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The article discusses research concerning the high seroprevalence of bovine herpesvirus-1 and Brucella abortus found in yak (Poephagus grunniens L.), a multipurpose bovid raised by poor and marginal tribal farmers of rural and remote hill areas of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

The article presents research examining the mortality of yak, specifically on neonatal mortality in India in 2014. Topics discussed in the study include the season-wise mortality pattern of yak, the reduced yak population due to higher mortality rate, and the role of seasonal influence on the yak disease and mortality emergence.

The study was undertaken to see the effect of recovery techniques and culture media on in-vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes indigenous cattle of Assam. Oocytes were collected by aspiration and dissection techniques and were graded as A, B, C and D on the basis of their cumulus cell layers surrounding the zona pellucida. Oocytes with A, B and C categories were subjected to IVM using three different media (TCM-199, Ham's F-12 and Ham's F-10) with same additives (Sodium pyruvate, Gentamicin, L-glutamine, Porcine FSH, Follicular Fluid and HIOCS). Percentage of oocytes with expansion of cumulus cells was found to be the highest in dissection technique using TCM-199 media in comparison to Ham's F-12 and Ham's F- 10 using same additives. However, it did not differ significantly between techniques. Incidence of Metaphase-I + Metaphase- II was the highest in oocytes recovered by dissection technique and cultured in TCM-199 with additives when incubated at 38.5°C for 24 hours and it differed significantly between media but there was no significant difference between the recovery techniques. In conclusion, the culture medium TCM-199 along with additives may give better IVM rate of the oocytes recovered by dissection technique from indigenous cattle ovaries of Assam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the effect on the ovarian function in rats of the plants Aegle marmelos (AME) and Ficus religiosa (FRE). Forty nine 12-15 week-old rats were reportedly divided into seven groups, six of which were given 100, 300 and 1000 milligrams (mg) of the plants' extracts daily from diestrus to estrus phase. It is stated that both plants have effected higher uterine and ovarian weight and large surface follicles in the rats indicating ovarian function influence on them.

The article discusses a study that compared the recovery rate of Cattle and Yak oocytes through post aspiration and aspiration slicing technique. Methods include collection of bovine and yak ovaries, slicing aspirated ovaries and aspirating Cumulus Oophorus Complexes (COCs) with follicular fluid. Conclusions indicated higher recovery rate of Grade A and B oocytes in the ovaries of yaks as compared to those in cattle at 2.98 plus/minus 0.36 and 1.38 plus/minus 0.08, respectively.

The article discusses the study that evaluates the efficacy of the ovysynch protocol on ovarian response and progesterone profile in yak cows, Poephagus grunniens L. The eight yaks underwent daily ovarian ultrasound to study the ovarian response and blood sampling to analyze progesterone. By the seventh day, the study found that nearly all animals had a large follicle and lutein tissue. It also observed luteolytic response to prostaglandin (PGF2) in all the animals.

The article examines the effects of strategic feed supplementation on the growth and nutrient utilization of yak calves in Mandala, India during the winter. The yaks were divided into three groups, with all groups fed with complete feed block (CFB) during the first 60 days. The first and second groups were fed the same CFB in the next 60 days, while the third group was fed CFB based on maize stover and salix leaves. Animals in the third group showed higher body weight gain in the latter part.

The article discusses a study which examined the effect of Aegle marmelos and Ficus religiosa on the onset of puberty in immature rats. Higher levels of steroids at the onset of puberty indicated that estrogen may have prime role on puberty. The leaves of Ficus have been found to contain macro and micro nutrients and amino acids that could be beneficial in the onset of puberty. Ethanolic extracts of both plants were administered orally from day 26 to 35 of age and induction of vaginal opening was used as an index of puberty.

The article presents a study on the growth performance of indigenous pigs of Assam, India. According to the article, this investigation aims to find out the growth performance of this breed under the conditions in which they are reared by rural farmers in Assam. The study notes that the animals were reared by farmers in the traditional system of management mostly by scavenging. The study also found out that the males were found to be significantly heavier than females only at birth while significant seasonal variation in body weight was observed at birth and weaning variation in body weight of those bred in Kamrup and Sibsagar districts was not significant in respect of body weight at any of the ages.

The female yaks (n=52) were detected in estrus by parading vasectomized bull between 8-9 am (morning) and between 3-4 pm (evening). A group of females (n=18) detected in estrus in morning were inseminated twice on the same day between 9-10 am and between 4-5 pm. The remaining females (n=13) detected in estrus in morning were inseminated once on the same day between 4-5 pm. Further, the females detected in estrus in evening were either inseminated twice (n=13) i.e. on the same day between 4-5 pm and next day between 9-10 am (n=18), or were inseminated once (n=8) on following day between 9-10 am. In all the groups, an almost similar (p>0.05) conception rate was recorded between 53.8 to 62.5%. In brief, it may be concluded that if estrus is detected in Indian yak either in the morning or in the evening, a single insemination may be done in the afternoon of same day or in the morning of following day, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the conception rate in Indian yak (Poephagus grunnies L.). The animals included in the authors' study were all managed under uniform managemental conditions at the National Research Centre on Yak in India, which were all subjected to heat detection using the vasectomized male twice daily. The authors share that the conception rate they observed were comparable to that of Xie, who recorded 52.0% conception rate in yaks when frozen semen was deposited intracervically.

The article examines the seminal plasma proteins' sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel eletrophorosis in yak. The study shows the difference of the total protein concentration between the examined bulls. It demonstrates the six major protein bands of the semen. It also observes the presence of low molecular weight seminal plasma that could be linked with yak bull fertility.

The article presents a study that aims to optimize correlated responses due to single trait selection in crossbred pigs. Records from 2,054 crossbred piglets of Hampshire and Indigenous breeds maintained at the All India Co-ordinated Research Projects were examined. It was found that the highest percent gain in body weight occurs when selection was based on eighth week age in halfbred inter se pigs.

The article focuses on a study which examined ovulatory disturbances and normal ovulation in repeat breeding crossbred cows. A number of stallfed repeat breeding crossbred cows and heifers with anovulation, delayed ovulation and normal ovulation served as subjects in this study. Particular focus is given to the mean duration of oestrus in subjects. Results of the study showed that the mean duration of oestrus was longer in repeat breeding crossbred cattle with delayed ovulation and anovulation than those with normal ovulation. It also found that a relaxed and open cervix in most of the animals with delayed ovulation and some animals with anovulation.

The present experiment was carried out to investigate the role of Oxyrase in preserving the in vitro quality, redox status and in vivo fertility of crossbred boar spermatozoa. A total of 24 ejaculates from 6 crossbred (n = 4 from each boar) boars were collected and extended in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) in 1:2 ratio and divided into three aliquots. The first aliquot served as a control (without Oxyrase). Rest of the two aliquots were supplemented with 0.125 (T1) and 0.25 IU/mL Oxyrase (T2). Semen samples were preserved at 15°C for 5 days and kinematics of spermatozoa by CASA, semen quality parameters and oxidative stress status were evaluated at 0, 72 and 120 h of storage. The findings of studies revealed that supplementation of Oxyrase at 0.25 IU/mL resulted in higher (p < 0.05) total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and functional integrity of plasma membrane at 72 and 120 h in comparison to the control group. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was higher (p < 0.05) at 72 and 120 h, whereas higher (p < 0.05) DNA integrity was observed at 120 h in T2. The lipid peroxidation (LPO) was lower (p < 0.05) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (p < 0.05) in the T2 group at 120 h as compared to control. In vivo fertility trials indicated a higher (p < 0.05) litter size in T2 in comparison to other groups. The study concluded that the inclusion of Oxyrase at 0.25 IU/mL in the extender protects the crossbred boar spermatozoa against oxidative damage and improves the in vivo fertility., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The present study investigates the temporal effects of flaxseed supplementation on boar semen quality, antioxidant status, and in-vivo fertility under high-temperature humidity index (THI) conditions in a sub-tropical climate. Twelve Hampshire crossbreed boars were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups, with the treatment group receiving flaxseed oil supplementation. Semen samples were collected and analyzed for semen quality parameters, sperm kinematics, and antioxidant status. Fertility outcomes were assessed through in-vivo mating trials. Flaxseed supplementation resulted in time dependent significant improvements in semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive sperm motility, sperm quality parameters, and antioxidant status. Fertility outcomes, including farrowing rates and litter sizes, were also enhanced in the flaxseed-supplemented group. These findings highlight the potential of flaxseed supplementation to improve boar fertility under high ambient stress conditions, with implications for optimizing reproductive performance in swine production systems., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The development of an effective extender is important for semen preservation and the artificial insemination (AI) industry. This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as an additive to semen extenders to improve semen quality, fertility, and antibacterial activity during liquid preservation in a boar model. Methods: Initially, to find out the safe concentration of ZnO-NPs in sperm cells, a wide range of ZnO-NP concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 μM) were co-incubated with sperm at 37°C for a cytotoxic study. These NP concentrations were compared to their salt control zinc acetate (ZA) at the same concentrations and to a control group. The effect of the different concentrations of ZnO-NPs on sperm motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and apoptosis was assessed. Accordingly, the non-toxic dose was selected and supplemented in MODENA extender to determine its beneficial effect on the boar semen parameters mentioned and the lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels during liquid preservation at 16°C for 6 days. The non-cytotoxic dosage was subsequently chosen for AI, fertility investigations, and the evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy of ZnO-NPs during preservation hours. An antibacterial study of ZnO-NPs and its salt control at doses of 10 μM and 50 μM was carried out by the colony forming unit (CFU) method. Results and discussion: The cytotoxic study revealed that 5, 10, and 50 μM of ZnO-NPs are safe. Consequently, semen preserved in the MODENA extender, incorporating the non-toxic dose, exhibited 10 and 50 μM ZnO-NPs as the optimal concentrations for beneficial outcomes during liquid preservation at 16°C. ZnO-NPs of 10 μM concentration resulted in a significantly ( p < 0.05) improved conception rate of 86.95% compared to the control of 73.13%. ZnO-NPs of 10 and 50 μM concentrations exhibit potent antimicrobial action by reducing the number of colonies formed with days of preservation in comparison to the negative control. The investigation concluded that the incorporation of 10 μM ZnO-NPs led to enhancements in sperm motility, membrane integrity, and MMP, attributed to a reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. This improvement was accompanied by a concurrent increase in fertility rates, including farrowing rate and litter size, during the liquid preservation process. Furthermore, ZnO-NPs exhibited an antimicrobial effect, resulting in decreased bacterial growth while preserving boar semen at 16°C for 6 days. These findings suggest that ZnO-NPs could serve as a viable alternative to antibiotics, potentially mitigating antibiotic resistance concerns within the food chain., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer AD declared a shared parent affiliation with the authors to the handling editor at the time of review., (Copyright © 2024 Lyngdoh, Chettri, Kharchandy, Sheel, Choudhury, Sarkar, Pattanayak, Deori, Abedin and Kadirvel.)