Ultrasonographic diagnosis of adhesions, quantification of uterine wall and managerial perspectives of uterine torsion in buffaloes.

The present study aimed to diagnose uterine adhesion using ultrasonography to decide the treatment approach for better survival of buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion. The peculiar visceral slide against the other abdominal organs induced by breathing was considered an absence of uterine adhesion, while the total absence of visceral slide was considered the presence of uterine adhesions on ultrasonographic examination. The 59 Mehsana buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion were divided into two groups based on the presence (Group I; n = 27) or absence (group II; n = 32) of adhesions. The mean pixel values (MPV) and thickness of uterine wall were also quantified in both the groups. In group I, severe type adhesions (n = 16/27) were directly subjected to caesarean section (CS), while fibrinous adhesions (n = 11/27) were subject to rolling by Sharma's modified Schaffer's method, and if rolling failed were further, subjected to CS and adhesions were confirm during CS. In Group II, 28 buffaloes were subjected to rolling by Sharma's modified Schaffer's method and 4 buffaloes were directly subjected to CS because of longer duration of illness (≥3 days), higher degree (≥180°) and previous field handling. The incidence of adhesions was 45.76 per cent (27/59) in buffaloes with uterine torsion. The degenerative changes such as oedematous (hyperoedema-hypoechoic with anechoic trabeculae) or thin (homogenous hypoechoic), sloughing of serosa and wall separation were observed in the uterine wall. The significantly thinner uterine wall (p = .017) and higher MPV (p = .001) were evident in group I than in group II. The weak negative non-significant correlation between uterine wall thickness and MPV was observed in group I (r = -.250, p = .147) and group II (r = -.235, p = .089). The dam survival rate was 48.15 per cent (13/27) in group I and 81.25% (26/32) in group II. There was a significant (p = .04) association between the treatment approach and dam survival. Ultrasonography has synergistic diagnostic value for uterine adhesions by evaluating uterine surfaces beyond the reach of obstetricians during a manual clinical examination. Thereby, avoiding futile efforts to relieve uterine torsion by rolling might help to improve dam survival by planning a better obstetrical manoeuvre to salvage buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion.

Effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on the expression of genes involved in progesterone biosynthesis in the corpus luteum of goat (Capra hircus).

Emerging evidence indicates that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) alter the fatty acid composition of corpus luteum (CL) and directly affect the luteal function in the cow, which is independent of the inhibitory effect on the endometrial PGF2α production. The present study, thus, investigated the effects of n-3 PUFA rich fish oil (FO) supplementation on the transcriptional modulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of progesterone (P4 ) in the CL collected during the luteolytic phase of oestrous cycle in the goat. On the day of synchronized oestrus, goats (n = 6/group) were fed an isocaloric diet supplemented with either FO or palm oil (PO). The dose of oil supplementation was 0.6 mlkg-1 body weight, and the duration was 55-57 days. The FO provided 156 mgkg-1 body weight of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The CL was collected by laparotomy on day 16 post-oestrus, and the relative abundance of P450 side-chain cleaving enzyme, steroid acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3ß-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) genes was quantitated by real-time PCR. The results indicated that the dietary FO significantly upregulated the expression of 3ß-HSD by 1.13-fold and downregulated StAR by ~2-fold as compared to PO group (p < .05). It is concluded that dietary FO differently affected the expression of genes involved in P4 synthesis in the CL during the luteolytic window of the oestrous cycle in the goat.

Effect of different levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids rich fish oil supplementation on the ovarian and endometrial functions in the goat (Capra hircus).

Decreasing the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) through dietary manipulation improves the reproductive functions in the dairy cow. This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of n-3 PUFA rich fish oil that provided different levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to determine the optimum dose with respect to endometrial and ovarian functions in the doe. Normal cyclic goats (n = 20) were divided into four groups (n = 5/group) and the fish oil was supplemented for 55 days such that EPA and DHA content were 0, 72, 156 and 312 mg/Kg body weight for CON, LOW, MED and HIGH groups, respectively. The diet was made isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Estrus was synchronized by two PG regimen at 11 days apart with first PG on day 25 of supplementation. Experimental does were observed from second PG till day 17 post-estrus. Ovarian ultrasound revealed that the follicular attributes were comparable among the groups; however, the diameter of CL on day 5 post-estrus was significantly larger in the MED group. Fish oil supplementation even at the lowest dose significantly decreased the serum estradiol (E2) and basal as well as oxytocin (OXT) induced PGFM during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle (P < 0.05). Further, the MED group showed a significant decrease in the serum E2 on day 17 post-estrus as compared to LOW group. A significant increase in the progesterone (P4) on day 14 post-estrus was recorded in the MED group. Neither the effect of treatment nor time was significant either on day 16 or 17 post-estrus with respect to PGEM following OXT challenge (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the dietary fish oil inhibited OXT induced PGF2α release and decreased E2 during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle in the doe, which will have a favourable effect on the maternal recognition of pregnancy. In addition, MED level (156 mg/Kg body weight) increased the CL size and circulating P4 during the luteal phase.

Supplementation of vitamin E, selenium and increased energy allowance mitigates the transition stress and improves postpartum reproductive performance in the crossbred cow.

Dairy cow undergoes tremendous physiological challenges during the transition period leading to negative energy balance (NEBAL), impaired immunity and oxidative stress that ultimately compromises the postpartum fertility. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of antioxidant supplementation and increased energy allowance on transition stress and fertility of crossbred cow. Advanced pregnant crossbred cows (n = 26) of 2-4 parity and lactation potential of >10 L/day were divided into two equal groups (n = 13 cows/group). Cows were fed diets either (i) supplemented with vitamin E (80 IU/kg DM), Selenium (Se; 0.3 mg/kg DM) and increased energy allowance in the form of 20% additional concentrate (TRT) or (ii) basal diet without any supplementation as control (CON). Vitamin E and Se were supplemented with wheat flour bolus from -4 to 8 week of calving whereas energy allowance was increased from 2 to 8 week of calving on daily basis to individual animal (where 0 is day of calving). Blood samples were collected on weekly interval from -4 to 8 week of calving. Oxidative stress was assessed by estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Immunity level was assessed via estimation of phagocytic activity (PA) of granulocytes and lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA). Postpartum fertility was assessed by interval to first postpartum estrus (day) and pregnancy rate. Cows in TRT had a significantly lower MDA, higher TAC and decreased activity of SOD and CAT than that of CON (P < 0.05). Phagocytic activity increased at -1, 0 and 3-8 weeks postpartum (P < 0.05) while LPA showed difference (P < 0.05) at parturition, week 4 and 8 postpartum. Marked improvement in the fertility was recorded in terms of early resumption of postpartum estrus (P < 0.001) and higher pregnancy rate (P < 0.05).