RESUMO
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in the Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) extender on the semen quality and fertility of Hampshire crossbred pigs. For the study, semen was collected from four boars (10 ejaculates/boar) by the gloved hand method. Each ejaculate was extended @ 1:2 with the BTS extender and split into four aliquots. The control (C) samples were without the supplementation of Se-NPs, whereas the other three were supplemented with 0.5 (T1), 1 (T2), and 2 µg ml-1 of Se-NPs (T3) and stored at 15°C in a BOD incubator. Extended semen was evaluated at 0 (immediately after dilution), 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of storage for sperm motility, live sperm, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, DNA integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The mean percentage of sperm motility, live sperm, and sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome, and MMPs were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in all treated groups in comparison to control at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of storage. Sperm with intact DNA in all treated groups increased significantly at 48 (p < 0.05), and 72 and 96 (p < 0.01) h of storage in comparison to the control group. The concentration of 1 µg ml-1 of Se-NPs was found to be the best among other concentrations. In each group, 10 sows were artificially inseminated with the liquid semen preserved for 72 h at 15°C. Supplementation of 1 µg ml-1 of Se-NPs yielded the highest conception rate in comparison to other groups. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 µg ml-1 of Se-NPs in the BTS extender resulted in the best semen quality and conception rate during the short-time liquid preservation of boar semen.
RESUMO
AIM: The aim was to evaluate the estrus response, incidence of accessory corpus luteum formation and fertility following different hormonal protocols in repeat breeding crossbred cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 24 repeat breeding crossbred cows allotted into four groups. Cows of Group I was not given any treatment, Group II was treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection on day 6 post-estrus, Group III was treated with Ovsynch protocol, and Group IV was treated with Ovsynch based GnRH treatment. Estrus responses such as duration, onset, percentage, and intensity of estrus were recorded during the study. The incidence of accessory corpus luteum was recorded per rectally on day 7 after first and additional GnRH of Ovsynch treatment. The conception rate for all groups was calculated by the absence of estrus and on day 45 after artificial insemination (AI) per rectum. Serum samples were collected at AI and day 12 post-AI in Group I and II. Serum samples were also collected at GnRH, Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), timed AI (TAI) and day 12 post-TAI in Group III and IV. RESULTS: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments are resulted in 100.00% induction of estrus after the PGF2α injection. Onset of induced estrus after the PGF2α injection for Group III and IV was recorded as 48.750±0.713 and 51.472±1.989 h, respectively, and it was not significant. There was no significant difference in duration of estrus among the groups. The incidence of intermediate estrus intensity was found to be highest. All the cows showed the incidence of formation of accessory corpus luteum subsequent to GnRH treatment on day 6 of the estrous cycle in Group II, III, and IV. The conception rate was 0.00%, 16.67%, 50.00%, and 50.00% in Group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments initiated on day 6 of estrous cycle capable of responding with a higher percentage of ovulation and formation of accessory corpus luteum which helped in higher conception rate over single post-AI GnRH treatment in repeat breeders. These treatments responded with better estrus response but did not significantly improve estrus intensity.
