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The experiment was conducted to evaluate the metabolic activity through MTT (3[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reduction assay of Indian red jungle fowl sperm during cryopreservation process. In addition, MTT test was compared with sperm motility and viability data. Sperm analysis was made at pre-dilution, postdilution, post-cooling, post-equilibration and post freeze-thawing stages. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant (P<0.01) positive association of MTT reduction rate with motility (r=0.85) and viability (r=0.84). A significant (P<0.05) decline was observed in motility, viability and metabolic status after each stage of cryopreservation. The highest (P<0.05) stage-specific percent decrease in motility and viability were observed after freeze-thawing. Nevertheless, stage-specific percent decrease in metabolic status differ (P<0.05) after dilution (5.93 ± 0.12), cooling (8.41 ± 0.03), equilibration (19.1 ± 0.04) and freeze-thawing (30.9 ± 0.08). The total decrease in motility, viability and metabolic activity after the complete freeze-thawing cycle were calculated as 56%, 47% and 52%, respectively. It is concluded that MTT reduction assay is simple and reliable method to evaluate mitochondrial redox activity in sperm of this threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominant spider species of order Araneae include Oxyopes javanus (Family Oxyopidae), Araenidae spp. (Family Araenidae), Pardosa oakleyi and Hippasa partita (Family Lycosidae) at cotton-wheat zone were studied for their predatory potential against three aphid species of canola crop under laboratory experiment. For laboratory experimentation, three species of aphids viz. Lipaphis erysimi, Myzus persicae, Brevicoryne brassicae, and worms were used. The results showed that spider consumed all the preys with different proportions offered in multiple and single prey feeding experiments. Oxyopes javanus was ravenous predator followed by Aranidae spp. on foliage and Pardosa oakleyi and Hippasa partita on ground with female consumed high number of preys as compared to male. Field observation showed seasonal variation in aphid population which in turn affect the diet of predators. The present study suggest that dominant spider species consumed aphids when they are at peak which may help in containing aphid population and this results in successful pest management in canola crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of medium for maturation of buffalo oocytes has progressed towards more defined conditions for in vitro the studies evaluating effect of specific components in the medium. Therefore, aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fatty acid free-bovine serum albumin (FAF-BSA) alone or supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the in vitro maturation medium on in vitro maturation of oocytes and subsequent embryo development. The cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovaries (900) of slaughtered animals by aspirating follicles, and incubated in maturation medium for 24 h. Three types of maturation media (MM) supplemented with 1) 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 2) 6 mg/ml FAF- BSA or 3) 6 mg/ml FAF- BSA + 10.0 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF) were Tyrode's evaluated. After maturation, albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) media were used for fertilization and culture environments, respectively. The percentage of COCs with expanded cumulus was higher (P < 0.05) in MM supplemented with FBS and FAF-BSA+EGF compared with that having FAF-BSA alone. No difference (P > 0.05) was observed in meiotic resumption and nuclear maturation rate in all three types of maturation media. Percentage of embryos crossing 8-16 cell stage and reaching up to 32 cell stage (morula) after IVC was lower (P < 0.05) in MM supplemented with FAF-BSA, however with addition of EGF, embryo development was improved (statistically non significant) and was comparable (P>0.05) with development in MM supplemented with FCS. In conclusion, serum free defined system having FAF-BSA+EGF was comparable to the MM containing FCS and can be used to replace serum supplemented media for the in vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes and further embryo development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of thioglycol in extender on post-thaw quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Semen from three buffalo bulls was collected at weekly intervals (three replicates; two ejaculates per bull per replicate) and qualifying ejaculates (n=18) were cryopreserved in extenders containing thioglycol at 0.0 or 0.5 or 1.0mM. Sperm motility (%; visually), plasma membrane integrity, (%;supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test), viability (%;dual staining technique using Trypan blue and Giemsa stains) and DNA integrity (%;acridine orange test) was assessed at 0, 2 and 4 hour post-thaw. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability of buffalo bull spermatozoa were improved in a dose dependent manner with the supplementation of thioglycol at 0.5 mM and 1.0mM compared control. Sperm DNA integrity was similar (P>0.05) in extenders containing 0.5 mM and 1 mM thioglycol that remained higher (P < 0.05) than the values of DNA integrity in control. It is concluded that 1.0mM thioglycol in extender improved the motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and DNA integrity of buffalo bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding biology of Red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) was studied in the areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 45 nests were located in the study area out of which 35 nests were found active. Majority of successful nests (43%) were in the fork of trees followed by middle of the trees (29%) and on the top (11%) of the trees. Preferred nest height (53%) by red-vented bulbul was 1-2 meters from the ground. Vegetation material used for nest building by Red-vented bulbul was Beri (Zizyphus nummalaria) (31%) followed by Guava (Psidium guajava) (22%), Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) (18%), Snatha (Dodonea viscosa) (16%) and Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) (13%). Highest percentage (51%) of nests was found with clutch size three followed by clutch size two and four. Predation rate was only 6% in eggs and 9% in nestlings. Breeding success in the present study was evaluated as good which was 82% and 86% for eggs and fledglings, respectively. Loss of nesting sites due to urban expansion and pollution negatively affect the population of Red - vented bulbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]