IDENTIFICATION OF AQUAPORIN 7 GENE POLYMORPHISM AND IN-VIVO FERTILITY OF EGYPTIAN BUFFALO BULLS

This work aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) gene and its association with the in-vivo fertility of Egyptian buffalo bulls. A total of 188 fresh semen ejaculates were collected from 47 buffalo bulls and subjected to semen evaluation. The bulls were grouped according to in-vivo fertility relying on sire conception rate (SCR) into high (SCR>50%, n=41) and low (SCR<50%, n=6) fertile bulls. DNA was extracted from semen and a 200 bp fragment of the AQP7 gene was amplified by PCR. The genetic polymorphism of AQP7 gene was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism, the single strand conformation polymorphism and the nucleotide sequencing. The results revealed that SCR was significantly (p<0.001) increased in high (71.4±1.3) than low (44.7±2.8) fertile bulls while the ejaculate volume, individual motility%, lives sperm%, sperm concentration and sperm abnormalities showed a non-significant difference in both groups. The AQP7 gene showed no genetic variation in all bulls. The alignment of the resultant sequence with buffalo AQP7 gene sequence (ID: XM_006066699.2) showed 100% identity (122/122), however, deletion of A49 was discovered when the sequence was aligned with ID: XM_006066700.2 of buffalo in GenBank. In conclusion, the sire conception rate is not associated with any genetic variation in Aquaporin 7 gene. The Aquaporin 7 gene could be a highly conserved sequence in Egyptian buffalo bulls. Future research on large herd populations in different regions of AQP7 gene is required for evaluating the AQP7 gene polymorphism and its association with the fertility of Egyptian buffalo bulls.

Assessment of Breeding Practice and Statues of Estrus Synchronization and Mass Insemination Conception Rate of Dairy Cattle in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

BackgroundAssisted reproductive biotechnology like oestrus synchronization mass insemination(OSMI), and artificial insemination (AI) are the most important bio techniques for improving the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cattle including enhancing overall profit in Ethiopia. In North Shewa zone different study were conducted. However, there is no study conducted on breeding practice, and status of OSMI conception rate of dairy cattle. Therefore the aim of this study to assess breeding practice, and status of OSMI conception rate of dairy cattle in North Shewa zone.MethodsOut of 27 districts, three district and 135 respondents were selected purposive followed by random sampling techniques per each district. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Ms-Excel (2010).ResultMilk yield, High growth rate, body weight, fertility and udder size were the major traits perceived by farmers. Breed preference of the respondents were HHFC and HFC in Basonaworena and Angolelanatera ranked first. Breeding objective and rearing system of cattle were milk production with sale of calves and all cattle categories reared together except HHFC and lactating cows respectively. Most of the respondents were used AI mating system due to rapid genetic improvement. HHFC and HJERC bulls breed were not available in the study area as a result alternative strategies taken by the respondents was take cows in other kebele. Reproductive performance of dairy cattle per district and breeds were statistically significant. 86.6% of respondents were not maintained mating and pedigree records due to lack of awareness. Heat detection problem and AIT efficiency were the major factor that affect CR in OSMI program. The perception and satisfaction of farmer on CR of OSMI (34.4%) was not good and (67.1%) not satisfied respectively. The selection criteria of cows for OSMI program (58.9%) of respondents were not aware. The status of CR and NSPC per district, breed and year were vary (p<0.05) in table16 in OSMI program.ConclusionIn conclusion that the status of CR was increasing starting 2013/14-2015/16 in OSMI. In addition creation of farmer’s awareness on breeding aspects as well as OSMI is mandatory. Finally empowering the AI technician efficiency and procurement of the necessary facilities should be in place before implementing an OSMI.

Sexual Behaviour and Seminal Attributes Associated with Fertility of Jaffarabadi Buffalo Bulls

Background: The selection of breeding bulls based on the association of sexual behaviour, seminal attributes and conception rate are more important and economical. However, information on association of sexual behaviour and seminal attributes with fertility in buffaloes particularly with reference to Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls is meager. Methods: The study was carried out to assess the association of sexual behaviour and seminal attributes with first service conception rate (FCR) of Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls. A total of 192 semen ejaculates were evaluated and cryo-preserved. First AI conception rate (FCR) was carried out on 800 Jaffarabadi female buffaloes inseminated with frozen-thawed semen and pregnancy was confirmed by per rectal palpation at 2 months post-insemination. Result: The results indicated that both sexual behaviour and seminal attributes were associated with fertility in Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls.

The Effects of Ram Exposure, Progestogen and eCG on Reproductive Performance of Fat Tail Ewes in Non-Breeding Season

Sheep are considered short-day breeders. Exposure of rams to anestrus ewes results in an increase in LH secretion. The aims of this study was to determine whether the presence and exposure of rams can effect on reproductive performance such as: pregnancy rate, litter size, sex of lamb, fecundity rate and prolificacy rate of fat tail Iranian Shaal breed ewes in non-breeding season using progesterone (p4) analogue with or without equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Totally, 100 ewes out of 138 non-cyclic ewes with <0.5ng/ml P4 were selected for this study. They were aged 2 to >7 years old. They were stratified to two groups (control and treatment). The ewes in treatment and control groups received 13 days a sponge containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The treatment group consists of 3 subgroups and each group contains 25 ewes equally. They were included: 1- P4, eCG and Ram exposure. 2- P4 and ram exposure. 3- P4 and eCG. Ewes in control group received only P4. The ewes were located in isolated corrals for 40 days. The ram to ewe ratio was 1 to 5. Twenty healthy rams were housed in an isolated pen from ewes with distance 1500 m during 40 days. Rams exposed three days before sponge withdraw (day 10). They were separated by considerable distance (2 meters) using fence. The related groups received 500 IU eCG on the day of sponge removal (day 13). The rams were released into the ewe flock after removing the sponge in treatment and control groups. Pregnancy diagnosis performed using transabdominal ultrasonography. The obtained data analyzed using SPSS version 16. The conception rate in treatment and control groups were differed significantly (P<0.01). The conception rate in P4+ram exposure+ eCG, P4+ramexposure and P4+ eCG were 96%(no.24), 80%(no.20) and 88%(no.22), respectively. However, the conception rate in control group was 60% (no. 15). The fecundity rates were 136%, 100% and 124% in treatment subgroups, however, it was 84% in control group, respectively. There were no significant differences among genus and weight of lambs in treatments subgroups and control group (P>0.05). It is concluded that ram exposure can increase significantly reproductive performance in non-breeding season fat tailed ewes Shaal breed.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Garlic (Allium sativum), Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) Extracts in the Treatment of Bovine Endometritis

Background: Endometritis is one of the major causes of subfertility in bovines. The present study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ethanolic extracts of garlic, turmeric and eucalyptus in the treatment of bovine endometritic as an alternative to antibiotics. Methods: Forty crossbred cows affected with endometritis were equally divided into 4 groups. Group I (control) cows were treated intrauterinely (i.u) with streptopenicillin 2.5 g + 30 ml normal saline for 3 days and group II, III and IV cows were treated (i.u) with 30-40 ml of ethanolic extract of garlic, turmeric and eucalyptus for 3 consecutive days. The animals were inseminated artificially on subsequent estrus after the treatment. Result: Bacterial count in uterine flushing declined significantly after treatment in all the four groups. The percentage of reduction in bacterial count was higher in garlic treated cows than in control and other treatment groups. A significant increase in percentage of PMNs was found after treatment in all the groups. The overall conception rate was 40% in control group, 50% in group II and 30% in group III and IV. It was concluded that ethanolic extract of garlic for the treatment of endometritis resulted in better conception rate and significantly higher percentage reduction of bacterial load than other treatment and control groups.