Histological and histomorphometrical changes of different regions of oviduct during follicular and luteal phases of estrus cycle in adult Azarbaijan buffalo

In this study the reproductive organs of adult and apparently healthy female Azarbaijan buffaloes were collected after slaughter from abattoir. Through observation of the ovaries, the luteal and follicular phases of each buffalo were specified. A total number of 36 oviducts at follicular phase and 36 oviducts at luteal phase were collected and 3 tissue samples were taken from 3 regions of infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus of each oviduct. Sections were stained through the use of H and E, PAS, verhoffe and toluidine blue methods. Histological observations revealed that the oviduct consists of 4 layers of mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa. The primary and secondary folds decreased both in number and in height from infundibulum to isthmus. Epithelium of folds was composed of simple columnar, although seems pseudostratified in some areas, and contains ciliated and secretory cells. Histomorphometric examinations of three regions demonstrated that the mean height of primary folds increase and the mean thickness of tunica muscularis decrease at follicular phase. The mean thickness of mucosa-submucosa at follicular phase was slightly similar to luteal phase. More visibility of the ciliated cells and mucosal folds in infundibulum and the increase of their height at follicular phase facilitate the capture of the oocyte; the thick tunica muscularis in isthmus transports sperm cells up; and both require promoting fertilization to occur in ampulla

In vitro survival rate of bovine oocytes following vitrification in glass capillary micropipette [GCM]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of glass capillary micropipette [GCM] as a vessel for vitrification of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes [COCs] were obtained from slaughter-house and washed 5 to 6 times in the washing medium [TCM-199 + 20% FBS] and randomly assigned to treatment and control group. In the first step of vitrification, COCs were exposed to first vitrification solution [VS1] [10% ethylene glycol [EG], 10% DMSO in holding medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS: HM]] for I min at room temperature and then placed in VS2 solution [20% EG, 20% DMSO in HM] for 25 sec and immediately were loaded into the GCM vessel. The filled portion of GCM vessels were placed in liquid nitrogen [LN [2]] for 3 to 5 sec and then completely immersed and stored there. The oocytes were thawed by immersing the capillary end of the straw in 1 ml of 0.25 M sucrose in HM and gently expelling the contents. After 1 min the oocytes were transferred into 100 micro l of 0.15 M sucrose in HM for another 5 mm and then washed with HM twice. For examining the in vitro developmental potential of vitrified-warmed oocytes, the oocytes were placed in 50 micro 1 droplet of maturation medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS - 10 IU/ml PMSG + 15 IU/ml HCG] covered with paraffin oil in a CO [2] incubator at 38.5°C for 24 hrs. A high proportion of morphologically normal oocytes [90%] was recovered after vitrification-warming. The percentage of live oocytes after 24 hrs when tested with trypan blue in GCM group was 85.18%, significantly did not differ from control group [90%]. The proportion of oocytes which were found to have undergone nuclear maturation did not show statistical difference between the control and GCM group [61.29% vs 40%, respectively]. The results of present study demonstrated that vitrification of immature bovine oocytes in the GCM vessels and EG + DMSO solution have high survival rate

Measurment of blood progesterone concentration during different stages of pregnancy in buffalo by RIA

To study the progesterone concentration duringdifferent months of pregnancy in buffalo. Case control. Buffalo in different months of pregnancy blood samples were taken from 6 -8 herds ofbuffalo in different months of pregnancy. After preparingthe sera, progesterone concentrations measured by RIA. One - way ANOVA. The maximum and minimum concentrations ofprogesterone were in the second and tenth month ofgestation, respectively. Studing of the concentration of thishormone during the three period of gestation [early, middleand end] indicates that it's level is decreasing byprogressing of pregnancy. Different months of pregnancy canbe diagnosed by identification of progesteroneconcentrations, and the time close to parturation or evenparturation time can be identified by this method

Effects of intrauterine administration of oxytetracycline on uterine involution in the ewe

After parturition, the genital system is returning to its normal non-pregnant state. The reduction in the size of the genital tract is called involution. Involution of the ovine uterus after parturition was investigated following the intrauterine administration of oxytetracycline [2 gr]. Under general anaesthesia and using strict asepsis the genital tract of ewes in 2nd month of gestation were exteriorised through a posterior midline laparatomy and four non-toxic split aluminium shots with different sizes were sutured to the wall of the uterine horns and internal os of the cervix [Radio-opaque markers method]. Then, for assessment of uterine involution sequential radiographs were taken on the day of lambing and 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42 days after parturition. Three measurements [uterine body length, gravid and non-gravid horn diameter] were made on each of the radiographs. Involution of the uterine body length and gravid horn diameter were completed by about 28 days after parturition in sterile water treated [Control] group [n = 6] whereas completion of the non-gravid horn involution was significantly more rapid [by about 14 days after parturition] than gravid horn [P<0.05]. The mean of the uterine body length, gravid and non-gravid horn diameter of oxytetracycline administered [treatment] ewes [n = 4] at any stages after parturition were non significantly higher than the control group [P>0.05]. The mean of three measurements of the treatment [n = 4] group at the day 42 were similar to the control group at the day 14 after lambing. However, the present study demonstrates that treatment with intrauterine oxytetracycline may prolong involution of the reproductive tract of ewes after parturition

Evaluation of uterine involution using radio-opaque markers during the postpartum period in Makuii ewes

After completion of the third stage of parturition and expulsion of the placenta, the uterus starts to involute until it reaches to normal size. The rate of uterine involution after parturition was studied in 6 healthy Makuii ewes. During second month of pregnancy the genital tract was exteriorized through a posterior midline laparatomy under general anesthesia and then four non-toxic split shots with different sizes were sutured on the serosal wall of the uterine body and horns. After parturition, the distance between markers was measured by sequential radiography. The mean length of the uterine body declined until 28 days after lambing but statistically maximum reduction was seen at about 14 days after parturition [P<0.05]. Also, the mean diameter of gravid and non-gravid horn rapidly declined until 14 days postpartum [P<0.05] but reduction countinued until 42 days postpartum [P>0.05]. The difference between the mean diameter of the gravid and non-gravid horn was not significant between days 14-42 [because of relatively small reduction in size]. There as a high correlation between the measurements taken at the time of laparotomy and determined by radiography [4 days after surgery] for the mean length of uterine body [r = 0.89], the mean gravid horn diameter [r = 0.91] and non-gravid horn diameter [r = 0.79]. In conclusion, after final statistical analysis of sequential radiographic views by using a repeated measurement analysis of variance, involution of the uterus in Makuii ewes was completed about 28 days postpartum for the uterine body and about 14 days for both the gravid and non-gravid horn. Radio-opaque marker is a useful method to study changes of the uterine size after parturition in live ewes