• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.1113-1116
• /
• 2009

The objective of this study was to compare the follicular population during spontaneous and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ induced oestrous cycles in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In Exp.1, (n = 13 oestrous cycles) follicular population was monitored using ultrasonography on alternate days. Buffaloes were monitored for ovarian follicles from day 0 (first oestrus) until next oestrus. These animals were observed for oestrus twice daily using a teaser bull. Of 12 oestrous cycles, 9 (75%) had two waves of follicular activity and only 3 (25%) had three waves during the oestrous cycle. The mean number of small, medium and large follicles among various days of the oestrous cycle between two and three waves of follicular development were not significantly different (p>0.05). In Exp. 2, follicular population 3 days before oestrus was compared in buffaloes undergoing spontaneous (n = 12 oestrous cycles) and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ induced (n = 6) luteolysis. The mean number of small and large follicles increased (p<0.05) and the number of medium follicles decreased (p<0.05) during the 3 days before oestrus in buffaloes undergoing induced luteolysis as compared to those with spontaneous luteolysis. These results showed that the mean number of small, medium and large follicles among various days of the oestrous cycle were similar between the two and three waves of follicular development, and three days before oestrous the number of small, medium and large follicles altered due to induced luteolysis on day 9, compared to those with spontaneous luteolysis.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 1992

The study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone (20$\alpha$-OHP) levels during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats. 4 cyclic goats were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein on day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 during the oestrous cycle, then the next oestrous day. The serum levels of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP were measured by radioimmunoassay. The progesterone concentration in seurm of the cyclic goats was 0.29$\pm$0.06ng/ml on the first day of oestrous (day 0), increased to 5.29$\pm$0.73ng/ml on day 9, reached to a peak level of 5.73$\pm$0.61ng/ml on day 13, and thereafter decreased to 0.35$\pm$0.30ng/ml on day 1. The serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP during the oestrous cycle was 0.42$\pm$0.33ng/ml on day 0 and then decreased to 0.28$\pm$0.01ng/ml on day 5. This basal level was maintained until day 13, increased gradually, and reached a peak level of 0.62$\pm$0.05ng/ml on day 19. From the above results, it was suggested that the enzyme 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(20$\alpha$-HSD) catalyzing the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive steroid, 20$\alpha$-OHP, should be active in the luteal cells during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.169-174
• /
• 2010

A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the results of studies which have described the profiles of hormones during the oestrous cycle in buffalo using a fixed effect model and a random effect model. Plasma progesterone concentrations were lowest (0.30${\pm}$0.06 ng/ml) during the peri-oestrous phase and increased (p = 0.067) through the early luteal phase to a maximum concentration (1.94${\pm}$0.03 ng/ml) during the mid-luteal phase. Circulating plasma inhibin and estradiol concentrations were lowest (0.31${\pm}$0.01 and 11.04${\pm}$0.13 ng/ml) during the mid-luteal phase, increased through the late luteal phase to maximum concentrations (0.44${\pm}$0.02 and 22.48${\pm}$0.32 ng/ml) during the peri-oestrous phase. Plasma FSH concentrations were lowest during the early luteal phase and increased through the mid-luteal phase to a maximum concentration during the peri-oestrous phase. Peripheral prolactin concentrations were lowest during the late luteal phase and increased to a maximum concentration during the peri-oestrous phase which then declined (p = 0.716) during the early luteal phase. Peripheral plasma cortisol concentrations decreased from 2.68${\pm}$0.14 ng/ml during the early luteal phase to 1.43${\pm}$0.27 ng/ml during the mid-luteal phase (p<0.001) which then increased to 2.06${\pm}$0.17 ng/ml during the late luteal phase. Plasma $T_{5}$ concentrations decreased from the late luteal phase to the peri-oestrous phase (p<0.001) which then increased during the early luteal phase. $T_{4}$ concentrations increased from the late luteal phase to the peri-oestrous phase which then decreased during the early luteal phase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.6-10
• /
• 2003

The present study investigated peripheral plasma immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) concentrations in relation to the stage of oestrous cycle and progesterone concentrations in cycling Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus) and Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Blood samples were collected once daily for thirty-two consecutive days from cattle and buffaloes (5 each) during winter months of January and February. Mean (${\pm}$S.E.M.) plasma ir-inhibin concentrations ranged from $0.40{\pm}0.01$ to $0.59{\pm}0.03ng/ml$ in cattle and from $0.29{\pm}0.03$ to $0.52{\pm}0.05ng/ml$ in buffaloes. In cattle, ir-inhibin concentrations increased from $0.47{\pm}0.07ng/ml$ on day -4 (day 0=day of oestrus) to reach a maximum value of $0.59{\pm}0.03ng/ml$ on day -2. Thereafter, ir-inhibin concentrations showed a decline to reach a low of $0.40{\pm}0.01ng/ml$ on day 11 of the oestrous cycle. In buffaloes, ir-inhibin concentrations increased from $0.38{\pm}0.04 ng/ml$ on day -4 to reach a maximum concentration of $0.52{\pm}0.05ng/ml$ on day -2. Ir-inhibin concentrations then declined to reach a low of $0.29{\pm}0.03ng/ml on day 9 of the cycle. In both cattle and buffaloes, ir-inhibin concentrations which were lowest ($0.43{\pm}0.02$ and $0.34{\pm}0.02ng/ml$, respectively) during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle increased (p<0.05) to $0.52{\pm}0.03$ and $0.44{\pm}0.04ng/ml$, respectively, during the late luteal phase, and then further to the highest value of $0.53{\pm}0.02$ and $0.49{\pm}0.04ng/ml$, respectively, during the perioestrus phase, following which these declined to $0.50{\pm}0.02$ and $0.39{\pm}0.03ng/ml$, respectively, during the early luteal phase. The variations in peripheral plasma ir-inhibin profile in both the species appear to be related to the changes in characteristics of follicular populations during the oestrous cycle. Peripheral plasma ir-inhibin concentrations were negatively correlated with progesterone concentrations in cattle (r=-0.51, p<0.01) and buffaloes (r=-0.30, p<0.01) indicating that the corpus luteum is not a source of peripheral ir-inhibin in these species.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.480-485
• /
• 1998

Application of trans rectal ultrasonography to buffaloes (n=6) to follow the growth of large antral follicles individually, on each day of one interovulatory interval revealed that follicular turnover during oestrous cycle occured in waves. There was a predominance of a two-wave pattern (5/6 animals) compared to that of a three-wave pattern (1/6 animals). For two-wave pattern, the first wave emerged at Day $0.20{\pm}0.19$ (Day 0 = day of ovulation) and was marked by development of a dominant anovulatory follicle which grew in size from $5.40{\pm}0.24mm$ at the day of detection to a maximum diameter of $12.40{\pm}0.81mm$ on Day $8.60{\pm}1.57$, with a growth rate of $0.88{\pm}0.17mm/day$ and then regressed, with a mean persistence of $19.40{\pm}1.54$ days. The second wave emerged at Day $9.20{\pm}1.06$ and was marked by development of a dominant ovulatory follicle which grew in size from $4.20{\pm}0.37mm$ at the day of detection to a maximum diameter of $13.80{\pm}0.37mm$ on Day $21.00{\pm}1.38$, with a growth rate of $0.66{\pm}0.12mm/day$ and then ovulated on Day $21.60{\pm}1.25$, with a mean persistence of $11.80{\pm}1.39$ days. The maximum diameters attained and the growth rates of dominant anovulatory and dominant ovulatory follicles, and the mean number of follicles ${\geq}3mm$ diameter detected at the time of emergence of first and second waves ($11.80{\pm}1.74$ and $9.00{\pm}2.81$, respectively) were not significantly different. In the animal which showed a three-wave pattern, the first, second and third waves emerged on Days 1, 10 and 19, respectively. All animals, except one had at least one subordinate follicle in the first or second or both waves. The subordinate follicles increased in diameter over a few days and then regressed. The results indicate that in buffaloes, the follicular turnover during oestrous cycle occurs predominantly in a two-wave pattern.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 2007

There is worldwide interest in buffalo as an animal for meeting the growing demands of meat, milk and work in the developing countries. One of the major constraints to full exploitation of the productive potential of buffalo has been its inherently low reproductive efficiency as reflected by late maturity, poor expression of oestrus, silent oestrus, irregular oestrous cyclicity, seasonality in breeding, anoestrus, low conception rate, long postpartum interval, repeat breeding etc. Ovarian cyclicity is regulated by endocrine and neuroendocrine mechanisms namely hypothalamic hormones, gonadotropins and ovarian steroids. Detailed endocrine investigations are suggested with special reference to the hypothalamo-hypophysial-ovarian axis to gain a better understanding of reproduction in buffalo and to modify it to derive the maximum benefit from this animal.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2014

It is imperative to know the reproductive parameters of the existing swine breed for profitable farming in Bangladesh. This study was designed to determine the reproductive parameters of sows at hilly areas. A total of 245 pigs with 47 breedable sows were included. The data on age at puberty, oestrous cycle length, oestrus duration, gestation length, interval between furrowing and onset of oestrus, first service pregnancy rate, service per pregnancy and number of piglets born per sow in local and cross bred sows were determined. The present study revealed that age at puberty of local and cross breed sows was $232.5{\pm}8.4$, $221.3{\pm}6.9$ days, respectively. Oestrous duration was $41.1{\pm}3.1$ hours. The interval between furrowing and onset of oestrus was shorter in cross bred sows. There was no variation in values of oestrus cycle length and gestation length. The first service pregnancy rate was higher in both the local and cross bred sow. Number of piglets per sow per farrowing was $6.1{\pm}2.2$ and 60.9% local sows gave birth of 3 to 5 piglets per farrowing whereas 75.0% cross bred sows gave birth of 6 to 9 piglets. These results suggest that reproductive parameters of local sow need to be improved for better production, and cross bred sows should be reared for obtaining expected productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.404-409
• /
• 1998

Nine cows were superovulated by administration of 8 injections of Folltropin each (2.5 ml/injection, 1.75 mg/ml) i.m spread over 4 days, beginning on Day 10 of oestrous cycle, and 30 and 20 mg prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ was given along with the 5th and 6th injections of Folltropin, respectively, to induce luteolysis. The animals were artificially inseminated 48, 60 and 72 h after the first prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ injection. The number of corpora lutea was recorded by palpation per rectum and by ultrasonography on Day 6 (Day 0 = day of oestrus). The ovaries were examined daily by ultrasonography on Days 3-9 of the oestrous cycle for following the growth and regression of the largest follicle, which was considered the morphologically dominant follicle. The animals were classified into two groups depending upon the presence (n = 4) and absence of a dominant follicle (n = 5). There was a high correlation (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) between the number of corpora lutea observed by palpation per rectum and that determined by ultrasonography. Mean (${\pm}SEM$) number of corpora lutea determined by ultrasonography ($11.20{\pm}3.71$ vs $3.25{\pm}0.75$) and by palpation per rectum ($10.40{\pm}3.91$ vs $2.25{\pm}0.75$) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the nondominant group compared to that in the dominant group. There was no difference in the numbers of follicles 2-3 mm ($13.80{\pm}4.49$ vs $8.00{\pm}1.08$), 4-6 mm ($7.00{\pm}1.87$ vs $3.50{\pm}1.33$), and the total number of follicles ${\geq}2mm$ ($22.00{\pm}5.95$ vs $12.50{\pm}1.26$) between the two groups, one day prior to initiation of superovulation. There was, however, a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between the number of corpora lutea with the numbers of follicles 2-3 mm (r = 0.83), 4-6 mm (r = 0.80) and the total number of follicles ${\geq}2mm$ (r = 0.89) observed one day prior to initiation of superovulation. The results of this study indicate that the presence of a dominant follicle adversely affects the superovulatory response in cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.711-714
• /
• 1996

The present study investigated the hypophysial responsiveness in terms of GnRH induced LH and FSH release in cycling buffalo during the tropical summer and winter climatic conditions (seasons). Peripheral plasma LH and FSH levels were measured at 1 hour before and 6 hours subsequent to the administration of GnRH (1 ug/kg body weight) or saline on Day 14 of oestrous cycle in 2 groups of buffalo (n = 6 each) during summer and winter seasons. Although GnRH induced LH peak concentrations did not differ during the two seasons, time to attain LH peak concentration was shorter (p < 0.05) and the area under LH peak was 39% higher (p < 0.05) during winter season in comparison to summer season. However, season had no effect on GnRH induced peak FSH concentration, time to attain peak FSH concentration and the area under FSH peak. Pretreatment basal LH and FSH levels did not differ during the two seasons. The present study suggests that the summer season adversely affects the GnRH stimulated release of LH in buffalo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.486-490
• /
• 1998

The present study examined the follicular populations prior to and during superovulation and investigated their relationship with superovulatory response in crossbred cattle. Eleven animals were administered i.m. 8 doses of Folltropin of 2.5 ml each (1.75 mg/ml) spread over 4 days beginning on Day 10 of oestrous cycle, and 30 and 20 mg Lutalyse was given alongwith the 5th and 6th injections of Folltropin, respectively, to induce luteolysis. The animals were artificially inseminated 48, 60 and 72 h after the first Lutalyse injection. The number of corpora lutea (CL) was recorded by palpation per rectum and embryos were recovered non-surgically on Day 6 (Day 0 day of superoestrus). The ovarian follicular population was examined by transrectal Ultrasonography 15 h prior to and 52 h after the first FSH injection, and then on the day of superoestrus and the day of flushing. The follicles were classfied on the basis of diameter as small (3-5 mm), medium (6-9 mm) and large (${\geq}10mm$). The total number of follicles increased significantly (p < 0.01) from $2.45{\pm}0.35$, 15 h prior to the first FSH injection to $8.09{\pm}1.12$, 52 h after the first FSH injection and then further to $13.27{\pm}1.89 $ on the day of superoestrus. A positive correlation was observed between the number of small follicles 15 h prior to the first FSH injection (r = 0.60, p < 0.05), the number of large follicles 52 h after the first FSH injection (r=0.59, p < 0.05) and the number of CL. The follicular population prior to and during superovulation was, however, not significantly different between high (> 6 CL) and low responders (${\leq}6CL$). The present study suggests that the follicular populations undergo dynamic changes during superovulation and that follicular populations prior to superovulation have a limited application as an indicator of the superovulatory response.