Search

Present study was designed to investigate breeding biology of white-cheeked bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Margalla Hills National Park Pakistan (MHNP). Eighty nests were located in the study area out of which 43 were used by birds for breeding. Highest successful nests were located on fork 38.75%, followed by middle 25%, terminal 20% and other position of the plants 16.25%. Preferable height for nest construction by white-cheeked bulbul was 1-2m (60%) followed by 2-3m (23.7%) and 0-1m (16.25%). Outer diameter of nest was recorded (16.0 ± 4.22cm) while inner diameter was (10.8 ± 2.95cm). The preferred plant species used by white-cheeked bulbul for nest construction was garanda (Carrisa opaca; 58.7%) followed by sanatha (Dodonaea viscosa; 26.25%), panch phuli (Lantana camera; 6.25%), beri (Zizyphus mauritiana; 3.75%), kronda (Carissa macrocarpa; 2.5%) and mallah (Zizyphus nummularia; 2.5%). Clutch size in white-cheeked bulbul ranged from 1 to 5 eggs with mean clutch size of 2.6 eggs. Maximum percentage of nests (30.2%) had clutch size of 2 and 3 eggs. The overall hatching success in active nests was 61.7% and fledging success was 67.6%. During month of May, maximum number of eggs and nestlings were recorded while no breeding activity was recorded during month of February. It is concluded that (MHNP) is a favorable site for breeding activity of white-cheeked bulbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesting and breeding success of red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) were studied in orchards, parks and agriculture fields in Renala Khurd, district Okara, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 69 nests were located in the study area; breeding activity was observed in 51 active nests. The successful nests for breeding activity were recorded in parks (46%) followed by orchards (28%) and agricultural fields (27%). Highest percentage of successful nests was found on forks (48%) while nests on middle, terminal and other positions of plants were recorded as 17%, 10% and 25%, respectively. The preferred height for nest construction was recorded 1-2m (58%) followed by 2-3m (17%), 0-1m (16%), 3-4m (7%) and 4-5m (1%). The bulbul prefers to make nests on northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis; 32%) followed by guava (Psidium guajava; 19%), mango (Mangifera indica; 9%), white mulberry (Moris alba; 9%), sweat orange (Citrus X sinensis; 9%), babul (Vachellia nilotica; 7%), banyan (Ficus bengalensis; 4%), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina; 3%) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera; 3%). The highest number of nests were recorded with clutch size 3 (87%) followed by 2 (11%) and 4 (2%). A total of 154 eggs were observed in 51 nests, from which 10% eggs were infertile, 19% were predated and other losses counted 4%. A total of 104 eggs under observation were hatched, from which 28% chicks were predated and 6% fell out from the nest. The fledgling success was the highest in parks (65%) compared to orchards (25%) and agricultural fields (10%). It is concluded that bulbul preferred to construct nests on northern white cedar in parks. Moreover, breeding success was higher in parks compared to orchards and agricultural fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to determine physic-chemical characteristics and best extender for refrigerated preservation of Labeo rohita milt. In experiment I, milt was collected from mature and healthy brooders (n = 5) of L. rohita reared at fish seed hatchery, Rawal Town, Islamabad, Pakistan. After collection, milt was maintained at 4°C and physico-chemical characteristics were studied. The mean volume of Labeo rohita milt was 8.02 ± 0.12 ml, pH 7.60 ± 0.17, sperm count 2.77 ± 0.19 1010/ml, osmolality 267.6 ± 7.4 mOsmol/kg, sodium 95.43 ± 6.7 (mM/L), potassium 34.41 ± 1.2 (mM/L), total lipids 178.94 ± 5.0 mg/dl and motility 83.5 ± 5.0%. In experiment II, nine male brooders (3 brooders/replicate) maintained in three different ponds were used. In each replicate, milt from three brooders was pooled, kept at 4°C and divided into 4 aliquots. An aliquot was kept undiluted (control), while other aliquots were diluted in Alsever's solution, sugar-based extender and modified Kurokura extender (KE) in 1:9 ratio at 4°C and stored up to 7 days. Sperm motility and viability were assessed for up to 7 days. Total antioxidant capacity was measured on Day 4. Sperm motility was higher (p < 0.05) in milt diluted with KE compared with control and other diluents from Day 5 to Day 7. However, highest sperm viability was observed on Day 6 and Day 7 in sperm diluted with KE. Total antioxidant capacity of milt diluted with KE and control was higher than other diluents on Day 4. In conclusion, viability of Labeo rohita sperm can be increased by diluting it in KE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate in vivo fertility of cryopreserved buffalo spermatozoa by addition of arachidic acid in semen extender. For this purpose, semen was collected from 3 adult buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) of same age by artificial vagina keeping temperature at 42°C for a period of 5 weeks (replicates; n=30). Ejaculates were mixed in tris citric acid extender having 0.0 (control), 20.0, 25.0 and 30.0 ng/mL of arachidic acid at a temperature of 37°C (>1 mL volume, >0.5 billion per mL conc., >60% motility) and cryopreserved using standard procedures. Percent sperm motility, liveability, plasmalemma integrity and viability were increased in extender (P<0.05) having 20.0 ng/mL of arachidic acid compared to 25.0 ng/mL, 30.0 ng/mL and control. However, sperm chromatin integrity was equally improved in experimental extenders having arachidic acid compared to control. Sperm abnormalities were reduced in experimental extender with 20 ng/mL of arachidic acid compared to other experimental extenders containing arachidic acid and control. In experiment 2, a total of 533 inseminations were carried out by the extender containing best level of arachidic acid (20 ng/mL of extender). In vivo fertility was significantly improved in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 20.0 ng/mL of arachidic acid (58.64%) compared to control (46.06%). In conclusion, addition of arachidic acid (20.0 ng/mL) in extender significantly enhanced quality and in vivo fertility of post thaw buffalo semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates sucrose density gradient centrifugation for separation of X- or Y-chromosome-bearing buffalo spermatozoa. Qualified semen ejaculates from five buffalo bulls were processed through the sucrose density gradient for six consecutive weeks (replicates), while untreated semen constituted the control. Processed semen was diluted in a tris-citric acid extender and evaluated for sperm quality and recovery rates; subsequently it was cryopreserved and analysed for post-thaw quality. The fractions of presumptive X and Y sperm were validated using SYBR green real time PCR through X- and Y-specific sequences of buffalo genomic DNA using two sets of primers, PLP and SRY for X- and Y-chromosomes, respectively. Sperm recovery rates, pre-freeze and post-thaw sperm quality were higher (P<0.05) in X-sorted sperm fractions than Y-sorted or the control. The mean fold relative expression of X-bearing sperm was found to be comparable (1.6- fold) in the X-sorted fraction of the supernatant than the Y-sorted fractions (0.3 fold), whereas the mean fold relative expression of Y-bearing sperm was significantly higher in the Y-sorted fraction (2.66-fold) of the supernatant than the X-sorted fractions (0.69-fold) compared to the control (1.00). In conclusion, the sucrose density gradient method proved to be effective as confirmed by real time PCR for Y-sorting sperm sexing of Nili-Ravi buffalo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercially available OptiXcell® extender was compared with conventional extenders for freezability and in vivo fertility of bull semen. Semen was collected from three Friesian bulls for five weeks (replicate) and qualifying ejaculates (motility >60%, concentration >0.5 billion/mL, volume >1mL) were diluted (37°C; 50 × 106 spermatozoa/ml) with OptiXcell®, tris-citric egg yolk and egg yolk-citrate extenders. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C in 2 hours, equilibrated for 4 hours and filled in 0.5 ml straws. The straws were kept over liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 minutes and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Percentages of post thaw sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were recorded higher (P<0.05) in OptiXcell® compared to tris-citric egg yolk followed by egg yolk-citrate extender. Sperm viability (%) were recorded higher (P<0.05) in OptiXcell® compared to tris-citric egg yolk and egg yolk citrate extender. Percentages of normal apical ridge and DNA integrity were higher (P<0.05) in OptiXcell® and tris-citric egg yolk extender compared to egg yolk-citrate extender. Higher (P<0.05) fertility rate was recorded with semen frozen in OptiXcell® compared to triscitric egg yolk and egg yolk-citrate extender. In conclusion, OptiXcell® is superior to conventional extenders for spermatozoal quality of frozen-thawed bull semen and produced higher fertility rates under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was designed to show the capacity of Indian Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) sperm to be cryopreserved. The changes in characteristics of Indian Red Jungle Fowl spermatozoa during different phases of cryopreservation with the glycerol cryoprotectant and straw packaging were recorded. Semen from eight mature cocks were pooled, diluted at 37 °C in a Tselutin poultry extender, cooled to 4 °C in 2 h (0.275 min-1) and equilibrated for 10 min after the addition of 11% glycerol. Cooled semen was filled in 0.5 mL French straws, kept over liquid nitrogen vapour for 10 min and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen was thawed at 37 °C for 30 s. Sperm motility, plasma membrane plasticity, livability, and acrosomal integrity were assessed at the stage of pre-dilution (37 °C), post-dilution, cooling, equilibration and freeze-thawing. The experiment was repeated five times. Sperm motility did not change at post-dilution and cooling and averaged 83.3±3.1%. However, motility declined (P<0.05) to 66.0±2.4% and 45.0±6.5% at post-equilibration and thawing stages, respectively. The sperm plasma membrane plasticity at the pre-dilution stage was 74.8±1.4% and decreased (P<0.05) to 62.3±1.7%, 51.7±1.7%, and 42.0±1.2% at the stages of post-dilution, cooling and freeze-thawing, respectively. A decline (P<0.05) in acrosomal integrity was observed at post-cooling (83.8±2.4%), equilibration (80.8±0.8%) and thawing (73.8±2.4%). It is concluded that Indian Red Jungle sperm seem to adapt quite well to the freezethaw process that mainly alters the motility capacities and much less the acrosomal integrity. To our knowledge, this is the first ever report on cryopreservation of Indian Red Jungle Fowl spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative damage to sperm during cryopreservation is one of the main causes of decline in fertilizing potential. Present study aimed at evaluating the role of melatonin in extender for its cryoprotective effect on post-thaw quality of buffalo bull semen. For this purpose, two consecutive ejaculates were collected from three Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls using artificial vagina at weekly intervals for a period of three weeks (three replicates). Qualifying semen ejaculates were diluted (50x106 motile spermatozoa ml-1) in tris citric acid extender with melatonin at 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C for 2 h and equilibrated for 4 h at 4°C. Straws were then kept over liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and plunged in liquid nitrogen for storage. Thawing was performed after 24 h of storage, at 37°C for 30 seconds and post-thaw sperm quality parameters were assessed. Sperm progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, viability and chromatin integrity was higher (P<0.05) in extender containing melatonin 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM compared to control. In conclusion, the addition of melatonin 0.1-0.5 mM to extender improved the post-thaw quality of buffalo bull semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of cysteine addition to the freezing extender on the progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane and DNA integrity of buffalo bull spermatozoa was studied. Semen from three Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls of similar age group was collected with artificial vagina. Qualifying ejaculates were split in three aliquots for dilution (50 × 106spermatozoa ml–1) withtris-citric acid extender containing either 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mM cysteine. Extended semen samples were cooled and equilibrated before cryopreservation. Progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and DNA integrity were assessed at 0, 2 and 4 hours post-thaw incubation (37°C). Sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity of buffalo bull spermatozoa were higher (P< 0.05) in extender containing 1.0 mM cysteine than those with 0.5 mM or 0.0 mM at 0, 2 and 4 hours post-thaw. Sperm viability and DNA integrity were higher (P< 0.05) in extender containing 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM cysteine than those with 0.0 mM cysteine at 0, 2 and 4 hours post-thaw. Thein vivofertility rates were similar (P> 0.5) with semen cryopreserved in extender containing cysteine (1.0 mM) compared to control. It is concluded that addition of 1.0 mM cysteine to thetris-citric acid extender improved the post-thawin vitroquality of buffalo bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was designed to compare six different milk based extenders for the liquid storage of Nili- Ravi buffalo bull semen. Semen was collected from three Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls with artificial vagina (42°C) at weekly intervals (n=5). Semen was diluted (at 37°C) with six milk based extenders; homogenized milk (HOM), whole buffalo milk (BUF), whole cow milk (COW), whole camel milk (CAM), modified homogenized milk (MOD) and skimmed milk (SKIM). After dilution, semen was cooled to 5°C in 2 h and then it was refrigerated at 5°C for 96 h. Sperm motility (%) and normal acrosomal ridge (NAR; %) were recorded at 24 h intervals till 96 h. Sperm motility did not differ up to 72 h of storage in all experimental extenders, while higher (P<0.05) motility was observed in SKIM after 96 h of storage, that remained similar to sperm motility in HOM extender. Overall least square mean of sperm motility for SKIM was higher (P < 0.05) compared to HOM, BUF, COW, CAM and MOD after 96 h of storage period. Percentage of sperm with NAR remained similar (P>0.05) in SKIM, COW, BUF and HOM extenders at 24 h of storage. However, at 72 and 96 h of storage, values for NAR were higher (P<0.05) in SKIM and COW compared to HOM, BUF, CAM and MOD extenders. The values of NAR in terms of least square means remained higher (P<0.05) for SKIM and COW extenders compared to other extenders. In conclusion, skimmed milk based extender was found superior for chilled buffalo semen stored at 5°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to investigate the breeding biology of scaly-bellied woodpecker (Picus squamatus) in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Pakistan. Ten active nests were located on tree trunks and out of these five successful nests were made at 1-3 meters, 2 at 5.1-7 meters, 1 at 9.1-11 and two were made at 13.1-15 meter height. Scaly-bellied woodpecker nests were built on chir pine Pinus roxburghii 13 (46%) and paper mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera 15 (54%) in MHNP. The clutch size was 4-6 and incubation period 16-17 days. Fifty threee eggs were laid in the active nests, 42 (79.25%) hatched, 7 (13.21%) eggs were infertile and 4 (7.54%) eggs were destroyed. Out of 42 nestlings, 36 (85.71%) fledged and remaining 6 (14.29%) were lost. No predation was recorded in the present study. The body weight of nestlings up to five days was recorded as 10, 16, 22, 30 and 36 g on the 1-5th day of hatching. This is the first ever report on the breeding biology of scaly-bellied woodpecker population present in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus murghi), a native species of Southern Asia is threatened by habitat destruction, egg collection, predation and genetic hybridisation. Semen banking is one of the reproductive techniques used for the conservation of endangered species. To develop a semen bank for Red Jungle Fowl, the impact of semen collection frequencies on spermatozoa must be known. The study evaluated the impact of four ejaculate collection frequencies (once in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours) on semen quality parameters (volume, motility, concentration, live/dead ratio, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane integrity) of Red Jungle Fowl semen. Sperm motility and concentration was higher (P < 0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 hours of collection period compared to 12 hours. Semen volume increased (P < 0.05) at 48 and 72 hours of collection compared to 12 and 24 hours of collection frequency. The sperm acrosomal integrity was higher (P < 0.05) at 72 hours of collection compared to 12, 24 and 72 hours of collection frequency. The plasma membrane integrity was not affected by the frequency of collection (P > 0.05). The number of live sperm were observed to be higher (P > 0.05) at 12 hours of collection compared to 24, 48 and 72 hours. The overall semen output of all cocks was theoretically similar at a collection frequency of once in 48 hours and 72 hours in all of the semen quality parameters evaluated in this study. It is concluded that semen of optimum quality may be collected at 48 and 72 hours of interval for captive breeding programs of Red Jungle Fowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments were designed to determine the effect of a-tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid in extender on post-thaw motility, plasmalemma functionality, viability and chromatin damage of Zebu bull spermatozoa. Semen collected from three bulls of Sahiwal breed (Bos indiens) was diluted with tris-citric acid extender either containing α-tocopherol acetate or ascorbic acid at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mM or without any supplement (control) and cryopreserved. For each extender, thawing of three semen straws was performed at 37°C for 30 seconds for the assessment of sperm quality parameters. Sperm motility (%) remained similar in extenders containing a-tocopherol at 0.5. 1.5, 2.5 mM and control. Sperm plasmalemma functionality (%) was recorded higher (P < 0.05) in extender containing 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 mM a-tocopherol acetate than control. Sperm viability (%) was observed higher (P<0.05) in extender containing 0.5 mM a-tocopherol acetate. Sperm chromatin damage was similar (P > 0.05) in all experimental extenders containing a-tocopherol acetate and control. Extenders containing ascorbic acid 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 mM did not improve sperm motility, plasmalemma functionality, viability and chromatin integrity. In conclusion, a-tocopherol acetate (0.5 mM) in extender improved the plasmalemma functionality and viability of frozen-thawed Zebu bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of addition of L-cysteine to tris-citric acid (TCA) extender on the post-thaw quality of Sahiwal bull semen. For this purpose, two consecutive ejaculates were collected from three Sahiwal bulls using artificial vagina at weekly intervals for a period of three weeks (three replicates). Qualifying semen ejaculates were diluted (50 x 106 motile spermatozoa ml-1) in TCA extender having L-cysteine either 0.0 (control) or 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mM. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C for 2 h, equilibrated for 4 h at 4°C, filled in straws at 4°C, kept in liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and then stored in the liquid nitrogen. Thawing was performed after 24 h of storage, at 37°C for 30 s. and the sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity were assessed. Higher (P<0.05) sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity were observed using extenders containing 1.0 or 2.0 mM compared to those containing 0.5 or 0.0 mM L-cysteine. It is concluded that addition of L-cysteine (to reach 1.0-2.0 mM) in TCA extender improves the post-thaw quality of Sahiwal bull semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to compare egg yolks from three avian species in extender for cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa. The study was conducted on cauda epididymal spermatozoa from ten slaughtered Sahiwal balls. Semen retrieved from epididymal cauda of each testes pair was pooled and diluted in tris-citric acid-glycerol extender containing either pigeon, guinea fowl or chicken egg yolk semi colon leading to a final spermatozoal concentration of 30x106 ml-1. Diluted semen was transferred into 0.5 ml straws, cooled to 4°C and equilibrated for 4 h. The straws were kept on liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and then plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Motility, plasma membrane integrity and spermatozoa morphology (acrosome ridge; head, mid piece and tail) of each diluted semen sample were assessed at 0, 2 and 4 h post-thawing. All indicators applied and acrosomal integrity were the highest (P<0.05) after freezing in extender containing pigeon egg yolk compared to guinea fowl and chicken egg yolk 0, 2 and at 4 h post-thaw. Moreover, spermatozoa tail abnormality percentages were also significantly lower (P<0.05) in extender containing pigeon egg yolk compared to guinea fowl and chicken egg yolk at 0, 2 and 4 post-thaw h. In conclusion, pigeon egg yolk used in semen extender improved the post-thaw quality of Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of butylated hydroxytoluene supplementation in extender on motility, plasmalemma and viability of Sahiwal bull spermatozoa. Semen was collected from three Sahiwal bulls of similar age group with artificial vagina for three weeks (replicates). Qualifying semen ejaculates were split into five aliquots and cryopreserved in tris-citric extender having either 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0mM butylated hydroxytoluene. After thawing at 37°C, semen was evaluated for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability. Sperm plasma membrane integrity was assessed using supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test, while viability was assessed with dual staining procedure using Trypan blue and Giemsa stain. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher in extender containing 0.5mM butylated hydroxytoluene compared to the control and extenders containing 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mM butylated hydroxytoluene. It is concluded that supplementation of 0.5mM butylated hydroxytoluene in tris-citric acid extender improved the motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability of Sahiwal bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of glucose supplementation in skim milk diluter on motility, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa stored at 5°C. Semen from three buffalo bulls was collected and diluted at 37°C with a final concentration of 10 x 106 motile spermatozoa per ml in skim milk diluter containing 5, 10 and 30mM glucose or without glucose (control). The diluted semen was cooled to 5°C in 2 hours and stored at 5°C for five days. Motility and plasma membrane integrity of buffalo bull spermatozoa was similar (P > 0.05) in all four experimental diluters at 1st day of storage. However, sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity on 3rd and 5th day of storage was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diluter containing glucose (5, 10 or 30mM) as compared to control. Sperm acrosomal integrity remained similar (P > 0.05) in all experimental diluters for five days of storage at 5°C. No differences were found among experimental diluters supplemented with 5, 10 and 30mM glucose (P<0.05), therefore, 5mM glucose supplementation is recommended. In conclusion, glucose supplementation improved the preservability of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa in skim milk diluter at 5°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation in skim milk extender on the preservability of buffalo bull spermatozoa stored at 5°C. For this purpose, semen samples were collected from Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls (n = 3) and diluted at 37°C with skim milk extender containing ascorbic acid (0.5mM) or α-tocopherol (1.0mM) or without any supplement (Control). The sperm concentration in the extender was adjusted at 10 x 106 motile spermatozoa per ml. Diluted semen was cooled from 37°C to 5°C in 2 hours and stored at 5°C for five days. Semen quality assays for sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, normal apical ridge and abnormalities were performed at 1st, 3rd and 5th day of storage. Percentage of sperm motility was lower (P < 0.05) in extender containing α-tocopherol as compared to ascorbic acid and control at 1st and 3rd day of storage. However, it did not differ at 5th day of storage. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in percentage of plasma membrane integrity and normal apical ridge of buffalo bull spermatozoa for five days of storage. Moreover, sperm abnormalities (head, mid piece and tail) remained similar (P > 0.05) in all experimental extenders for five days to storage. It is concluded that ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol addition in skim milk did not improve the semen quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa stored at 5°C for five days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the effect of cysteine in extender on the post-thaw semen quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa. In this study, semen was collected from five buffalo bulls of similar age group with artificial vagina for three weeks. The thawing of the frozen semen was performed after 24 hours of cryopreservation at 37°C for 30 seconds and then assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and normal apical ridge. It concluded that the extender containing cysteine improved the freezability of Nili-Rivi buffalo bull spermatozoa.

The article discusses a study which evaluated the effect of the addition of glutathione to tris-citric egg yolk extender of the quality of buffalo bull spermatozoa stored at 5°C for five days. Results show that there was no difference in sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity due to glutathione at first day after dilution. It concluded that adding of 0.5-1.0mM of glutathione in tris-citric eff yolk extender improves the quality of buffalo bull speramatozoa stored at 5°C for five days of storage.

The article discusses a study on the effect of 5mM and 10mM fructose addition in skim milk extender on motility, in vitro longevity, plasma membrane integrity and abnormalities of buffalo bull spermatozoa stored at 5 degrees Centigrade. It cites the use of powered skimmed milk without adding fructose for preparing extender as control and second and third extenders were prepared by adding 5mM and 10mM fructose to control extender respectively. It concludes that adding 5mM and 10mM fructose may be used to improve the preservability of liquid Nili-Ravi buffalo semen for artificial insemination programme.