• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1991

Responsiveness of the testis to pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) was studied in immature Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls. Four month old bull calves weighing between 66 to 100 kg raised under uniform condition, were treated with 1000 IU PMSG or vehicle, daily, for six days. PMSG induced an increase in the size of the testis, enlargement of the seminiferous tubules and activation of the spermatogonia. The number of differentiated Leydig cells in the testis of gonadotropin treated animals increased considerably over that of the control testes. A significant increase in plasma testosterone concentrations was observed 24 h following the first injection of PMSG and the levels continued to increase until day 6. In vehicle treated animals plasma testosterone levels remained more or less at pretreatment values. The data suggest that buffalo bull testis is functionally responsive to gonadotropin at an early stage of prepubertal development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.117-120
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• 1998

Relationships of breeding values of sires for first lactation milk yield with pedigree information or indices were examined to identify the optimal criteria of selecting young dairy bulls for future use in artificial insemination (AI). Records of performance data on 1087 crossbred daughters (Holstein - Friesian, Jersey and Brown Swiss with Hariana) of 147 sires, generated at Livestock Production Research (Cattle and Buffaloes) Farm, IVRI, Izatnagar, U.P., during 1972 - 1995 were used to obtain the estimates of sire's breeding values (EBV) using the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction Procedures. The correlations between young bull's EBV and the dam's first lactation milk yield was non-significantly different from zero. However, the young bull's EBV was negatively and significantly related (r = - 0.275 ; P < 0.05) to the dam's best lactation milk yield, suggesting that the selection of young dairy bulls from high yielding elite dams is not a suitable criteria for genetic improvement. The correlations of sire's and paternal grandsire's EBV's with young bull's EBV were high and positive (0.532, 0.844; P < 0.01). The maternal grandsire's EBV was positively but non-significantly related to grandson's EBV. The pedigree index incorporating dam's milk records and sire's EBV's showed a negative and non-significant correlation with young bull's EBV. However, the correlation of a pedigree index $(I_3)$ combining information on sire's and paternal grand-sire's EBV's with young bull's EBV's was considerably high and positive (0.797; P < 0.01). The regression coefficients of young bull's EBV on pedigree index $I_3$, was higher than those on other pedigree information. These results revealed that there was no advantage in basing selection on dam's performance or maternal grand-sire's EBV and that sire's and paternal grandsire's EBV's were reliable pedigree information for selection of young dairy bulls for future use in AI.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2013

Subfertility problems are encountered frequently in the cattle and buffalo bulls commercially maintained for semen production in dairy farms and under field conditions for natural insemination. Reports are scarce on the incidence of subfertility in breeding bulls, especially in India. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of the male reproductive anomalies leading to disposal of bovine bulls at GADVASU dairy farm, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Data on frequency of various subfertility and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the dairy farm, GADVASU, were collected for 12 yrs (1999 to 2010) and compiled from different record registers. Percentage of bulls that produced freezable semen (out of reserved ones) was less in cattle (25.641%) as compared to that of buffalo (30.4%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive and poor semen quality were the main contributing factors for bull disposal in cattle whereas poor semen freezability was most frequently observed in buffalo bulls. All the male reproductive traits were significantly different (p<0.05) for the periods of birth, except for semen volume, initial motility (IM), age at last semen collection (ALSC) and age at disposal. The ages at first and last semen collection as well as freezing (i.e. AFSC, ALSC and AFSF, ALSF, respectively) and age at disposal (AD) were higher in buffalo. The spermatological parameters and semen production period (SPP) were higher in cattle. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. The results revealed an increasing trend in individual motility (IM) while semen volume, AFSC, AFSF, AD, FSPP, SPP, ALSC and ALSF showed a decreasing, however, not a definite trend, over the periods. The semen donation traits like, AFSF, of the cattle and buffalo bulls could be predicted from the AFSC, using prediction equation derived in the present study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.626-635
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Butylated Hydroxy Anisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), Pentoxifylline (PTX), Theophylline (TPY) and Theobromine (TBR) on cold protection ability of Murrah buffalo semen at room ($22-25^{\circ}C$) and refrigerated temperature ($4-7^{\circ}C$). Each semen sample was divided into six parts of equal volume and sperm concentration; the first was kept as a control and the remaining five were treated with BHA, BHT, PTX, TPY or TBR. Sperm motility, abnormal spermatozoa, live-dead count, hypo-osmotic swelling and acrosomal integrity were studied at room and refrigerated temperature for various incubation periods viz.; 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h at room and 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h at refrigerated temperature. Significant improvement in sperm motility, live-dead count, hypo-osmotic swelling and acrosomal integrity were observed in BHT, PTX and TPY fortified extender at room and refrigerated temperature for various incubation periods. From the present study it could be concluded that cold protection ability of buffalo semen can be improved through the addition of BHT followed by PTX and TPY.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1424-1428
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• 2003

Present investigation was conducted to determine the post-thaw sperm motility and acrosomal damage of filtered and non-filtered frozen semen of Murrah buffalo bulls. Twenty semen ejaculates (from four Murrah buffalo bulls collected at weekly interval) were diluted in Tris egg yolk glycerol extender and divided into two parts. One was filtered through sephadex G-100 column and the other portion was kept as such (non-filtered). Both fractions were frozen in liquid nitrogen ($-196^{\circ}C$) by the standard method developed in the laboratory. After 24 h of freezing, non-filtered and filtered semen samples were thawed at $37^{\circ}C$ for 1 min. These samples were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ in a water both. The different seminal characteristics i.e. percent progressive sperm motility, live and abnormal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with damaged acrosome were assessed at hourly interval till they remained motile. The filtered frozen and thawed semen showed significantly (p<0.05) high sperm viability and acrosomal integrity as compared to non-filtered semen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.343-346
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• 1990

A study was conducted to determine the effect of prostaglandin $F_2$ alpha ($PGF_2$ alpha) on the reaction time and seminal characteristics of buffalo bulls. Semen was collected from three Murrah bulls in three periods: pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment. During the treatment period each bull was administered 2 ml $PGF_2$ alpha (Synchrocept, Fenprostalene) im, 1 hour prior to semen collection. In the post-treatment, semen was collected 7 days after the last injection of $PGF_2$. Semen samples were evaluated immediately after collection. Pre-collection injection of $PGF_2$ alpha has no significant effect on reaction time, semen volume, percentage motility, sperm concentration and total number of sperms per ejaculate. Fluctuations in semen color and consistency were observed. There is a significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean percentage of normal spermatozoa during the treatment and post treatment periods. Likewise, administration of PG results into a significant (p<0.05) rise on the average percentage of live sperms but this effect was not manifested in the post-treatment period. Improvement in mass activity was observed during the treatment and post-treatment periods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.184-188
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• 2001

In a summer study during May to July, involving 12 young Murrah buffalo bulls at forty months of average age, the effects of multiple shower vs single shower body cooling and vitamin A, D and E supplementation on the sexual behaviour, semen quality and freezability were investigated. The animals were divided into two groups (6 animals in each group) and housed in a half-walled shed with proper spacing, the feeding management being identical. The bulls in the control group were given a single shower at 1000 h, whereas the experimental bulls were given four showers at 10,12,14 and 16 h. In addition, the experimental bulls were given vitamin A, D and E injections at fifteen day intervals. The sexual behaviour of bulls was observed in terms of reaction time, sexual aggressiveness and ejaculatory thrust. Semen quality of all the bulls was assessed in terms of volume, mass activity, live-dead sperm and sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology, and acrosomal abnormality. The sexual behaviour did not vary significantly between the groups, whereas semen quality differed significantly for volume, per cent live sperms, total sperms per ejaculate and total live sperm per ejaculate between groups. It can be concluded that sexual behaviour was not influenced by the thermal comfort treatment coupled with periodic vitamin A, D and E injections. But the treatments improved most of the seminal traits in the experimental group of bulls. However, benefit of treatment was not reflected in the freezability traits of the semen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.901-905
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• 2000

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of caffeine, cAMP and cattle seminal plasma on preservation of semen at ultra low temperature ($-196{^{\circ}C}$). Each semen sample was divided into four parts equal in volume and sperm concentration; three were treated with caffeine, or cAMP, or cattle seminal plasma (CSP) and the fourth was kept as control. Sperm motility, abnormal spermatozoa, live-dead count and acrosomal damage were studied at different stages of freeze preservation viz.; just after dilution, at $5{^{\circ}C}$, at glycerolisation, before freezing, just after freezing, 24 hours of storage, and one week of storage. Sperm motility (58.39, 61.33, 52.00 and 50.39 per cent), non-eosinophilic spermatozoa (72.55, 69.98, 63.31 and 67.64 per cent), abnormal spermatozoa (5.71, 4.98, 8.04 and 5.66 per cent) and acrosomal damage (13.28, 13.33, 14.80 and 14.65 per cent) were observed in cAMP, caffeine, cattle seminal plasma and control, respectively, at every stage of freeze preservation. From this study it could be concluded that freezability of buffalo semen can be improved through the addition of caffeine followed by cAMP and cattle seminal plasma.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

The objective of this research work was to know ovarian dynamics and pregnancy rate of cyclic Murrah buffalo cows with induced estrus by administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and timed artificial insemination (TAI) with frozen thawed semen. A total of 31 female buffaloes were selected for the study. The buffalos having matured CL observed by ultrasonography were given one intra muscular injection of cloprostenol 500 ㎍ and TAI was performed using frozen thawed semen of Indian Murrah buffalo bull. Results showed that 90.32% (significantly, at p < 0.05) cows explore the sign of heat after injection of PG and 67.85% (significantly, at p < 0.05) cows were become pregnant out of 28 inseminated (TAI) cows. In the 28 inseminated (TAI) cows, average number of smaller and larger size of follicles were non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher at day 3 post PG injection, but the medium size of follicles was nonsignificantly (p > 0.05) higher at PG injection. At day 3 post PG injection the diameter of follicles was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, but the diameter of CL was significantly (p < 0.01) lower compared at PG injection. At PG injection the diameter of largest follicle was non-significantly differences (p > 0.05) in between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. But at day 3 post PG injection it was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in pregnant cows compared to non-pregnant cows. The number of small, medium, and large follicles at PG injection and at day 3 post PG injection were non-significantly (p > 0.05) difference in between pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo cows. Finally, it is concluded that the CL was effectively regresses and induced the sign of heat in buffalo cows and after AI the cows were become pregnant with significant rate. The study will help to the veterinarian and researcher to know the efficacy of PG injection and AI for reproductive efficiency in buffalo cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Four ruminally cannulated Nili-ravi buffalo bulls were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design to determine the influence of varying levels of ruminally degradable protein (RDP) on ruminal characteristics, digestibility, blood pH, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and nitrogen (N) balance. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated (NRC, 2001). The control diet contained 50% RDP. The medium (MRDP), high (HRDP) and very high (VHRDP) ruminally degradable protein diets had 66, 82 and 100% RDP, respectively. Increasing the level of dietary RDP resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal pH. A quadratic effect of RDP on ruminal pH was also observed with quadratic maxima at the 66% RDP diet. Dietary RDP had a quadratic effect on total bacterial and protozoal count with maximum microbial count at the 82% RDP diet. Increased microbial count was due to increasing level of ruminal ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3-N$). Increasing dietary RDP resulted in a linear increase in dry matter digestibility. Provision of an adequate amount of RDP caused optimum microbial activity, which resulted in improvement in DM digestibility. Increasing the level of dietary RDP resulted in a linear decrease in crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Blood pH remained unaltered across all diets. A linear increase in ruminal $NH_3-N$ and BUN was noted with increasing level of dietary RDP. The increase in BUN was due to increased ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentrations. A positive N balance was noted across all diets. The results are interpreted to suggest that buffalo bulls can utilize up to 82% RDP of total CP (16%) with optimum results.