Assessment of semen quality and anti-oxidative enzyme activity between bovine sex-sorted and non-sex-sorted frozen-thawed semen.

In the current study, the difference between the sex-sorted and non-sex-sorted frozen semen of Holstein Friesian breed cattle was investigated. Significant variation (p < .05) was found in the semen quality parameters such as motility; vitality; acrosome integrity rate; the anti-oxidative enzyme activity including GSH (glutathione); SOD (superoxide dismutase); CAT (catalase); GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) and the rate of fertilization. The results showed that the sperm acrosome integrity and motility of the non-sorted sperm were higher compared to sex-sorted sperm (p < .05). The linearity index and mean coefficient analysis revealed that the percentage of 'grade a' in sex-sorted sperm were significantly (p < .05) lower than non-sorted sperm. Interestingly, low SOD level and high CAT level was found in the non-sexed semen than in the sexed semen (p < .05). Furthermore, the GSH and GSH-Px activity in the sexed semen was found lower than the non-sexed semen (p < .05). In conclusion, sperm motility characteristics were lower in sex-sorted semen than in non-sex-sorted semen. This might be related to the complex process of sexed semen production, which could reduce sperm motility and movement characteristics, acrosomal integrity, CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH-Px, and finally lead to the decline in the fertilization rate.

The efficiency of boric acid as an alternate to NaCl for the preservation of cattle hides.

The fresh buffalo hides (n = 6) were cut into two equal parts and categorized into three equal groups. The first group was treated with 50% NaCl; the second group hides were treated with 5% of boric acid (BA), and the third group hides were with NaCl + BA (10:1). Hair loss was seen at the sample margins of hides treated with 50% NaCl, with a slight odor. In the second group, there was neither hair loss nor a pungent smell was felt. The nitrogen content of the preserved hide was measured at different durations during the experimental period, i.e., 0 h, 24 h on day 7th, and day 14th. The nitrogen level reduced significantly (P < 0.05) from 0 h to day 14th of the experiment in hides treated with 50% of NaCl and 5% of boric acid, while this trend was found non-significant (P > 0.05) in hides treated with the combination of NaCl + BA. At 0 h, the moisture content for 50% of NaCl-treated hides was 64.82 ± 0.38% moisture content for 5% of boric acid was 63.89 ± 0.59, while for the NaCl + BA combination 61.69 ± 1.09 was observed. Moisture content for 50% of NaCl on day 14th was 38.87 ± 0.42; for boric acid, it was 37.76 ± 1.12, and for the combination of both, the moisture content was 34.56 ± 0.41%. A similar decreasing trend of moisture contents was found in hides treated with different preservatives. After 14 days of treatment, the bacterial count for 50% of NaCl was 2 × 109; for boric acid, it was 1 × 109, and for the combination of both, the bacterial count was 3 × 109. The lowest pollution load was observed hides treated with the combination of NaCl + BA (10:1). Total solids (TS) were 21.69 ± 0.57 while total dissolved solids (TDS) were 21.10 ± 0.57, and total suspended solids were 0.60 ± 0.57 mg/l. It is concluded from the present study that boric acid alone or in combination with NaCl efficiently reduced nitrogen content and bacterial count and can reduce water pollution in tannery and hence could be used as a preservative for the hide in the tannery industry.

Molecular epidemiology and characterization of Babesia bovis in cattle of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease found globally but most prominent in tropical and subtropical regions. It is responsible for huge mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. The current study was designed to determine the molecular epidemiology and characterization of Babesia bovis (B. bovis) infection in cattle populations of districts Mardan, Kohat and Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. A total of 434 tick-infested animals were sampled. Blood samples were collected, processed and then examined initially by microscopy for the presence of Babesia and were later confirmed through PCR by targeting cytochrome b gene, and the PCR products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of sequenced isolates of the current study showed close sequence similarity with the reported strain of China. A non-significant association (p > 0.05) was observed between the prevalence of infections and risk factors. The overall prevalence of infection in all three districts was 10.11%. In district Swat (12.61%), the prevalence was recorded as the highest for B. bovis infection followed by district Mardan (10.60%) and district Kohat (06.90%). The Friesian breed of cattle, females and adult animals were highly susceptible to B. bovis infection. The prevalence of infection was recorded highest during the summer season and lowest during the winter season. This study concludes that B. bovis infection is prevalent in three studied districts of KP province and the sequenced isolates of the current study showed close sequence similarity with the reported strain of China.

Evaluation of the particle gel diffusion technique for the detection of haemoglobin S in Sudanese patients.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is a heterogenous disorder characterized by an abnormal haemoglobin and sickling phenomena of red cells. It is prevalent among certain nomadic tribes in Sudan. Painful, aplastic and haemolytic crises mark sickle cell anaemia. Haemoglobin S (HbS) is detected using haemoglobin electrophoresis, iso-electric focusing and/or high-performance liquid chromatography techniques with high sensitivity, but entails cost and expertise. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of the ID-particle gel diffusion technique for screening, diagnosis and phenotyping of HbS in patients with a provisional diagnosis of abnormal haemoglobin. METHODS: Following informed consent, 100 sequential individuals who reported to a central referral haemoglobinopathy clinic were enrolled. ID-particle gel diffusion technique was compared with cellulose acetate electrophoresis to determine haemoglobin phenotypes. RESULTS: The ID-particle gel test detected HbAA with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Sensitivity for HbS was 100%, whether as HbSS or as a mixed pattern. HbSS was identified in all cases where this is the only haemoglobin present. Other patterns were detected with <100% specificity and these would require further testing by other means to definitively identify abnormal haemoglobins. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ID-particle technique is a simple and cheap technique with high sensitivity, specificity and PPV compared with cellulose acetate electrophoresis in detecting HbSS, it could not differentiate HbAS from HbSS with high levels of HbF. High environmental temperatures could melt the test microtubes. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis remains the technique of choice for the screening of abnormal haemoglobins in the Sudan.