<div>Background: Successful medical management of a serious form of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra (CEH-P) in a white tiger, with a combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline and enrofloxacin is discussed. 
 
Methods: A 14-year-old white tiger (Panthera tigris) belonging to the Zoological Garden, Thiruvanathapuram showed symptoms of gradual discomfort, dyspepsia and polydipsia for two weeks. There were no signs of oestrus for the previous two months and a serosanguinous vaginal discharge was also noticed. On ultrasonographic examination, uterine sacculations filled with fluid could be found which was suggestive of pyometra. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased level of serum progesterone, anaemia, high ESR, persistent hyperproteinaemia and hyperglobulinaemia were evident on haematological examination. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management was planned. A combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline, enrofloxacin and supportive therapy were given along with strict and close monitoring by different experts on site or by utilizing telemedicine communication technologies. Periodic hematological examination, serum biochemistry, progesterone estimation and ultrasonographic evaluation were done to evaluate the progress of treatment. The progesterone values during the period of study ranged from 45.6 ng/ml at the commencement of treatment to a basal level of 0.73 ng/ml towards the end of treatment.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The animal had an uneventful clinical recovery. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management can be considered as a valuable option in treating CEH-Pyometra in wild felids. This being the first report of successful medical treatment of CEH-P in a large captive felid with a combination of antiprogestins, prolactin antagonists, prostaglandins and antibiotics, it is suggested that due consideration of such a treatment regimen is of great importance in large felids.</div>

A Novel Protocol for Medical Management of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra in White Tiger

Nellore Jodipi cyclic ewes were synchronized to assess the effectiveness of two different doses of double PGF2&aacute; (Cloprostenol sodium) @ either 125 or 250 &micro;g with 9 d interval in Groups I and II based on the estrus response and fertility rate after intra cervical inseminations at 60 and 72 h after 2nd PGF2a. The estrus response (%), onset of estrus (%), duration of estrus (h) and intensity of estrus in ewes synchronized by PGF2a were 80.95 and 85.71; 50.94+3.12 and 48.00+3.40; 24.35+1.41 and 28.22+1.15 and 6.76+0.29 and 6.83+0.34 in Groups I and II, respectively. The conception rate based on 25 d non return rate was 85.71 and 80.95 % with an overall lambing rate of 71.43 and 66.67 % in Group I and II, respectively. The study revealed that the synchronization response among the treated ewes by 125 &micro;g of PGF2&aacute; was slightly lesser with higher lambing rate than 250 &micro;g of PGF2a.

Synchronization of Nellore Jodipi ewes by different doses of PGF2a 
&nbsp;

Different out-of-season estrus induction protocols were evaluated using a single progesterone (P4) priming 24h prior the use of eCG, GnRH or E2. Adult anestrus mix-breed dairy goats (n=32) were P4-primed (20 mg i.m.) and randomly assigned (n=8) to: &nbsp;a). E2: 1mg i.m. estradiol+0.2ml cloprostenol 24h later, b). E2+GnRH: E2+2.5ml GnRH 24h later, c). E2+eCG, E2+100 IU i.m. eCG 24h later, and d). eCG, 250IU i.m. eCG . Response variables considered the percentages of estrus (ES%, detected by sexually active males), ovulation (OV%), and pregnancy (PR%, diagnosed 45d after estrus detection). All treatments achieved high ES% (&gt;87%) and OV% (&gt;50%), yet, E2+GnRH reached 88% of OV% and PR%. E2 alone had the lowest PR% (p&lt;0.05; 12.5%) and the highest interval from estrus to ovulation. The largest PR% (p&lt;0.05; 81.5%, average) were observed in E2+GnRH and E2+eCG. Results indicate the feasibility of a simple synchronization protocol based in a single i.m. progesterone-priming plus E2+GnRH.

Evaluation of out-of-season estrus induction protocols in progesterone-primed mix-breed dairy goats using eCG, GnRH and E2

<div>Background: Copper and selenium were proven modulaters of reproductive function in ruminants under dietary supplementation. Their effects under pareneral administraton during estrus synchronization are not clearly defined. On this background the present was aimed to evaluate the effect of copper and selenium on estrus associated responses in goats. 
 
Methods: Thirty adult female Salem black goats were selected. On day ten of the estrus cycle, 250 &micro;g of cloprostenol injection was given intramuscularly to all the animals and assigned to five groups. GI: control, GII: 4 &micro;g of Buserelin, GIII: 20 mg cupric chloride, GIV: 10 mg sodium selenite and GV: copper plus selenium injections were administrated. Whole blood was collected for seven days for hormone assay. Estrus was detected using aproned bucks.&nbsp; 
 
Result: There was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference in estrus response, onset and duration of estrus between groups. The progesterone concentration decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) from day 0 (before PGF2&alpha;) to day 1 (after PGF2&alpha;) in all groups. There was a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in estradiol and progesterone concentration in the GnRH group compared to other groups. Parenteral administration of copper and selenium did not significantly improve estrus behavior, estradiol and progesterone concentration in Salem black goats. GnRH was once again proved to be effective in the improvement of estrus associated responses in goats.</div>

Efficiency of Copper and Selenium during Estrus Synchronization on Estrus Behaviour, Estradiol and Progesterone Concentration in Salem Black Goats

Background: Estrus detection is crucial for reproductive performance of goats which requires accurate, economical and easy techniques. Present study was undertaken to delineate urine metabolomics profile to identify biomarkers for different phases of estrous cycle in Surti goats. 
 
Methods: Ten non-pregnant Surti goats were synchronized for estrous using intra-vaginal progesterone sponges (impregnated with 60 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate) for 11 days followed by intramuscular injection of 125 &mu;g Cloprostenol (PGF2a analogue). Estrus was confirmed based on physiological and behavioral signs. Urine samples collected during proestrus, estrus and diestrus were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Web-based interface MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for data preprocessing, normalization, statistical analysis and data visualization. Statistical analysis comprised data normalization, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Fisher LSD test, hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis. 
 
Result: Total 56 metabolites were found to vary during different phases of estrous cycle. The study was successful in generating untargeted urine metabolomics profile of Surti goats that can be used for identifying specific biomarkers for different phases of estrous. Two metabolites 4-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (2-dieth-4-A-2) and 4-Methylphenol (p-Cresol) emerged as potential biomarkers for detecting estrus. These results can serve as base line reference paving way for future studies in larger group that may further validate these findings.

Untargeted Urine Metabolomics Profiling during Different Phases of Estrous Cycle in Surti Goats

Background: The Bachaur is a medium sized draft purpose breed mostly present in Madhubani, Darbhanga and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar and presently the breed is at the verge of extinction. Since no data is presently available regarding the estrus pattern in these cows therefore, present study was designed to document the oestrus intensity, estrus cycle length, estrus behaviour and duration of estrus in these animals. 
 
Methods: The total of nine healthy breeding Bachaur cows aged 3 to 5 years were maintained under identical managemental conditions.The estrous cycles of nine animals was synchronized using Cloprostenol Sodium @ 500 mg I/M (Pragma&reg;, Intas, India) in cycling Bachaur cows. Estrus was detected in the morning and evening for external signs of estrus, estrus behavior, intensity of estrus, estrus duration and estrous cycle length.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In the present study, mounting or&nbsp; mounted by other animals was observed in&nbsp; more than 70% and sniffing, tried to lick and Flehmen&rsquo;s reaction was&nbsp; observed in about 66.67% of treated cows. The other parameters like&nbsp; bellowing, restlessness, milk yield reduction, frequent micturition and Flehmen&rsquo;s reaction were recorded in 44.44%, 55.56%, 44.44%, 55.56% and 66.67%, of animals, respectively. The most appreciable physical sign of estrus recorded was intense swelling of vulva (in 88.89%) however hyperaemia of vulva, copious estrual mucous discharge, pronounced tonicity of uterus, completely dilated os cervix and presence of large palpable follicle on the ovary was observed in&nbsp; 44.44%, 55.56%, 66.67%, 77.78% and 66.67%,&nbsp; of cows respectively.

Reproductive Performance of Estrus Pattern in Bachaur Cows of Bihar

<div>Background: Standard estrus synchronization regimens resulted in variable outcomes in buffaloes. The present study evaluated ovarian and fertility responses following presynchronization in Heatsynch protocol administered in postpartum buffaloes.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In group-I (Presynch-Heatsynch group, n=30), PGF2&alpha; was administered on days -14 and -2. Then, GnRH analogue, PGF2&alpha; (Cloprostenol) and Estradiol benzoate were administered on day 0, 7 and 8, respectively followed by fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) 48 hours later. In group-II (Heatsynch group, n=30), rest protocol was same, except that first two PGF2&alpha; injections were not administered.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The progesterone concentrations differed (P&lt;0.01) between the two groups on days -2, 0 and 7. Post-treatment, progesterone profiles were also higher in pregnant compared to non-pregnant buffaloes in both the groups except on day 10. CL diameter differed (P&lt;0.01) between groups on days -2, 0 and 7. It was larger in pregnant than non-pregnant buffaloes on day 7 in both the groups. Dominant follicle diameter remained larger on days -2, 0 and 8 in group-I than -II. Buffaloes getting pregnant had a larger (P&lt;0.01) dominant follicle size on the day of FTAI in group-I than of group-II. Ovulatory response of 93.33 and 90.00% was observed in group-I and II. The conception rate was higher (66.66 vs. 40.00%; P&lt;0.05) in group-I than Group-II. Presynchronization improved reproductive efficiency in Heatsynch treatment and may aid for better fertility in buffaloes.</div>

<div>Presynch-Heatsynch: A New Approach to Improve Ovarian and Fertility Responses in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)</div>

Background: With the commercial introduction of sexed semen, its use has been recommended for insemination at observed estrus, avoiding the use of a fixed-time insemination due to inherent variation in success of timed programmes. The use of the Ovsynch protocol with sexed semen at defined conditions such as normal clinical and reproductive status of lactating cows might result in a pregnancy rate comparable to that achievable at insemination upon detection of spontaneous estrus with sexed semen. Considering this rationale, present research was implemented with the effect of fertility on synchronized and spontaneous estrus with sexed semen. 
 
Methods: Post-partum multiparous crossbred cows (n=28) were categorized as a group I (Spontaneous; n=14) and group II (Ovsynch; n=14). The fourteen cows from group I were inseminated with sexed semen at observed estrus after initial treatment with vitamin AD3E and H, urimin and supplemented with chelated mixture and the fourteen cows from the&nbsp; group II were synchronized with Ovsynch synchronization protocol (Inj. Buserline acetate 10 &micro;g I/M) on day 0, (Inj. Cloprostenol sodium 500 &micro;g) on day 7 and (Inj. Buserline acetate 10 &micro;g) I/M on day 9. Thereafter, timed artificial insemination (TAI) was performed 16-20 hours after 2nd dose of GnRH with sexed semen. 
 
Result: The percent intense type of intensity recorded numerically higher in induced estrus. The first service conception rate was higher in spontaneous estrus with the overall conception&nbsp; 
rate 39.28%. Cows with 60-100 days in milk was showed high conception rate with sexed semen, as the parity increases the conception rate decreases with sexed semen The overall proportion of female calves born was 90.90%.

&nbsp;

Fertility Assessment of Sexed Semen with Synchronized and Spontaneous Estrus in Crossbred Cows

Background: Estrus synchronization is a reproductive technique which used in livestock species to enhance the reproductive performances. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of CIDR (EAZI-BREED CIDR&reg;) and Prostaglandin (PGF2&alpha;) on estrus response, ovulation time and conception rate during early breeding season of Boer goats. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A total of 20 non-pregnant does (10 for CIDR based and 10 for double PGF2&alpha; based protocol) were used for the present experiment. For CIDR based protocol (Group I), does were inserted with EAZI-BREED CIDR intravaginally containing 0.3 mg progesterone and kept for 11 days. A single dose of 125 microgram PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;was injected before 24 hrs of EAZI-BREED CIDR removal and 4 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on day of implant removal. For prostaglandin (PGF2&alpha;) protocol (Group II), does were injected intramuscularly with two doses of 125 &micro;g cloprostenol at 11-day intervals. In both the groups teaser buck was used for estrus detection and mated by selected bucks. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Estrus response was hundred per cent in both the groups. The duration of onset of estrus (hours) was shorter (28.80&plusmn;1.20) in CIDR treated protocol than double PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;protocol (40.20&plusmn;1.30), where as the duration of estrus was longer in Group I (37.70&plusmn;0.75) hour as compared to group II (33.60&plusmn;0.54) does. Serum progesterone levels on day 0, on day 12 (24 hrs after completion of protocol) and day 35 after mating were1.31&plusmn;0.13, 0.70&plusmn;0.12 and 5.94&plusmn;1.29 respectively for Group I, where as 1.13&plusmn;0.13, 0.96&plusmn;0.14 and 3.73&plusmn;0.53 (ng/ml) were observed for Group II does. A significant difference was observed between day 12 and day 35 in both the groups but no significant difference was observed between the groups for day 0, 12 and 35. LH concentrations on the day of estrus did not vary significantly in both groups. Conception rates were 80 per cent and 60 per cent for group I and II respectively. In conclusion, the CIDR protocol provided better estrus synchronization and higher conception rates compared to the double PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;protocol, making it a more effective and reliable for estrus synchronization in Boer goats.

Comparative Studies on the Effect of Synchronization Protocols on Estrus Response, Ovulation Time and Conception Rate in Boer Goats during Early Breeding Season in Odisha

<div>Background: Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42&plusmn;2 and 48&plusmn;2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 &micro;g Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups. 
 
Result: In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p&lt;0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p&lt;0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p&lt;0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p&lt;0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66 %, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes.</div>

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility