Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Open Access
Postnatal development of testis and epididymis, semen characteristics and fertility of brown- swiss crossbred bulls
(Department of Animal Reproduction and Gyneacology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Surendran Varma Raja, C K; KAU; Ramachandran Rao, A
A systematic investigation involving the use of 24 Brown Swiss crossbred bull calves and 7 adult bulls with 62.5% exotic inheritance varying in age from 0- 360 days and 22-40 months respectively, resred and maintained at Indo-Swiss Project, Mattupatty, Kerala, was carried out in order to (a) trace the postnatal growth and development of the testis and epididymis and (b) assess the semen characteristics such as volume, initial motility, sperm concentration, live sperm count and incidence of abnormal sperms; As a corrolary to and as an integral part of this comprehensive study, 6679 semen collection particulars from the records maintained at the Indo-Swiss Project, Mattupatty and 7586 insemination data at the Crossbreeding Research Centre, Muvathuphza werecritically scrutinised to deduce freezability/discard rate of the ejaculates and the fertility potenoy of the bulls, respectively. The materials used, the salient observations made and the valid inferences drawn aare given below: Twenty four pairs of testis and epididymis collected from the bull calves were processed to study the postnatal growth and development. The pattern of growth of testis and of the epididymis was found to be curvilinear. The testicularand epididymal weights were observed to be significantly (p<0.01) correlated with the age, and body weight of the animals. A highly significant (p<0.01) correlation between epididymal weight and testicular weight was also observed. The growth rate of the seminiferous tubules appeared to be of sigmoid type. Formation of lumen in the seminiferous cords was initiated at 150 days and completed, at 180 days of age. The transformation of gonocytes to spermatogonia occurred at 150 days of age. The formation of primary spermatocytes, spermatid and spermatozoa cocurred at the age of 150 days, 300 days and 300-360 days, respectively. The process of transformation of supporting cells was initiated at 120 days and completed at 180 days of age. The transformation of immature Leydig cells to mature cells was initiated at 150 days and completed, by 180 days of age. There were distinct regional differences between the caput, the corpus and the cauda epididymis in respect of the diameter of the tubules, height of the epithelium and the degree of transformation of Epithelial lining from simple columnar to pseudostratified type. The distal part of the ductus epididymis seemed to have attained the adult size at an earlier age than the proximal. Sperms were seen in all the three regions at about 300 days. The mean values of ejaculate volume, initial motility, sperm concentration, live sperm count, sperm head abnormalities, tail abnormalities and proximal protoplasmic droplets were found to be 2.65 ± 0.84 ml, 66.24 ± 0.87%, 1599.64 ± 55.371 milions per ml of semen, 72.55 ± 1.310%, 4.91 ± 0.439%, 0.65 ± 0.045%, 6.47 ± 0.775% and 1.20 ± 0.143%, respectively. Significant (p<0.01) variations between bulls were observed in respect of sperm head abnormalities, tail abnormalities and proximal protoplasmic droplets and between months, in respect of ejaculate volume, sperm head abnormalities, free loose head, tail abnormalities and proximal protoplasmic droplets. Seasonal variation (p<0.05), however, was evident only in the incidence of tail abnormalities. Variations due to age of bulls were found to be significant (p<0.01) in the casse of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, free loose head, middle piece abnormalities and tail abnormalities. The freezability of sperms expressed in terms of per cent of post-thawing motility was found to be 36.86. There was no seasonal effect on the freezability of sperms. The freezability rate increased significantly (p<0.01) with advancement of age of bulls. The overall rejection rate of the ejaculates was noted to be 39.80%. Most of the rejection (71.75%) was done before freezing. The pre-freezing rejection was found to be 28.55% of the total ejaculate. The post-freezing discard to be 15.74% of the frozen samples. The rejection rates of the ejaculates differed significantly (p<0.01) between months/seasons/age of the bulls. The rate of rejection was found to decrease with advancing age. The overall fertility rate of the bulls was found to be 56.06%. There were significant (p<0.01) differences in the fertility rate between months/seasons of insemination and between age of the bulls. As between bulls also, there was a significant variation (p<0.01) in the fertility rate. The significance of the observations inferences indicated above and their relevance to the implementation of cross breeding programme in Kerala were discussed briefly.
Open Access
Seasonal fertility of billy goats
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Ibraheem Kutty, C; KAU; Sudarsanan, V
Biweekly data on body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular length and diameter and weekly data on semen parameters as volume, colour, pH, consistency, density, sperm concentration, mass activity, initial motility, sperm abnormality, vitality, metabolism and resistance to hyperosmotic medium of seven billy goats were pertaining to four seasons arrived at on the basis of a simultaneously kept daily record of maximum-minimum temperature, humidity and day length. It was statistically analysed to find out that the differences between seasons were significant to be attributed to the environmental variables. Mean body weight, scrotal circumference and testicular length and diameter were 43.62 ± 1.11 kg, 25.08 ± 0.12 cm, 8.57 ± 0.07 cm and 5.32 ± 0.03 cm respectively. There was no significant difference between the seasons except in testicular diameter and they were found to maintain an inverse relationship with day length and humidity. Mean volume, pH, initial motility, sperm concentration, total number of sperm per ejaculate, live sperm per cent, abnormal sperm per cent, MBR time and R value were 0.75 ± 0.04 ml, 6.25 ± 0.02, 73.51 ± 0.98 per cent, 3600 ± 144 millions/ml, 2660.6 ± 133.96 millions, 83.44 ± 0.76, 4.33 ± 0.43, 277.1 ± 14.27 seconds and 84.75 ± 12.39 ml respectively. There was no significant difference between seasons in these parameters except, pH, initial motility, live sperm per cent and R value. They were found to have a significant difference between seasons and were found to maintain either direct or indirect relationship with humidity and day length. Semen on extension with milk antibiotic extender and on storage under refrigeration was found to fast deteriorate rendering it unusable in 24 h. Semen on the day of collection and extension, was used for artificial insemination and result of insemination was found to be independent of the significant or nonsignificant seasonal differences of semen parameters. But, during the period of study, there were two peaks in conception and two peaks in birth corresponding to it. The pattern appeared to be an adjustment of reproduction by the female to the varying food availability and climate with little involvement of the male.
Open Access
Evaluation of boar semen extended in belt`s ville thaw solution
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Kantharaj, S; KAU; Athman, K V
An experiment was conducted to study the effect of natural service and artificial insemination on reproductive performance of pigs and to assess the fertility and preservability of boar semen extended in Belt's ville thaw solution. Twenty-four Large White Yorkshire (LWY) gilts, twenty-four sows and six LWY boars were selected for the study. Out of six boars, three boars were used for natural service and the other three maintained for artificial insemination purpose. A total of 52 ejaculates were collected from boars maintained for artificial insemination purpose at weekly intervals by the gloved hand technique. Among these boars, no significant differences were found for most of the semen characteristics except proximal and distal protoplasmic droplets , which were significantly different between boars (P
Open Access
Studies on anoestrum in crossbred cattle
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Vijayakrishnapillai, G P; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C P
The object of the study was to assess the incidence of anoestrum among crossbred cattle of Kerala and to find out the possible etiological factors so as to evolve suitable therapeutic measures for the same. For this, 184 crossbred cows and 76 crossbred heifers above 18 months of age maintained in the livestock farms attached to the Kerala Agricultural University and 401 crossbred cows and heifers presented for treatment at various infertility camps in the State were utilised. The incidence of anoestrum was assessed from the breeding history and detailed gynaecoclinical examinations. The nutritional status of the animals was determined by haematological examinations. The anoestrous animals showing nutritional deficiency were treated with Fertimin brand of mineral mixture and those showing normal nutritional status were treated with ‘Fertivet’. Among the farm animals, 28.3 per cent of cows 28.4 per cent of heifers were in apparent anoestrum though true anoestrum was observed only in 17.4 per cent of cows and 22.4 per cent of heifers. The other cases of apparent anoestrum were due to silent oestrum (3 to 15 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.5 to 1.3 per cent) and hypoplasia of ovaries (1.3 per cent). Similarly among the animals brought for treatment at various infertility camps, true anoestrum was observed only in 28.2 per cent though 49.9 per cent were reported to be anoestrous. The other cases were early pregnancy (2.7 per cent), cycling (7.7 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.2 per cent), underdeveloped genitalia, (9 per cent) ovarian hypoplasia (0.2 per cent) and in heat (1.7 per cent) Wide Ca. P ratio (2.69 and 2.46) and subnormal copper level (88.32 g/dl and 91.07 g/dl) were detected in 46.6 per cent of cows and 54.65 per cent of heifers respectively in true anoestrum. ‘Fertivet’ was capable of inducing ovulatory oestrum in 100 per cent of cows and 89.47 per cent of heifers in true anoestrum due to non nutritional causes within a period of 5.73 and 5.43 days respectively, while only 33.3 per cent of cows and 30 per cent of heifers in the control group came in heat; the variations being highly significant. Similarly, the conception rate in the treated groups was 66.6 per cent for cows and 42.11 per cent for heifers, while only one cow from the control group conceived, the variation in both the cases being significant. Treatment with ‘Fertimin could induce ovulatory oestrum in 91.67 per cent of cows and 78.26 per cent of heifers within a mean period of 38.8 and 27.77 days respectively, while the response in the control groups were only 11.1 per cent for cows and 25 per cent for heifers respectively, the difference being highly significant in both the cases. Significant variations were observed in conception rate between experimental and control groups, the values being 50 per cent for cows and 43.48 per cent for heifers in the experimental group. None of the animals in control groups conceived.
Open Access
Studies on the efficiency of intra - uterine administratuion of antibiotics to improve breeding efficiency in cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Ramadas, K; KAU; Surendra Varma Raja, C K
The object of the study was to investigate the usefulness of intra – uterine antibiotic therapy at the very first breeding in bovines so as to improve the chances of conception. The experiment was conducted on animals brought for insemination at the artificial insemination centre, Trichur attached to the Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy. The animals were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The first group of 166 cows and 56 heifers was given one vial each of Dicrysticin – S in 30 ml of distilled water after 24 hours of insemination. The second group of 47 cows and 31 heifers was treated with Mastalone – U in the say way. The control group of animals (300) did not receive any treatment either before of after insemination. The conception rate of the animals treated with antibiotics was significantly higher than that in control group. Dicrysticin - S–and Mastalone – U did not show any specific advantage over the other in improving the conception rate. The rate of conception increased on repeating the therapy at the subsequent heat. The overall conception rate in heifers was significantly lower than that in cows. Also the conception rate in dry animals was lower than that of lactating ones. To sum up, it may be stated that antibiotic infusion of uterus 24 hours after insemination could be considered as a routine measure under field condition for the overall improvement of breeding efficiency in cows.
Open Access
Observation on parturition in cross bred cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Jose, V M; KAU; Neelakanta, Iyer C P
The aim of the present investigation was to study the gestation period and the process of parturition in crossbred cattle. The materials used for the present study consisted of 40 crossbred cows of Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local cows maintained in the Livestock Farm attached to the Kerala Agricultural University. These animals were maintained under identical conditions of feeding and management. Duration of gestation was calculated from the breeding records maintained in the farm. Signs of approaching parturition were assessed by personal observations. The presentation, position and posture of foetus were studied by rectal and vaginal examinations. The gestation length of Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local was 275.3 + 2.8, 279.3 + 2.5 and 280.5 + 2.6 days respectively. Breed of the dam and sex of the calf had no significant influence on the gestation length. Birthweight of calf was not significantly correlated to gestation length. Observation on the location of the foetus revealed a steadily increasing trend in the percentage of foetal extremities being presented in the pelvic cavity until a day prior to parturition. In all the animals observed, the foetuses were in anterior presentation. The position of the foetuses at the time of parturition were dorsosacral in all the cases. Changes in position and posture of the foetuses were noticed within 96 hours of parturition. In all the cows studied, there were progressive increase in vulval and udder enlargement, presence of coclostrum, relaxation of sacrosciatic ligaments and dilatation of cervix as parturitions were imminent. A significant drop in body temperature was noticed on the day prior to parturition. The total duration of parturition was 34.68 + 68.75, 668.2 + 97.17 and 912.5 + 182.68 minutes respectively for Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local cows, the differences being statistically significant. It was also observed, that the differences in the duration of different stages of parturition were not at variance. Intensity of labour and sex of calf had no influence on the different stages of parturition in crossbred cows. Diurnal variation of calving was noticed with 60.53 per cent during day time and 39.47 per cent during night time. All the cows except one were recumbent at the time of expulsion of foetus. Breed and sex of calf had no influence on the weight of placenta and number of cotyledons. The total number of cotyledons and large sized cotyledons were significantly higher in the gravid horn than in the nongravid horn. The small sized cotyledons were significantly lower in the gravid horn. No significant difference was observed in the number of medium sized cotyledons between gravid and nongravid horns. The weight of foetal fluids was found to range from 5.6 to 22.4 kg. with a mean of 15.214 + 2.25 kg.
Open Access
Preservation of dog semen in three extenders at refrigeration temperature
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Kadirvel, G; KAU; Sreekumaran, T
With the ultimate objective of evolving a suitable diluent for preservation of dog semen at 4°C, semen was collected from six mongrel dogs maintained in kennels at Veterinary college hospital, Mannuthy. A total of 36 ejaculates, six from each dog was collected by digital manipulation and physical and morphological characters were evaluated. Three extenders viz., Egg Yolk Tris (TYT), Egg Yolk citrate glycine glucose (EYCGG) and Goat milk (GM) were used for preservation of semen. Sperm motility, percentage of live sperm, abnormal spermatozoa and acrosomal integrity were evaluated at 24 hours interval for five days after preservation at 4°C in the above extenders. Six out of seven dogs showed good response to digital manipulation and ejaculated good quality semen without teaser bitch. The overall mean volume of first, second and third fraction of semen was 0.63 ± 0.07 ml, 1.29 ± 0.08 ml and 4.12 ± 0.23 ml respectively. The colour and consistency of the first and third fraction was clear, watery and second fraction was thickmilkly to thin milkly. The average mass activity of sperm rich fraction of semen was ++(+) and the density was DD. The mean initial sperm motility was 86.67 ± 1.07 per cent. The mean pH of first, second and third fraction of semen was 6.24 ± 0.01, 6.36 ± 0.01 and 6.65 ± 0.02 respectively. The overall mean spermatozoal concentration of second fraction was 416.28 ± 22.56 million per ml and that third fraction was 6.11 ± 1.66 million per ml. The average total sperm output per ejaculate was 527.50 ± 29.46 million. The overall mean live sperm and abnormal sperm was 89.44 ± 0.57 and 7.59 ± 0.45 per cent. The percentage of acrosomal abnormality was 6.63 ± 0.38. The average time taken for reduction of methylene blue by dog semen was 26.40 ± 0.86 minutes. The mean percentage of sperm motility at 0,10,20 and 30 minutes of incubation (46.5°C) was 86.38 ± 1.04, 88.33 ± 1.13, 70.55 ± 1.26 and 53.2 ± 2.17 respectively. There was significant (Pminutes of incubation and sperm motility upto 5 days of preservation under refrigeration temperature. The percentage of sperm motility upto day 5 was significantly higher in Egg Yolk Tris (49.86 per cent) and Egg Yolk citrate Glycine Glucose (48.33 per cent) than in Goat milk (0 per cent). There was significantly higher percentage of live sperms and lower percentage of abnormal sperms and acrosomal damage in EYT and EYCGG than in GM. Eventhough the values are not statistically significant among EYT and EYCGG, EYT was found to have higher percentage of sperm motility and live sperm, lower percentage of abnormal sperms and acrosomal damage when compared to EYCGG. Besides EYT was also found to have better clarity for microscopical examination. Hence it could be inferred that Egg yolk tris is superior to Egg yolk citrate glycine glucose and goat milk for preservation of dog semen at 4°C.
Open Access
Effect of frequency of ejaculation on semen characteristics and libido in cross-bred bucks
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1983) Metilda, Joseph; KAU; Prabhakaran, Nair K
The objective of the study was to find out the optimum number of collections per day which can be taken from adult cross – bred bucks without adversely affecting their libido and semen quality. Ejaculation frequencies of once, twice and thrice daily for a continuous period of three months were adopted for the study. Epididymal sperm reserves and Daily Sperm Production were estimated to assess the sperm reserves of bucks. While colour, density, mass activity, concentration and MBR time were found to be influenced by ejaculation frequencies, volume, pH, percentage of dead sperms, percentage of abnormal sperms and sperm vialbility were unaffected. Frequency of ejaculation was not found to affect the libido of bucks. Bucks within group were found to influence all seminal attributes except mass activity, percentage of dead sperms and MBR time. Similarly all the seminal attributes with the exception of proximal and distal protoplasmic droplets were influenced by months within groups. A positive correlation between sperm viability at 46.50C for 30 minutes and preservation at 6 to 80C for 96 hrs.was observed. While in group II bucks only density, mass activity, pH, concentration and MBR time showed significant difference between ejaculates, in group 111, all seminal attributes except percentage of dead sperms were observed to be significantly different between ejaculates. The Daily Sperm Production per buck (X 109), per gram of testis (X 106), Daily Sperm Output (X 109) and dpididymal Sprem reserves (X 109) were respectively 3.7949 + 0.2032, 22.1974 + 0.3775, 1.2680 and 25.72 + 1.95. The average transit time of spermatozoa through epididymis was found to be 6.78 days. Increasing the frequency of collection from once daily to twice or thrice daily resulted in a significant drop in spermatozoan concentration, thus affecting seminal attributes such as colour, density, mass activity and MBR time. The very fact that other important seminal attributes such as volume, pH, motility, percentage of abnormal sperms, percentage of dead sperms, percentage of proximal and distal protoplasmic droplets and spermatozoan viability were unaffected, clearly points out that there is no deterioration of semen quality with increasing collection frequency. Similarly there was no deterioration in the sex libido and fertility of bucks even with three collections daily. However, there dose not seem to be any definite advantage in increasing collection frequency from 2 to 3 times daily, as the total harvest of sperms from group 11 and group 111 were almost same. But increasing the frequency of collection from one to two times daily has definite advantage, as it yields more spermatozoa for artificial insemination and hence is recommended for adoption.
Open Access
Effect of different dietary levels on the postpartum reproductive performance of cross-bred cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1983) Alexander, M I; KAU; Prabhakaran, Nair K
The object of the present study was to asses the influence of higher dietary levels on the postpartum re productive performance of cross-bred cows. The meterials consisted of 30 crossbred cows in advanced stage of gestation. They were weighed on 270th day of gestation and on the day of calving and were randomly allotted to control, treatments 1st and 2nd . the control received ration based on Sen and Ray standard whereas, treatments 1 st and 2nd received 115 and 130 precent of control ration. The weight of the cows was recorded at 15 days interval from calving to oestrum.serum inorganic phosphorous, protein, glucose and haemoglobin percentage of 5 cows from each group was estimated. A decline of body weight wad observed in the first fortnight in all the three groups. This trend continued upto 30 days in the control whereas, in the treatment an increasing trend was observed from fifteenth day. Cows in all three groups showed postpartum oestrum, while there was in gain in body weight. The postpartum oestrous interval of control ,treatment 1st and treatment 2nd were 62.1+4.63, 56.60+5.53 and 53.22+3.75 days respectively and these values did not very significantly. However, postpartum oestrous interval of treatments 1st snd 2d was significantly less than that of the herd. Serum in organic phosphorous was significantly higher on the day of oestrum in control and treatment II. There was significant difference in serum protein values between groups at certain time intervals. It was also significantly more on the day of oestrum in both control and treatment I. Similarly blood glucose and haemoglobin were significantly higher on the day of oestrum in treatment I. Results of this study indicated that Sen and Ray ration is adequate to meet the requirement for both production and reproduction of cross- bred cows.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results