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Growth hormone (GH) is a gene that regulates milk production, reproduction, and growth in animals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify GH gene variations and their associations with growth metrics in Sirohi and Assam hill goats. We identified two polymorphic loci (GH1-HaeIII & GH2-HaeIII) which were connected to growth attributes in 161 animals of Assam hill (n = 114) and Sirohi (n = 47) goats using the methods of PCR-RFLP. According to PCR-RFLP results, the GH gene's GH1-HaeIII locus contains two alleles (A and B) and two genotypes (AA and AB), whereas the GH2-HaeIII locus contains two alleles (C and D) and two genotypes (CC and CD). In the two goat breeds, the allele frequencies of A and B were 0.36 − 0.28 and 0.64–0.72, respectively, while the frequencies of alleles C and D were 0.71 − 0.70 and 0.29–0.30. The polymorphic loci were demonstrated to be in a state of Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium in both breeds of goats (P

This article examines the environmental factor-induced oxidative stress (OS) and their effects on male reproductive and sexual health. There are several factors that induce OS, i.e. radition, metal contamination, xenobiotic compounds, and cigarette smoke and lead to cause toxicity in the cells through metabolic or bioenergetic processes. These environmental factors may produce free radicals and enhance the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Free radicals are molecules that include oxygen and disbalance the amount of electrons that can create major chemical chains in the body and cause oxidation. Oxidative damage to cells may impair male fertility and lead to abnormal embryonic development. Moreover, it does not only cause a vast number of health issues such as ageing, cancer, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative disorders but also decreases the motility of spermatozoa while increasing sperm DNA damage, impairing sperm mitochondrial membrane lipids and protein kinases. This chapter mainly focuses on the environmental stressors with further discussion on the mechanisms causing congenital impairments due to poor sexual health and transmitting altered signal transduction pathways in male gonadal tissues.

Context Smallholder pig production systems in the north-eastern region of India are characterised by inefficiency due to use of unselected local pigs, and multiple breeding constraints such as paucity of superior germplasm, high mating costs, and poor access to artificial insemination (AI). Effective AI is the most viable option for genetic improvement and enhancing pig productivity. Aim The study was designed to assess the success rate and economic efficacy of four AI delivery models (Models I–IV): (I) AI at farmer’s doorstep through direct linkage to tribal farmers; (II) AI at farmer’s doorstep through trained, educated youth; (III) oestrus synchronisation and fixed-time AI; and (IV) mobile van-based AI delivery system. The study also sought to ascertain the benefits of adopting a crossbreeding program through AI over the existing use of local pigs for smallholder systems. Methods Semen collected from nine Hampshire boars was routinely utilised for AI after processing as per standard protocols. For Models I–IV, respectively, 259, 154, 183 and 284 sows from 75 villages/clusters were inseminated. Reproductive and litter performance as well as insemination cost were evaluated for each model. Growth performance of crossbred pigs obtained through AI was compared with that of local pigs in the smallholder production system. Key results Farrowing rate and mean litter size at birth were 74.90% and 8.57 ± 0.52 for Model I, 68.83% and 8.08 ± 0.37 for Model II, 80.87% and 9.31 ± 0.41 for Model III, 75.00% and 8.54 ± 0.64 for Model IV, and 81.58% and 6.81 ± 0.29 for natural service. Farrowing rate, litter size at birth and at weaning, and litter weight at weaning were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by AI delivery model in the order: Model III > Model I = Model IV > Model II. Litter weight at birth was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by AI delivery model in the order: Model III > Model I = Model II = Model IV. Lowest cost per insemination was found for Model IV (INR 319.00) followed by Model II (INR 449.00), Model III (INR 629) and Model I (INR 899). All models had lower cost than the natural service system (INR 2200). The growth performance of crossbred pigs obtained through AI was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than of the local pigs reared in the same production system. Conclusion The present study justifies the accessibility, feasibility and potential benefit of AI delivery models in smallholder/backyard pig production systems in the north-eastern region of India. Use of these AI delivery models will overcome the breeding constraints and reward farmers with more rapid genetic improvement in productivity with lower production costs. Model III (oestrus synchronisation and fixed time AI) shows best productivity and Model IV (mobile van-based AI delivery system) has lowest cost. Implications These AI delivery models will be effective for sustainable and economic piggery development and improve the socioeconomic livelihood of pig farmers in South Asian countries.

Present study was conducted to characterize the testicular changes in the peripubertal period in Tenyi-vo, a miniature size pig of North-eastern Himalayan (NEH) region of India. A total of twenty-four male pigs were randomly selected and categorised for castration at different age groups, G1 (Days 30-45), G2 (Days 60-65), G3 (Days 80-100) and G4 (Days 150-160), n=6 each category. Paired testes and epididymis were used for the assessment of biometry, cauda epididymal spermiogram, testicular histology and relative expression of the androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), aromatase (CYP19A1), and insulin like growth factor-1β receptor (IGF-1R) in qPCR. Plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and cortisol concentrations were estimated on the day of castration in each group of male using commercial ELISA kits. In pigs of G2, a greater testicular weight, volume, epididymis weight was observed relative to G1. The presence of live spermatozoa at 1240.9±304.2×106/mLconcentration with 0.65% proximal droplets was recorded as early as day 60. The concentration of T increased steadily over the age of G1 to G4 and a significantly higher concentration was observed in G4 relative to the other categories. Among the transcripts analysed in the testis, the relative fold change of AR was 10.8 fold in G2, which was subsequently reduced in G3 and then down-regulated in G4. CYP19A1 was abundantly expressed in the testis and the fold change ranged from 41-54 fold, although it did not differ significantly from 60-150 days of age. Further, the presence of well-developed seminiferous tubules was evident in the Tenyi-vo male from day 60 onward with a body weight as low as 4.28 kg. The study concluded that the male of Tenyi-vo pig attained puberty at the earliest age of 60 days.

The study was conducted to deduce the efficacy and suitability of three extenders: Beltsville thawing solution (BTS), Kiev and Modena extenders, on the preservation and fertility of boar semen. Semen ejaculates with more than 70% sperm motility from six Hampshire boars were used and preserved at 17 °C. The extended semen was evaluated for motility, viability, acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity from day 0 to 5 of preservation. There was a significant (P, Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se utvrdila učinkovitost i prikladnost beltsvilskog (BTS), kijevskog i modenskog razrjeđivača za očuvanje i plodnost nerastova sjemena. Upotrijebljeni su ejakulati sjemena od 6 hempširskih nerastova s pokretljivošću spermija većom od 70%, koji su sačuvani na 17 °C. Razrijeđeno sjeme procjenjivano je od 0. do 5. dana s obzirom na pokretljivost, živost te cjelovitost akrosomalne i plazmine membrane. Tijekom razdoblja od 0. do 4. dana došlo je do signifikantnog (P