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The pattern of growth and regression of ovarian follicles was monitored once daily for one complete estrous cycle in eight individual water buffaloes by ultrasonographic scanning of the ovaries for an entire interovulatory interval of normal cycle length. One-wave follicular growth was observed in five animals and two-wave follicular growth in three buffaloes during the estrous cycle. The first follicular wave of a two-wave cycle emerged significantly earlier (P < 0.05) than the emergence of the solitary wave of a one-wave cycle. One- and two-wave cycles differed significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to the mean interovulatory interval (21.0 +/- 0.54 days versus 22.7 +/- 0.33 days) and the mean interestrus interval (20.8 +/- 0.58 days versus 22.3 +/- 0.66 days). The overall linear growth rate of the ovulatory follicle was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in a two-wave cycle compared to that of a one-wave cycle (1.17 +/- 0.33 mm/day versus 0.32 +/- 0.01 mm/day). In a one-wave pattern, the growth profile of the solitary dominant follicle was atypical, showing three distinct phases, i.e. growth phase, regression phase and regrowth phase culminating in ovulation. The level of plasma progesterone steadily increased from day 0 of estrous cycle, attained peak level on day 14 and declined thereafter. A slower growth rate of the dominant follicle was observed in the presence of higher plasma progesterone concentration. The present study shows that one-wave follicular growth is a normal phenomenon in suckled water buffaloes.

A study was carried out on infertile (acyclic and endometriotic) crossbred cows under field and normal cyclic (all 4 phases of cycle) as well as pregnant (3, 6, 9 month) crossbred cows of University farm to evaluate the plasma progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) hormones by RIA, and plasma total protein, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus concentrations by using assay kits on chemistry analyzer. The mean progesterone levels in cows during the diestrus phase and in pregnancy were significantly (p <0.05) higher than those during proestrus, estrus, metestrus, anestrus, and endometritis status. At six month of gestation, the mean P4 level was significantly (p <0.05) higher than at early or late gestation. The mean E2 values at estrus and 9th month of gestation were highest (p <0.01) as compared to another status. The mean plasma total protein and cholesterol levels were significantly (p <0.05) lower during six and nine months of pregnancy than during cyclic and acyclic stages. The cholesterol profile of all three stages of pregnancy and endometriotic cows were statistically similar, though distinctly low at 9 month of pregnancy. Plasma levels of P4 and E2 thus correlated with the physiological and clinical status of cows, while cholesterol levels reflected steroidogenic status. The mean plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations of cyclic, acyclic, pregnant and endometriotic cows, however, did not differ significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating concentrations of hormones, metabolites, and minerals reflect the physio-pathological status of reproduction in animals. This study was carried out on infertile (anestrus, endometritic), normal healthy cyclic and pregnant buffaloes to evaluate the comparative plasma progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) hormones, plasma total protein, total cholesterol, calcium, and phosphorus profile. The study showed higher mean plasma E2 and lower P4 levels in the follicular phase of estrous cycle in buffaloes. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean plasma P4 level and lower E2 levels were recorded during the luteal phase and in endometritic and pregnant buffaloes. Total plasma protein concentration was non-significantly higher in normal cyclic than acyclic and endometritic buffaloes. It was also comparatively lower in buffalo with 9 months of pregnancy than 3 and 6 months of pregnancy. The mean plasma total cholesterol level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in pregnant than acyclic and endometritic buffaloes. Cyclic buffaloes had significantly (p <0.05) higher mean plasma calcium levels than acyclic buffaloes. Plasma phosphorus concentration, however, did not show any significant difference between different stages of the reproductive cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted on early postpartum (25±2 days PP, n=30) and repeat breeder (RB, n=40) crossbred cows to evaluate genital infections, their antibiogram and fertility following use of suitable antibiotics. The puerperal discharges of 19 (63.3%) cows and CVM of 28 (70.0%) RB cows yielded bacterial isolates of mixed infection, Gram-positive bacilli/rods, Streptococcus spp., Gram-negative bacilli/rods, E. coli, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Anthracoid, whereas the rest of the samples were sterile. The sensitivity of isolates to 13 antibacterial drugs tested ranged between 5.3-63.2% among puerperal cows and between 25.0-50.0% in RB cows, with the highest sensitive to Gentamicin (63.2 and 50.0%) and maximum resistance to Peniclillin (94.7%) in both groups. The cows yielding bacterial isolates in both groups were treated with sensitive antibiotics (i.m.) for 3-5 d and those not yielding bacterial growth served as controls. The animals were inseminated at subsequent estruses and followed for repeating to estrus for three cycles and/or pregnancy. Overall pregnancy rates in PP treated and control cows was 47.4% and 63.6%, respectively. Overall pregnancy rates in RB treated and control cows was 57.1% and 66.7%, respectively. In brief, variable prevalence of genital infections observed in early postpartum and repeat breeder cows indicated bacterial invasion with gentamicin being the highest effective antibiotic. The cows failing to get pregnant in the absence of bacterial growth indicated involvement of other reasons for repeating to estrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]