Egyptian Buffalo Bulls Research Articles

Impact of Dietary Moringa Oleifera Leaves Supplementation on Semen Characteristics, Oxidative Stress, Physiological Response and Blood Parameters of Heat Stressed Buffalo Bulls

This study aimed to evaluate dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) on semen quality, oxidative stress, thermal regulation and health status of heat stressed buffalo bulls. Eighteen sexually mature Egyptian buffalo bulls were divided into three groups, 6 in each. Bulls in G1 were fed ration composed of concentrate fed mixture (CFM), berseem hay and rice straw (control). Bulls in G2 and G3 were fed the same CFM supplemented with MOL at levels of 4 and 8% of CFM, respectively for one month pre-semen collection and 4 months as semen collection period. Semen was collected twice weekly and evaluated for percentages of individual motility (IM), livability (SL), abnormality (SA) and damaged acrosome (DA) of sperm cells. Response of spermatozoa to hypo-osmotic test (percentage of curled spermatozoa) at 50 mOsm/l for 30 min was also recorded. Rectal (RT) and skin (ST) temperatures, respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) were recorded. Blood samples were taken pre-treatment and during 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th months of semen collection to determine hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV%), count of red (RBCs) and white (WBCs) blood cells. Concentration of total proteins (TP), albumin (AL), globulin (GL), glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), urea, uric acid, creatinine (Cr) and testosterone, as well activity of AST, ALT, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione (GSH) were determined in blood serum. Concentration of TG and TC, and activity of AST, ALT, SOD, catalase and GSH were estimated also in seminal plasma. Results showed that RT and ST, RR and PR decreased (P<0.05) in G3 than in G2 and G1. Each of RT and ST, RR and PR increased (P<0.05) up to 3rd collection month, then decreased at the 4th collection month in association with THI values. Percentage of IM, SL, SA, CT and DA were improved (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 as compared to G1, being the best (P<0.05) in G3. All previous parameters were improved (P<0.05) by advancing collection month. Both TC and TG in seminal plasma decreased (P<0.05) in G3 as compared to G1 and G2. Activity of AST and ALT decreased (P<0.05), while catalase, GSH and SOD activities increased (P<0.05) in seminal plasma of G2 and G3 as compared to G1. Each of TC, ALT, catalase, GSH and SOD in seminal plasma increased (P<0.05), while TG decreased (P<0.05) by advancing collection month, while AST was not affected. Serum testosterone con­centration was higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1, being the highest in G3. Each of PCV, Hb and RBCs were higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1, being the highest in G3, while WBCs showed (P<0.05) an opposite trend (P<0.05). Each of Hb, RBCs and WBCs increased (P<0.05) one month after treatment, then Hb and RBC increased (P<0.05), while PCV and WBCs decreased (P<0.05) at the 4th collection month. Serum TP, AL and GLU increased (P<0.05) in G3 as compared to G1 and G2, while GL was not affected by treatment. By advancing collection month, concentration of TP, AL, GL and glucose showed gradual increase (P<0.05). Concentration of TG and TC reduced (P<0.05) in G2 and G3, while HDL increased (P<0.05) in G3 as compared to G1. However, LDL was not affected by treatment. Concentration of TG decreased (P<0.05), while HDL increased (P<0.05) by advancing collection month. Concentration of TC and LDL showed fluctuated trend of change at different collection months (P<0.05). Serum urea decreased (P<0.05) in G3, while uric acid, creatinine, AST and ALT decreased (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 as compared to G1. Urea and uric acid decreased (P<0.05) during one month before semen collection and at the 3rd collection month, respectively. However, Cr, AST and ALT decreased (P<0.05) by advancing collection month. Catalase, GSH and SOD increased (P<0.05) in G2 and G3, being the highest in G3. All antioxidant enzymes increased (P<0.05) by advancing collection month, being at higher rate for SOD, followed by GSH and the lowest for catalase during month pre-treatment. The current study can conclude that, moringa oleifera leaves could be used as feed additive to help farmers for sustainable development of breeding bulls. Results of this study recommended that daily adding 240 g moringa oleifera leaves per buffalo bull for one month pre-semen collection or at a level of 8% of concentrate feed mixture in diets of buffalo bulls can improve quality and production of semen without any adverse effects on health status under hot climatic conditions in Egypt.

Effect of Leptin and Melatonin as Protective Additives to Tris Extender on Frozen Semen Quality of Buffalo Bulls

This study was conducted at Animal Production Research Station, El-Gemmezah, belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, Egypt, in cooperation with Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura university. Aim of the current study was to evaluate the possible effects of leptin and melatonin as a protective additive in Tris-extender on frozen semen quality of buffalo bulls. Five sexually mature Egyptian buffalo bulls (aged 4 to 5 years) with an average live body weight of (450-500 kg). All bulls were fed on the same diet. Semen was collected, twice a week for 4 wk (40 ejaculates for each bulls), using artificial vagina. The collected ejaculates (mass motility of more than 70%) were pooled, evaluation, divided into 7 replicates and frozen. Semen was extended in Tris- egg yolk extender as unsupplemented (T1), or supplemented with leptin (10, 20 and 50 ng/ml in T2, T3 and T4, or melatonin (10-3M, 10-6M and 10-9M in T5, T6 and T7), respectively. Semen was diluted , equilibrated at 50C for 4 h and frozen in liquid nitrogen. After storage for 4 weeks, frozen straws were thawed at 370C for 30 sec. Semen was evaluated in post-dilution, post-equilibrated and post-thawed semen. Various sperm parameters including percentage of individual motility (IM), dead sperm (DS) and sperm abnormality (SA) were determined. In the seminal plasma of thawed semen, activity of AST, ALT and LDH was measured. Total of 12 buffalo cows in heat were inseminated by semen extended with T1, T3 and T5 to determine conception rate (CR). Pregnancy rate was measured by rectal palpation on day 50 after (AI). The obtained results show that IM and SA percentages improved (P<0.05) in T3 and T5. Percentage of DS improved (P<0.05) in all treatments as compared to control. T3 showed the best (P<0.05) results concerning sperm characteristics studied in post-diluted as compared to other additives and T1. IM, DS and SA percentages showed the best (P<0.05) results in post-equilibrated semen (T3), followed T5 in comparison with other additives and control. IM, DS and SA improved (P<0.05) in post-thawed semen diluted (T3) or T5, being better with T3 more than with T5. Enzyme activity of AST, ALT and LDH reduced (P<0.05) in seminal plasma of post-thawed semen diluted with all additives as compared to control, being the lowest (P<0.05) in T3. Buffalo cows inseminated with semen (T3) showed higher (P<0.05) CR (91.6%) than T5 (75.0%) or control (T1, 66.6%).In conclusion, supplementation of 20 ng/ml leptin and 10-3 M melatonin to the freezing semen extender improved semen quality and reduce cryodamage of the buffalo bull spermatozoa.

EFFECT OF FILTRATION OF POST-DILUTED SEMEN BY SEPHADEX ON FREEZING ABILITY AND FERTILIZING CAPACITY OF BUFFALO SEMEN

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Sephadex column filtration technique of post-diluted semen on freezing ability and fertilizing capacity of buffalo semen. Four Egyptian buffalo bulls were used for semen collection. Semen was extended (37oC) at a rate of 1:20 and filtered using Sephadex column with G-75 (T2) or G-100 (T3) as compared to un-filtrated semen (T1). Semen in all treatments was evaluated for progressive motility, livability, abnormality and intact acrosome spermatozoa in post-diluted, post-equilibrated and post-thawing semen. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 50 d post-insemination. Results showed that T2 and T3 improved (P<0.05) percentage of motility, livability, abnormality and intact acrosome spermatozoa in post-diluted, post-equilibrated and post-thawed semen as compared to T1, being better with T2 (G-75) than T3 (G-100). For buffalo cows inseminated with post-thawed semen, conception rate was 73.3, 63.3 and 56.7% in T2, T3 and T1, respectively (P<0.05). The present results indicate that using Sephadex (G-75) column filter technique has beneficial effects on improving semen quality and fertilizing capacity of buffalo spermatozoa by removal the abnormal and dead spermatozoa in buffalo semen, which can have an adverse effect on their fertilizing potential..

On the morphology of testicular and ampullar spermatozoa in Egyptian buffalo-bulls.

Summary The morphology of testicular and ampullar spermatozoa was studied in 20 slaughtered buffalo-bulls. The percentage of coiled tails was very high in the ampulla while the testis had a higher percentage of broken and bent tails, tailless spermatozoa and sperm with protoplasmic droplets. The percentages recorded for the testis and ampulla were, respectively, as follows: head abnormalities, 8.1 ± 1.02 and 7.3 ± 0.74, middle piece abnormalities, 1.2 ± 0.36 and 1.1 ± 0.20, coiled tails, 0.0 and 17.8 ± 1.38, broken and bent tails 6.3 ± 1.29 and 0.5 ± 0.11 tailless spermatozoa, 6.7 ± 0.82 and 1.6 ± 0.33, protoplasmic droplets, 35.4 ± 3.69 and 0.7 ± 21, live spermatozoa, 58.4 ± 2.73 and 78.7 ± 2.46 and sperm motility, 0.0 and 65.7 ± 3.55. The different dimensions of ideal, giant and dwarf spermatozoa were measured and tabulated and are shown in diagrams besides other abnormalities. The observed sperm abnormalities are discussed in the text. Zusammenfassung Uber die Morphologie der Spermatozoen aus Hoden und Samenleiterampulle des agyptischen Buffels Von 20 frisch geschlachteten Buffeln wurde die Morphologie der Spermatozoen aus Hoden und Samenleiterampulle untersucht. In der Ampulle fand sich ein groser Prozentsatz Spermatozoen mit notenschlusselformigem Schwanz, wahrend im Hoden vorwiegend geknickte oder gekrummte schwanzformen sowie schwanzlose Samenfaden und solche mit Protoplasmatropfen uberwiegten. Im Hoden entfielen 8,1 ± 1,02% der Abnormitaten auf den Kopf, 1,2 ± 0,36% auf das Mittelstuck, 6,3 ± 1,29% auf geknickte und gekrummte Schwanze, 6,7 ± 0,82% auf schwanzlose Spermatozoen, 35,4 ± 3,69% auf Protoplasmatropfen; 58,4 ± 2,73% waren lebende Samenfaden und die Motilitat betrug 0%. In der Ampulle zeigten 7,3 ± 0,74% der Spermatozoen Veranderungen des Kopfes, 1,1 ± 0,20% Veranderungen des Mittelstuckes, 17,8 ± 1,38% Notenschlusselform des Schwanzes, 0,5 ± 0,11% geknickte und gekrummte Schwanze, 1,6 ± 0,33% waren schwanzlos, 0,7 ± 0,21% hatten einen Protoplasmatropfen; 78,7 ± 2,46% waren lebend und die Motilitat betrug 65,7 ± 3,55%. Die Normal-, Riesen- und Zwergspermatozoen wurden ausgemessen und besonders aufgefuhrt. Die beobachteten Abnormitaten der Samenfaden werden ausfuhrlich in der Diskussion besprochen. Resume Sur la morphologie des spermatozoides testiculaires et de l'ampoule du cordon chez le buffle egyptien On a examine la morphologie des spermatozoides testiculaires et de l'ampoule du cordin chez 20 buffles fraichement abattus. On a trouve dans l'ampoule un grand pourcentage de spermatozoides avec une queue en forme de note musicale, alors que dans les testicules predominaient des formes flechies et recourbees ainsi que des spermatozoides sans queue et quelques-uns alourdis avec des gouttes de protoplasme. On a pu attribuer dans les testicules 8,1 ± 0,2% des anomalies a la tete, 1,2 ± 0,36% a la partie mediane, 6,3 ± 1,29% aux queues flechies et recourbees, 6,7 ± 0,82% aux spermatozoides sans queue, 35,4 ± 3,69% aux gouttes de protoplasme; 58,4 ± 2,73% des spermatozoides etaient vivants et la motilite etait de 0%. Dans l'ampoule, 7,3 ± 0,74% del spermatozoides ont montre des modifications de la tete, 1,1 ± 0,20% de la partie mediane, 17,8 ± 1,38% une forme en note de musique de la queue, 0,5 ± 0,11% des queues flechies et recourbees, 1,6 ± 0,33% n'avaient pas de queue, 0,7 ± 0,21% etaient vivants et la motilite s'elevait a 65,7 ± 3,55%. Les spermatozoides normaux, geants et mains ont ete mesures et enumeres. On discute de facon detaillee les anomalies observees chez les spermatozoides. Resumen La morfologia de los espermatozoos testiculares y ampulares en los bufalos egipcios En 20 bufalos recien sacrificados se examino la morfologia de los espermatozoides de los testiculos y de la ampolla del conducto deferente. En la ampolla se hallo un porcentaje muy elevado de espermatozoides con cola en forma de clave, mientras que en el testiculo prevalecian formas de colas quebradas o encorvadas, asi como espermatozoides sin cola y esperma con gotas protoplasmaticas. En los testiculos correspondian el 8,1 ± 1,02% de los anormalidades a la cabeza, 1,2 ± 0,36% a la pieza intermedia, 6,3 ± 1,29% a las colas quebradas y encorvadas, 6,7 ± 0,82% a espermatozoides sin cola, 35,4 ± 3,69% a gotas protoplasmaticas; el 58,4 ± 2,73% eran espermatozoos vivos y la motilidad ascendia a 0%. En la ampolla mostraban el 7,3 ± 0,74% de los espermatozoides modificaciones en la cabeza, 1,1 ± 0,20% modificaciones en la pieza intermedia, 17,8 ± 1,38% cola con forma de clave, 0,5 ± 0,11% colas quebradas y encorvadas, 1,6 ± 0,33% no presentaban cola, 0,7 ± 0,21% tenian una gota protoplasmatica; 78,7 ± 2,46% estaban vivos y la motilidad era del orden de 65,7 ± 3,55%. Los espermatozoos normales, gigantes y enanos se midieron, tabulandose por separado. Las anormalidades espermaticas observadas se discuten con detalle en el texto.

Fertility evaluation in Egyptian buffalo bulls using zona pellucida binding and in vitro fertilization assays

This study aimed to develop a system of in vitro assays based on zona pellucida binding and in vitro fertilization for predicting male fertility in buffalo bulls. Frozen–thawed semen from nine bulls was tested for motility, viability index, acrosomal integrity, zona pellucida binding and in vitro fertilizing ability. Differences in post-thaw sperm motility between bulls were not significant. Differences in viability indices and percentage of spermatozoa with detached acrosome between bulls was highly significant ( P < 0.001). Sperm attached per ovum, fertilization rates and polyspermy percentages varied significantly ( P < 0.01) among buffalo bulls. A significant ( P < 0.01) positive correlation coefficient of 0.69 was evident between normal acrosome and sperm attached per ovum, while between normal acrosome and fertilization efficiency it was 0.72. Sperm from different buffalo bulls differs in their ability to bind and fertilize oocytes. This study provides a basis to predict and maximize the in vitro fertilization performance of individual bulls.

Impact of Zinc supplement on some reproductive traits in Egyptian Buffalo bulls

Impact of Zinc supplement on some reproductive traits in Egyptian Buffalo bulls

Sources of shared variability for the egyptian buffalo body shape (conformation)

A factor analysis with a varimax rotation was applied to 13 body measurements on 463 young Egyptian buffalo bulls to (a) disclose the main sources of shared variability, (b) deduce the factors that control body conformation and (c) predict live weight from orthogonal body measurements. Body conformation appeared to be controlled by common and unique factors. The communalities ranged from 0.96 (height at hips, height at withers) to 0.78 (rump width) and the uniqueness (special size factors) made the balance. Findings indicated that most of the common variability (88%) in body dimensions could be accounted for by factors representing general size, body depth and height and head width. A final prediction equation for predicting body weight from the orthogonal factor scores was derived using a factor analysis including all the above mentioned factors.

Growth and development of water buffalo and Friesian cross-bred cattle, with special reference to body and carcass composition

SUMMARYA sample of twelve buffalo, nine O Friesian × ♀ Egyptian native Baladi (½ Friesian) and nine ♂ Friesian ×♀½ Friesian (¾ Friesian) bulls were individually penned and fed commercially cubed concentrates and roughages from weaning at 100 kg and slaughtered over the live-weight ranges 161–560 kg for buffaloes and 176–448 kg for cattle. Weights of gut fill (GFW), empty body (EBW), offals (TOW) and carcass were recorded. Right sides of all carcasses were jointed then dissected into muscle, fat, bone and ‘other tissues’. Analysis of covariance based on the allometric equationY=aXbwas applied to assess growth patterns (estimated from the slopes) and compositional differences (estimated from the intercepts).The effect of genotype-group was not statistically significant on EBW at the same fasted body weight and cold carcass weight at the same EBW. However, the buffalo empty body contained (P&lt; 0·05) more offal than the ¾ Friesian empty body and heavier TOW and lighter hot carcass than ½ Friesian empty body of the same weight.No significant genotype-group differences were found in the slope of the regression of weight of total side muscle (TSM), total side fat (TSF), subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and total side bone (TSB) on dissected side weight (DSW) and ½ EBW. Comparison of adjusted means, however, showed buffaloes to have significantly more TSF and TSB but less TSM than the Friesian cross-breds. Most of the difference in TSF was due to more subcutaneous fat in the buffaloes than in the Friesian cross-breds. In all comparisons the two Friesian cross-bred groups did not significantly differ from one another.The results indicate that Egyptian buffaloes may be earlier maturing than Friesian cross-bred cattle and buffaloes of other countries. It was also concluded that in order to produce desirable carcass of fat:muscle ratio of 1:5, Egyptian buffalo bulls should be slaughtered to produce carcasses of slightly more than 230 kg whereas ½ Friesian and ¾ Friesian bulls can be taken to heavier weights. Methods for reporting carcass compositional data are discussed.