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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON FOLLICULAR OOCYTE RETRIEVAL AND IN VITRO MATURATION IN GOAT(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2023-02-22) Raashid Lateef Dar; Dr. Sudhir KumarThe present study was conducted to know the effect of oocyte harvesting techniques on recovery rate of oocytes along with the effect of follicular size and different additives on in vitro maturation (IVM) of follicular oocytes retrieved from abattoir derived goat ovaries. Ovaries were collected from municipal slaughter house, Jammu in two distinct seasons, viz., winter and summer. The study was done in three phases viz., Phase-I: Study the effect of oocyte collection techniques (aspiration, puncture and slicing) on recovery rate of oocytes, Phase-II: Effect of follicular size on in vitro maturation percentage of oocytes and Phase-III: Effect of Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Cysteamine on rate of in vitro maturation of oocytes. In phase I, the recovery rate of good, fair, and total oocytes by slicing (2.94 ± 0.06, 2.85 ± 0.03, 6.46 ± 0.03) and Puncture (1.23 ± 0.04, 1.64 ± 0.07, 4.12 ± 0.14) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the aspiration (0.74 ± 0.06, 0.85 ± 0.05, 2.94 ± 0.13) technique. Comparatively recovery of good and fair and total oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) for slicing than puncture and aspiration technique. The mean number of good, fair, and total oocytes recovered in winter season was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in summer season. The mean number of good, fair and total oocytes recovered from left ovaries did not differ significantly than right ovaries. The mean number of good, fair, and total oocytes yield in ovaries without corpus luteum was significantly higher (P<0.05) than ovaries with corpus luteum. In phase-II, the in vitro maturation percentage of oocytes based on cumulous cell expansion and 1st polar body extrusion was significantly higher (p<0.05) for large follicles (64.73%, 41.58%) than medium (46.47%, 28.23%) and small follicles (42.00%, 26.66%), respectively. In phase-III, the maturation percentage based on cumulous cell expansion and 1st polar body extrusion for EGF containing Group 1, Cysteamine containing Group 2 and control Group 3 was 69.61 and 46.07, 48.57 and 31.41, 46.23 and 29.03 percent, respectively. The maturation percentage based on cumulous cell expansion and 1st polar body extrusion was significantly higher (P<0.05) for EGF containing medium than Cysteamine containing medium and control medium.ThesisItem Open Access Effectiveness of various treatment protocols in repeat breeding cows(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2022-09-15) Lone, Ishfaq Majeed; Lone, Ishfaq Majeed; Pandey, Anil Kumar; Pandey, Anil KumarThe present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of repeat breeding and its associated risk factors in unorganized dairy sector and the effectiveness of the various treatment regimens used in the treatment of repeat breeding (RB). Additionally, the blood biochemical profile and antioxidant assay of the repeat breeder cows were also analyzed before and after treatment. The result of the investigation revealed an overall prevalence of RB of 31.53 per cent. It was observed that season, parity, milk yield, body condition score, herd size and periparturient diseases have direct bearing on the prevalence of repeat breeding. The prevalence of RB was observed to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in the monsoon (44.70%) and post monsoon season (32.65%) and lowest in the winter season (22.13%). The prevalence of RB was significantly (P<0.05) higher in sixth & above parity (47.50 per cent) and 1st parity (49.53 per cent) than 2nd and 3rd parity. Significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence of RB was observed in high producing (37.35 per cent) dairy cows than low producing (24.27 per cent) dairy cows. The prevalence of RB following dystocia (57.89 per cent) and abortion/premature birth (48.71 per cent) was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher than normal calving (13.67 per cent). Significantly higher (P<0.05) prevalence (55.73) was seen in cows with poor (1-2) body condition than the cows with medium and good body condition. Repeat breeding was more observed in HF crossbred cows and cows in small herd size. A total of 60 cows (12 normal and 48 RB) were treated in five different experiment groups (n=12): Group-I (normal healthy cyclic cows; negative control), Group II (repeat breeding cows with 0- + white side test values; positive control), Group III (repeat breeding cows with 0- + white side test values; feeding management group), Group IV (repeat breeding cows with ++ - +++ white side test values; intra uterine Cephapirin treatment) and Group V (repeat breeding cows with 0- + white side test values; GPG-hormonal treatment group). Following treatment with the three different treatment protocols (Group III, IV & V) in repeat breeding cows a conception rate of 58.33% was seen in the Group IV (Intra uterine Cephapirin) which was lower than the normal cyclic (66.67%) cows (Group I). Equal conception rate of 41.67% was seen in the Group III (nutritional treatment) and Group V (GPG-FTAI-hormonal treatment). The examination of physical properties of cervical mucus in majority of the CM samples of repeat breeding (RB) cows showed that the color was clear and consistency was thin, and fern pattern was typical. The pH value of cervical mucus in Group IV (8.25±0.13) cows was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other groups. The fern pattern in Group IV was more of atypical (50%) type. Biochemical profile revealed that the levels of total plasma protein, cholesterol and blood glucose were low in all group of repeat breeder cows and it differed significantly (p<0.05) from the Group I (normal cyclic) cows. BUN was found higher in all the repeat breeding Groups than the Group I cows and it increased significantly in after the treatment samples in the Group III (feeding management group). Mineral profile showed that Ca and P were significantly lower in the repeat breeding cows and were significantly high after treatment in the Group III. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in all the repeat breeding Groups (II, III, IV and V), and these enzymes decreased significantly after treatment in the Group III, IV and V. It was concluded that repeat breeding in cow can be managed satisfactorily with the feeding of supplementary minerals, hormone (GPG) based fixed time AI and intra uterine antibiotic treatments.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on role of some non-enzymatic anti-oxidant additives on the cryopreservation of bovine semen(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2021-12-20) Butt, Mohammad Shaheem; Agarwal, SanjayThe present study was undertaken at Division of V.G.O., F.V.Sc & A.H, SKUAST-J, R.S. Pura, Jammu in collaboration with CABS, Hakkal, Jammu The main objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of different antioxidants (Ascorbic acid, Vitamin-E, Cysteine, Taurine, BHT and Trehalose) on cryopreservation of semen. Semen samples from cattle bull were used to evaluate the effect of additives on cryopreservation of semen. The complete experiment was divided into 3 groups. Group I: Control, TEYCAFG+ cysteine, TEYCAFG+ taurine. Group II: Control, TEYCAFG+ ascorbic acid, TEYCAFG+ vitamin E. Group III: Control, TEYCAFG+ trehalose, TEYCAFG+ BHT. The results indicated that the progressive motility with taurine in group I, ascorbic acid and vitamin E in group II differed significantly (P<0.05) from control. The live sperm count with taurine in group I, ascorbic acid and vitamin E in group II differed significantly (P<0.05) from control. The acrosomal integrity at post-thaw stage with cysteine and taurine in group I, ascorbic acid in group II differed significantly (P<0.05) from control. The HOST with ascorbic acid in group II differed significantly (P<0.05) from control. Lipid peroxidation with cysteine and taurine in group I, ascorbic acid and vitamin E in group II and BHT in group III differ significantly (P<0.05) from control. The catalase with taurine in group I differ significantly (P<0.05) from control and cysteine, ascorbic acid in group II and both trehalose and BHT in group III differ significantly (P<0.05) from control. SOD with taurine in group I, ascorbic acid in group II & both trehalose and BHT in group III added semen differed significantly (P<0.05) from control. It was concluded that in group I the taurine, in group II ascorbic acid and in group III BHT added semen sample improved the quality of post-thaw semen though the increase was non-significant.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of exogenous progesterone implants in postpartum cattle with an extended postpartum anestrus interval.(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2021-02-05) Hussain, Syed Ehtisham; Sharma, Dr. UtsavExogenous progesterone implants were evaluated in cattle with an extended postpartum anestrus interval (>70 days) with four standard hormonal protocols (Gr. I: Crestar implant + Crestar injection + eCG 600 IU; Gr. II: CIDR implant + eCG 600 IU; Gr. III: TRIU-B implant + eCG 600IU; and Gr. IV: P4 Sponge + eCG 600 IU n=10 each) and were compared with 10 untreated anestrus cattle (Gr. V) in which placebo sponge was used intravaginally. The cattle were kept under observation for estrus detection and blood was collected to evaluate the clinical and biochemical response. Pregnancy diagnosis was made by per rectal examination at 60 days post insemination followed with ultrasonographic examination. The vaginal bacterial isolates and load were evaluated before insertion, at the time of removal and 48 hours later (bacterial load only) after removal of P4 implants and placebo sponges in animals of Gr. II, III, IV and V. All the 40 (100 %) cows in Gr. I, II, III and IV exhibited induced estrus with prominent, moderate or weak estrus signs within mean intervals of 45.45±2.59, 48.60±1.82, 50.07±1.60 and 51.33±1.70 hrs, respectively from eCG injection. The respective duration of estrus for the said protocols were 30.23±1.80, 28.00±1.33, 26.59±1.67 and 26.47±1.94 hrs. The respective conception rates on induced estrus and overall, of three cycles were 80, 70, 60, and 50%; 90, 80, 70 and 70%, respectively. In Gr. V no cow exhibited spontaneous estrus within 90 days of follow up. 75% cervico vaginal mucus of cows at induced estrus exhibited Typical fern pattern, while majority of fertile estruses (80%) exhibited typical fern pattern and there were no cows at estrus in all the four estrus induction protocols which showed nil fern pattern. There was significant (P< 0.05) association between conceived and typical fern pattern, and between non-conceived and atypical fern pattern for Gr. I, II, III, IV and V. The mean serum progesterone (ng/ml) concentrations were low (less than 1 ng/ml) towards basal values on day 0 in Gr. I, Gr. II, Gr. III, Gr. IV and Gr. V. The values on day 5 and 9 were significantly (P<0.01) higher than other two periods in three (Gr. II, III and IV) groups, but not in other two groups (Gr. I and V). The mean serum progesterone concentrations were non-significantly (P>0.05) higher in conceived than non-conceived group on day 11/12 in all the groups. The mean total serum cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin concentration, albumin globulin ratio, blood glucose, serum calcium and phosphorus level, serum copper, zinc and iron had nonsignificant effect by the treatment with all four estrus induction protocols. The levels/ratios differ non-significantly with sampling days, different protocols and between conceived and non-conceived subgroups. All (100%) of the vaginal swabs (Insertion/removal) in Gr. II, III, IV and V, yielded growth of bacteria. E. coli, Staphylococcus and Proteus spp. were the commonest isolates throughout the treatment period. The total bacteria count on the day of implant/sponge insertion (day 0) showed no significant difference between the Gr. II, III, IV and V while as on the day of implant/sponge removal (day 9) the total bacterial count increased significantly (P<0.01) compared to day 0 in all the groups (Gr. II, III, IV and V). After 48 hours of implant removal (day 11/12), total bacteria count obtained showed no significant difference with that obtained before implant insertion in all the groups except Gr. V, wherein the total bacterial count remained significantly (P<0.01) higher even 48 hours after the implant removal. The results inferred that all the 4 hormonal protocols used are recommended to the practicing veterinarians to treat postpartum true anestrus cows. P4 Sponge protocol is farmer friendly as it puts less burden on the pocket of farmer. Crestar protocol proved to be best in improving conception rate as compared to other protocols.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on superovulatory response and conception rate in sheep using embryo transfer technology(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu (J&K), 2020-11-23) Pandey, Anil Kumar; Sharma, Dr. UtsavSuperovulatory response and embryo recovery was evaluated in 39 donor ewes using FSH in six decreasing dose schedule in four groups (Group I: FSH 80 mg + eCG 200 IU, n=11; Group II: FSH 80 mg + eCG 200 IU + hCG @500IU, n=9; Group III: FSH 100 mg + eCG 200 IU, n=10; and Group IV: FSH 100 mg + eCG 200 IU + hCG @500IU, n=9). Surgical embryo collection and transfer was performed after 5-6 day of mating of donors. Blood samples of donor and recipient ewes were evaluated for blood biochemical parameters and progesterone on day 0 (Collection I), 10 days after progesterone implant (Collection II), on the day of estrus (Collection III) and on the day of embryo transfer/collection (Collection IV). The mean estrus onset in donor ewes group varied between 11.25±1.47 to 16.00±2.00 hrs while in recipients it was 22.61±1.34 hrs after sponge removal. The Group II ewes showed significantly higher (p<0.05) mean ovulations (8.43±1.93) and total ovarian response (11.43±2.81) per ewe compared to the Group III (4.30±1.44 CL; 6.60±1.40 total ovarian response). The high dose of FSH (100 mg) without hCG had slightly increased mean ovulations and total ovarian response, embryo recovery %, but number of ewes showing superovulation and fertilization % was decreased. The hCG addition in the @ 80 mg FSH schedule had significantly (p<0.05) high number of ovulations, and total ovarian response in superovulating ewes though the fertilization % was improved on its addition at higher dose of FSH (100 mg), but with compromised embryo recovery %. The hCG was not effective in decreasing number of unfertilized ovum and had not improved transferable embryo numbers. A significant (p<0.05) rise in the level of blood glucose was recorded at estrus, while blood biochemical parameters varied with no sigificant (p>0.05) effect on the superovulation capacity of the ewes. There was significantly (p<0.05) positive correlation between the total protein (initial values and at estrus) and the estrus onset time, while negative correlation was recorded with blood glucose at estrus with the number of anovulatory follicles (p<0.05); and with the total ovarian response (p<0.01). The initial values of total protein were correlated positively with the total ovarian response and negatively with the transferable embryos. There were negative correlations at Collection IV, between transferable embryos with blood albumin and degenerated embryos with the initial creatinine levels. The superovulating ewes had significantly (p<0.05) high P4 level on the day of embryo collection. The initial level of blood progesterone had significantly (p<0.05) high negative correlation with the estrus onset time and positive (p<0.01) with the number of transferable embryos in the donor ewes. Conception rate after three embryo transfer was higher as compared to one and two embryos per recipient. Transfer of quality fresh embryos resulted in successful lambing with 23.33 % efficacy of the embryo transfer which was higher in the triplet embryo transfer followed by twin and single embryo transfers. Lamb survival after two and three embryo transfer was satisfactory. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in the blood progesterone level between the conceived and non-conceived groups at all the collection days. It may be recommended to use Folltropin-V (FSH) @ 80 mg (NIH-FSH-P1) without hCG for superovulation and to practice Grade A twin embryo transfer per recipient ewe. Future research should be aimed to improve the superovulatory response, embryo recovery rate, conception rate and lambing rate in sheep.ThesisItem Open Access Ultrasonographic studies on effects of hCG administration during first follicular wave of estrous cycle on pregnancy rate of repeat breeder cross-bred cow(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2018-12-13) Singh, Harjyote; Agarwal, Dr. SanjayThe present study was designed to investigate the effects of hCG (Chorulon®, 1500 I.U.) administration on day 4 (Group 2), 5 (Group 3), 6 (Group 4) and 7 (Group 5) of the estrous cycle, inducing formation of accessory corpus luteum, thus preventing early embryonic mortality due to possible luteal insufficiency, monitoring the size of preovulatory follicle (day 0), dominant follicle (day 4/5/6/7), subsequent corpus luteum, formation of accessory corpus luteum vis-à-vis progesterone profile and conception rate in repeat breeder cross-bred cows. Healthy and normal cyclic repeat breeder cross bred cows (n= 30), “White side negative”, BCS between 3 and 4, aging 4-7 years were used in this study. Animals with pre-ovulatory follicle of ≥ 10 mm were bred artificially. The plasma progesterone was estimated using RIA kit. Ultrasonography and blood collection was done on day 0, 4/5/6/7, 14 of estrous cycle. Pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed at day 45 post breeding. Preovulatory follicle had the largest diameter among all the days of estrous cycle. There was no significant difference in diameter of follicle on various days of observation between and within control and treatment groups except in group2 and group 5 where diameter was significantly higher at day 0 in comparison to day 4 and 14 in group 2 and day 7 and 14 in group 5 respectively. Diameter and area of the corpus luteum increased in treatment group. There was no significant difference in diameter of corpus luteum, while area of corpus luteum of only group 3 differed significantly with control group. No accessory corpus luteum was formed in cows of control group. The formation of accessory corpus luteum was found maximum in number in the group 3 and group 5 in which 3 accessory corpora lutea were formed in each group. The diameter and area of accessory corpus luteum was lesser than the diameter and area of corpus luteum present on the same day respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration on day 14 was significantly high in comparison to day 0, 4/5/6/7 of the estrous cycle within treatment and control group. Progesterone concentration was significantly high on day 14 in treatment group in comparison to control group. The conception rate were Nil, 16.66%, 50%, 16.66% and 33.33% in group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. In group 3 the conception rate was highest among all the treatment groups. It was concluded that there was no significant effect of hCG administration on diameter of pre-ovulatory or dominant follicle. The diameter and area of corpus luteum increased post hCG administration. The accessory corpus luteum could be produced more effectively by hCG administration on day 5 and 7 of the estrous cycle, which is lesser in size. After hCG administration there was significant rise in progesterone concentration, may be due to accessory corpus luteum formation or stimulatory effect on existing corpus luteum. The higher conception rate (50%) was obtained in group 3 (hCG administration on day 5) compared to other groups.ThesisItem Open Access Unconventional strategies for enhancing peri- and post-parturient health and reproductive performance in dairy cows(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (J&K), 2018-01-10) Bhavna; Pande, Dr. NishiThe study was conducted to assess the prevalence of periparturient complications; immuno-prophylactic effect of levamisole in limiting periparturient complications and neonatal calf mortality; efficacy of immunomodulators in enhancing postpartum fertility and milk hygiene; and to study impact of human-animal interactions on performance of dairy cows. Retrospective screening of farm records of from 2011 to 2015 revealed 19.06% prevalence of metritis/endometritis in Jammu region. Prevalence of abortion, ROP and endometritis was higher (p<0.05) in monsoon and summer as compared to post-monsoon and winter season. In second part, 20 cows (2nd-4th parity) expected to calve after 5 weeks were randomly allocated either groups: control (CG; no treatment) or levamisole (LG; given Levamisol @ 2.5mg/kg bodyweight s/c once weekly for 4 weeks. Blood, uterine health, fertility parameters and milk somatic cell counts (SCC) were estimated. LG showed lesser clinical endometritis (50% vs. 90%) and calf scours (20% vs. 62.5%); lesser (p<0.05) days to estrus (55.0±5.77 vs. 75.10±10.32) and 1st AI (63.40±7.31 vs. 86.0±12.59), lower pH of estrual CVM (7.50±0.07 vs. 7.77±0.13), higher 150 day (100% vs. 50%) in-calf rate, lesser AIs per conception, shorter CCI and lower SCC (x105 cells/ml) at 14 DIM and 1st postpartum estrus. For third part of study, 56 cows at 30 DIM were examined. Eight cows with vaginal mucus score ‘0’ served as HC (healthy control, no treatment) while 48 cows with VMS≥1 were randomly allocated one of the groups (n = 8 each) and given respective treatments: UTC (untreated control), OG (Oyster Glycogen @ 500mg in 50ml NS I/U, LPS (E. coli LPS @ 100μg in 20-30 ml PBS I/U), PG (Synthetic PGF2α @ 500μg I/M), LUG (0.5% Lugol’s iodine @ 30 ml I/U for consecutive 3 days) and PE (Proteolytic enzyme mixture having Trypsin, Chymotrypsin and Papain in 20ml DW I/U). Blood & milk sample (at 30 DIM, 37 DIM & De) and CVM (at De) were collected. Blood & fertility parameters; and milk SCC were estimated. VMS=0 cows (54.67±9.28) had lower (p<0.05) serum total sialic acid (TSA, mg/dl) than VMS=1 or 2. Serum haptoglobin decreased after OG and PE treatment. Decrease in milk SCC from 30 DIM to De was >50% in treated cows (LPS>OG>PG>LUG>PG) but lesser in controls (HC and UTC). Treated cows showed clear CVM (≥75% vs. ≤62.5%) with mean pH <7.75 and lower incidence of endometritis at 1st estrus (≤37.5% vs. 62.5%); better fertility i.e. days to estrus, days to 1st AI, service period, CR, 150 day in-calf rate and lesser mean CCI than control cows. For studying the impact of human-cow interactions, separate set of 32 postpartum cows were placed in either positive (POS) or negative (NEG) group based on the quality of handling they were exposed to. Samples of blood & milk (at 30 DIM & De), vaginal mucus (at 30 DIM) and CVM (at De) were collected. In POS cows, higher (p<0.05) serum total immunoglobulin (g/dl) at 30 DIM (1.93±0.07 vs. 1.68±0.01) and at De (1.86±0.04 vs. 1.59±0.09); and total protein (g/dl) at De (10.12±0.19 vs. 8.88±0.23) were observed. Decrease (p<0.05) in TSA level from 30 DIM to De in POS (139.25±7.94 vs. 85.62±12.71 mg/dl) was recorded. Lower (p<0.05) endometritis (37.5% vs. 87.5%) at 1st estrus, lesser days to 1st AI (58.63±4.41 vs. 84.37±11.19), lower pH of estrual CVM (7.44±0.06 vs. 7.81±0.09), higher OCR (57.14% vs. 30.43%), higher 150 day (100% vs. 62.5%) in-calf rate, lesser AIs per conception, shorter CCI, lower SCC at 14 DIM and at estrus were recorded in POS vs. NEG cows. Immunomodulation (both preventive and therapeutic) and positive interactions in peripartum dairy cows are effective and economical approaches for improving the overall dairy performance and should be incorporated in routine farm practices.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON VITRIFICATION AND IN VITRO MATURATION OF SHEEP OOCYTES(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Sudhir Kumar; Sharma, UtsavThe present study was conducted to examine the follicular status, effect of oocyte harvesting techniques along with quantitative and qualitative assessment of follicular oocytes retrieved from abattoir derived sheep ovaries. Ovaries were collected from Municipal slaughter house, Jammu in three distinct seasons viz. winter, summer and rainy. Significantly higher (P<0.05) number of surface follicles were found on ovaries in winter as compared to summer and rainy season and on left ovaries compared with right ovaries and on ovaries without corpus luteum (CL) higher compared to those with corpus luteum. Oocytes were collected by three harvesting techniques viz. aspiration, puncture and slicing. Out of three techniques, slicing yielded significantly higher (P<0.05) number of oocytes (7.20±0.04) as compared to aspiration (3.20±0.02) and puncture (4.58±0.03). Significantly higher (P<0.05) number of oocytes (5.42±0.03) were recovered during winter than summer (4.41±0.03) and rainy season (5.16±0.04). Among the ovarian characteristics, left ovaries and ovaries with CL yielded significantly higher (P<0.05) number of oocytes Immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were vitrified by three different vitrification techniques viz. conventional straw, open pulled straw and hemi straw using three vitrification solutions i.e., ethylene glycol-sucrose (EGS), dimethyl sulphoxide-sucrose (DMSOS) and ethylene glycol dimethyl sulphoxide-sucrose (EG+DMSOS+S) at 10%, 15% and 20% concentration. The proportions of recovery of oocytes were highest in OPS technique. Significantly higher (P<0.05) number of morphologically normal and viable COCs were observed at 10% and 15% concentration than 20% conc. in vitrification solutions within CS, OPS and HS techniques. The proportion of morphologically normal and live COCs with EGS in OPS technique were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in CS and HS technique except at 15% in CS where significantly higher (P<0.05) live COCs were observed than HS. The proportion of morphologically normal and live COCs using DMSOS in OPS technique were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in CS and HS but normal oocytes at 10% and 15% in CS and HS technique did not differ significantly (P>0.05). The proportion of morphologically normal COCs using EG+DMSOS+sucrose in OPS and HS techniques were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in CS but the normal COCs at 15% and 20% conc. in HS did not differ significantly with CS. The proportion of live COCs in OPS were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in CS and HS. The proportions of normal and viable oocytes at different concentration in EG+DMSO+S were higher than corresponding values in EGS and DMSOS and were higher in EGS compared to DMSOS group The in vitro maturation rate on the basis of cumulus cell expansion and in vitro nuclear maturation at GV, GVBD and 1st polar body stage of vitrified post-thawed oocytes in CS, OPS and HS vitrification techniques were significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to control group.ThesisItem Open Access AUGMENTING POSTPARTUM REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH TRACE MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION DURING DRY PERIOD IN CROSSBRED DAIRY COWS(Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 2017) Chouhan, Yassar; Pande, NishiThe study was conducted in 20 HF crossbred pluriparous cows in late pregnancy to determine the impact of trace mineral supplementation on immune status, post-partum reproductive health and fertility of dairy cows in addition to milk hygiene and neonatal calf vitality. The cows were randomly allocated either group: control (I, n=10) or supplement (II, n=10, fed chelated trace mineral mixture of zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt @ 7 g plus 2.5 mg of potassium iodide/ head/ day in addition to routine farm feeding for six weeks before expected calving). BCS was estimated on 1-5 scale. Blood samples were collected on D-45, D1, D14 and D28. Peripartum complications were recorded. Uterine involution was assessed by weekly rectal palpation till 28 DIM. Scoring of character and odour of vaginal contents was done at 30±2 DIM for determining clinical endometritis. Milk samples were analysed for somatic cell count and milk yield up to 9 weeks was recorded. Calf viability parameters till four weeks of age and fertility parameters till 150 DIM were recorded. Loss in BCS from calving till 30 DIM was significant (p<0.05) in cows of both the groups. The diameter of previously gravid uterine horn decreased significantly from 14 to 21 DIM in both groups and from 21 to 28 DIM only in SG. The percent decrease in previously gravid uterine horn was greater in SG (38.29 vs. 23.77). In normally involuting (uterine horn diameter ≤ 4cm at 28 DIM) cows, the TSA levels declined significantly at day 14 postpartum. The increase in AST levels at calving was significant in CG but not in SG without any difference between the groups. Improved total Ig status of dams & calf vigor in terms of lesser time for sternal recumbency (TSR), time taken to stand and lower incidence of calf scours till 4 wks of age was recorded in SG. The mean serum cholesterol and calcium levels dropped at calving and increased thereafter in both groups; the increase being significant at D28 in SG. The percent increase in milk yield from week 1 to 6 was greater in SG (3.94 vs. 2.6%). Pre-calving TM supplementation tends to marginally lower the days to 1st postpartum estrus and calving to conception interval (CCI) with lesser number of AI’s per conception and substantial improvement in the overall pregnancy rate.
