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The current study was conducted to assess the ovsynch estrus synchronization in imported pure Holstein Friesian and Holstein Friesian-Jersey crossbred cows at district Thatta Sindh. A total 30 Holstein Friesian and Holstein Friesian-Jersey crossbred cattle were selected and divided into three groups i.e., A (10 pure Holstein Friesian cows), B (10 Holstein Friesian-Jersey crossbred cows), and C (5 pure Holstein Friesian and 5 Holstein Friesian–Jersey crossbred cows) as control group. All selected animals were scanned through ultrasound to ensure the normality of reproductive tract. Animals of group A and group B were treated with Ovsynch protocol {GnRH; (Dalmarelin, FATRO) intramuscular at day 0 followed by PGF2α (Dalmazin; FATRO) intramuscular at day 7 and 2nd GnRH intramuscular at day 9} for estrus synchronization while animals of group C was kept as untreated control (intramuscular injection of normal saline as placebo on day 0, 7 and 9). Animals of all group underwent fixed time insemination at 16 h of last treatment. Results showed that estrus response vary significantly among the groups (P<0.05). Overall estrus response was observed significantly higher in group B (80%), followed by A (60%) and C (10%). Intensity of estrus was determined by observing the estrus signs. Results showed significantly higher intensity of estrus signs in Group B than A and C for mucus discharge 90%, 65%,10%, flehmen 90%, 60%,10%, standing heat80%, 60%, 10% and sniffing vagina 80%, 70%, 10%, respectively. Estrus duration differs significantly among the treatment groups (P<0.05). Significantly maximum estrus duration was noted in group B (15.02 ± 0.21 h), then A (13.58 ± 2.22 h) and C (10 ± 0.00 h). In all groups blood samples were collected from the milk vein on day 0 (the first treatment), day 7, day 11 (one day after artificial insemination), day 18 and day 30 from all groups for determining progesterone level. Statistical analysis showed non-significant differences in progesterone level among groups at day 0. Furthermore, on Day 7, Group C differed significantly in progesterone level than A and B; however non-significant difference were observed in group A and B, while in group C difference was significant. On day 11 significantly highest values of blood progesterone were seen in group C (2.63 ± 0.22) followed by A (1.65 ± 0.35) and then B (1.48 ± 0.22). Statistical analysis showed that group C was significantly different from A and B, but there was non-significant difference between A and B. At day 18 highest P4 values were seen in B (4.20 ± 0.44) followed by A (3.33 ± 0.39) and then C (1.88 ± 0.59). Statistical analysis showed that group B and A had non-significant difference among each other, while both groups had significant differences with group C. Blood progesterone level for all the three groups on day 30 showed highest values in group B (10.90 ± 2.44) followed by A (8.28 ± 3.33) and C (4.53 ± 0.44). Statistical analysis showed significant difference among all three groups on day 30. It was concluded that in term of estrus response, cyclic activities and fertility rate, Ovsynch protocol was more effective in Holstein Friesian- Jersey cross breed cows than in Holstein Friesian pure cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to compare efficacy of estrus synchronization protocols with or without biostimulation in Thari cattle. A total of forty Thari cattle maintained at semi intensive management conditions at Thari Cattle Farm Nabisir Road, Distt: Umerkot were used in the study. The selected animals were divided into four groups to observe estrus signs and artificial insemination. Animals of group B and D were treated with OvSynch (GnRH at day 0 followed by PGF2a day 7 and 2nd GnRH at day 9) for estrus synchronization but D was bio-stimulated and B was not bio-stimulated. Animals in group A and C were treated with 2ml normal saline on day 0, 7 and 9 of the treatment. Group C was biostimulated and A was not biostimulated. The results showed that estrus response (60 %) and pregnancy rate (50%) was higher, onset of estrus was earlier (54.89 ± 1.20), duration of estrus was long (23.17 ± 1.20) in group D as compare to other groups. It was concluded in the present study that the biostimulation with ovsynch protocol can effectively be used to induce cyclic activities and increase estrus response and fertility rate in Thari cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy animals are facing so many reproductive disorders and cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the important disease which cause major economic losses to farmers. COD affects fertility of animal which is important to reproduce young ones, that occurs due to negative impact factors on hypothalamus-pituitary stalkand normal function of the ovarywhich leads to alteration in follicular development, ovulation, reduced reproductive performance, unsuccessful ovulation, increased interval between parturition and conception, low conception rate, decrease in calving rate, increase in number of inseminations at each conception and finally culling. The incidence of COD is ranges from 5-30%, due to the improper managemental system, and the prevalence of COD is 10-13% which is associated with selection, heredity, age, environment, improper nutrition, herd size, housing, high milk production, body condition score, lactation period, seasons, retained placenta, stress, metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalance. COD is generally at highest from 30 to 60 days of postpartum. The exact pathogenesis of COD is still not confirmed, but the abnormal neuroendocrine reflex of hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction, molecular alteration in growing follicle are important components. COD has been diagnosed by animal behavioral changes, nymphomania, anestrus, repeat breeding, pelvic ligament relaxation, tails head elevation, determination of progesterone level in plasma and milk by using kits of progesterone assay, and to confirm the diagnosis of COD, mostly trans rectal palpation and trans rectal ultrasonography methods have been used. COD should be treated by using different treatment protocols such as hormonal, medicinal and homeopathic medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study was to reduce acute discomfortness experienced in bulls during semen collection by electro ejaculation method. The normal electro ejaculation method of semen collection (Method I) was compared to a modified method involving three stages of graduated electrical stimulation (Method II) in four crossbred bulls. The results showed that intensive muscle spasm, bull struggling and arc back were reduced (p < 0.05), as well as the time of penile protrusion (p = 0.003) and semen emission (p = 0.084) were improved using Method II than Method I. However, the total time taken for semen collection was the same in both methods. Also, there were no significant differences in semen parameters such as sperm volume, motility, morphology, viability, and concentration. In conclusion, gradation of electrical stimulation into three stages (our modified Method II) could help to ease the collection of semen samples from bulls with minimum discomfort signs. Furthermore, the modified method is also recommended to use for other animals, in particular, the wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rising populations and urbanization are transforming into increased demand for livestock products, particularly in developing countries. The world will need more meat and more milk and in order to meet these demands, huge quantities of feed resources will be required. However, there is a substantial deficit of energy feeds affecting the growth and production of animals. The common method to increase energy value of ruminant diets is to provide them with fats. However, higher level of fats in the diet could prove toxic to rumen microbes and affect fibre digestibility, which ultimately results in reducing the feed intake and lowering animal production. These negative effects of fat supplementation can easily be overcome by feeding ruminants with specifically designed fats called rumen protected fats. In order to evaluate the efficacy of rumen protected fats (RPF), three different types of protected fats were examined in sheep. The results suggested that different types of protected fats have no unfavourable influences on the ruminal fermentation and productive parameters. Therefore, prilled fat, prilled fat with lecithin and calcium soaps did not improve animal performance as compared to the diet without protected fats in Dorper sheep. Rumen protected fats (RPF) are known to improve animal performance without affecting rumen metabolism in sheep. However, comparative effects of prilled fat, prilled fat with lecithin and calcium soap have not been fully studied. Hence this experiment was planned using 36 male Dorper sheep in a completely randomized design in four treatment groups. The diets included: Basal diet (70:30 concentrate to rice straw) with no added RPF as a control (CON), basal diet plus prilled fat (PF), basal diet plus prilled fat with lecithin (PFL) and basal diet plus calcium soap (CaS). The trial lasted 90 days following two weeks adaptation period. The body weights, average daily gain and gain to feed ratio were not affected by treatments. The intake and digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre were not affected, while those for ether extract and crude fibre differed (p < 0.05). RPF had no effect on concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids and total bacterial population. The concentrations of rumen total saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, total n − 3, total n − 6, unsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acids differed (p < 0.05) among the treatments with RPF supplementation. Hence supplementation of different types of protected fats did not influence animal performance in Dorper sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]