Endocrine and ovarian responses in water buffalo cows immunized against inhibin and subjected to the Ovsynch protocol

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of stimulating ovarian fol icle development in order to improve fertility in water buffalo cows by immunization against inhibin. The experiment was carried out in early summer (May) and included 24 multi-parity crossbred Murrah-Swamp buffaloes that were divided into immunized (n=11) and control (n=13) groups. Each immunized cow was administered with a 2-mL immunogen of mineral oil adjuvant containing 2 mg of recombinant inhibinα-subunit fusion protein. The controls were treated with the adjuvant only. Al animals received Ovsynch protocol treatment, starting on the day of the antigen administration, and they were artiifcial y inseminated upon behavioral estrus. As a result, al of the immunized buffaloes generated antibodies against inhibin during the experimental period and had higher plasma concentrations of fol icle-stimulating hormone (FSH), activin, and estradiol (E2) related to estrous expression. A higher proportion of immunized animals expressed estrus behavior than did the controls (72%vs. 30%, P<0.05). On aver-age, inhibin-immunized buffaloes had signiifcantly more large fol icles (≥9 mm in diameter) than the controls (mean±SEM;1.2±0.1 vs. 0.84±0.1, respectively;P<0.05) and a slightly higher mean total number of fol icles (≥2 mm;11.4±0.7 vs. 9.0±1.1, respectively;P=0.09) and smal (2–4 mm) fol icles (8.81±0.6 vs. 6.84±1.0, respectively;P=0.12). A higher percentage of cows ovulated in the immunized group than in the control group (91%(10/11) vs. 54%(7/13), respectively;P<0.05). Moreover, inhibin-immunized cows had slightly larger corpus luteum (CL) than the controls 9 days after ovulation and signiifcantly higher (P<0.01) post-ovulation peak plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations. Immunization against inhibin also mar-ginal y increased the conception rate 42 days after insemination (45.8%vs. 15.4%;P>0.05). These results demonstrate that immunization against inhibin, coupled with the treatment with the Ovsynch protocol, can constitute a new technique to increase fertility in water buffalo cows.

Impact of Quebracho Tannins Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Efficiency of Dairy Cows

This study was conducted to investigate effects of supplementing two doses of quebracho tannins (QT;100 or 200 g/cow/d;QT100 or QT200) pre and post parturition to thirty Holstein dairy cows on Dry Matter Intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and reproductive performance for 12 weeks. There were no significant changes in DMI due to QT at transition period of dairy cows. QT supplementation at either level decreased (P 0.05) the total number of ovarian follicles, number of large follicles, diameter of largest follicle, number of small follicles, number and diameter of corpus luteum, and progesterone concentration. The inclusion of QT increased days open and number of services per conception, which consequently decreased conception rate, compared to the control cows. QT100 decreased (P

Analysis and Utilization of Straw-preserved Frozen Semen from Native and Imported Pig Breeds in Guizhou Province

[Objectives]Straw-preserved frozen semen from native and imported pig breeds and its conception performance were studied to provide a scientific basis for further optimizing pig breeding strategy.[Methods]This study was conducted to systematically evaluate straw-preserved frozen semen produced by the Guizhou Testing Center for Livestock and Poultry Germplasm from 2018 to 2023.We analyzed 206 samples from native Guizhou pig breeds,including Kele,Zongdi Hua,and Nuogu pigs,as well as 363 samples from imported and bred pig breeds,such as Duroc,Large Yorkshire,Landrace,Topigs,and French Yorkshire,among others.Additionally,we assessed the conception performance of more than 300 heads across 10 batches,comprising both native and imported and bred pig breeds,following deep insemination.[Results]Significant differences were identified in sperm motility and abnormal sperm percentage(ABSP)among native breeds(P<0.05),as well as in number of progressively motile sperm(NPMS)and ABSP among imported and bred breeds(P<0.05).The average semen dose for both native and imported/bred pigs was 0.47 ml,with a standard deviation of 0.01 ml.Sperm motility ranged from 41.5%to 58%in native breeds and 50.4%to 61.7%in imported and bred breeds.The NPMS ranged from 144 to 177 million in native breeds and 149 to 177 million in imported and bred breeds.ABSPs remained within acceptable limits,ranging from 6.6%to 16.8%for native breeds and 6.1%to 18.1%for imported and bred breeds.The imported and bred pigs outperformed the native breeds in terms of sperm motility(50.42%to 69.58%vs.41.63%to 48.37%),farrowing rate(71.13%to 86.70%vs.57.15%to 74.35%),and litter size(7.74 to 10.30 vs.6.39 to 7.45).[Conclusions]These findings suggest that long-term selective breeding and domestication of native Guizhou pigs are necessary to enhance their reproductive performance.

Involvement of Quebracho tannins in diet alters productive and reproductive efficiency of postpartum buffalo cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 10 weeks supplementation of Quebracho tannins(QT; 0 [control], 100 [QT100] or 200 g/[cow$d] [QT_(200)]) to 30 multiparous postpartum buffalo cows(10 cows per group) on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and reproductive performance.Supplementation of QT100 had no significant effect on milk yield, whereas QT_(200) decreased(P < 0.05) this trait. Compared with the control group, both QT levels decreased(P < 0.05) fat-corrected milk(FCM)yield, but no significant effects were found on percentages of milk fat and protein. Contrariwise, yields of milk fat, lactose and milk protein were decreased(P < 0.05) when QT_(200) was supplemented. The solids nonfat(SNF) percentage and yield were decreased(P < 0.05) with QT100 supplementation. Moreover, QT tended to numerically reduce total number of ovarian follicles, number of small follicles, peripheral progesterone concentration and conception rate. Supplementation of QT_(200) numerically increased number of large follicles, mean diameter of large follicle, number and diameters of corpora lutea. The inclusion of QT_(200) shortened days open(DO) and decreased number of services per conception.Contrariwise, QT did not show significant effects on serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose,cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Supplementation of QT100 caused an increase(P < 0.05) of serum urea compared with that in control and QT_(200) groups. Generally, QT decreased(P < 0.05) serum creatinine concentration. Therefore, the supplementation of a commercial QT to early lactating Egyptian buffalo cows displayed negative consequences on their productive and reproductive performances.