Healthy Bulls Research Articles

Gross testicular abnormalities in indigenous breeds of bulls in Eastern Ethiopia

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of different types of gross testicular disorders in bulls, and to evaluate the associations with sampling year, age, and body condition. Materials and methods: In this study, a total of 398 apparently healthy bulls were randomly selected that were brought from different parts of eastern Ethiopia to the Haramaya University abattoir for slaughtering during the period from June 2014 to September 2016. Ante- and post-mortem examinations of the bulls were employed. Visual inspection, palpation, serial and systematic dissections into the parenchyma of the testes and scrotum were performed to determine the presence and the extent of gross pathological changes. Results: Out of 398 bulls, 209(52.5%) were affected by one or more gross testicular abnormalities of unidentified causes. Bilateral testicular hypoplasia was the most prevalent (9.8%; n=39/398) testicular abnormality, followed by unilateral testicular hypoplasia (9%; n=36/398), testicular hematoma (9%; n=36/398), orchitis (8.3%; n=33/398), testicular degeneration (6.5%; n=26/398), scrotal wound (6.3%; n=25/398) and epididymitis (2.5%; n=10/398). Unilateral cryptorchidism was the least prevalent (1%; n=4/398). Age and body condition did not affect the prevalence of any abnormality (P>0.05) except in scrotal wound which was significantly varied among body condition categories (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study reveals that the incidence of gross testicular abnormalities was 52.5% in bulls. Thus, attention should be given to reproductive management of bulls in Ethiopia. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2017.d201 XML PubReader

043 Evaluation of Statistical Process Control Procedures to Monitor Feeding Behavior Patterns and Detect Onset of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Growing Bulls

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of monitoring feeding behavior patterns using cumulative summation (CUSUM) procedures to predict the onset of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Growing bulls (N = 231) consigned from independent producers for the purpose of evaluating growth efficiency during a 70-d trial were used in this study. Within a 10-d period, 30 bulls were treated for BRD based on observed clinical symptoms and elevated rectal temperature (> 39.5 C); all remaining bulls (n = 201) were deemed to be healthy. The clinically ill and healthy bulls were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CUSUM models, respectively. Frequency and duration of bunk visit (BV) events, head down (HD) duration and DMI were continuously monitored during the trial. All data were standardized prior to generating CUSUM charts in a daily accumulative manner. CUSUM charts were constructed with PROC CUSUM (SAS 9.4). Accuracies (average of sensitivity and specificity) of these single-trait CUSUM models for detection of BRD were 81.6, 80.3, 82.8 and 80.2%, respectively, and average day of detection prior (P < 0.05) to observed symptoms of BRD were 4.4, 3.5, 4.5 and 2.6 d, respectively. In addition, factors derived from a principal component analysis (PCA) of all 4 traits were monitored using similar CUSUM procedures. This 4-trait PCA-based model was more accurate (84.7 %) than any of the 4 single traits and signaled (P < 0.05) 3.7 d prior to observed symptoms of BRD. When DMI was removed from the full PCA model, accuracy of prediction (84.3% vs. 84.7%) and signal day prior to observed symptoms of BRD (3.3 vs. 3.7 d) were minimally altered, demonstrating the validity of monitoring feeding behavior traits for early BRD detection. These results demonstrate that the use of PCA-derived factors in CUSUM charts was more accurate compared to single-trait CUSUM charts. Moreover, due to the multivariate aspect of PCA, the use of PCA-based CUSUM charts to monitor feeding behavior patterns should be more robust in applications for preclinical detection of BRD. Results from this study demonstrate the potential value of using CUSUM procedures to monitor electronic feeding-behavior systems to enable more accurate preclinical detection of BRD in feedlot cattle.

Effect of biostimulation on sexual behaviour and semen production in Sahiwal bulls

The study was planned to overcome the poor libido problem through biostimulation on eight healthy and adult Sahiwal breeding bulls not donating semen at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Haryana. The bulls were first taken as control and their sexual behaviour was recorded by CCTV video camera. The bulls were biostimulated by applying estrous specific mucus on the rump region of dummy prior to semen collection. Out of 8 bulls, 6 bulls (75%) started donating good quality semen after application of estrous specific mucus. The 6 bulls produced quality semen having optimum ejaculate volume, mass activity, initial progressive motility, concentration, pH, non eosinophilic spermatozoa count, total morphological abnormality, HOST, acrosomal integrity, SYBR-14PI and CMA3. There was no significant difference observed in semen quality and sexual behaviour between cervical mucus and synthetic nasal spray treated groups. All sexual behaviour parameters significantly improved in both the treatment group as compared to control. Thus biostimulation by cervical mucus is effective for quality semen production besides better sexual performance of bulls.

Effect of health status on fattening performance in young crossbred polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin Bulls and steers.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of disease incidence on selected parameters of cattle fattening performance and carcass quality, and the fatty acid profile of beef. The experimental materials comprised 16 bulls and 16 steers, Polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin crossbreeds (including 10 healthy and six treated animals of each category). At 5weeks of age, bloodless castration was carried out using a rubber elastrator. The calves were fed milk replacer provided in automatic feeding stations. Until 540days of age, the animals were fattened in an Animal Research Laboratory equipped with the Roughage Intake Control (RIC) system (Insentec, the Netherlands). In comparison with healthy (untreated) bulls and steers, sick (treated) animals had lower average body weight at 180days of age, by 37kg (P≤0.05) and lower average final body weight at 540days of age, by 56kg (P≤0.05). Sick animals were characterized by lower feed intake and worse feed efficiency (not statistically significant differences). Hot carcass weight reached 318kg in healthy animals and 258kg in treated bulls (P≤0.05). In treated steers, the percentage of lean meat and bones in the three-rib section was higher and the percentage of fat was lower, compared with their healthy counterparts (P≤0.01). There was a category × health status interaction for carcass tissue composition. There were no significant influences of type of sickness on analyzed traits. In comparison with healthy steers, intramuscular fat of Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) from treated steers had significantly (P≤0.05) higher concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 and n-3) and a lower content of conjugated linoleic acid.

QUALITY TRAITS OF FRESH, REFRIGERATED AND CRYOPRESERVED BUFFALO BULL SEMEN AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIPS

A study was carried out on semen ejaculates (40) of five healthy Surti buffalo bulls during favourable breeding season. The ejaculates with &gt;70% IM were diluted @ 100 million sperms/ml in Tris-fructoseegg yolk-glycerol (TFYG) diluent supplemented with L-cysteine @ 1 mg/ml, and examined for quality parameters such as sperm progressive motility, viability, morphology, acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity. A part of the extended semen was preserved at 5°C and another was processed for ultra-low temperature (-196°C) preservation in LN2 using biofreezer after filled in French mini straws. The mean values of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, mass activity (0-5 score), individual sperm motility, live sperm, abnormal sperm, intact acrosome and HOS reactive sperms observed in fresh semen were 3.04±0.11 ml, 963.05±50.97 million/ml, 2.97±0.06, 75.00±0.69 %, 88.22 ±0.48 %, 4.40±0.26 %, 93.67±0.31 % and 89.17±0.57 %, respectively. Just after dilution the percentages of progressively motile, live &amp; abnormal sperms, intact acrosomes and HOS reactive sperms were 80.51±0.65, 85.95±0.65, 4.92±2.20, 91.00±2.30, 85.72±0.67, respectively. The corresponding values after 48 hrs of refrigeration (5°C) were 61.75±0.85, 67.85±0.85, 6.45±0.27, 89.05±0.32, 67.30±0.96%, the values at pre-freeze stage (after equilibration) were 72.62±0.69, 78.97±0.93, 5.45±0.25, 90.90±0.35, 78.12±0.79% and at post-thaw stage (37°C/30 sec) 46.50±0.72, 52.97±0.79, 7.10±0.26, 85.73±0.18, 51.62 ±0.82%, respectively. The mean motile spermatozoa observed after 1, 2 and 3 h of post-thaw incubation at 37°C in water bath were 32.75±0.82, 18.88 ±0.70 and 8.88±0.66% (P&lt;0.01), respectively. The semen quality parameters, fresh and cryopreserved were acceptable for artificial breeding use. The seminal traits in initial, 48 hrs refrigerated, pre-freeze and post-thawed samples revealed significant (p&lt;0.01) interrelationships (r = 0.44 to 0.84) between progressive motile sperm, live sperm and HOST reactive sperm directing more emphasis on these quality parameters for better semen evaluation.

Effect of supplementation of feed with Flaxseed (Linumusitatisimum) oil on libido and semen quality of Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls.

BackgroundThe current study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation of Flaxseed (Linumusitatisimum) oil on libido and semen quality of Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls.MethodsIn this study, 12 adult healthy bulls kept at the Semen Production Unit, Qadirabad district Sahiwal, were used. These bulls were divided into three equal groups, A, B and C. Group A was kept as control, while in groups B and C supplementation of feed was provided by using flaxseed oil @125 ml/day and 250 ml/day,respectively for 12 weeks. Two ejaculates per animal were collected at 0 day then 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th week of treatment. In this way a total 216 samples were taken, and each semen sample was evaluated for color, volume, mass activity, percent motility, sperm cell concentration per ml, percentage of live sperm, and plasma membrane integrity. Libido of bulls was also evaluated before every collection.ResultsAnalysis of data revealed that these parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) increased in flax oil treated animals as compared to control.ConclusionIt was concluded from the present study that flax seed oil has beneficial effects on reproductive health of buffalo bull.

Seasonal effect on viability and morphology of spermatozoa in Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian×Tharparkar) bulls under tropical climatic condition

Availability of morphologically normal and higher percentage of live spermatozoa throughout the year is highly demanded to fulfilment the demand of dairy cattle. There may be deterioration of semen quality during summer season in crossbred bulls in tropical climatic condition. Therefore the present study was designed to observe the seasonal effect on viability and morphology of spermatozoa in Karan Fries bulls. Five adult healthy bulls (n=5) were selected from Animal Breeding Research Centre (ABRC) of ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Haryana (India). Six ejaculates from each bull were collected using artificial vagina (42-45 °C) during winter (December to Middle February), spring (Middle February to April), hot-dry (May to June) and hot- humid (July to August) seasons. Immediately of collection, the ejaculates were placed in a water bath (37 °C). Eosin-nigrosin vital stain was used for assessing live, dead and sperm abnormalities. The percentage of live spermatozoa were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lowered during hot humid season and the major abnormalities were significantly (p&lt;005) higher during hot-dry (8.66 ± 0.22 %) and hot-humid (10.74 ± 0.18 %) seasons. It can be concluded that hot-dry and hot-humid seasons are stressful to Karan Fries bulls. Therefore, sufficient measures should be taken to ameliorate the effect of heat stress on Karan Fries bulls.

Effect of low density lipoprotein on replacement of egg yolk in liquid preservation of mithun semen

This investigation explored the use of low density lipoproteins (LDL) from egg yolk (EY) in replacement EY on semen quality parameters (SQPs), velocity and motility parameters by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA) and biochemical parameters following liquid storage (5°C) of mithun semen. A total of 25 ejaculates collected from ten healthy mithun bulls and diluted with the standard tris citrate glycerol (TCG) extender were splited into three equal aliquots: Group 1, Control; EY, Group 2 and Group 3 contained 8 and 10% (w/v on dry weight basis) LDL, respectively. SQPs, CASA and biochemical parameters were evaluated following incubation of semen at 5°C. Results revealed a significant (P&lt;0.05) improvement in these parameters in group 2 as compared to group 1 and 3. It was concluded that addition of 8% LDL (w/v) holds a clear advantage over EY or 10% LDL in preservation of mithun semen at liquid storage.

Effect of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin on the viability and acrosome damage of sex-sorted sperm in frozen-thawed bovine semen.

BackgroundThe regulation of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on cryodamage on X- and Y-sperm during cryopreservation of semen was investigated. The semen was collected from ten healthy bulls of proven fertility by an artificial vagina. The bovine sperm treated with MBCD fresh solution (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mM). The sperms were evaluated for viability and acrosome damage using flow cytometry. Moreover, X- and Y-sperm in frozen-thawed bovine semen were sorted by flow cytometry after Hoechst 33342-dyed, and the viability and acrosome damage of sperms were analyzed.ResultsSperm viability in frozen-thawed semen was decreased by MBCD (p < 0.05), also the acrosome damage of sperm was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, we sorted X- and Y-sperm from frozen-thawed bovine semen for observing the viability and acrosome damage on the separated X- and Y-sperm after MBCD treatment. Viability of X-sperm was significantly lower than that of Y-sperm (p < 0.05). Also, acrosome damage of X-sperm was significantly higher than Y-sperm (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMethyl-beta-cyclodextrin enhances damage of sperm in frozen-thawed bovine semen, and X-sperm is more sensitive than Y-sperm in cell damage. These results demonstrate that MBCD can inhibit viability of spermatozoa in frozen-thawed bovine semen (for X-sperm, especially).

Influence of Season on Semen Quality in Karan Fries (Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian) Bulls

Availability of good quality semen is essential throughout the year to achieve the sustainable productive growth of dairy cattle. Therefore, the present study was designed from five (n=5) adult healthy Karan Fries bulls from Animal Breeding Research Centre (ABRC) of National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (India) with emphasis to observe the semen quality during different seasons (winter, spring, hot-dry and hot-humid). Weekly ejaculates were collected using artificial vagina (42–45°C). Immediately after collection, the ejaculates were placed in a water bath (37°C) for assessing semen evaluation parameters. Ejaculate volume (3.53 ± 0.08 VS 3.96 ± 0.12 mL), individual motility (48.00 ± 1.12 VS 55.16 ± 1.32%), concentration (1487.10 ± 26.55 VS 1590.77 ± 25.90 in 106/mL), non-eosinophilic sperm count (62.42 ± 0.75 VS 68.05 ± 0.77%), Hypo-osmotic swelling test (59.75 ± 0.57 VS 64.97 ± 0.84%) and acrosomal integrity (74.22 ± 0.62 VS 83.40 ± 0.48%) decreased (p<0.05) during hot-humid season as compared to spring season. The major abnormalities (10.74 ± 0.18%) increased (p<0.01) in hot-humid as compared to spring season. It can be concluded that the semen quality of Karan Fries bulls deteriorate during hot humid season as compared to other seasons of the year under tropical climatic conditions.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus outbreak reduced bulls' weight gain and feed conversion for eightmonths in a Norwegian beef herd.

BackgroundCost-benefit evaluation of measures against respiratory disease in cattle requires accounting with the associated production losses. Investigations of naturally occurring respiratory infections in a herd setting are an opportunity for accurate estimates of the consequences. This article presents estimates based on individual monitoring of weight and concentrate intake of several hundred bulls previous to, during and after a respiratory infection outbreak with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) as the main pathogen. The aim of the study was to analyse the association between exposure to BRSV, weight gain and feed conversion rate, quantify any change in these parameters, and estimate the duration of the change in production.ResultsA comparison of growth curves for the bulls that were present during the outbreak revealed that bulls with severe clinical signs had a clear and consistent trend of poorer growth rate than those with milder or no signs. The weight/age-ratio was 0.04–0.10 lower in the severely affected bulls, and evident throughout the study period of 8 months. A comparison of growth rates between apparently healthy bulls being present during the outbreak and a comparable group of bulls exactly 1 year later (n = 377) showed a reduced growth rate of 111 g/day in the first group. The difference amounted to 23 extra days needed to reach the reference weight. Feed conversion was also reduced by 79 g weight gain/kilogram concentrate consumed in the outbreak year.ConclusionThis study indicates significant negative effects on performance of animals that develop severe clinical signs in the acute stage, and that the growth and production is negatively affected many months after apparent recovery. In addition, the performance of apparently healthy animals that are exposed during an outbreak are severely negatively affected. The duration of this decrease in production in animals after recovery, or animals that have not shown disease at all, has not previously been documented. These losses will easily be underestimated, but contribute significantly to the costs for the producer. The findings emphasize the importance of BRSV infection for profitability and animal welfare in cattle husbandry. The study also illustrates that utilising intra-herd comparison of health and production parameters is a productive approach to estimate consequences of an outbreak.

Testicular cytological profiles of apparently healthy male dromedary camels during rutting and non-rutting periods

The aim of this study was to evaluate testicular cytological profiles of apparently healthy dromedary bulls during rutting and non-rutting periods. Pairs of testes from 26 (18 non-rutting and 8 rutting seasons) dromedary bulls 6–12 years old that were slaughtered at Akaki, Addis Ababa abattoir were sampled. A 21 gauge needle attached to 20mL syringe was used to collect Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration (TFNA) samples and five aspiration smears were prepared from each testis. A total of 312 slides (260 Testicular fine Needle Aspiration and 52 imprints) were examined. The modified May-Grunwald Giemsa (mMGG) technique and a light microscope were used to assess cellularity, morphology and quantification of the testicular. Sertoli and spermatogenic cells were identified and counted. The spermatic index (SI), Sertoli cell index (SEI) and the relationship between SI and SEI indexes (SSEI) were used to assess the ratio between mature spermatozoa and nursing cells. There were differences (P<0.05) between the rutting and non-rutting seasons among the spermatogenic and Sertoli cells. There were no differences between groups for primary spermatocyte numbers, early spermatid numbers and SSEI. There was no differences (P>0.05) between TFNA and imprint smear slides of the testicular cells except for Sertoli cell count and SEI. Filarial worm larvae were present on the TFNA smear slides of four animals. Imprint and TFNA smear slides had comparable cytological profiles in dromedary bulls and significant differences were observed between rutting and non-rutting periods.

Age and sex-related changes in superoxide dismutase activity in bovine tissues

The influence of age, gender, and type of tissue on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in bovine organs and tissues was investigated. The investigated material consisted of fragments of tissues and organs (liver, heart, lung, kidney, skeletal muscles, and diaphragm) from healthy cows (n = 15), bulls (n = 15), and female calves (n = 12) collected immediately after slaughter at the slaughterhouse. The total SOD activity was measured in tissue and organ homogenates by spectrophotometric method. PAGE electrophoresis and Western blotting technique with specific anti-SOD antibodies as well as zymography confirmed the presence of enzymatic protein and SOD isoenzymes in examined tissues. The study revealed significant differences in SOD activity between organs and tissues, which might be connected with different metabolic rate. Age-related changes were also observed. SOD activity was twice higher in kidneys, lungs, heart of calves compared to other groups of animals. It was also noticed that SOD activity was higher in younger animals and decreased with ageing among the group of bulls. Gender-related differences were observed in lungs and diaphragm. It was concluded that SOD activity depends on sex steroids, which is reflected in age and gender discrepancies, as well as metabolic rate of tissues.

PENGARUH METODE PENCUCIAN SPERMATOZOA SAPI ACEH TERHADAP MOTILITAS, PERSENTASE HIDUP, DAN INTEGRITAS MEMBRAN PLASMA UTUH SPERMATOZOA (The Infuence of Aceh Bull Spermatozoa Washing Method on Spermatozoa Motility and Plasma Membrane Integrity of Intact Spermatozoa)

This study aimed to determine the effect of sperm washing by swim up and centrifugation in isotonic medium on sperm quality of aceh bull. In this study, fresh semen from healthy male aceh bull aged 3-4 months was collected using artificial vagina. Immediately after semen collection, fresh semen quality was examined macroscopically and microscopically. Subsequently, sperm washing was performed by centrifugation and swim up in sperm washing medium. Group 1 (P0) as control group, cement washed with isotonic solution (andromed medium: saline solution) with ratio of 1:8. 2. Group 2 (P1), cement was separated by centrifugation method, group 3 (P2), all cement was separated by swim up method then examined the sperm quality sperm washing results. Each treatment was repeated 5 times. Quality parameters measured were the percentage of spermatozoa motility, sperm viability, and plasma membrane integrity intact spermatozoa. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance one-way pattern, followed by Duncan's multiple test. The results showed the mean ± SD percentage of sperm motility of each treatment group (P0; P1; P2) respectively amounted to 72.00±3.74, 66.40±4.77, and 73.60±3.29%. The percentage of viability was 72.00 ±3.74%, 66.40±2.88%, 71.80±2.17%. The percentage of plasma membrane integrity is intact spermatozoa was 68.20±1.79%, 57.20±3.77%, 69.00±2.00%. Results of this study showed that the percentage of motility, live spermatozoa and plasma membrane integrity intact after separation by swim-up method were significantly different (P &lt;0.05) compared with no separation.Key words: spermatozoa quality, aceh bulls, centrifugation, swim up

Natural Besnoitia besnoiti infections in cattle: chronology of disease progression.

BackgroundBovine besnoitiosis is an emerging protozoan disease in cattle. Neither vaccines nor chemotherapeutic drugs are currently available for prevention and treatment of Besnoitia besnoiti infections. Therefore the implementation of appropriate disease management strategies is of utmost importance. The aim of this longitudinal study was to complement current knowledge on the chronology of disease progression. This was realized by correlating clinical findings in early stages of naturally acquired bovine besnoitiosis with results of real-time PCR of skin biopsies and of two western immunoblots and an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT).Animals for this study were obtained by i) closely monitoring a cow-calf operation with a high prevalence of bovine besnoitiosis for cases of acute disease, and by ii) conducting a 12-week cohabitation experiment on pasture with five healthy heifers, a healthy bull and five B. besnoiti infected cows. A control group of six healthy heifers was kept at a minimal distance of 20 m. Further, the spectrum of potential insect vectors was determined.ResultsInfected cattle were followed up to a maximum of 221 days after first detection of B. besnoiti antibodies. Two severely affected cows developed visible and palpable alterations of skin, a decrease in body condition despite good feed intake, and chronic bovine besnoitiosis-associated laminitis leading to non-healing sole ulcers. The cows also had high reciprocal IFAT titers and high loads of parasite DNA in skin samples. Two heifers developed a mild clinical course characterized by few parasitic cysts visible in the scleral conjunctivae and vestibula vaginae. Both heifers became infected during the time of high insect activity of the species Musca domestica, Musca autumnalis, Haematobia irritans, and Stomoxys calcitrans. When a third heifer became subclinically infected, low insect activity was recorded. None of the six control heifers contracted a B. besnoiti infection.ConclusionsIn chronic besnoitiosis, the severe clinical course apparently corresponded with high reciprocal IFAT titers and high loads of parasite DNA in skin, whereas mild and subclinical cases displayed lower values. Bovine besnoitiosis-associated laminitis represents an important complication in severe chronic disease which severely impairs animal welfare.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0344-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Computed tomography of the abdomen of calves during the first 105 days of life: I. Reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum.

Computed tomographic (CT) images of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum of five healthy Holstein-Friesian bull calves were compared with anatomical transverse cadaver sections of the same calves. The calves were scanned in the transverse plane from the 5th thoracic vertebra to the sacrum six times three weeks apart from birth to 105 days of age. Multiplanar reconstruction was used to create images in sagittal and dorsal planes. After subjective assessment of various anatomical structures, the rumen, omasum and abomasum as well as the ruminal strata (gas cap, fibre mat and fluid phase) were measured. After the last CT scan, all calves were euthanised, and four were kept at -18 °C in sternal position for 14 days. Transverse sections 1.0 to 1.5 cm thick were made from two calves and dorsal and sagittal sections were made from one calf each using a band saw. The CT images and anatomical slices were compared and the structures on the CT images identified. Very clear CT images were obtained from the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum and there was excellent agreement between images and anatomical slices.

Osteoarthritic cartilage lesions in the bovine patellar groove: A macroscopic, histological and immunohistological analysis

A high percentage of osteoarthritis (OA)-like patellar groove lesions in the stifle joint in calcium-deficient bulls has been recently reported. The prevalence of these lesions in bulls deficient in or supplemented with calcium was compared to findings in culled and healthy bulls to determine whether they represent normal anatomical variations, developmental anomalies or OA. It was hypothesized that the patellar groove lesions may represent OA. Distal cartilage samples from 160 femurs were analysed using a macroscopic Société Française d’Arthroscopie (SFA) OA grading system. Samples representing different SFA grades were subjected to Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histological and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) immunohistological OA grading. For a qualitative analysis three OA samples were immunostained for interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and collagenase-produced COL2-3/4M neoepitopes.Patellar groove lesions were found in 48% of the femurs and were highest in calcium-deficient animals (71%, P<0.001). All three different grading systems disclosed OA in culled bulls, but no focal areas of cartilage necrosis. OARSI and HMGB1 grades were fairly concordant (Spearman’s ρ=0.95, P<0.001; Cohen’s κ=0.23, P<0.005), both with a slight disparity with the SFA grade (ρ=0.80 and 0.87, P<0.01; κ=0.36 and 0.46, P<0.001). IL-1β, MMP-13 and COL2-3/4M staining patterns were compatible with OA. The study showed that patellar groove lesions are common in bulls. In all SFA, OARSI and HMGB1 graded samples the lesions clearly demonstrated OA and showed OA-typical pathophysiology. Arthroscopic SFA grading showed similar changes in calcium-deficient and calcium-supplemented bulls, but in the absence of a time course study and histological data the primary nature of these lesions could not be established with certainty.

The Effect of Bull Age and Ejaculation Frequency on Quality of Aceh Bull Spermatozoa

The purpose of this research was find out the effect of age and ejaculation frequency on quality of Aceh bull spermatozoa.. This research was conducted at Frozen Semen Prossesing Laboratorium, Saree, Aceh Besar from Januari to April 2013. Six healthy aceh bulls were divided into two groups of age, those were 3.0-4.0 years old; and 4.0-5.0 years old. Three numbers of bull at each group were assumed as the replication. Semen was collected once a week using artificial vagina and collected until third semen ejaculation. After collecting, volume, pH, color, consistency, concentration, motility, mortality, and abnormality of spermatozoa were immediately measured. This data was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) two-way pattern, followed by Duncant test. The result showed that the evaluation of bull semen at 3.0-4.0 years old and 4.0-5.0 years old affect significantly (P0.05) on semen volume and spermatozoa concentration and had no contribute significantly on motility, mortality and abnormality of spermatozoa,while ejaculation frequency effect significantly (P0.05) on semen volume, concentration, and abnormality spermatozoa, but had no effect significantly on motility and mortality (P0.05). It is concluded that aged and ejaculation frequency effect significantly on quality of aceh bull fresh spermatozoa.Key words: ejaculation frequency, quality of spermatozoa, aceh bull, age

Seminal Glands of Buffalo Bulls (Bos bubalis L.) During Prepubertal and Pubertal Periods: Histological and Histochemical

The current investigation was carried out on the seminal glands of six apparently healthy mature male Buffalo bulls and six immature. The specimens were collected and examined anatomically and histologically after being fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. The specimens were subjected to processing till paraffin sections were obtained and stained. The anatomical and histological findings of the seminal glands are varying with age. Anatomically, the immature seminal gland was small sized, flaccid in texture, white in color and measured about 0.80-0.95 gm in weight, 1.95-2.50 cm in length, 1.00-1.15 cm in width and about 0.46-0.60 cm in thickness. Meanwhile, in mature one became larger in size, firm in texture, pale yellow in color, multi-lobulated where had a very large lobules on its outer surface giving, cluster of grapes liked appearance. It measured about 7-8 gm in weight, 5-6 cm in length, 2-2.5 cm in width and about 80-1.3 cm in thickness. Microscopically, the seminal gland was observed consisting of a stroma of connective tissue and a parenchyma of differentiating and undifferentiating acini in immature animal. Meanwhile, in mature one, the parenchyma was consisted of secretory end pieces and well-developed duct system. With advancement of age, the thickness of the capsule and trabeculae increased, also the number of secretory end pieces per unite area increased and the amount of inter-glandular connective tissue stroma reduced.

Influence of Season on Biochemical Attributes of Bhadawari Buffalo Bull Semen: Effect of Temperature and Humidity

The present study was undertaken to establish the seasonal variations in semen biochemical indices in Bhadawari bull. Four fertile, healthy adult Bhadawari bulls aged between 2 to 4 years were used as semen donors. The study was conducted over a period of six months and divided into three seasons as winter season (February-March), dry summer season (April-May) and wet summer season (June-July). Sixteen semen samples were collected in each season (four ejaculates from each bull) by using Artificial Vagina and seminal plasma were harvested by centrifugation. The results of the study showed gradual and significant rise in values of ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol and triglycerides and decline in values of amylase with increase in ambient temperature and THI. Amylase showed negative correlation and other indices showed positive correlation with ambient temperature and THI. The ambient temperature and THI showed positive correlation with biochemical attributes except amylase while humidity showed negative correlation. It could be concluded from the study that temperature and THI of season significantly affects the semen biochemical attributes of Bhadawari bulls.