Efficiency Of Artificial Insemination Research Articles

Estrategia sostenible para mejorar la eficiencia de los servicios de inseminación artificial en ganado bovino en el trópico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) services in Holstein x Brahman cows under a heat induction programme. Three experiments were carried out. In Exp. 1, a retrospective analysis of the efficiency of AI insemination of 41 000 cows treated with the combination of progesterone and oestradiol benzoate or equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was carried out. In Exp. 2 it was evaluated 863 cows inseminated after heat induced with progesterone and oestradiol benzoate to know the physiological events that occur before and after service in herds with a high incidence of anoestrus. Gynaecological examinations and determination of progesterone in milk were performed. The purpose of Exp. 3 was to improve the effectiveness of AI services for cows in postpartum anoestrus treated with progesterone and oestradiol benzoate combined with a technique to identify and induce the return to service of females that did not conceive. Only 30% of the cows exceeded 40% conception. The best results were obtained when using eCG (47% vs 29%). The problems associated with the low conception rate were unfertilized oestrus, embryonic mortality and anoestrus after breeding (Exp. 2). The return to service induction technique increased (p<0.001) the conception rate of the second induced service and the percentage of accumulated pregnancy in the treated group compared to the control (69.0 and 32.0%, respectively) (Exp. 3).

Analysis of the relationship between the frequency of erythrocytes with micronuclei, semen quality and reproductive indicators in artificial insemination of foxes

Relevance. Reproductive biotechnologies are widely used in various branches of animal husbandry. Their scientifically based application shows high results in obtaining offspring. In fur-bearing cellular animal husbandry, reproductive biotechnology methods also give certain results. At the same time, in order to increase and predict the success in reproduction of fur-bearing animals, it is necessary to control the selection and selection of parental individuals, in particular male sperm donors during artificial insemination.Methods. The studies were performed in February — May 2023. The object of the study were ejaculate samples, peripheral blood smears of 16 silver-black fox males, as well as the corresponding results of artificial insemination (AI). To evaluate ejaculates, the following were studied: sperm concentration — by photometry, their percentage distribution by type of movement — on the ISAS system, sperm morphology — by microscopy. In peripheral blood smears, the frequency of occurrence of erythrocytes with micronuclei was determined using a micronucleus test (MTA). The results of the IO were evaluated by the number and percentage of pregnant and missing females, the number of live and dead puppies born.Results. The results showed that with the frequency of occurrence of erythrocytes with micronuclei above 2%, the sperm content in ejaculates was from 45 to 54.5% with non-accessible movement (type c), and from 22.7 to 44.2% stationary (type d). Also, abnormal sperm forms prevailed in the ejaculates of these males (63–83%), while 66–100% of missing females were noted. At the same time, males with MINTS of less than 1.5% demonstrated good ejaculate quality and high efficiency of artificial insemination.

A REVIEW ON EFFICIENCY OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE BREEDING IN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia has large cattle population in Africa. The output of decades of crossbreeding programme in Ethiopia through AI service was quite insignificant because the exotic breeds and their crossbreds of the country accounted for about 1.44%. The objective of this review is to present the efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) service in cattle breeding in Ethiopia. The optimum recommended mean number of services per conception (NSC) for profitable dairy cow is about 1.4. However, conventional cattle AI breeding indicated that the mean NSC of different studies ranged from 1.14 in local cows up to 2.47 in different genotypes of cows kept under different management systems and conception rate at first insemination (CR1) ranged from 7.14% to 75.5% in different genotypes of dairy cows kept under extensive and intensive management systems. Estrus synchronization followed AI breeding indicated that CR1 ranged from 24.69% to 70.6% in Zebu cows kept under semi-intensive management system. Calving rate (CR) is the most appropriate measure of fertility of dairy cows which is defined as the number of calves born per 100 services. The poor efficiency of the country cattle AI service is a huge biological economic loss in cattle production and managerial monetary losses. Strategic interventions on cattle AI service efficiency improvement options should be identified and practiced considering breed type, production system and agro-ecology.

Temperature Elevation during Semen Delivery Deteriorates Boar Sperm Quality by Promoting Apoptosis.

Semen delivery practice is crucial to the efficiency of artificial insemination using high-quality boar sperm. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a common semen delivery method, a Styrofoam box, under elevated temperatures on boar sperm quality and functionality and to investigate the underlying molecular responses of sperm to the temperature rise. Three pooled semen samples from 10 Duroc boars (3 ejaculates per boar) were used in this study. Each pooled semen sample was divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was stored at a constant 17 °C as the control group. Another one was packaged in a well-sealed Styrofoam box and placed in an incubator at 37 °C for 24 h to simulate semen delivery on hot summer days and subsequently transferred to a refrigerator at 17 °C for 3 days. The semen temperature was continuously monitored. The semen temperature was 17 °C at 0 h of storage and reached 20 °C at 5 h, 30 °C at 14 h, and 37 °C at 24 h. For each time point, sperm quality and functionality, apoptotic changes, expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK, and heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 were determined by CASA, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. The results showed that elevated temperature during delivery significantly deteriorated boar sperm quality and functionality after 14 h of delivery. Storage back to 17 °C did not recover sperm motility. An increased temperature during delivery apparently promoted the conversion of sperm early apoptosis to late apoptosis, showing a significant increase in the expression levels of Bax and Caspase 3. The levels of phosphorylated AMPK were greatly induced by the temperature rise to 20 °C during delivery but reduced thereafter. With the temperature elevation, expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 were notably increased. Our results indicate that a temperature increase during semen delivery greatly damages sperm quality and functionality by promoting sperm apoptosis. HSP70 and HSP90 could participate in boar sperm resistance to temperature changes by being associated with AMPK activation and anti-apoptotic processes.

Evaluation of Alfaglandin C and associated factors on efficiency of cows’ estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in North Shoa Oromia, Ethiopia

Synchronization of estrus involves handling the estrus cycle so that a large number of cows can be bred at approximately the same time. Proper cow/heifer selection as well as efficient coordination are all key elements for the success of synchronization programs which were lacking in the study area. The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effect of Alfaglandin C and fixed factors on estrus synchronization and efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) in North Shoa zone of the Oromia region. The study population encompassed indigenous and crossbred cows and heifers found in six purposively selected kebeles (smallest administrative unit within a district) from the three selected districts (Wucale, Dagam and Kuyuu). Multistage sampling procedure was used to select target districts, kebeles and experimental cows/heifers. A total of 180 cows and heifers fulfilling estrus synchronization criteria were selected purposively and injected with synchronizing hormone (Alfaglandin C). The level of significance among categorical variables was determined using the chi-square (x2) test. About 70.6% of the cows and heifers injected with Alfaglandin C exhibited estrus. Exhibition of estrus following hormone injection was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Wuchale district compared with that of the other two districts. Likewise, the agroecology, farming system, herd group, and breed had a significant (p<0.05) effect on estrus exhibition. Among cows and heifers inseminated following estrus exhibition, 62.2% conceived as confirmed by pregnancy diagnosis (PD) test conducted at 45-day post AI, which dropped to 58.3% as observed by the PD test conducted three months’ post AI. Agroecology, farming system, herd group, and genotype of cows and heifers showed significant (p<0.05) influence on the conception rate (CR). The highest CR was observed among cows of Kuyuu district, which was significantly (p<0.05) different from that of the other two districts. The overall calving rate was 91.1%. The semi-intensive part of the study also showed better estrus synchronization response and better reproductive performances which directly associated with the management practices. Treating industrial byproducts, better management, and promoting AI can achieve better estrus synchronization and efficiency of artificial insemination. Key words: alfaglandin C, calving rate, conception rate, district, estrus exhibition, pregnancy diagnosis

Efficiency of artificial insemination compared to natural mating in Aseel breed of chicken

Efficiency of artificial insemination compared to natural mating in Aseel breed of chicken

Bull sperm and seminal plasma proteins and their relationship with fertility: a review

The efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) is greatly influenced by the quality of semen. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma are found in semen, which play a role in the reproductive process and its ability to fertilize an egg and maintain the development of an embryo. Various factors will determine the fertility capacity of a sperm, both from the intrinsic factors of the sperm and the plasma component of the semen. Seminal plasma proteins are crucial for maintaining the stability of the membrane, viability, motility of spermatozoa, acrosome reactions, maintaining osmotic pressure and helping the fertilization process. Good quality semen will support the fertilization process. The purpose of this scoping review is to increase our understanding of protein from sperm and seminal plasma of bulls and their relationship with fertility. The sperm proteins that were significantly correlated with fertility were Outer Dense Fiber protein 2 (ODF2), Protamine (PRM), Testis specific histine 2B (TH2B), Phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein (PEBP4), and Ubiquinol-cytochrome-c reductase complex core protein 2 (UQCRSC2). Meanwhile, the seminal plasma proteins positively correlated with fertility were Osteopontin (OPN), Phospholipasea 2 (PLA2), P25b, Acidic seminal fluid proteins (aSFP), Alpha-L-fucosidase (a-L-fucosidase), and Binder of sperm (BSPs).

Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however poor success and, in some situations, high costs in Kenya, have been discouraging. Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy. A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya. Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant). Cattle with low P4 were inseminated. Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%. Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%). In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and nine of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.

Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic Churra Ewes.

Simple SummaryHormonal treatments used to synchronize estrus in sheep artificial insemination procedures can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, alternative protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option while reaching successful fertility results. Therefore, in this study, an artificial insemination protocol at natural estrus in organic Churra sheep was performed. In the protocol design phase, 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the number of inseminations, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection–insemination interval and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated in six consecutive years. In all ewes, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes, whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. In conclusion, exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes, avoiding physiological problems derived from the use of hormonal treatments.Hormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In this study, an AI protocol at natural estrus in organic Churra sheep was performed. In the first phase (AI protocol development), 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the following factors: number of AI, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection–AI interval, and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated for six consecutive years. In all individuals, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. Exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes.

In vitro storage of boar spermatozoa increases the demand of adenosine triphosphate for reactivation of motility.

Prolonging the shelf-life of liquid-preserved semen without compromising its fertilizing capacity may increase the efficiency of artificial insemination in pigs. Many fertilization-relevant processes are adenosine triphosphate dependent. The impact of semen storage and rewarming to body temperature on the energy status of spermatozoa is as yet unknown. To investigate the energy status of boar spermatozoa during storage and subsequent rewarming and to reveal the potential role of mitochondrial function for reactivation and maintenance of sperm motility. Extended semen samples (n=7 boars) were used. Spermatozoa were challenged by storage at 17°C for 7 days and incubation at 38°C for 180min. The adenosine triphosphate concentration and energy charge in semen samples and lactate concentration in the extracellular medium were assessed. Viability and mitochondrial activity were determined by flow cytometry, and clustered single-cell analysis of motility parameters was performed. The energy status was not affected by semen storage (p>0.05). Rewarming resulted in a net reduction in adenosine triphosphate concentration, which increased with storage time (maximum Day 5: -24.2±10.3%) but was not accompanied by a loss in viability, motility, or mitochondrial activity. Blocking glycolysis with 2-deoxy-d-glucose prevented the re-establishment of motility and mitochondrial activity after rewarming. Mitochondrial activity gradually subsided in virtually all spermatozoa during incubation at 38°C, while adenosine triphosphate and energy charge remained high. Concomitantly, extracellular lactate levels rose, and sperm populations with lower velocity, increased linearity, and low lateral head displacement grew larger. Size changes for major sperm subpopulations correlated with the percentage of viable spermatozoa with high mitochondrial activity (r=0.44-0.70 for individual subpopulations, p<0.01). Storage of boar spermatozoa increases the demand of adenosine triphosphate for reactivation of spermatozoa towards fast, non-linear, and hyperactivation-like motility patterns upon rewarming. Maintenance of glycolysis seems to be decisive for sperm function after long-term storage in vitro.

Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however high costs and often poor success rates have been discouraging. Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy. A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya. Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant). Cattle with low P4 were inseminated. Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%. Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%). In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and 9 of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.

Efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) Technology in Different dairy Herd Management Systems in the Southern Highland Zone (SHZ) of Tanzania

The objective of the study was to establish the information on the performance of Artificial Insemination (A.I) in different production systems in the Southern Highlands Zone of Tanzania. Three districts namely, Njombe, Mbeya and Mbozi were purposively selected for data collection in smallholder farms and three large scale farms of ASAS, Sao Hill and Kitulo were selected for data collection. Data from 1486 and 163 dairy cow’s records from large and smallholder farms, respectively were used and analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The overall number of services per conception (NSC) were 2.49 and 1.39 in smallholder farms and large farms, respectively. In smallholder farms, NSC was influenced by district, breed, parity, AI technician, age at first service, calving to first service Interval (CFSI) (days) and who detect heat. In large farms NSC was influenced by farm location, source of semen and effect of year. First service to conception (FSC) were 43.56% and 72.48% in smallholder farms and large farms, respectively. It was revealed that the value of NSC and FSC under smallholder farms were lower compared to recommended values, indicating inefficiency of AI performance under smallholder farmer’s conditions in SHZ of Tanzania. Contrary NSC and FSC under larger farms were good indicating that AI is efficiency under large farms in SHZ of Tanzania. Hence there is a need to train smallholder dairy farmers on heat detection and good herd management so as to improve dairy reproductive efficiency in the country.

Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however high costs and often poor success rates have been discouraging. Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy. A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya. Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant). Cattle with low P4 were inseminated. Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%. Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%). In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and 9 of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.

Hydroxytyrosol effectively improves the quality of pig sperm at 17 °C

Artificial insemination (AI) is a proven breeding technology which has been widely used in pig reproduction. Low temperature can cause very serious damage to pig sperm below 15 °C and the situation is even more serious at lower temperature. Besides, the preservation of pig sperm is mainly carried out at 17 °C because of its outstanding performance in pig reproduction. However, the accumulation of a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the preservation process is the main reason for the deterioration of sperm quality. In our research, by adding different concentrations of hydroxytyrosol to the diluent during the storage of pig sperm at 17 °C, we compared them with the traditional diluent to study the sperm motility, the cumulative amount of ROS, the extent of sperm membrane damage, the sperm acrosome integrity, the sperm DNA damage and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, T-AOC, SOD, GSH-PX, MDA) to evaluate the effect of hydroxytyrosol on the sperm quality during storage. We used proteomics sequencing technology to monitor difference in sperm protein between the control samples and the addition of 120 μmol/L hydroxytyrosol samples (optimum concentration) after three days storage. Ultimately, we selected the control samples and the addition of 120 μmol/L hydroxytyrosol samples to test the effect of AI. The results of our research showed that during storage of pig sperm at 17 °C, the sperm quality and antioxidant capacity of the hydroxytyrosol-treated samples significantly improved (HT 120 μmol/L) (P < 0.05). Proteomics sequencing analysis proved that the addition of 120 μmol/L hydroxytyrosol treatment samples had potential value in improving sperm quality. The significant increase in sow pregnancy rate and piglet birth weight proved that hydroxytyrosol had important practical value in pig reproduction. Based on our results, we demonstrated that the addition of hydroxytyrosol to the diluent could improve the quality of pig sperm and the efficiency of AI.

PSX-B-28 Reproductive function of sows with the using of feed additive “Verva”

Abstract The aim of the study was to study the effect of the feed additive “Verva” on the reproductive ability of sows and the recovery of their sexual cyclicity. Fir triterpenic acids are the main active ingredient of the feed additive. The study was conducted on 80 sows of the large white breed. Experimental and control groups were formed: GE (n=50), GC (n=30). GE sows from the 80th day of pregnancy for 30 days were additionally given “Verva” at a dose of 3 g per head per day. GC sows weren’t given the “Verva”. Hunting was detected within seven days after weaning the piglets. Artificial insemination was performed twice and the effectiveness was determined on day 28 by ultrasound. The number, weight of newborn piglets in GE and GC don’t differ significantly. By weaning, 10.94±0.17 heads were obtained from one sow in GE, which is 9.1% (p &amp;lt; 0.01) more than in GC. By weaning, the weight of the nest (total weight of piglets) in GC was 66.72=2.13 kg, which is 7.3% (p &amp;lt; 0.05) less than in GE. The “Verva” has a positive effect on the activation of sexual cyclicity: in GE, 95.3% of animals came to the hunt, and in GC-by 4.4% less. On the 4th day after weaning the piglets, 34.1% of the animals came to the hunt in GE, 40% in GC, on the 5th day–46.3% in GE and 50% in GC. On the 6th, 7th days in GE, 17.1% and 2.1% of sows came to the hunt, and in GC, 10.0% and 0.0%, respectively. The efficiency of artificial insemination in GE was 95.4%, which is 13.5% higher than in GC. The “Verva” has a positive effect on the milk production of sows, preserves their progeny, sexual cyclicity after weaning piglets, increases the duration of economic use of animals.

Cryotolerance of equine spermatozoa correlates with specific fatty acid pattern: A pilot study

Sperm cryopreservation represents a powerful tool for horse breeding. To improve the efficiency of artificial insemination in the horse using cryopreserved spermatozoa, an adequate understanding of the underlying biophysical properties that affect sperm cryosurvival needs to be reached yet. In this pilot study, we described isolation and analysis of the main fatty acids from sperms of stallions classified as good and poor freezers (7 GF and 5 PF, according to sperm motility and viability, before and after cryopreservation). Fatty acid profiles were only assessed in pre-thaw sperms. Eight main fatty acids were identified, using gas chromatography, and their contents were expressed as percentage of the total lipid content. We found that lauric, myristic and oleic acid (C12:0, C14:0 and C18:1n9c) turned out to be about 2-fold more abundant in the sperm cells of the GFs compared with PFs. Moreover, we described for the first time the presence of a very high amount of a trans geometrical isomer of linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid (C18:2n6t), in pre-thaw PF spermatozoa. Notably, we found in fresh sperms of PF stallions a ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids which was twice that of those of GF group, suggesting a positive effect of a high saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acid ratio for the “freezability” of equine spermatozoa. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the relationships between specific fatty acids and cryotolerance of equine spermatozoa, also providing a graphical classification and additional information about the dominant variables governing the classification process.

Synergistic effect of royal jelly in combination with glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide on cryoprotection of Romanov ram sperm

Sperm fertility decreases significantly after freezing. Providing a suitable and useful diluent compound for freezing ram sperm can increase the efficiency of artificial insemination and consequently, the reproductive performance of sheep. Various biological properties such as antibacterial, anti-cancer, immunosuppressive, antioxidant and reproductive properties of royal jelly (RJ) are well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible synergistic effect of royal jelly in combination with glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in sperm cryopreservation extender of Romanov ram. The pooled semen samples from 5 Romanov rams were allocated into 3 experiments. The effect of 6% DMSO, 6% glycerol and a combination of 3% DMSO +3% glycerol co-supplemented with 1, 2 and 3% RJ was evaluated in 3 experiments. Samples were frozen by conventional slow freezing method and post-thaw parameters of total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA damage, apoptosis, enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. The results showed that the percentage of motility, progressive motility, TAC, GPx, SOD and all sperm kinematic parameters except LIN in the group containing 2% RJ + 6% DMSO was higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Some parameters such as progressive motility, sperm membrane integrity, TAC, GPx, VAP, VCL, STR and SRT in the group containing 2% RJ + 6% DMSO were more than (p < 0.05) in the sperm group containing 1% RJ + 6% DMSO. MDA values in sperm groups containing 2% RJ + 6% DMSO were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the sperm containing 1% royal jelly and the control group. In the sperm group containing 2% RJ + 6% glycerol, sperm membrane integrity, TAC, GPx, SOD, progressive motility and all sperm kinematic parameters except VAP were higher and MDA values and sperm abnormalities were lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The sperm group containing 1% RJ and 3% DMSO +3% glycerol had higher motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity, and all sperm kinematic parameters except VSL; and lower sperm abnormalities, DNA damage, apoptosis and MDA than the control group (p < 0.05). As a general conclusion of this study, the addition of 2% RJ + 3% DMSO and 3% glycerol to the freezing extender improved microscopic and biochemical ram sperm parameters after the freeze-thaw process. Hence, moderate concentrations of royal jelly (2%) are sufficient to protect sperm from freezing damage, and high (3%) and low (1%) concentrations do not have a good cryoprotective effect.

Risk Factors for the Efficiency of Artificial Insemination in Dairy Cows and Economic Impact of Failure of First Service Insemination in and around Haramaya Town, Oromia Region, Eastern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 in and around Haramaya Town to study the risk factors of artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cattle and evaluate the economic impact of failure of first service AI. A questionnaire survey and field follow-up were employed for collecting data from cattle owners and artificial insemination technicians (AITs) who were selected purposively. Out of the 221 inseminated cows and heifers, the overall conception rate was 60.2% (n = 133). The conception rate was statistically different between breed (P=0.019) and insemination time (P=0.049). From a total of 133 conceived cows and heifers, the conception rate was 68 (53.54%) in local breeds and 65 (69.15%) in cross breeds. Parity, age of cows, inseminator experience, and body condition of cows did not create a significant difference in conception rate (P > 0.05). Failure to conceive at their first AI results in an extra cost of 440 ETB per day until conception. Therefore, to increase the conception rate, dairy cows should be inseminated early when they show signs of estrous; the owners of dairy cows should be trained on how to detect estrous signs in dairy cows and AI technicians should also take training in order to improve their skills.

Basic principles of nuclear techniques and applications in livestock production

It is known. that many of the advances which have been made in improving the feeding, fertility and health of livestock in developed countries would not have been possible without nuclear tech-niques. Nuclear techniques have been used by scientists to study and understand those biological processes which are responsible for growth, reproduction and disease resistance in animals. Tracer tech-niques based on isotopes have been used for tagging feed constituents, amino acids and other metabolites, whereby their fate .can be fol-lowed within the digestive system and other parts of the body. This forms an integral part of the armoury used by animal nutritionists to establish the nutri-tional value of all the materials potentially available to feed animals. The development and use of highly sensi­tive immunoassay methods, to measure the minute quantities. of reproductive hormones in the blood enables us to determine when. animals are ready- for breeding, check whether animals have been inseminated at the correct time, diagnose pregnancy early enough, and devise corrective measures for reproductive disorders and improve the efficiency of artificial insemination and embryo transfer programmes. Radioisotopic methods have been used to study the immune system. to examine infec­tious agents and how they Stimulate this system, and to develop specific and sensitive methods for development of veterinary vaccines and diagnostic tests.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ МЕТОДОВ ГОРМОНОСТИМУЛЯЦИИ ПОЛОВОЙ ФУКЦИИ У ТЕЛОК СЛУЧНОГО ВОЗРАСТА МЯСНЫХ ПOРOД

It is established in farms of various organizational and legal forms of ownership that 37.8% of meat calves of accidental age have a delay in sexual activity and remain barren for a long time. Studies have revealed that the duration of the sexual cycle in calves of accidental age with one wave growth of follicles is 19 days, in calves with two waves of follicle growth - 21 days, three - 24 days and four waves of growth - 28 days. The degree of anaphrodesia and the duration of infertility depends on the functional state of the ovaries of the calves, which is determined by the activity of the yellow body and the age of the dominant and subdominant follicles. Introduction of gonadotropic preparations into the hormone-stimulation program stabilizes ovarian processes, shortens the timing of hunting, ovulation and increases the efficiency of artificial insemination. The prolongation of the luteal phase and the delay of the first ovulation is most frequently recorded, which is the main reason for the lack of resumption of ovarian cycling. The effect of using the drug surphagon before insemination of calves of accidental age was 20.0%, and in combination with progesterone - 34.0%, animals injected with surphagon against the background of GFCV - the effect was 66.0%. The use of synthetic prostoglandins in the period from 6 to 18 days of the sex cycle, the effect is - clatraprostin 50.0%, estufalan, 50.0%, but estrophane 46.7%. The combination of clatraprastine with GSLC gave an effect of 69.4%, follitropine 72.2%, the use of estufalan with GSLC 71.4%, and with follitropine 70.3%. Introduction of superfan with HPLC gives an effect of 71,%, a with follitropine 72.9%. The use of hormonal preparations of follimag and magestrophan is effective at values not lower than 0.5 ng/ml of progesterone. At progesterone concentrations above 3.5 ng/ml and estradiol values not lower than 19.5 ± 0.13 pkg/ml, it is advisable to include surphagon in dose 10.0 ml in the treatment scheme. The materials of the current work should be taken into account in the future, when carrying out hormone stimulation of the reproducibility of meat breeds, as a concept of increasing the effectiveness of biotechnological measures to intensify the reproduction of the mother herd of animals of the meat direction of productivity.