<div>This experiment was conducted to study the electrophoretic characters of heparin binding proteins (HBP) of Black Bengal buck semen and their correlation with sperm characters and cryo-survivability. Semen ejaculates (n=20/buck) were collected from nine bucks and in vitro sperm characters were evaluated at collection, after equilibration and after freeze - thawing. HBP were isolated through heparin column and discontinuous Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed to assess molecular weight. Significant difference (P&lt;0.01) were observed among the bucks in sperm characters and freezability. Eight protein bands of 17 to 180 kDa in seminal plasma and 7 bands in sperm were found. 180 -136 kDa HBP of seminal plasma and 134-101 kDa HBP of sperm had showed high correlation with in vitro sperm characters. Further studies on identification of these proteins and their correlation with in vivo pregnancy are needed to find their role as marker for buck selection.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Heparin Binding Proteins of Black Bengal Buck Semen and Their Correlation with Sperm Characters and Freezability</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> The proteome analysis of seminal plasma and spermatozoa is of special relevance in livestock. Heparin binding proteins (HBPs) found in the seminal plasma of several mammals are shown to bind to sperm membrane and affect a series of events that contribute to normal fertility, such as sperm capacitation, formation of the oviduct reservoir and binding to the oocyte. Profiles of HBPs from seminal plasma and sperm membranes have been associated with sperm fertility. Although, HBPs present in the SP are described in several species, but little is known about HBPs in buck.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>Seminal plasma (SP) and sperm extracts (SE) of 13 bucks were subjected to heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography. Sperm extract, seminal plasma and purified HBPs and Non-HBPs were fractionated by SDS-PAGE. Total 78 females (6 per buck) were mated with 13 bucks. Bucks were divided into two groups, G-I (high fertile, 83.3-100% FR) and G-II (low fertile, 50-66.7% FR). Relationship between HBPs and fertility rate was observed.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> SDS &ndash; PAGE of SP and SE resulted in resolution of 22 (10-240 kDa) and 21 (10-270 kDa) bands, respectively. Based on fertility rate 15 and 13 kDa proteins were absent in SP of higher number of GI-compared to G-II bucks. Fourteen bands ranging from 10 &ndash; 180 kDa and 10 &ndash; 150 kDa were separated from SP-NHBP and SP-HBP. SP-HBPs of 75, 35, 30, 28, 25 and 13 kDa were present in higher (28.6%, 42.5%, 26.2%, 40.5%, 14.3% and 36.2%) number of high fertile than low fertile bucks. NHBP and HBP purified from SE resolved into 11 bands ranging from 10 &ndash; 135 kDa and 10 &ndash; 120 kDa, respectively. SE-HBP of 53 kDa, 50/45 kDa and 25 kDa were present in higher percentage of high fertile than low fertile bucks.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Proteins and Heparin Binding Proteins of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Beetal Bucks: Purification, Characterization and Role in <em>In vivo</em> Fertility</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Rajapalayam, an important dog breed of southern India which are maintained for guarding of farm houses and protection from wild animals. The aim of the present investigation is to study the karyology of this important dog population for cytological profiling. Metaphase plates were prepared after culturing of lymphocytes isolated from heparinized blood collected from animals of both the sexes. Giemsa banding, centromeric index, arm ratio and relative length were estimated through standard protocol. The cytogenetic profile of Rajapalayam dog is different from that of Chinese Raccoon and Japanese Raccoon dogs which belongs to Canidae family with a basic chromosome number of 78 without B chromosome. The X chromosomes are longer in bitches than that of in dogs. Giemsa banding analysis revealed higher number of bands (272) distributed among the 38 chromosome in Indian dog breed as compared to that Chinese Raccoon dog. The results of the present study gave insight knowledge to the researchers, dog breeders and kennel clubs about the karyology of Indian dog breeds and to know about any chromosomal abnormalities which may leads to fertility, growth and phenotypic abnormality related problems in this dog breed. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Cytogenetic Profile of Rajapalayam Dog Breed of Southern India</div>

<p>The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of cysteamine and b-mercaptoethanol supplementation on in -vitro maturation, cleavage of oocytes and development of embryo in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Oocytes were aspirated from abattoir ovarian follicles of 3-10 mm diameter followed by maturation in the media in vitro containing cysteamine/b-mercaptoethanol (treatment) and without antioxidant (control). Matured oocytes were co-incubated with sperm (approx.1&times;106/ml) of Murrah bull in mSOF medium using heparin (10 &micro;g/ml). After 22 h of oocyte-sperm incubation, fertilized oocytes were stripped of cumulus cells and cultured in mSOF medium for 8 days to study embryo development. The oocyte maturation rate improved significantly (P&lt;0.05) following addition of &nbsp;50 or 100 &micro;M of cysteamine and 10, 50 and 100 &micro;M of &nbsp;b- mercaptoethanol (ME), respectively as compared to control. The cleavage rate was found to be significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher at 50 and 100 &micro;M of cysteamine and at all concentrations of b-mercaptoethanol as compared to control and development of embryos to morula stage was significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved with 50 &micro;M cysteamine/ b-mercaptoethanol.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


<p>Cysteamine and b-mercaptoethanol supplementation improves the in vitro&nbsp;embryo development in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)</p>


<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background:</strong> The study was conducted to compare the development of goat embryos in simple media with BSA and complex culture media supplemented with serum on the development of goat embryos. Also, studied the effect of oviductal cell co-culture on the developmental competence of goat oocytes.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The A and B quality goat oocytes subjected to in vitro maturation in TCM 199 + 10% FCS + FSH + Estradiol for 24 hours in a CO<sub>2</sub> incubator (6% CO<sub>2</sub>) at 38.5&deg;C. The oocytes that exhibited cumulus expansion subjected to in vitro fertilization in 1) BO - IVF and 2) TALP-fertilization media supplemented with heparin. The cleavage percent found significantly higher in BO-IVF (66.66%) compared to TALP- fertilization media (42.07%). After 18 hours of sperm-oocyte incubation, the presumptive zygotes from BO-IVF media divided randomly into 3 groups and cultured in one of the following 3 media, group 1) CR1aa media; group 2) BO-IVC media and group 3) TCM-199 + 10% FBS.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The cleavage percentage was significantly higher (P&gt;0.05) in BO-IVC media than CR1aa media and TCM-199 media (72.32, 64.35 and 35.23 percent respectively). The blastocyst development observed significantly higher (P&gt;0.05) in CR1aa compared to commercial BO-IVC media and TCM-199 media (9.23, 5.55, and 4.05 percent, respectively). Among the different media compared, CR1aa and BO-IVC media were effective for supporting the development of goat zygotes to the morula and blastocyst stages than those obtained when a complex TCM-199 medium used with serum supplementation. The effect of oviductal cell co-culture on the developmental competence of goat oocytes studied. The blastocyst development rate found higher in CR1aa + oviductal and TCM- 199 + oviductal cells as compared to CR1aa and TCM-199 alone.</p>


<p>Comparative Efficiency of Different Culture Media on&nbsp;in <em>vitro </em>Embryonic Development of Goat Oocytes</p>


<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aim of these study to evaluate the changes in acid-base balance in blood during ruminal lactic acidosis in goats. The study was carried out at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, Large Animal Clinics Out -Patient Medicine Unit, Chennai on twelve non-descript goats. Goats having ruminal lactic acidosis with a history of accidental ingestion of raw rice, roti and wheat were selected for the study. The affected goats were appeared the symptoms of respiratory distress, bloated abdomen, foamy material comes out from mouth and diarrhoea.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong>&nbsp; Blood samples were collected in heparinized coated syringe for analysis of electrolyte profile and acid -base parameters analysis by using the portable automatic acid-base analyser Epoc Blood-gas Analyser System to evaluate the acid-base status and blood gases in the blood of ruminal lactic acidosis affected goats. Rumen fluid was collected by using oro-ruminal tube. Electrocardiographic examination was performed in standing position without any sedation using a bipolar apex-base lead system.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Microscopic examination of rumen fluid revealed no protozoal movement. Highly significant decrease in blood pH, PvO<sub>2</sub>&nbsp;value, cHCO<sub>3</sub>- value and BE (ecf) value in goats affected with acidosis when compared with the healthy control group. A highly significant increase in PvCO<sub>2</sub>&nbsp;value, Anion Gap and blood lactate was observed in acidosis goats when compared to control. A highly significant increase in the haemoglobin levels and RBC level was observed in acidotic goats when compared to healthy goats. There was significant increase of BUN and creatinine value in acidosis goat. Electrolyte examination appears hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia and hypokalemia in acidosis goat when compared with healthy control group. ECG observed sinus tachycardia and characterized by increased heart rate, decreased P-R interval, significant changes in the ST and PR segment, increased P and T wave amplitudes and decreased regular R-R intervals.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Acid-base Disturbance and Electrolyte Alteration in Non-descript Goats Affected with Ruminal Lactic Acidosis</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> The Sahiwal cattle, one of the best dairy breeds of Zebu cattle in India and Pakistan, originated from the Montgomery district of Pakistan. The performance of this breed in the tropical environment is also better than other cattle breeds. Now a day Sahiwal is choice of farmers in Maharashtra as it is a milch type breed mostly preferred for Deshi cow milk production and for organic farming. Blood profile of an individual is an important indicator of an individual&rsquo;s well-being. Normal blood levels of various biochemical components are essential for normal function of various systems in the body including reproductive system. Hence, the current study was aimed to evaluate of serum biochemical profile of Sahiwal cows reared in Pune district of Maharashtra. Pune district of Maharashtra comes under western Maharashtra plain zone with Grayish black soils. The annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 700 mm. Soils formed from trap rock are grayish black in colour and varying texture. The natural vegetation is of shrub. The area mostly grows paddy, sugarcane, pearl millet, sorghum and groundnut.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>Serum biochemical profile of Sahiwal heifers and cows were evaluated at different stages i.e. below 1 year heifer, above 1 year heifer, early lactating cow, mid lactating cow, late lactating cow, dry pregnant cow and dry non pregnant cows. Total seventy (70) animals was selected i.e. ten (10) animals from each group stage. All animals were maintained under standard feeding and management conditions. The blood samples of selected cows were collected by puncturing in jugular vein in heparinized vacationer tubes. Analysis of serum profile of 70 blood samples were carried out by using automatic blood analyzer machine (Miura 200 I.S.E. group, Italy).&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The concentrations of serum cholesterol, glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, total protein, globulin, A: G ratio ALP, ALT and AST were significant in different stages of Sahiwal cows. The non-significant difference was observed in different stages of Sahiwal cows in regards to serum concentration of amylase, bilirubin direct, bilirubin total, creatinine, urea, albumin, magnesium, iron and GGT.</div>


<p>Evaluation of Serum Biochemical Profile in Heifer and Adult Sahiwal Cows Reared in Maharashtra</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Postpartum fertility in dairy bovines is one of the important criteria of sustainable dairy industry and economy of farmers. The Kankrej, a dual purpose zebu cattle, is known for its endurance, but is slow breeder with very late maturity, prolonged postpartum anestrous/subestrous and thereby calving interval. These peculiarities necessitate scientists to adopt fixed time AI (FTAI) protocols of estrus synchronization for improving their reproductive efficiency. Hence this study was aimed to assess the fertility and plasma metabolic profile of normal and synchronized anestrous/ subestrous suckled Kankrej cows of an organized farm.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>The study involved 36 parturient Kankrej cows of the University Farm that were maintained under identical nutritional and managerial practices. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers from all the animals on the day of calving and then at 10 days interval till 90 days for plasma metabolic profile. Animals monitored by per rectal palpation 10 days apart around day 70-80 postpartum revealed 30 cows to be anestrous or subestrous, which were randomly allocated to five different estrus synchronization protocols at day 90-92, each with six cows and a group of six cows that exhibited estrus and were bred by day 70-90 served as normal control. The treatment protocols included Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and double PGF<sub>2</sub>&alpha; together with estimation of plasma metabolites on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) and then at 10 days interval up to day 40 post-AI.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The mean plasma total protein levels varied non-significantly, while total cholesterol and triglycerides varied significantly (p&lt;0.01) between intervals until 90 days postpartum in most of the groups with gradual increase in the mean values from the day of calving. The estrus synchronization protocols, however. did not alter the plasma profile of these constituents. The estrus induction response with Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF<sub>2</sub>&alpha; treatment was 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66 and 66.66% and the conception rates at induced estrus 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00%, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rate at first cycle was 33.33%. The plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in conceived than non-conceived cows, particularly during early postpartum period and post-AI. It was concluded that CIDR, Cosynch and PGF<sub>2</sub>&alpha; protocols were better for estrus induction and conception rate in anestrous and subestrous suckled Kankrej cows, although they did not influence the plasma metabolic profile.</div>


<p>Monitoring Plasma Metabolic Profile, Fertility in Normal and Estrus Synchronized Suckled Kankrej Cows</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> This study was conducted on &gt;90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2&aacute; injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17&acirc; by RIA technique.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Results</strong>: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p&lt;0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25 %, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75 %, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles&rsquo; post-treatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25 %, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p&lt;0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p&lt;0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17&acirc; profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17&acirc; on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates.</div>


<div>Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries</div>


Heparin Binding Proteins of Black Bengal Buck Semen and Their Correlation with Sperm Characters and Freezability

Proteins and Heparin Binding Proteins of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Beetal Bucks: Purification, Characterization and Role in In vivo Fertility

Cytogenetic Profile of Rajapalayam Dog Breed of Southern India

Cysteamine and b-mercaptoethanol supplementation improves the in vitro embryo development in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Comparative Efficiency of Different Culture Media on in vitro Embryonic Development of Goat Oocytes

Acid-base Disturbance and Electrolyte Alteration in Non-descript Goats Affected with Ruminal Lactic Acidosis

Evaluation of Serum Biochemical Profile in Heifer and Adult Sahiwal Cows Reared in Maharashtra

Monitoring Plasma Metabolic Profile, Fertility in Normal and Estrus Synchronized Suckled Kankrej Cows

Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries