<div style="text-align: justify;">The insulin-like growth factor-I is a pleotropic growth factor that modulates cell replication. Insulin-like growth factor-I is produced by granulosa, theca and luteal cells and have autocrine and paracrine actions. It plays a crucial role in animal fertility acting as a monitoring signal. Researches have shown that synergistically with gonadotropins it stimulates the growth, survivability and steroidogenesis of follicular cells.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Ovarian Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I</div>

Leptin a multifarious hormone was discovered in 1994, a protein synthesized and secreted by adipose tissue has been shown to regulate feed intake in several species of animals. Although, a nimiety of information exists regarding the physiological role of leptin in animals, but the regulation and action of leptin in reproductive aspects of domestic animals is still naive. Emerging evidence in several species indicates that leptin may also affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis thus augmenting various reproductive processes. Leptin mRNA receptors are present in the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus of several species. Evidence to support direct action of leptin at the level of the gonad indicates that the leptin receptor and its mRNA are present in ovarian tissues of several species, including cattle. These leptin receptors are functional, since leptin inhibits insulin-induced steroidogenesis of both granulosa and thecal cells of cattle in vitro. Leptin receptors are present in buffalo corpus luteum in different stages of the estrous cycle. In both primates and animals, leptin receptors exist in placental tissues and may regulate metabolism of the fetal-placental unit. During pregnancy, placental production of leptin may be a major contributor for the increase in maternal leptin in primates. Leptin association can be made for body energy stores, dietary energy intake and reproductive functions in animals.

Role of leptin in physiology of animal reproduction-A review

<div>Background: Anatomical abnormalities of the ovaries can be responsible for a variety of reproductive problems, ranging from subfertility to sterility. The current study was aimed to evaluate the ovaries for histological variations and for the identification of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein - 2 (IGFBP-2) by Immunohistochemistry. IGFBP-2 was produced by ovarian tissues and was subjected to dynamic changes during follicle growth, differentiation and degeneration.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted on the genitalia of 100 dairy cows / heifers collected from Meat Technology Unit, Mannuthy. Out of these 100 animals, three showed ovarian hypoplasia. Tissue samples from different regions were fixed in 10 per cent neutral buffered formalin. Standard procedures were adopted for histoarchitectural studies and samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry. 
 
Result: Hypoplastic ovaries were appeared as small, wrinkled, flattened and elongated structures. Histologically, the ovary was not demarcated into a cortex and medulla distinctly. The ovaries were mostly devoid of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. In partial hypoplastic ovaries, higher number of atretic follicles were noticed when compared with the normal ovary. Some of these atretic follicles showed a thickened zona pellucida. The granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte were degenerated. Tissue samples from the animals with ovarian hypoplasia showed a strong immunoreaction (for IGFBP-2) in the primordial and atretic follicles. The staining intensity and percentage of immunoreactive cells was comparatively higher than that of the control group. More number of IGFBP-2 blocked the positive effect of FSH and suppress steroidogenesis. The overall percentage of positive immunoreactive cells was more than 50 per cent with strongly positive staining intensity.</div>

​Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Studies on Ovaries of Crossbred Dairy Cows with Ovarian Hypoplasia

Background: The orexin (OX) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that exists in two forms, orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB), which bind two receptors (OX1 and OX2). While orexin B shows selectivity for OX2, OXA is potent at both receptors. Orexins are also reported in other mammalian organs where they undergo many regulatory functions. However, their detection in the dromedary camel reproductive organs remains to be revealed. 
 
Methods: We investigated the immunoreactivity of orexin OXA and OX1 in the testis of young (6-12 month), pre-pubertal (2-3 years) and adult (6-15 years) dromedary camels. We also studied the relative expression of hypocretin neuropeptide precursor (HCRT) in the testicular tissue of these age groups. 
 
Result: Positive immunoreactions of OXA and OX1 were shown in both the tubules and interstitium of dromedary camel testis in the young animals. While positive OXA and OX1 immune-labeling was detected in the spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells in all ages, adult camels also showed positive OXA and OX1 signals in the primary spermatocytes, spermatozoa and interstitial blood vessels. In testes at pre-pubertal and adult stages, spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells showed stronger OXA and OX1 reactions than in young camels. Real time PCR analysis also revealed that HCRT was expressed in the testis of dromedary camels with minimal expression in young camels. In conclusion, the current study provides the first evidence for the presence of OXA and OX1 in the testis of adult and younger dromedary camels. Before puberty, the binding of OXA and OX1 in the camel testis might be important for development and proliferation of spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells; in adult animals they may play a role in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.

Age-related Localization and Expression of Orexin A and its Receptor 1 in Dromedary Camel Testis&nbsp;

<div>Background: Pesticides act as endocrine disruptors and cause enormous disturbances in steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sexual behavioural display. These toxicants modulate and/or disrupt the reproductive and hormonal environment by acting on hypothalamus, pituitary and reproductive organs. Few studies have been carried out to assess the levels of pesticides in dairy cattle / buffaloes. The information on pesticide residues in body fluids especially blood and semen in breeding bulls is lacking.&nbsp; 
 
Method: In the light of above background nineteen fresh semen ejaculates were collected from Milkfed, Khanna and PLDB (Punjab Livestock Development Board), Nabha, Punjab and stored at -80◦C. Immediately after collection, the semen was centrifuged at 4500 &times; g for 20 min at 4◦C. The supernatant (seminal plasma) was stored at -20◦C until processing for the assessment of pesticide residues using gas chromatography (GC). In the present study on crossbred breeding bulls, the semen samples were analyzed for organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues. Seven OCP were screened namely Heptachlor epoxide, Chlordane, Fipronil, Lindane, Methoxychlor, op-DDT, Endrin. Eleven OPP were screened namely Chorpyrifos, Dichlorovos, Ethion, Monocrotophos, Malathion, Parathion-methyl, Profenphos, Phorate, Triazophos, Quinalphos and Phosalone and four SP&rsquo;s namely Cypermethrin, Permethrin, Deltamethrin, Cyalothrin were screened in the semen samples. Semen samples were also assessed for viability, HOST (%) and abnormality (%) for both fresh as well as post thaw samples. 
 
Result: None of the semen samples were found positive for any of the above pesticide residues. This may be attributed to the feeding of fodder cultivated at the stations without using any pesticides, hence no pesticide residue found in the semen samples of the crossbred breeding bulls of these semen stations In present study, viability (%) of sperms were found to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in fresh (75.57 &plusmn; 5.31) as compared to post thaw (70.17 &plusmn; 4.64) semen of bulls. The abnormality (%) of sperms was found to be significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in fresh (13.61 &plusmn; 3.71) than post thaw (18.22 &plusmn; 3.59) semen bulls. Also in present study the host (%) was found 67.23&plusmn;4.76 in fresh semen which decreased to 46.82&plusmn;3.55 in post thaw semen.</div>

​Evaluation of Level of Pesticide Residue in Seminal Fluid of Crossbred Bulls

<div>Background: Bio potency of trace elements is very important in animal growth and reproduction. Among the trace minerals, zinc is very important as it is required for many normal physiological functions. It also plays an essential role in testicular steroidogenesis androgen metabolism and interaction with steroid receptors. Testes have a strict zinc requirement and severe zinc deficiency compromises spermatogenesis, sperm viability, motility and fertility in human beings. Zinc depletion studies in mice resulted in oligospermia with poor Leydig cell function and lowered testosterone concentration and was reversed by zinc supplementation. But, relatively few studies have been conducted on male animal responses to supplementation of important mineral like zinc at their critical phase of growth and reproduction. The present investigation was taken up to study the effect of zinc supplementation in two different doses with a view to assess its implication in testicular and epididymal sperm morphology during growth period in Wistar rats. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in 72 weaned Wistar male rats for a period of 8 weeks from 4 to 12 weeks of age, which were procured from Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR Laboratory, Jammu. The experimental rats were divided in to three groups as control: rats fed diet without zinc supplementation, T1 (treatment 1): rats fed diet containing zinc sulphate @ 50 mg/kg body weight/day and T2 (treatment 2): rats fed diet containing zinc sulphate @ 100 mg/kg body weight/day. They were provided standard pelleted ration and clean drinking water ad libitum and maintained under standard managemental conditions. On 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of experiment, the rats were sacrificed after induction of proper anaesthesia. The reproductive organs (testes and epididymidis) were collected from each rat and tissue pieces from testes and three parts of the epididymis viz. caput, corpus and cauda, were fixed separately in 10 per cent Neutral Buffered Formalin solution and processed for paraffin sections by alcohol- xylene method. Sections 5 &mu; thickness was stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (Luna, 1968) for histological studies. 
 
Result: Elongated spermatids were seen in the seminiferous epithelium only in treatment (T1 and T2) groups at 6 weeks of age, not in the control rats. At 8 weeks of age, maximum number of spermatozoa were seen in the seminiferous tubular lumen in the T1 group as compared to T2 treatment group. At 10 weeks, spermatozoa were seen in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules in all the rats under study. The epididymis revealed no sperm pack in cauda epididymis in all group rats at 6 weeks of age. However, at 8 weeks of age, the sperm pack was seen in the lumen of the epididymal tubules of the cauda epididymis of T1 and T2 groups. The significant finding was that in T1 rats the sperm pack was very compact at 10 weeks in cauda epididymis as compared to T2 and control group rats.</div>

Ovarian Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I

Role of leptin in physiology of animal reproduction-A review

​Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Studies on Ovaries of Crossbred Dairy Cows with Ovarian Hypoplasia

Age-related Localization and Expression of Orexin A and its Receptor 1 in Dromedary Camel Testis

​Evaluation of Level of Pesticide Residue in Seminal Fluid of Crossbred Bulls

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Histomorphology of Testis and Epididymis in Male Wistar Rats

Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Studies on Ovaries of Crossbred Dairy Cows with Ovarian Hypoplasia

Evaluation of Level of Pesticide Residue in Seminal Fluid of Crossbred Bulls