization protocols, however. did not alter the plasma profile of these constituents. The estrus induction response with Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2α treatment was 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66 and 66.66% and the conception rates at induced estrus 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00%, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rate at first cycle was 33.33%. The plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in conceived than non-conceived cows, particularly during early postpartum period and post-AI. It was concluded that CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2α protocols were better for estrus induction and conception rate in anestrous and subestrous suckled Kankrej cows, although they did not influence the plasma metabolic profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm. Methods: The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42±2 and 48±2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 µg Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 µg Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups. Result: In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p<0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p<0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p<0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p<0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p<0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p<0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p<0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66%, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle. Methods: This study was conducted on >90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2α injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17β by RIA technique. Result: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p<0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25%, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75%, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles' posttreatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25%, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p<0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p<0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17β profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17β on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken on semen of three mature bulls each of Gir, Surti and Murrah breed to evaluate the comparative motion characteristics and kinematics of their fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa by Biovis CASA. The ejaculates (n= 24/breed) having >75% initial motility were diluted @ 80 million sperm/ml using TFYG extender and were assessed. Amongst motility traits, the total motile, rapid progressive motile and slow progressive motile spermatozoa percentage decreased significantly by 23.08 - 30.09, 43.57 - 55.18, 9.12 - 22.75%, respectively, (p<0.01), while non-progressive motile sperm (4.78 - 21.48%) and immotile sperm (164.38 - 178.38%) percentage increased significantly (p<0.01) in frozen-thawed semen compared to that of fresh semen. The post-thaw quality of semen of all three breeds was in acceptable range. The mean values of sperm velocity/kinematic parameters observed in frozen-thawed semen of Gir, Surti and Murrah bulls, based on total motile sperms, viz., average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, linearity, straightness, beat-cross frequency, amplitude of lateral head displacement, dancing frequency and dancing mean decreased significantly by 13.70 - 17.79; 9.76 - 12.95; 13.28 - 21.90; 7.28 - 9.68; 4.36 - 7.79; 15.56 - 25.15; 8.78 - 10.50; 6.16 - 18.67 and 12.98 - 15.96%, respectively, as compared to that of their fresh semen samples. However, wobbling index remained almost same for both fresh and frozen semen. All motility traits differed but none of kinematics/velocity traits differed significantly between breeds/species. The values of all velocity parameters for progressive motile sperms were higher than total motile sperms in all three breeds. The effect of freezing-thawing on velocity and kinematic attributes was much less compared to absolute sperm motility, and both the fresh and frozen-thawed sperms behaved identically with respect to their velocity and kinematics. The rapid progressive motile sperm in both fresh (r=0.41 to 0.92) and frozen-thawed (r=044 to 0.88) semen had significant correlations with most of their velocity traits and the later were significantly and positively or negatively inter-related among each other in semen of all three breeds. It was therefore concluded that cryopreservation process significantly reduces the motility and kinematics attributes of bovine spermatozoa and, CASA analysis of fresh semen for motility and velocity traits could predict the post-thawed sperm motility and velocity/kinematics of spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced pregnant Jaffarabadi buffaloes (n=40) of 2-4 parity selected on an organized farm were divided equally into control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 150-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 6 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and PGF2 metabolites on days -45, -30, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 peripartum as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. Half of the buffaloes in both the groups also received parenteral microminerals (Inj. Stimvet 5 ml i/m) twice, 45 days before and on the day of calving. Again half of them were treated with ecbolic (Exapar) 2 boli bid for first 4 days postpartum. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (>4 ng/ml) on day 45 prepartum, which declined significantly (p<0.01) on day 7 prepartum reached to the basal levels (<1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 15, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. The oestradiol-17 values were at its peak on the day of calving (p<0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 7 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 45 and 60 postpartum. The levels of cortisol were significantly higher on the day of parturition as compared to values on day 7 pre- and post-partum. The plasma concentration of PGFM was low on day 45 prepartum, which increased gradually and significantly by almost 10-folds to reach peak values on the day of calving in both control and treatment groups and then declined gradually and significantly till day 45 postpartum. The rise was little more in nutrients supplemented group with higher mean values at most intervals peripartum than in control group. The periods for uterine involution, first postpartum estrus and days open were significantly shorter with higher conception rate in nutrient supplemented group. It is concluded that the peripartum nutrient supplementation in Jaffarabadi buffaloes is beneficial and has positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma progesterone and PGFM profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken on three mature bulls each of Gir cattle and Surti buffalo breeds to evaluate the comparative efficacy of egg yolk based standard TFYG (Tris-citrate-fructose-yolk-glycerol) extender and egg yolk free soybean based commercial extenders Optixcell® (IMV, France) and Andromed® (Minitube, Germany) under split-sample technique. The ejaculates (9/bull) were extended @ 100×106 sperm ml-1 with three extenders and frozen using biofreezer following 4 hr of equilibration. The pooled means of progressively motile sperm observed (irrespective of extenders) at initial, pre-freeze and post-thaw stage in Gir bulls semen were 76.53±0.53, 71.11±0.53 and 39.86±0.90% and in Surti buffalo 80.76±0.39, 74.65±0.45 and 40.35±1.07%, respectively. The corresponding values for live sperm were 75.64±0.76, 69.01±0.97 and 47.99±1.11% for Gir and 80.90±0.45, 75.76±0.48 and 52.33±0.86% for Surti buffalo; and those of intact acrosome 94.29±0.25, 90.29±0.27 and 79.29±0.33% for Gir bulls, and 93.94±0.21, 89.94±0.23 and 78.95±0.26% for Surti buffalo semen, respectively. The HOS reactive sperm at initial, pre-freeze and post-thaw stage were 76.18±0.74, 71.04±0.76 and 27.90±0.70% for Gir, and 81.83±0.35, 76.47±0.39 and 27.83±0.68% for Surti bulls, respectively. The overall mean postthaw incubation (37°C) survival of spermatozoa observed at 60, 120 and 180 min were 28.40±0.91, 17.78±0.86 and 9.44±0.72% for Gir bulls semen, and 28.01±0.99, 18.40±1.01 and 10.51±0.93% for Surti buffalo semen, respectively. Optixcell was proved superior, and at par with TFYG, than the Andromed in maintaining greater motility, viability, morphology, acrosomal/plasma membrane integrity including post-thaw sperm longevity of cattle and buffalo spermatozoa with significant differences only in sperm motility and post-thaw longevity. The motile, live and HOST reactive sperm were significantly higher in buffalo semen than cattle at initial and pre-freeze stage, but not at post-thaw stage. The results showed that egg yolk free commercial Optixcell extender and egg yolk based TFYG extender were at par in terms of most of the sperm quality traits, hence any one of them can be preferred over Andromed for successful routine cryopreservation of cattle and buffalo semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced pregnant healthy HF crossbred cows (n=20) of 2-4 parity were equally divided in to control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 100-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 2 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and metabolites on days -14, -3, 0, +3, +14, +28 and +42 as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (>6 ng/ml) on day 14 prepartum, which declined significantly (p<0.01) on day 3 prepartum reached to the basal levels (<1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 14, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 28 and 42 postpartum. The oestradiol-17β values were at its peak on the day of calving (p<0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 3 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 35 postpartum. However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in either of the hormones, except on day 42 postpartum. The levels of cortisol and PGF2α Metabolites (PGFM) were 3-8 times higher on the day of parturition as compared to values at day 14 pre- and postpartum, and declined further till day 42 postpartum reaching to prepartum levels. The plasma cholesterol gradually decreased as parturition approached and increased in postpartum days to reach the highest value (p<0.01) at day 42. The nutrients supplemented cows had significantly (p<0.01) higher plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol values than the control cows around parturition. However, no such variation was noted in plasma protein profile. The period of uterine involution in control and supplemented groups was identical (31.97±1.82 and 30.27±1.41 days), yet the cows in treatment group resumed estrous cycle earlier (38.00±1.95 vs 42.32±4.14 days, p<0.05) and had shorter service period (85.22±7.17 vs 100.67±5.60 days) with improved pregnancy rate (80 vs 60%) as compared to those in control group. Thus, the peripartum nutrient supplementation in crossbred cows was beneficial and had positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare commercially available soybean based extenders, viz. Bioxcell® and Optixcell® (IMV, France) with standard Tris-citrate-fructose-egg yolk-glycerol (TFYG) extender for refrigeration preservation of buffalo semen. Forty eight good quality ejaculates (8/bull) having initial motility >70% obtained at weekly interval in AV from 6 mature Surti buffalo bulls were split-diluted (at 34°C keeping 100×106 sperm ml-1) in TFYG, Bioxcell and Optixcell extenders and stored in refrigerator at 5°C for 72 hrs. The mean percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa observed on dilution (0-hr), and after 24, 48, 72 hrs of refrigeration preservation of semen at 5°C were 78.54±0.30, 68.30±0.30, 59.38±0.35 and 51.63±0.47; live sperm 90.48±0.19, 76.89± 0.51, 69.51±0.35 and 61.86±0.45; morphologically normal sperm 93.85±0.08, 90.70±0.11, 89.08±0.10 and 87.66±0.10; intact acrosome 94.40± 0.12, 88.22±0.13, 84.60±0.14 and 81.70±0.17, and HOS reactive sperm 79.35 ±0.24, 65.99±0.31, 57.69±0.36 and 50.70±0.43, respectively, all of which decreased gradually and highly significantly (P<0.01) with increase in storage time. The results were significantly (P<0.05) superior with Optixcell followed by TFYG extender than with the Bioxcell. The overall mean percentages of sperms with abnormal head, mid-piece and tail and those with different forms of acrosomal defects like swollen, ruffled, detached and denuded acrosome also followed the pattern of morphologically normal sperm and intact acrosomes. The values of all these traits increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in storage duration at 5°C. The sperm protective ability of Optixcell extender was superior followed by TFYG and the least of Bioxcell. The Optixcell, a recently launched improved soybean milk based extender, excelled the Bioxcell extender and was statistically similar to TFYG in respect of all the sperm quality parameters to satisfactorily preserve the quality of buffalo semen at refrigeration temperature up to 3 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15±0.03 to 1.70±0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 ±0.19 to 4.09±1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (<1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09±1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70±0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68±0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09±0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/ 6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 ±0.10), CIDR (4.92±0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87±0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty semen ejaculates from 10 mature bulls, 5 each of Jafarabadi and Mehsana breed, were studied for sperm motility and velocity parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). The mean values of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa observed in fresh semen of Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls (79.77±1.62 and 61.80±1.85, and 78.90±1.22 and 61.37±1.58%) were highly significantly (P<0.01) reduced (51.20±1.57 and 33.20±1.45, and 52.10±1.70 and 34.30±1.54 %, respectively) in post-thawed semen. The average path velocity, straight line velocity and curvilinear velocity (μm/sec) of spermatozoa of Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls noted in fresh semen were also reduced highly significantly (P<0.01) in frozen-thawed semen. Among the other velocity parameters, amplitude of lateral head displacement (μm), elongation (%) and medium motile sperm (%) increased, while beat-cross frequency (Hz), straightness (%), linearity (%), sperm area (μm2) and rapidly motile sperm (%) decreased significantly in post-thawed sperms when compared with the fresh sperm of both Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls. The initial motility and live sperm per cent were significantly correlated with CASA traits of fresh and frozen-thawed semen, and all the sperm motility and velocity traits of fresh and frozen-thawed semen assessed by CASA were significantly interrelated among both the breeds. The interrelationships were stronger in Mehsana bulls as compared to Jafarabadi bulls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 30 good quality semen ejaculates from 5 mature bulls of HF x Kankrej (F1) breed were studied for sperm motility and velocity parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). The ejaculates immediately after collection in AV were assessed by CASA for fresh sperm motility and velocity parameters. A part of each ejaculate cryopreserved at -196°C in LN1 using standard Tris-citric acid-fructose-yolk-glycerol extender was thawed and assessed for post-thaw analysis of motility and velocity traits on CASA using via-dent stain. The mean values of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa observed in fresh semen (74.73± 1.71 and 51.57± 2.61 %) were highly significantly (P< 0.01) reduced (50.80± 1.36 and 30.23± 1.16 %, respectively) in post-thawed semen. The Average Path Velocity (VAP), Straight Line Velocity (VSL) and Curvilinear velocity (VCL) of spermatozoa noted in fresh semen were also reduced significantly (P< 0.01) in frozen-thawed semen. Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement (ALH, μm) and its Elongation (%) were increased, while Beat-Cross Frequency (BCF, Hz), Straightness (%), Linearity (%) and sperm area (μm2) were decreased in post-thawed sperms. The proportion of rapidly motile sperm was significantly reduced and that of slow motile and static sperm increased in post-thawed semen, suggesting cryodamage to the spermatozoa. Most of the CASA traits of fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa were significantly and positively interrelated. Thus, CASA appeared to be the fast, accurate and precise means of qualitative evaluation of the fresh and frozen-thawed bull semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]