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Kisspeptin (Kp), an upstream regulator of GnRH release, is essential for the development and function of reproductive axis. Previously, we demonstrated the localization of Kp and its receptor (Kiss1r) in the active follicle in the bubaline ovary. Present study aimed to determine the effect of Kp on granulosa cell (GCs) functions, especially oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) production, and differential expression of genes regulating the proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis in the buffalo. The ovaries with 6–10 mm size follicles obtained from the cyclic buffaloes after slaughtering were used for isolation of GCs for in vitro study. The primary GCs culture was treated with Kp (0, 10, 50 and 100 nM) and incubated for 48 h. Production of E2 and P4 was estimated in the culture supernatant by ELISA. The expression of gonadotropin receptors (FSHR and LHR), steroidogenic genes (STAR, 3β‐HSD, CYP19A1), proliferation marker (PCNA), apoptotic factors (CASP3 and BCL2) and Kp signalling molecule (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2 and p‐ERK1/2) was studied in the GCs by qPCR. Significant E2 production was found in the Kp 50 and 100 nM groups (p <.05), whereas P4 production was reduced in Kp 100 nM group (p <.05). There was concomitant upregulation of FSHR, ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 in the Kp 100 nM treated GCs. In addition, Kp at 100 nM stimulated the proliferation of GCs by upregulating the expression of BCL2 (5.0 fold) and PCNA (94.9 fold). Further, high immunoreactivity of p‐ERK1/2 was observed in the Kp‐treated GCs. It was concluded that Kp at 100 nM concentration stimulated E2 production by upregulating the steroidogenic pathway through ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 and modulating PCNA and BCL2 expressions in the GCs. Further experiments are warranted using Kp antagonist in different combinations to establish the signalling pathway in Kp‐mediated steroidogenesis in the GCs for developing strategies to control ovarian functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexed semen facilitates additional female calf production for the expansion of a herd at a faster rate and also curtails the surplus production of unwanted male calves. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of sexed semen in indigenous Tharparkar cows based on 114 artificial inseminations (AI) performed at natural oestrus using two protocols i.e., single AI (n = 48) and double AI (n = 66). Overall, the first service conception rate (CR) was significantly higher in double (53.0%) than single (33.3%) AI protocol. The odds ratio of conception rate in double AI was 2.26 (χ2 = 4.4, df = 1, p =.04) with respect to single AI. The time that elapsed since the detection of oestrus to insemination was also analysed. In a single AI protocol, the CR was higher (p <.05) at 16 h (54.6%) than insemination at 8 h (27.0%) following the onset of oestrus. Yet, the CR using double AI protocol did not differ (p =.73) significantly when AIs were performed either at 8 h and 24 h (51.9%) or 16 h and 24 h (57.1%) post onset of oestrus. Besides, like the single AI protocol, the parity of the animals also influenced the CR, being higher in heifers (n = 22) than those of parous (n = 92) cows (72.73 vs. 40.43%, χ2 = 7.48, df = 1, p =.006) in the present study. The odds ratio of conception in heifers was 3.93 with respect to parous cows. Overall, the birth of female calf was 91.7%. In conclusion, the present study indicates a future promise of the sexed semen for the production of more female offspring from Tharparkar cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As onset of sepsis adversely affects the prognosis of canine pyometra, finding biomarkers that would distinguish sepsis status would be useful in the clinical management. Accordingly, we hypothesized that differential expression of endometrial transcripts and circulating concentration of certain inflammatory mediators would discriminate pyometra‐led sepsis (P‐sepsis+) from those of pyometra without sepsis (P‐sepsis−). Bitches with pyometra (n = 52) were classified into P‐sepsis+ (n = 28) and P‐sepsis− (n = 24) based on vital clinical score and total leukocyte count. A group of non‐pyometra bitches (n = 12) served as control. The relative fold changes in the transcripts of IL6, IL8, TNFα, IL10, PTGS2, mPGES1 and PGFS, SLPI, S100A8, S100A12 and eNOS were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of IL6, IL8, IL10, SLPI and prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM) were assayed by ELISA. The relative fold changes in S100A12 and SLPI and mean concentrations of IL6 and SLPI were significantly (p <.05) higher in P‐sepsis+ than that of P‐sepsis− group. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that serum IL6 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 78.6% and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 2.09, at a cut‐off value of 15.7 pg/mL to diagnose P‐sepsis+ cases. Similarly, serum SLPI had a sensitivity of 84.6% and an LR+ of 2.23, at a cut‐off value of 2.0 pg/mL. It was concluded that SLPI and IL6 would serve as putative biomarkers for pyometra‐led sepsis in bitches. Monitoring SLPI and IL6 would be a useful adjunct to the established haemato‐biochemical parameters in customizing the treatment strategies and arriving at the decision for management of pyometra bitches with critical illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different dietary supplementations in periparturient sow diet on the occurrence of post parturient dysgalactia syndrome (PDS), body condition score (BCS), litter performance and serum biochemical profile. Forty-eight pregnant multiparous crossbred sows (Hampshire × Ghungroo) were randomly divided into four groups (12 sows per group) 30 days before expected date of farrowing as control (Basal diet); probiotics (Basal diet + Probiotics); Vitamin E-selenium and aminoacids (Basal diet + VES-AA) and calcium-vitamin (Basal diet + Cal-Vit). The results of the study revealed that the occurrence of PDS was lowest (p<0.05) in VES-AA than the Probiotic and Cal-Vit mix groups. The incidence of still birth and piglet scour were significantly lower (p<0.05) in VES-AA and Cal-Vit mix groups as compared to probiotic and control groups. A significantly lower (p<0.05) incidence of piglet mortality was noted in VES-AA group than and probiotic, Cal-Vit mix and control groups. The mean BCS was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 15 and 45 after farrowing than the value of day -15 in all the groups and the mean BCS was significantly higher (p<0.05) on day 45 in probiotic, VES-AA, Cal-Vit mix than control group. The piglet performance and weaning to estrus interval sows were not affected across the groups. Similarly, mean serum biochemical parameters did not alter throughout the study period in all the groups. From the findings of the present study, it is concluded that the dietary vitamin E- selenium along with amino acid supplementations from late gestation to throughout lactation could contribute, at least in part, to decrease the occurrence of PDS of sow, incidence of still birth, piglet scour and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Brucella canis which is the most common cause of reproductive failure in dogs. Incidence of the disease is higher in stray dogs than in pets. Though brucellosis was reported to have existed in India since 1879, the methodical study was taken up as late as 1943, in animals and man in Madras presidency. However, contagious abortion in livestock associated with brucellosis was first investigated in India by the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar in 1918. Since then the disease has been reported almost everywhere in India. Data on the prevalence of canine brucellosis in India is scarce or rather unreported, and the public health significance is not much known. Routine sero-surveillance of canines should also be done so that proper control measures can be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuropeptide kisspeptin (Kp) through its receptor Kiss1r regulates the HPG axis by controlling GnRH release. Since buffalo is a seasonal breeder with problems of delayed puberty and postpartum anestrus, we characterized the Kiss1 and Kiss1r and investigated the immunolocalization in the hypothalamus and corpus luteum (CL). Kiss1 and Kiss1r genes were amplified from gDNA covering the coding region, cloned and sequenced with accession numbers MF168937 and MG820539, respectively. The Kiss1 DNA sequence had two exonic segment contained coding sequence (cds); 408 bp encoding a predicted protein of 136 aa with conservation of Kp-10 and shared 94.5–98.3% identity with ruminants. Kiss1r DNA sequence consisted of five exons with a cds of 1134 bp encoding a protein of 378 aa. Phylogenetic analysis of Kiss1 and Kiss1r revealed that it formed a monophyletic clade with cattle, which branched from sheep and goat. Immunofluorescence study revealed the presence of Kiss1 and Kiss1r in the neuronal soma and perinuclear area of preoptic and arcuate regions of the hypothalamus and luteal cells of the CL. This is the first report on molecular characterization of bubaline Kiss1 and Kiss1r genes that confirmed the presence of conserved Kp-10 like other ruminants and kisspeptinergic system is present in the hypothalamus and CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence shows that some of the pro-inflammatory cytokines are elevated not only in the endometrium but also in the follicular fluid of cows with endometritis. Developing a cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) based test has the potential for becoming a pen-side test because of the ease of sample collection. The present study describes the results of two different experiments. The first experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of endometritis on the proinflammatory cytokines of follicular fluid based on the reproductive tracts of buffalo collected at a slaughter house Buffalo genitalia were categorized into purulent endometritis (PE), cytological endometritis (CE), and non-endometritis (NE) based on the white-side test and endometrial cytology, respectively (n = 14/group). Each group was subdivided into follicular and mid-luteal stage (n = 7/stage) and the follicular fluid was collected from the largest follicle. Second experiment was done to study the difference in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the CVM of repeat breeders with subclinical endometritis presented to the clinic. CVM was collected from the repeaters (n = 10) and non-repeaters (n = 10) through aseptic trans-vaginal aspiration. The pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα were quantitated through bovine specific ELISA kits. Significantly higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, and TNFα) along with low intra-follicular estradiol in buffaloes of PE and CE groups suggest that endometritis impedes the follicular steroidogenesis. Significantly higher concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α in the CVM of repeaters indicate their potential as a pen-side diagnostic test for CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted to compare the production and reproduction performance of Ghungroo and Large Black breeds maintained at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Nagaland. The birth weight (1.09 vs. 0.96 kg), pre-weaning growth rate (174.90 vs. 141.40 g/day) and matured body weight at 7 months (64.74 kg vs. 53.13 kg) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Large Black gilts as compared to Ghungroo. However, the age at first estrus (209.70 vs. 244.42 days) and conception (237.44 vs. 260.81 days) was significantly lower in Ghungroo than Large Black. The litter size at birth (10.24 vs. 8.38) was significantly higher in Ghungroo than Large Black however, similar pattern in litter size at weaning (7.64 vs. 7.20), litter weight at birth (9.28 vs. 9.96 kg) and weaning (47.35 vs. 52.50 kg) were recorded in Ghungroo and Large Black, respectively. The pre-weaning mortality was higher in Ghungroo (2.64) due to lower birth weight and larger litter compared to the Large Black (1.47, p<0.01). Parity wise comparison of major reproductive traits revealed that litter size at birth and pre-weaning mortality were influenced by breed as well as parity, whereas the individual weight at birth and weaning were only influenced by breed not by parities. Thus, from this study it is concluded that the Ghungroo breed matured early, produce more litter and performs similar to the popular Large Black breed under organized farm condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum uterine infections result from uterine contamination with bacteria during parturition. The uterine infection implies adherence of pathogenic organisms to the mucosa, colonization or penetration of the epithelium, and release of bacterial toxins that lead to establishment of uterine diseases. Treatment of endometritis with parenteral or intra-uterine infusion of the antibacterial agents and antibiotics have met with varying degree of success but inconsistence of recovery rate, high cost of treatment, milk disposal after antibiotic therapy, immergence of microbial resistance are obvious disadvantage of their use. They also markedly destroy the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, which are responsible for maintaining non-specific uterine defence. So, there is urgent need to find out an alternative therapy for treatment of uterine infections by activation of natural defence mechanism in the uterus. Prospects in use of certain nonspecific immunomodulators in routine therapeutic protocol for endometritis and other uterine disorders is reviewed in present studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to determination of mRNA expression of cytokines like interleukin (IL) 1, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of endometritic buffaloes. Topics discussed include diagnosis of buffaloes for positive endometrisis, blood sample collected by density gradient centrifugation using Lymphocyte Separation Media in the study and use of t-test to test the significance threshold cycle value of ß-actin gene.

The study was conducted to correlate the periparturient immune status in terms of neutrophil functions and cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture with impending postpartum reproductive disorders in buffaloes. Forty pregnant buffaloes were observed for occurrence of postpartum reproductive disorders (PRD), i.e., metritis, endometritis and delayed uterine involution etc., during one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period. A representative number (n = 6) of buffaloes that did not develop any PRD were included in group I (healthy, control), while the animals which experienced PRD were assigned into group II (PRD, n = 8). The blood samples were collected at weekly interval from one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period considering the day of calving as 'd 0'. Differential leucocytes counts, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production activity in isolated neutrophils and the mRNA expression profile of cytokines i.e., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ in PBMC culture were studied in all the samples. A higher total leucocytes, neutrophil and band cells count along with impaired neutrophil functions i.e., lowered level of production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide before parturition and during early postpartum period were observed in buffaloes developing PRD. Further, a lower expression of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA in PBMC culture was observed at calving in buffaloes that subsequently developed PRD at later postpartum. Thus, suppression in neutrophil function and cytokine expression at prepartum to early postpartum period predisposes the buffaloes to develop postpartum reproductive disorders. Hence, monitoring of neutrophils function and cytokine expression profile would be effective to predict certain reproductive disorders at late pregnancy or immediately after parturition in buffaloes. In future, this may be a novel approach for determining suitable management and therapeutic decisions for prevention of commonly occurring reproductive disorders in farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]