EFFECT OF UTERINE LAVAGE, LEVAMISOLE, PGF2α AND ITS COMBINATIONS ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CERVICO-VAGINAL MUCUS AND RECOVERY RATE IN THE ENDOMETRIC BUFFALOES

The objective of this study was to compare uterine lavage, Levamisol s/c, PGF2α i/m and its combinations on haematological indices, bacterial load in cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) and therapeutic response in endometritic buffaloes. Thirty six repeat breeder buffaloes were randomly assigned into six equal groups. Six animals were kept as positive control (no treatment, only sexual rest, T0 ), and the rests were assigned to five treatment group, i.e., T1 (uterine lavage), T2 (Levamisol SQ ), T3 (PGF2α IM ), T4 (uterine lavage plus Levamisol s/c) and T5 (uterine lavage plus PGF2α IM ). Significant (p<0.05) decline in bacterial load and TLC values were recorded after treatment over pretreatment ones in all five treatment groups. Furthermore, Hb, TEC and PCV increased significantly after treatment as compared to control one. Significant drop in neutrophils and rise in lymphocytes was recorded post-treatment in all treatment groups. The eosinophil, basophil and monocytes did not differ significantly within and amongst the groups. The therapeutic response was 33.33, 50.00, 66.67, 66.67, 83.33 and 83.33% in T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The corresponding conception rates were 16.67, 33.33, 50.00, 50.00, 66.67 and 66.67 %. The results conclude that, uterine lavage along with Levamisol or PGF2α can be used effectively to manage endometrtitic buffaloes.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the estrus response, conception rate and plasma profile of progesterone, protein and cholesterol following use of different hormonal protocols in anestrus and repeat breeding buffaloes. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 20 true anestrus, 20 repeat breeders, and 10 normal cyclic buffaloes. Ten anestrus buffaloes each were treated with standard controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) i/vg device and Ovsynch (GPG) protocols with fix timed artificial insemination (FTAI), and blood samples were obtained on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) of treatment and day 21 post-AI. Ten repeat breeding buffaloes with mature mid-cycle palpable corpus luteum (CL) were treated with i/m injection of 25 mg prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) with FTAI twice at 72 and 96 h later, whereas other ten repeat breeding buffaloes in standing estrus were inseminated with simultaneous i/m injection of buserelin acetate-gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) 20 μg. 10 buffaloes exhibiting first estrus within 90 days postpartum and inseminated without any treatment served as normal cyclic control. Blood samples were obtained on day of PG injection, day of AI and day 21 post-AI for estimation of plasma progesterone, protein, and cholesterol. Results: CIDR and Ovsynch protocols resulted in 100 and 80% induction of estrus with conception rates of 40 and 30% at induced estrus, respectively, in anestrus buffaloes. Mid-cycle PGF2α treatment resulted in 90% estrus induction and 40% conception rate at induced estrus, while Buserelin acetate-GnRH 20 μg injection at AI resulted in 30% conception rate in repeat breeders. In normal cyclic control group also, the first service conception rate was 30%. The mean plasma progesterone concentrations on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) of treatment and on day 21 post-AI were found to be significantly (p<0.05) different in both CIDR and Ovsynch protocols, being higher on day 7 (day of PG injection) and on day 21 post-AI than on day 0 and 9/10 (FTAI), which were near basal levels. The mean plasma progesterone level was significantly (p<0.01) higher on the day of initiation of mid-cycle PGF2α treatment (3.81±0.67 ng/ml) in a repeat breeding buffaloes suggesting luteal phase. The mean plasma P4 levels on day 21 post-AI were significantly (p<0.01) higher than on the day of estrus in both repeat breeders and in normal cyclic controls. The plasma P4 value on day 21 post-AI was significantly (p<0.01) higher in conceived than non-conceived buffaloes in all five groups. The mean plasma total cholesterol and total protein concentrations in anestrus and repeat breeding buffaloes under different treatments did not vary significantly between sampling days. However the cholesterol content was significantly (p<0.05) lower (79.96±2.17 vs. 92.27±6.04 mg/dl) and protein higher (8.14±0.73 vs. 7.69±0.59 g/dl) in conceived than non-conceived animals. In both anestrus and repeat breeding buffaloes, the values of cholesterol and protein were significantly lower than in normal cyclic control group (138.04±11.98 mg/dl and 7.82±0.11 g/dl, respectively). Conclusion: The results showed that CIDR was better than Ovsynch protocol in inducing fertile estrus in anestrus buffaloes, while mid-cycle PG treatment was superior over AI + GnRH in repeat breeders, and all four treatment protocols significantly influenced plasma P4 profile, but not the protein or cholesterol.

The present study was carried out with the objective to know the calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in serum of repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes during oestrus. On the day of estrus, blood samples were collected from 35 buffaloes with a history of repeat breeding (RB) and 35 normal cycling (NC) buffaloes for mineral estimation. In the second part of the study, 35 repeat breeder (RBS) buffaloes were treated with a mineral mixture given orally for 10 days at the dosage rate of 150 g per day whereas other 35 repeat breeder buffaloes were given no mineral mixture (RBC). The overall pregnancy rate as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rate was calculated. The serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in RB buffaloes as compared to NC buffaloes. Sodium concentrations differed non-significantly between repeat breeder and normal cyclic buffaloes. Repeat breeder buffaloes (RBS) when fed orally 150 g per day of the mineral mixture for 10 days, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd service pregnancy rates were 42, 25 and 20%, while, overall pregnancy rate in these animals was 87%; whereas in repeat breeder control buffaloes, the overall pregnancy rate was 21%. In conclusion, the concentrations of macro and micro minerals were significantly lower in repeat breeder buffaloes and mineral mixtures should be added in the food stuff to improve reproductive efficiency of repeat breeder buffaloes. Keywords: Buffalo, repeat breeder, minerals, pregnancy rate African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol. 13(10), pp. 1143-1146, 5 March, 2014

A study was conducted under field conditions in Amul and Panchamrut milk-shed areas of Gujarat on 30 postpartum cows and buffaloes each of average body condition score without any visible or palpable genital abnormalities. These comprised of 20 repeat breeding (10 PG treated and 10 untreated control) and 10 normal cyclic control animals in each class. The aim was to evaluate and compare the fertility response as well as plasma progesterone and biochemical profile of repeat breeders to i/m injection of PGF2α 25 mg at mid-cycle with fix timed AI (FTAI) twice 72 and 96 hrs later (Gr-I), with those of untreated repeat breeder (Gr-II) and normal cyclic (Gr-III) controls. The oestrus induction response obtained with mid-cycle PG treatment in both cows and buffaloes was 100% within mean intervals of 53.79±2.18 and 61.16±5.21 h, respectively, from the day of PG injection. The conception rates at induced/first oestrus and overall of 3 cycles in cows were 50 and 70%, and in buffaloes 60 and 70.00%, respectively. The corresponding first service and overall conception rates in untreated repeat breeder cows were 20 and 30% and buffaloes 20 and 40%, respectively, and in normal cyclic control cows 50 and 80% and in buffaloes 40 and 70%. The repeat breeding cows and buffaloes had significantly (P<0.01) higher plasma progesterone (4.73±0.37 and 4.43±0.43 ng/ml) at the time of PGF2α injection suggesting that they all had midcycle functional CL on the ovary. This PG injection caused rapid luteolysis and drastic (P<0.01) reduction in plasma progesterone concentrations within next 72 hrs when FTAI was done. The levels further rose significantly by day 21 post-AI due to establishment of pregnancy in 50–60 per cent of treated animals. The levels of plasma protein, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by treatment or reproductive status of animals, except that among cows the minerals were significantly higher in normal cyclic than repeat breeders. Thus, the results with mid-cycle PG protocol in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes were better or at par with normal cyclic controls (50–80%), as against only 20–40% in untreated repeat breeding control groups. Hence, the midcycle PGF2α treatment protocol can be used in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes under field conditions, provided animals have a palpable CL at the time of PG treatment and are not bred during previous cycle.

Avaliou-se o efeito da lavagem uterina pós-parto com solução de NaCl a 0,9% ou iodo-povidine a 0,4% em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida (PSC), em relação aos índices de concepção pós-parto (p.p.). Foram comparadas as taxas de concepção de 27 éguas, sem qualquer manipulação uterina (Controle), 57 éguas com solução de NaCl (I), 36 éguas com iodopovidine (II) e 15 éguas apresentando retenção de placenta, que sofreram lavagem uterina com as duas soluções. Concluiu-se que as lavagens uterinas p.p., independentemente da substância utilizada, influenciaram negativamente a involução e a preparação do útero para a concepção, só estando indicadas em éguas com retenção de placenta, desde que aplicadas até o 3º. ou 4º. dia p.p.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of double dose PG protocol and CIDR implants in combination with different hormones for treatment of repeat breeding buffaloes. 45 repeat breeding buffaloes were selected randomly from field and divided into three groups. Group-I (n=15) animals inseminated during normal estrus cycle without any hormonal therapy and kept as control. Group-II (n=15) treated with two doses of 500 μg of PGF2α injection at 11d interval and at the time of artificial insemination treated with 0.02mg GnRH injection. Group-III (n=15) treated with an intra vaginal P4 device (CIDR implant) for 7 days and PGF2α was given intramuscularly 24 hrs prior to CIDR removal, after 48 to 72hrs AI done with GnRH inj. Per-rectal pregnancy diagnosis was performed 60th day post AI. The conception rate was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in Group II (60 %) and Group III buffaloes (66.67 %) when compared with Group I buffaloes (26.67 %). 66.67 % of buffaloes treated with CIDR implants and 73.33 % of buffaloes treated double dose PGF2α have shown the estrus duration upto 18-24h. Results indicate both protocols certainly bring the buffaloes under normal estrus and also increase in the conception rate.

Repeat breeders are the animals with more than 3 to 4 inseminations after calving having regular cyclicity yet failed to conceive. Therefore, it is considered as one of the most emerging and frustrated reproductive disorders among dairy herds in Nepal that hinders favorable productivity and causes heavy economic losses to the livelihood of the farmers. We performed a systemic review to be acquainted with hormonal therapy as a treatment of repeat breeding. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current information about the ongoing methods in the treatment of repeat breeders. Based on the review of articles, it was found that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration improved the conception rate in repeat breeder buffaloes and cows bearing dominant follicle in the ovary. In repeat breeder buffaloes and heifers with predominant corpus luteum and adequate body condition score (BCS), administration of PGF2α increased the pregnancy rates. Conception rate with Ovsynch protocol (GnRH-PGF2α -GnRH-TAI) usually was improved when initiation of program done during mid-diestrus i.e. days 5-12 of estrus cycle. Exogenous progesterone administration resulted in increased serum progesterone level during PGF2α injection that usually improves fertility of lactating dairy cows. In conclusion, hormonal treatment is considered to be most effective treatment to mitigate the problems of repeat breeding syndrome in Nepal. However, the first step of treatment involves good care, nutrition, better oestrus detection, timely insemination, periodic deworming to control parasite load and management of mating with bulls.

The present study was conducted in 4 repeat breeding and 4 cyclic graded Murrah buffaloes to see the efficacy of AISURE herbal oral liquid feed supplement on conception rate. AISURE herbal oral liquid feed supplement was drenched to all 8 buffaloes immediate after artificial insemination. Out of 4 repeat breeding buffaloes 2 (50 %) were conceived on first AI and 1 (50 %) buffalo conceived on second time AI and one not at all conceived. From the 4 cyclic buffaloes all 4 (100 %) were conceived on first AI. 75 per cent overall conception rate was observed. It is observed that AISURE herbal oral liquid feed supplement is useful in increasing the conception rate in buffaloes.

Effectiveness of Ozone Therapy in The Treatment of Endometritis in Mares

Effects of cervical dilation and intrauterine infusions on the timing of oviductal transport of equine embryos

The goal of the current study was to assess the efficacy of powder Harbominvit in non-infectious repeat breeder buffaloes with a selective test such as white side test, cervical pH, PMNs cell count, Fern patten and estimation of serum phosphorous. 24 buffaloes that tested negative for white side test was chosen for the current study out of a total of 51 buffaloes that underwent the test from Nanded and Parbhani districts of Marathwada region in Maharashtra under infertility camps organized by NDDB, Mother dairy, and Collage of animal and veterinary science Parbhani. MAFSU. In the Treatment group at day 0 before treatment repeat breeder buffaloes showed a Mean ± SE cervical pH value was 7.38±0.07 while the Control group showed a Mean ± SE cervical pH value was 7.59±0.08. The white side test was 100% negative for both groups. The mean ± SE value for PMN cell count for the Treatment group is 2.67±0.31 while the Control group was 2.08±0.22. The mean ± SE value for serum phosphorus value for the Treatment group before treatment is 3.81a±0.11 and after treatment is 4.937a±0.18 while the Control group shows before 3.68a±0.09 and after treatment 4.17a±0.20 and mean ± SE value for Fern pattern for Treatment group and Control group was 0.750±0.13 and 0.66±0.14 respectively. The conception rates in buffaloes of Group 1 with the treatment of powder Harbominvit and Group 2 with no treatment serve as control were 75% (09/12), and 41.66 % (05/12) respectively (Table 2). The overall conception rate in the present study was 58.33% (14/24) in non-infectious repeat-breeding buffaloes. As an herbal combination with chelated minerals and some vitamins has best conception rate in non-infectious repeat breeder buffaloes having the advantage of reducing the cost of treatment in repeat breeding as compared to other treatment protocols.

Repeat breeding in cattle inversely affects the profitability of dairy industry by decreasing the conception rate. Selected 18 repeat breeder cows reared under ideal farm conditions and divided them in to three groups of six animals each viz., group I, II and III with four primiparous cows and two second parity cows in each group. The cows in group I were treated with intrauterine preparation containing aqueous solution of povidone iodine (5%w/v) and metronidazole (1%w/v) (Utrodin IU), followed by uterine lavage with 120 mL of normal saline and inseminated them in the oestrus after skipping the first heat. The animals in group II were treated with an IM injection of buserelin acetate (Gynarich) post AI. The cows in group III were treated with both Utrodin IU and Gynarich post AI. The conception rate observed in group I, II and III were 66.67% (4/6 cows), 66.67% (4/6 cows) and 83.33% (5/6 cows), respectively. The results of the study indicated that combined use of intrauterine preparation containing metronidazole and povidone iodine, along with GnRH was more satisfactory than their individual use in improving the conception rate of repeat breeder Frieswal cattle under farm conditions in Kerala.Â

The present study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of subclinical endometritis due to bacterial infection in repeat breeder buffaloes.One hundred sixty three repeat breeder buffaloes were screened in various organised farm in and around Jabalpur (M.P).All the selected repeat breeder buffaloes were subjected for screening by physical examination, per rectal examination, cervico-vaginal mucus examination, Whiteside test and endometrial cytology.All the animals found positive for subclinical endometritis were subjected to bacterial isolation.On the basis of endometrial cytology by cytobrush technique 19.63 per cent repeat breeder buffaloes were diagnosed to be suffering from subclinical endometritis.Endometrial cytology by cytobrush technique revealed polymorphonuclear cell percentage in repeat breeder buffaloes found positive and negative for subclinical endometritis to be 9.700.80and 2.190.09per cent, respectively.The difference between the repeat breeder buffaloes found positive and negative for subclinical endometritis for PMN percentage was significant (p<0.05).Total 17.17 per cent repeat breeder buffalo were positive for subclinical endometritis due to bacterial infection.Among these 28 bacterial isolates 12 (42.85%)samples yielded single while 16 (57.15%)samples yielded mixed isolates.Among the 28 bacterial isolates 20 (45.45%) Staphylococcus species was most prevalent followed by 12 (27.27%) of Streptococcus species, 8 (18.18%) of Bacillus species and 6 (13.64%) of E. coli.It was concluded that occurrence of subclinical endometritis due to bacterial infection was 17.17 per cent and Staphylococcus species (45.45%) was most prevalent among the bacterial isolates obtained. HIGHLIGHTSm Occurrence of subclinical endometritis due to bacterial infection was 17.17 per cent.m Staphylococcus species (45.45%) was most prevalent among the bacterial isolates obtained.

An on-farm trial for 90 days was conducted using 20 anestrus and 20 repeat breeder buffaloes to evaluate the effect of supplementing appropriate mineral mixtures (AMMs) on their nutrient intake, blood profile, estrus occurrence, and conception. Both anestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes were randomly allotted to 2 treatments, i.e., T1 (Ionic mineral mixture) and T2 (T1 + 25% extra zinc in the chelate form). The average intake of DCP, TDN, and copper in anestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes calculated as per information collected from farmers were almost the same among treatments and as per requirements of animals. The average intake of calcium and phosphorus was higher by 65% and 45% than the requirements in anestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes. However, Zn intake was lower by about 35% of the requirement in all treatments. Blood glucose, serum total protein, and serum albumin levels increased marginally on supplementation of T1 and T2 mineral mixtures for 90 days, particularly in anestrus buffaloes. The serum triglycerides and total cholesterol increased, but non-significantly (p &gt;0.05), particularly in T1 groups of both anestrus and repeat breeder animals, whereas levels of BUN and creatinine increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in both the groups of repeat breeders and T1 group of anestrus buffaloes. Activities of serum alkaline phosphatase decreased non-significantly, whereas those of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases remained mostly unaltered. In contrast, the serum Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, and Zn concentration increased significantly (p less than 0.05; p less than 0.01) following 90 days supplementation of T1 and T2 minerals in both anestrus and repeat breeders. The number of days taken for return to the heat of anestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes as well as the cost of feeding was reduced upon supplementation of T2 as compared to T1 mineral mixture. The study showed the beneficial role of mineral supplementation in improving the health and reproductive status of infertile buffaloes.

An on-farm trial for 90 days was conducted using 20 anoestrus and 20 repeat breeder buffaloes to evaluate the effect of supplementing appropriate mineral mixtures (AMMs) on their return to heat. Anoestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes were randomly allotted to 2 treatments i.e. T1 (Ionic mineral mixture) and T2 (T1 + 25% extra zinc in chelate form). Average DMI, DCPI and TDNI in anoestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes calculated as per information collected from farmers were comparable among treatments. Average intake of calcium, phosphorus and copper was higher than the requirements in anoestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes. However, Zn intake was lower by about 65% of the requirement in all treatments. Blood glucose ranged from 57.4 to 62.4 mg/dl in T1 and T2 groups of anoestrus and repeat breeder buffaloes. On supplementing the T2 mineral mixture, the level of total protein, serum albumin, globulin, triglycerides and cholesterol increased (P&lt;0.01), whereas, level of BUN and creatinine decreased significantly in both groups of anestrous and repeat breeder buffaloes than in buffaloes supplemented with T1. Activities of serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferases and aspartate aminotransferases increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) on T2 supplementation. Number of days taken for return to heat of anoestrous and repeat breeder buffaloes as well as cost of feeding reduced upon supplementation with T2 from T1 mineral mixture.