Thermographic Assessment of Mastitis Progression in Sahiwal Cattle: Insights into the Patterns in the Natural Course of Infection.

Mastitis is a global concern in the dairy sector, demanding innovative solutions for effective management for quality lifetime milk production. In this study, infrared thermography (IRT) as a non-invasive technology was integrated into routine farm activities for continuous health monitoring of animals. For 30 days, we systematically monitored the udder health status in 40 Sahiwal cows (160 quarters), employing IRT along with the California Mastitis Test (CMT). We also assessed somatic cell counts (SCC), microbial identification, and milk quality parameters of representative samples. The thermal imaging data was analyzed, considering both backward propagation from the 0th day to the -10th day and forward propagation from the 0th day to the +10th day. Our findings revealed that on the 0th day, the mean temperatures of the udder surface skin temperature (USST) and teat skin surface temperature (TSST) exhibited differences (p<0.05) between the quarters affected by sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) in comparison to the healthy quarters, with the highest degree of difference observed. The observed temperature differences between CM and SCM quarters compared to healthy ranged from 1.8 to 3.62 ºC and 0.98 to 3.23 ºC for USST, and from 1.68 to 3.16 ºC and 0.56 to 2.32 ºC for TSST, respectively. Furthermore, our observations indicated that both udder and teat quarters responded differently to mastitis. A temperature rise of 1.37 ºC in SCM quarters and 1.75 ºC in CM quarters was observed between the -10th and -8th day relative to day 0, with the increase being more pronounced in the morning hours. Also, a notable temperature surge occurred during the -2nd and -1st days relative to the 0th day. The log10SCC values and milk quality parameters significantly differed (p<0.05) between mastitis-affected and healthy samples. In addition, Staphylococcus spp. was identified as the predominant mastitis-causing pathogen in the bacteriological identification conducted in this study. Therefore, IRT efficiently assesses the initiation point of udder infection in Sahiwal cows, aiding in effective udder health management.

Advancing mastitis assessment in dairy bovines via short milking tube thermography: A seasonal perspective.

In India, where dairy production leads globally, infrared thermography (IRT) and short milking tube thermography specifically are vital for managing mastitis. Therefore, the present study focuses on thermal imaging of the udder and short milking tube (SMT) of the milking machine during the peak milking process of Sahiwal cows and Murrah buffaloes during winter, summer, rainy and autumn seasons to identify sub-clinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) cases using the Darvi DTL007 camera. The udder health was assessed using the California Mastitis Test, Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and IRT throughout the year. Log10SCC and thermogram analysis revealed a difference (p < 0.01) between healthy, SCM, and CM cases during different seasons in both breeds. Further results showed an increase (p < 0.01) in SMT thermograms of SCM and CM cases compared to healthy quarters in Sahiwal cows during winter, summer, rainy, and autumn were 4.26 and 7.51, 2.37 and 4.47, 2.20 and 3.64, 2.90 and 4.94 ºC, respectively and for Murrah buffaloes were 3.56 and 5.55, 2.70 and 3.81, 1.72 and 3.10, 3.14 and 4.42ºC, respectively. The highest degree of increase in milking udder skin surface temperature and SMT of SCM and CM cases compared to healthy quarters was observed during the winter and the least during the rainy season. Thus, regardless of the seasons examined in this study, SMT thermograms effectively assessed SCM and CM.

Seasonal assessment of mastitis in crossbred goats: A thermographic approach.

Sub-clinical mastitis exhibits a higher prevalence in dairy goats than clinical mastitis, necessitating the adoption of non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as infrared thermography (IRT) to detect this economically significant production disease in the dairy sector. Accordingly, this study aims to employ IR imaging of the udder and teat quarters of lactating crossbred goats (Alpine × Beetal and Sanen × Beetal) across various seasons, utilising IRT, to discern cases of sub-clinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM). Over a year, 100-110 lactating crossbred dairy goats underwent consistent IRT screenings, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of udder health status using the California mastitis test and somatic cell count (SCC). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to establish the cut-off values for different thermographic parameters in this study. The results revealed that the SCC increased significantly (p < 0.01) in healthy, SCM, and CM milk samples across the seasons. The analysis of ROC revealed a comparatively higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for udder thermograms during SCM than CM and vice versa for teat thermograms. IRT analysis reflected a difference (p < 0.01) in the udder and teat thermograms among quarters of healthy, SCM, and CM in summer, winter, autumn, and rainy seasons. A significant increase (p < 0.01) in udder thermograms was observed for quarters affected with SCM and CM relative to healthy, with an increase of 1.89 and 2.94 °C in winter, 0.85 and 1.63 °C in summer, 0.73 and 1.41 °C in rainy, and 1.33 and 2.38 °C in autumn, respectively. Similarly, for teat thermograms it was 1.79 and 2.81 °C in winter, 0.76 and 1.41 °C in summer, 0.70 and 1.37 °C in rainy, and 1.09 and 1.93 °C in autumn, respectively. Therefore, regardless of the seasons examined in this study, IRT proves to be an effective and supportive tool for early mastitis detection in lactating crossbred dairy goats.

Seasonal assessment of mastitis using thermogram analysis in murrah buffaloes.

Mastitis is a global threat that challenges dairy farmers' economies worldwide. Sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) beholds the lion's share in it, as its visible clinical signs are not evident and are challenging to diagnose. The treatment of intramammary infection (IMI) demands antimicrobial therapy and subsequent milk withdrawal for a week or two. This context requires a non-invasive diagnostic tool like infrared thermography (IRT) to identify mastitis. It can form the basis of precision dairy farming. Therefore, the present study focuses on thermal imaging of the udder and teat quarters of Murrah buffaloes during different seasons to identify SCM and clinical mastitis (CM) cases using the Darvi DTL007 camera. A total of 30-45 lactating Murrah buffalo cows were screened out using IRT regularly throughout the year 2021-22. The IMI was further screened using the California mastitis test. The thermogram analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the mean values of the udder and teat skin surface temperature of Murrah buffaloes between healthy, SCM, and CM during different seasons. The mean values of udder skin surface temperature (USST) during different seasons ranged between 30.28 and 36.81 °C, 32.54 to 38.61 °C, and 34.32 to 40.02 °C among healthy, SCM, and CM-affected quarters. Correspondingly, the mean values of teat skin surface temperature (TSST) were 30.52 to 35.96 °C, 32.92 to 37.55 °C, and 34.51 to 39.05 °C, respectively. Further results revealed an increase (p < 0.01) in the mean values of USST during winter, summer, rainy, and autumn as 2.26, 4.04; 2.19, 3.35; 1.80, 3.21; and 1.45, 2.64 °C and TSST as 2.40, 3.99; 2.28, 3.26; 1.59, 3.09; and 1.68, 2.92 °C of SCM, CM-affected quarters to healthy quarters, respectively. The highest incidence of SCM was observed during autumn and CM during winter. Henceforth, irrespective of the seasons studied in the present study, IRT is an efficient, supportive tool for the early identification of SCM.

Reduced sperm number of murrah (Bubalus bubalis) bull semen in french mini-straw affects kinetic and functional competence after cryopreservation.

BACKGROUND: Extensive dilution of cattle semen with tris-based extender compromises certain sperm kinetic and functional traits following cryopreservation. OBJECTIVE: To study sperm functions of buffalo bulls under high dilution rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four ejaculates were harvested twice a week from four buffalo bulls, and diluted to sperm concentrations of 80, 60, 40 and 20 million/mL. Diluted samples were filled in straws, equilibrated at refrigeration temperature for 4 h, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Frozen sperm samples were thawed for evaluation of kinetic and functional attributes. RESULTS: Compared to 20 million/mL (million/mL) sperm sample, the total motility, progressive motility and rapid motility were reduced (P < 0.05) in 5 million/mL sample. The proportion of live sperm were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 10, 15 and 20 million/mL samples than in 5 million/mL sample. The percentage of moribund sperm, dead sperm, and sperm with lipid per oxidation increased significantly (P < 0.05) in 5 million/mL sample. CONCLUSION: The reduction of sperm concentrations to < 10 million/mL affects post-thaw Buffalo sperm kinetic and functional attributes.. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr24110110712.

Short milking tube thermogram analysis: an indicator of mastitis in Murrah buffaloes.

In the present study, thermal images of the short milking tube of the milking machine representing four udder quarters independently attached to a milking animal, along with pre-milking and post-milking udder and teat thermograms, were taken using a hand-held digital infrared thermal camera (DarviDTL007) during morning milking of lactating Murrah buffaloes (n = 132) to assess the mastitis status. California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk samples were carried out to screen the udder quarters as healthy, subclinical (SCM), and clinical mastitis (CM). The thermograms revealed an increase (p < 0.05) of 2.19 and 3.72ºC in the mean values of short milking tube (SMT) surface temperature among SCM and CM quarters compared to healthy quarters, respectively. The mean values of udder skin surface temperature (USST) for pre-milking, milking, and post-milking of SCM and CM compared to healthy quarters showed an increase (p < 0.05) of 2.17, 1.96, and 1.61ºC and 3.11, 2.88, and 2.73ºC, respectively. Similarly, compared to healthy quarters, the mean values of teat skin surface temperature (TSST) for pre-milking and post-milking of SCM and CM showed an increase (p < 0.05) of 2.12 and 1.66ºC and 3.07 and 2.45ºC, respectively. Also, CMT and SCC results showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.68-0.91, p < 0.01) with all the thermographic parameters. Thus, thermograms of SMT alone can be used as an efficient detection tool in assessing SCM among Murrah buffaloes.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (bht) improves the post-thaw semen quality in low-dose sperm cryopreservation in murrah buffalo bull.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation is an important technique for the long-term storage of semen for artificial insemination (AI). Buffalo spermatozoa are sensitive to cryopreservation procedures because of the presence of a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the plasma membrane. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different concentrations of BHT on the quality of Murrah buffalo bull semen for low-dose cryopreservation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Semen was collected from four high fertile Murrah buffalo bulls (6 ejaculates each) using an artificial vagina. A total of 24 ejaculates were collected from each bull twice a week using an artificial vagina. Every sample was split into four parts: Control without additives; and three treatments with BHT at 0.5 mM, 1 mM or 2 mM. Semen was cryopreserved at low-dose sperm cryopreservation of 20, 15, 10 and 5 million sperm per aliquot after supplementation of BHT. Semen samples were evaluated for fresh, pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. RESULTS: There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in sperm quality parameters, such as progressive motility (%), viability (%), HOST response (%), acrosome integrity (%) and post-thaw motility, with the addition of 0.5-1 mM BHT. CONCLUSION: The addition of BHT in Murrah buffalo semen improves the low dose cryopreservation quality in a dose-dependent manner. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110612.

Comparative evidence support better antioxidant efficacy of mitochondrial-targeted (Mitoquinone) than cytosolic (Resveratrol) antioxidant in improving in-vitro sperm functions of cryopreserved buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen.

The present study compared the effect of mitochondria-targeted (Mitoquinone, MitoQ) and untargeted cytosolic antioxidant (Resveratrol, RESV) supplementation on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and in-vitro sperm functions of cryopreserved buffalo bull semen. To optimize additive's concentration, sperm pellet obtained from twenty-four ejaculates was supplemented with different concentrations of MitoQ (20 nM, 100 nM, 200 nM); and RESV (10 µM, 25 µM, 50 µM) against control in the extender. The post-thaw sperm motility, livability, and membrane integrity were higher (P < 0.05) in 200 nM MitoQ and 50 µM RESV than other concentrations used. In another experiment, sperm pellet from thirty-two ejaculates was supplemented with 200 nM MitoQ and 50 µM RESV in the extender. Pre-freeze and post-thaw progressive motility and livability were higher (P < 0.05) in MitoQ (200 nM) than RESV (50 µM) treatment. MitoQ supplementation improved post-thaw membrane integrity (CFDA-PI) higher (P < 0.05) than RESV, however, hypo-osmotic swelling response observed no improvement with RESV treatment. Post-thaw LPO rate was lower (P < 0.05) and Bovine cervical mucus penetration was higher (P < 0.05) in MitoQ than RESV treatment. In post-thaw semen, MitoQ showed higher (P < 0.05) proportion of acrosome intact (FITC-PNA), live non-apoptotic (P < 0.01) sperm with a higher reduction (P < 0.05) in membrane scrambling. MitoQ improved (P < 0.01) proportion of sperm with high Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and low LPO (P < 0.01) than RESV treatment. In conclusion, improvement in post-thaw in-vitro sperm functions and cryo-tolerance was more evident in MitoQ than RESV supplemented buffalo bull semen. Our study provides a better strategy to mitigate oxidative stress by enhancing mitochondrial antioxidant system with targeted antioxidants than cytosolic antioxidant supplementation.

Effect of Tris-egg Yolk, Soya Milk, and Liposome-based Extenders on Sahiwal (Bos indicus) Sperm Quality during Pre- and Post-Cryopreservation Stages.

BACKGROUND: Even though there are plenty of semen cryopreservation extenders available, their adoption is limited. Although normal tris-based egg yolk (EYC) extender is widely used, it leads to compromised post-thaw sperm quality. OBJECTIVE: To find a standard semen extender, six different semen extenders were validated. METHODS: In a split study, six aliquots of zebu cattle fresh semen ejaculate were cryopreserved in extenders containing egg yolk obtained from hen which was reared either in 1) normal, 2) omega-3 enriched, and 3) herbal enriched diet supplementation, and egg yolk free extenders such as 4) soya lecithin, 5) Bioxcell and 6) Optixcell. RESULT: Significantly poor sperm quality and kinematics were observed in extender containing herbal egg yolk. However, omega-3 enriched egg yolk extender was on par with EYC. Among all extenders, soya lecithin and bioxcell have shown better sperm quality. Sperm motility was significantly higher in semen extended in liposome-based extender Optixcell. CONCULSION: Optixcell can be considered as a standard extender for cattle semen cryopreservation to maintain adequate sperm quality required for artificial insemination.

Effect of cattle-specific estrus molecules on libido and semen production of zebu bulls under tropical climate.

Zebu bulls are a shy breeder and they exhibit optimum libido in the presence of females with estrus phase. Continuous semen collection with the use of male dummy leads to lack of adequate sexual stimulation. Therefore, the present study was designed to test the effect of estrus-specific molecule(s) for effective sexual preparation of donor bulls. The bulls were divided into normal and poor libido group, five bulls in each group by taking 1-month control study data after collecting the information of individual bull's sexual behaviour during semen collection by regular semen collector. The bulls were never being exposed to female animals and semen was collected by an artificial vagina. The ten animals were exposed to a glycerol-water solution (50/50 v:v) as control and then exposed to estrus-specific molecules one by one. The estrus-specific molecules like squalene, 1-iodoundecane, acetic acid, coumarin, propionic acid, oleic acid, and 2-butanone were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Company, USA, and the molecules were solubilised individually in a non-pressurised aerosol dispenser as 1.0% concentration in glycerol-water solution (50/50, v:v). Identical bulls were used as the control and exposed to each molecule one by one by giving a refractory period of 14 days. A nasal spray of acetic acid or 2-butanone significantly (p < 0.05) reduced reaction time (RT) and total time taken to ejaculate (TTTE) in normal libido bull group. Semen volume, sperm concentration, and the total number of sperm per ejaculation obtained did not show significant improvement in the normal libido group of bulls after the application of estrus-specific molecules as compared to the control. In poor libido group, acetic acid, oleic acid, and 2-butanone application showed significant (p < 0.01) improvement in RT and TTTE as compared to the control group, whereas semen production variables like sperm concentration and total sperm output per ejaculation increased significantly (p < 0.05) except semen volume. There was significant (p < 0.01) reduction in RT (%) and TTTE (%) after the application of acetic acid followed by 2-butanone and oleic acid. The sperm concentration and total sperm output per ejaculation were more after the application of each molecule but significant increase (p < 0.05) in sperm concentration was observed with 2-butanone (11.42%), acetic acid (11.42%), and oleic acid (10.13%), whereas total sperm output per ejaculation increased significantly (p < 0.05) only after the application of acetic acid and 2-butanone (24.75% and 26.84%). Hence, it can be concluded that acetic acid, 2-butanone, and oleic acid are effective for better sexual preparation of Sahiwal bulls and total sperm output per ejaculation.

Improvement in sperm functional competence through modified low-dose packaging in French mini straws of bull semen.

To achieve the targeted artificial insemination coverage with the current rate of semen production, without affecting the conception rate, it needs to reduce the number of spermatozoa per insemination dose in India as per international practice. Therefore, this study was planned to perform different levels of semen dilution, compare in vitro post-thaw semen quality and develop a modified low-dose semen packaging method in French mini straw to minimise semen dilution effect. Sixteen ejaculates were collected from Karan Fries bulls (n = 4). The mean percentage post-thaw motility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation and capacitation status were estimated as post-thaw sperm function assays in semen sample diluted to 20, 15, 10 and 5 million spermatozoa per 0.25 ml and filled in the French mini straw by conventional packaging. No significant (p > .05) difference in post-thaw sperm quality was observed between 15 and 20 million doses; however, below 15 million sperm quality get reduced. There was no significant difference in post-thaw semen quality traits between 20 million conventional packaging and 5 million spermatozoa/dose in modified packaging. In conclusions, the modified packaging is a very effective method for low-dose cryopreservation with acceptable post-thaw semen quality.

Effect of Dilution on Cryosurvival of Low Sperm Doses: A Review.

　　BACKGROUND: Sperm concentration needed for artificial insemination (AI) to obtain reasonable fertility, taking into consideration genetic value of bull and numerous others components is one of the essential constituents for successful breeding program. AI-doses containing low sperm numbers are increasingly widespread to optimize the benefit of elite bulls, as well as to accommodate an eventual wider application of sex-sorted semen. Viability is reduced when higher dilutions of semen are carried out for production of low sperm doses. The reduction in viability may be due to dilution effect as well as due to dilution of numerous essential constituents in seminal plasma at higher dilutions. Fertility level of bull may play a pivotal role in determining the cryosurvival of low sperm doses and viability of low sperm doses may vary among bulls. This paper attempts to highlight studies dealing with the effect of dilution on cryosurvival of low sperm doses.

Seasonal assessment of mastitis using thermogram analysis in Sahiwal cows.

"India is the world's leading producer of milk" and demands a non-invasive diagnostic tool like infrared thermography (IRT) to identify the costliest production disease, mastitis. It can form the basis of precision dairy farming. Therefore, the present study focuses on thermal imaging of the udder and teat quarters of Sahiwal cows during different seasons to identify subclinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) cases using the Darvi DTL007 camera. A total of 24-69 lactating Sahiwal cows were screened out using IRT regularly throughout the year. The intramammary infection status was further assessed using the CMT. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to develop the current study's cut-off for various thermographic parameters. The incidence for SCM and CM ranged from 26.47 to 38.75% and 17.83-22.79%, respectively during different seasons in Sahiwal udder quarters. The thermogram analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the mean values of the udder and teat surface temperature of Sahiwal cows between healthy, SCM, and CM during different seasons. The mean values of udder skin surface temperature (USST) during different seasons ranged between 29.07 and 36.91 °C, 31.51 to 37.88 °C and 32.42 to 38.79 °C among healthy, SCM, and CM-affected quarters, and correspondingly, the mean values of teat skin surface temperature (TSST) were 28.28 to 36.77 °C, 30.68 to 37.88 °C and 31.70 to 38.73 °C, respectively. Further results revealed an increase (p < 0.01) in the mean values of USST during winter, summer, rainy, and autumn as 2.44, 3.35; 0.97, 1.88; 1.06, 1.83; 1.29, 2.39 °C and TSST as 2.4, 3.42; 1.11, 1.96; 1.21, 2.19, 1.3, 2.4 °C of SCM, CM-affected quarters to healthy quarters, respectively, in Sahiwal cows. Thermograms showed a strong positive correlation with the CMT scores of SCM, CM cases, and healthy samples. Henceforth, irrespective of the seasons studied in the present work, IRT is an efficient, supportive tool for the early identification of subclinical mastitis.

Early Detection of Sub-clinical Mastitis in Murrah Buffaloes through Udder Thermogram Analysis during the Natural Progression of Infection.

Mastitis is a global production disease that needs an intelligent solution to tackle effectively. Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive technology that could be incorporated into routine day-to-day farm activities to monitor the health status of the animals. In this study, the udder health status was routinely monitored for 30 days among 41 Murrah buffaloes via IRT and the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Further, somatic cell count (SCC), microbial identification, and milk quality parameters were also estimated for representative samples. The thermal imaging data obtained was tabulated and back propagated from the 0th day to the -10th day and front propagated from the 0th day to +10th day for all the udder quarters. Results revealed that on the 0th day, the mean of udder skin surface temperature (USST) and teat skin surface temperature (TSST) showed a difference (p < 0.05) in the sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) affected quarters to the healthy quarters, and their degree of difference was the highest. The indication of infection was signaled during the -9th to -5th day to the 0th day in SCM and CM cases. There was a steep increment in the temperature from -2nd and -1st day to the 0th day of infection. Sometimes, some quarters show an increment in temperature due to mastitis during morning hours but recover by evening milking due to the animal's innate immune system. Thus, the initiation period in which the udder gets assaulted is crucial in the early assessment of SCM by monitoring temperature change using IRT.

Short-milking-tube thermograms: An alternative to udder thermograms for mastitis detection in Sahiwal cows.

Mastitis is a multi-etiological production disease that causes substantial financial loss to dairy farmers. In this context, early detection of mastitis using thermograms can aid the dairy sector in managing mastitis efficiently, and this technology could be a supportive tool in precision dairy farming. Infrared cameras can detect minor temperature changes on the udder surface by taking multiple images of the udder and teat. In the current study, a thermogram of the short milking tube (SMT) of the milking machine, as well as the udder and teat of lactating Sahiwal cow (n = 100 quarters of 25 Sahiwal cows), was captured using a hand-held digital infrared thermal camera (DarviDTL007) during morning milking to assess the mastitis status. CMT and SCC of milk samples were carried out for further confirmatory diagnosis of healthy, sub-clinical (SCM), and clinical mastitis (CM). Cut-offs for short milking tube temperature were developed using the receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results of thermal image analysis revealed that the pre-milking, milking, and post-milking parameters of the udder and the teat skin surface temperatures showed a significant difference in the healthy, SCM, and CM-affected quarters. The thermogram analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) of 1.11 and 2.04°C in the mean values of SMT surface temperature among SCM and CM quarters compared to healthy quarters, respectively. In addition, the values of CMT and SCC revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in SCM and CM samples and a positive correlation to SMT surface temperatures. Short milking tube thermograms can be a useful assessment tool for detecting sub-clinical mastitis in dairy animals.

Conventional and fluorescent based semen quality assessment in Karan Fries bulls.

AIM: The present study was carried out on semen ejaculates of 15 Karan Fries (KF) bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India with an objective to evaluate the relationship between the conventional and fluorescent based semen quality analysis of the bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 ejaculates were collected from 15 KF (Holstein Friesian [HF] crossbred) bulls. Semen were evaluated for color, volume, mass activity (MA) and percentage of individual motility (IM), sperm concentration, percent live spermatozoa, hypo-osmotic swelling test and acrosome integrity, chromatin integrity, sperm viability, and membrane integrity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software package for descriptive analysis. The correlation between rankings of sires based on conventional and fluorescent semen parameters were calculated by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The average ejaculates volume (ml), sperm concentration (10(6)/ml), MA, IM (%), live (%), morphological abnormalities (%), host (%), acrosome integrity (%), chromomycin A3 (CMA3) (%), SYBR-PI (%), and fluorescent isothiocyanate-peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) (%) were 4.57±0.36, 1162.98±97.93, 2.95±0.09, 60.8±1.22, 71.41±2.10, 9.31±1.15, 65.5±1.81, 86.6±1.59, 3.53±0.43, 65.39±2.23 and 74.47±2.53, respectively. Rank correlations were found to be significant for SYBR-PI and FITC-PNA with most of the parameters evaluated by conventional methods. Overall, among conventional criteria, IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria. CONCLUSION: Overview of our results indicated that, among conventional criteria, MA and IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.

Disposal rate in different age groups of Karan Fries (Crossbred) males in organized herd.

AIM: The present study was carried out to analyze the disposal rate in different age groups of Karan Fries (KF) males in National Dairy Research Institute herd. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records on 1740 KF crossbred bulls born during the period 1997-2012 were collected with an objective to ascertain the effect of genetic and non-genetic (Period of birth and season of birth) factors on the disposal pattern of KF males. The percent of animals disposed from the herd due to mortality and culling was calculated by proportion using descriptive statistics. The data were subjected to Chi-square test to test the difference due to different factors. RESULTS: Overall disposal rate for the different age groups of 0-1 m, 1-2 m, 2-3 m, 3-6 m, 6-18 m, 18 m-3 year and 3-5 year were calculated as 17.9, 16.3, 14.2, 25.8, 49.0, 37.6 and 51.65%, respectively. In the age groups, 3-6 m, 6-18 m and 3-5 year, effect of periods of birth were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01) for overall disposal rate. Across different seasons of birth, overall disposal rates differed significantly (p<0.01) in different age group except in 3-5 year age group. Differences in overall disposal rate due to genetic group were statistically significant (p<0.01) in 1-2 m, 2-3 m, 3-6 m, 6-18 m, 18-3 year and 3-5 year age groups. CONCLUSION: Overview of the results indicated that higher overall disposal rate in age group of 1 month was due to mortality while, in the age groups of >1 month, culling was the primary cause.

Relationship of conventional and fluorescent microscopic technique to assess in vitro semen quality status of Murrah buffalo males.

In vitro fertility assessment using fluorescent technique is a better predictor of fertility status of bulls as compared to traditional semen quality assessment techniques, therefore, the study was planned to assess in vitro fertility status of bulls based on conventional and fluorescent techniques. Seventy-three ejaculates were collected from 12 Murrah buffalo bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, NDRI, Karnal, India for the experiment and subjected to statistical analysis using SYSTAT. The mean values of ejaculate volume (ml), mass activity, individual motility (%), sperm concentration (millions/ml), live sperm (%), total abnormalities (%), HOST (%) and acrosomal integrity (%) were 2.70 ± 0.28, 2.8 ± 0.14, 63.8 ± 2.16, 1749.7 ± 122.24, 77.3 ± 2.48, 6.2 ± 0.51, 75.1 ± 1.81 and 84.5 ± 2.26, respectively. The repeatability estimates were significant (P<0.05) for ejaculate volume (0.34 ± 0.137), acrosomal integrity (0.29 ± 0.134) and live percentage (0.28 ± 0.133), indicating sufficient bull to bull variation for the parameters. The mean values of seminal attributes of fluorescent based criteria of CMA3 (Chromomycin A3), SYBR-PI and FITC-PNA (fluorescent isothiocynate-conjugated peanut agglutinin) were 5.25 ± 0.41, 67.91 ± 1.24 and 82.00 ± 1.25 percent, respectively. Bulls were ranked on the basis of expected producing ability (EPA) for semen characteristics assessed by conventional and fluorescent criteria. Rank correlations were found to be significant for FITC with most of the parameters evaluated by conventional methods. In conclusion, among the conventional criteria, individual motility (%) revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.

Sexual behavior and its relationship with semen quality parameters in Sahiwal breeding bulls.

AIM: The study was conducted at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, NDRI, Karnal, to determine the sexual behavior and its relationship with semen quality parameters in Sahiwal breeding bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 63 ejaculates were collected from six adult Sahiwal bulls (age ~47 mo and bwt ~466 kg), to study the relationship of sexual behavior and semen quality. The degree of association between different variables was estimated by Pearson's correlation coefficient method. RESULTS: The results depicted that, sexual aggressiveness showed significantly high positive correlation with libido score (LS) and sexual behavior score (SBS). Reaction time (RT) and total time taken in mounts (TTTM) had a significant negative correlation with LS and SBS. Penile erection score and penile protrusion score (PPS) both had a significant positive correlation with ejaculatory thrust score, mating ability score, and SBS. Results of correlation among seminal attributes and with sexual behavior depicted that ejaculate volume had positive significant correlation with initial progressive motility (IPM), sperm concentration (SCON), head abnormality, total abnormality, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), acrosomal integrity (AI) whereas, mass activity had positive significant correlation with IPM, SCON, non-eosinophilic spermatozoa count (NESC), HOST, AI, RT and TTTM and IPM had positive significant correlation with SCON, NESC, HOST, AI, and TTTM, whereas and HOST had positive significant correlation with AI. Among seminal attributes, SCON had a positive significant correlation with PPS where as head abnormalities had a positive significant correlation with RT and TTTM. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the relationship of sexual behavior and semen quality parameters are reflecting that the sexual behavior of individual bulls is important to harvest good quality and quantity of semen as desired type of sexual preparation can be provided.

Effect of preputial washing on bacterial load and preservability of semen in Murrah buffalo bulls.

AIM: To study the effect of preputial washing on bacterial load, preservability and semen quality in Murrah buffalo bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 collections of three Murrah buffalo bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, were collected at weekly intervals from each bull without preputial washing and latter ejaculates from same bull with preputial washing by infusing normal saline (0.85%), KMnO4 (0.02%) and savlon (2.0%) to first, second and third bull, respectively. The microbial load and semen quality were evaluated during different hours of storage at refrigerated temperature (0, 24 and 48 h) and after thrawing of cryopreserved (at -196°C) semen. RESULTS: The results of preservation of semen at refrigerated temperature showed that bacterial load was markedly lower in ejaculates of bulls subjected to preputial washing. Semen preserved at refrigerator temperature and cryopreserved, the effect of washing solution was significant for individual motility (IM), non-eosiniphilic count, hypo-osmotic swelling reactivity (HOST), total plate count (TPC) and acrosome integrity. KMnO4 was found to be the best in lowering bacterial load, sperm abnormalities and in improving semen quality such as motility, non-eosinophilic count, HOST and acrosome integrity even up to 48 h of preservation and cryopreserved semen. Effect of duration of preservation and stage of cryopreservation was also significant for IM, non-eosiniphilic count, HOST, sperm abnormalities and acrosome integrity. CONCLUSION: Overall the results suggested that preputial washing with KMnO4 solution improved the semen quality and reduced microbial load of Murrah buffalo bull's semen preserved at refrigerated temperature and cryopreservation.