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

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.