Standard feeding strategies with natural insemination improved fertility in repeat breeding dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: The experiment was designed to establish suitable management strategies through the different feeding and breeding approaches on fertility improvement in the experimental repeat breeding (RB) cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 RB cows were selected for this experiment. Before grouping, all cows were deworming and then divided into four equal groups, namely Group-TF1 [traditional feeding practice and natural insemination (NI)], Group-TF2 [traditional feeding practice and Artificial insemination (AI)], Group-SF1 [standard (STD) feeding practice and NI], and Group-SF2 (STD feeding practice and AI). These allocated RB cows were fed by traditional and STD feeding methods for 90 days and then inseminated by AI and NI breeding systems. The dominant follicle (DF) diameter, hemato-biochemical elements, and estrogen (E2) hormone were estimated during the insemination of cows. Estimation of the pregnancy rate was carried out at days 45-90 post-insemination in the cows. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in STD feeding practice with NI when compared to traditional feeding practice irrespective of breeding systems, and it was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in NI than in AI breeding system, irrespective of feeding strategies. The results also showed that the diameter of DF, serum E2, total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total cholesterol, total protein, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, ferric iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium at the time of insemination were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated in the experimental RB cows with STD feeding practice. The diameter of DF and serum E2 were significant (p < 0.01) and positively correlated with all hemato-biochemical elements in the cows at the time of insemination. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NI with STD feeding practice may increase fertility in RB cows by improving general health status. Finally, it could support the veterinarians and researchers to define the management strategies using feeding and breeding strategies to prevent repeat breeding syndrome in dairy cows.

The potential health benefits of the isoflavone glycoside genistin.

Genistin is a type of isoflavone glycoside and has a broad range of health benefits. It is found in a variety of dietary plants, such as soybean, kudzu (Japanese arrowroot), and other plant-based products. Genistin has been described to have several beneficial health impacts, such as decreasing the risk of osteoporosis and post-menopausal symptoms, as well as anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, cardioprotective, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-microbial activities. It may also assist individuals with metabolic syndrome. This review summarizes some of the molecular impacts and prospective roles of genistin in maintaining and treatment of health disorders. The review could help to develop novel genistin medicine with significant health benefits for application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

Consideration of breed specific fetal trunk diameter for the estimation of gestation age using trans-abdominal ultrasonography in sheep.

The study aim was to estimate gestational age (GA), expected parturition date (EPD) and growth rate by determining fetal trunk diameter (TD). Effects of fetal-dam pelvis alignment and in utero fetal position at time of ultrasonography (UG) on fetal numbers and sex determination were also studied. Trans-abdominal UG (3-6.5 MHz) was conducted on 37 ewes with known breeding dates from Days 25-120 of pregnancy. Errors in GA and EPD were studied using an equation in the same ewes at their successive breeding when date of breeding was unknown. There were four equations, Y = 1.28861X+32.656 (R2 = 0.92), for Indigenous; Y = 1.2603X+38.075 (R2 = 0.85), for Indigenous × Garole; and Y = 0.8932X+45.916 (R²â€¯= 0.99), for Garole fetuses; and the equation, Y = 1.3565X + 32.604 (R2 = 0.94), independent of breed were computed to estimate GA and the relationship between GA and TD of different breeds. The error in estimated GA and EPD using these four equations was determined and there was comparison with the data collected using US and the previously described equations. Results indicate there was the greatest (P <  0.01) error for GA and EPD values using the US TD equation for all breeds. There was the least error in estimated EPD using the breed specific equations. Error in the sex determination was 4.8 % and fetal number determination was 16.7 % with singleton and 7.7 % twin fetuses. The results indicate there is a breed specific fetal TD that is useful for predicting GA in sheep.

Productive, reproductive, and estrus characteristics of different breeds of buffalo cows in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research work is to know the productive and reproductive performances and problems of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows in selected study areas in Bangladesh. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1,241 local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows were surveyed in the selected areas with a pre-set questionnaire. Among 1,241 buffalo cows, 112 buffalo cows were randomly selected at day 0 of the estrus cycle for studying ovarian features. RESULTS: Results showed that the average age, body condition score, and body weight were significantly (p < 0.05) different among the studied breeds. Milk production in Murrah and lactation length in Nilli cows were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than indigenous, crossbred, Nilli, and indigenous, crossbred, Murrah buffalo cows, respectively. Results also illustrated that sexual maturity, estrus cycle length, insemination time after the onset of estrus, and gestation length insignificantly (p > 0.05) varied among the surveyed breed. But, the fallout of the study denoted that estrus duration, first calving age, parity number, number of service per conception, calving interval, and voluntary waiting period varied significantly (p < 0.05) in different breeds. Ovarian physiological characteristics such as vaginal electrical resistance, average number of follicles in two ovaries, and largest follicular diameter, estrogen, and progesterone at day 0 of the estrus cycle of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows showed insignificantly (p > 0.05) differences. CONCLUSION: The study will help the veterinarian and researcher to identify the constraints for the reproductive efficiency of buffalo in Bangladesh.