The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant’s vitamins concentrations in serum, follicular fluid and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows. A total of 34 clinically healthy buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 8–10 years, were subjected to study. All animals were examined before slaughtering and the findings on the ovaries and the uterus were recorded. Blood samples and the whole genital tract of each animal were collected just after slaughtering. Antioxidants were measured in serum, CL and follicular fluid at different stage of the estrus cycle (proestrus n08, estrus n07, metestrus n07, and diestrus n012). The results revealed significant increases in serum α-tocopherol concentration during metestrus and diestrus stages (p0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease (p0.05) in follicular ascorbic acid concentration at diestrus phase. Follicular β-carotene (p0.01) showed a significant increase at the metestrus than at estrus and diestrus phases of the cycle. Follicular Vitamin A significantly increased (p0.01) at proestrus phase. Although during metestrus there was significant decrease in the corpus hemorrhagicum weight (p0.01), ascorbic acid concentration was significantly increased (p0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that serum α-tocopherol concentration increased during metestrus and diestrus stages, follicular vitamin A increased in proestrus phases when regeneration and steroideogenesis are required. Ascorbic acid increased in diestrus phase to help corpus luteum to function properly.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) injection on semen quality, testes measures and some blood parameters of Ossimi rams. Fourteen mature healthy Ossimi rams were randomly divided into two equal groups (7 rams in each). The first group served as control (CG), while 2nd group served as treatment group (TG). Rams of the TG were treated twice weekly with 5 mg sodium selenite and 450 mg Vit E for 1 month. Semen quantity (semen volume, and concentration of the semen ejaculated) and quality (mass motility and percentage of live and dead cells) were recorded twice weekly. Blood samples collection, testes measurements (testis length (TL), breadth (TB); and scrotal circumference (SC)) using measuring tape and caliper were recorded. Sonar examination of the testes (mediastinum testes and tunica albugenia) and all accessory gland measurements were performed every 2 weeks. Semen quality and quantity were significantly affected by treatments: the ejaculate volume, mass activity and sperm concentration increased (p 0.01) in treated rams in comparison with control ones. The percentages of dead and abnormal spermatozoa were reduced in the treated groups. Also ordinary testes measurements and sonar examination were mostly improved though the differences were not statistically significant. Pen libido test showed reduced reaction time for the first mount in treated rams. Serum testosterone, glutathione peroxidase and other blood parameters were elevated (p 0.05) in treated group in comparison with the control one. The results of this experiment confirm that injections of the combination of Vit E and Se during the breeding season improved semen characteristics and the overall reproductive performance of Ossimi rams.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) injection on semen quality, testes measures and some blood parameters of Ossimi rams. Fourteen mature healthy Ossimi rams were randomly divided into two equal groups (7 rams in each). The first group served as control (CG), while 2nd group served as treatment group (TG). Rams of the TG were treated twice weekly with 5 mg sodium selenite and 450 mg Vit E for 1 month. Semen quantity (semen volume, and concentration of the semen ejaculated) and quality (mass motility and percentage of live and dead cells) were recorded twice weekly. Blood samples collection, testes measurements (testis length (TL), breadth (TB); and scrotal circumference (SC)) using measuring tape and caliper were recorded. Sonar examination of the testes (mediastinum testes and tunica albugenia) and all accessory gland measurements were performed every 2 weeks. Semen quality and quantity were significantly affected by treatments: the ejaculate volume, mass activity and sperm concentration increased (p 0.01) in treated rams in comparison with control ones. The percentages of dead and abnormal spermatozoa were reduced in the treated groups. Also ordinary testes measurements and sonar examination were mostly improved though the differences were not statistically significant. Pen libido test showed reduced reaction time for the first mount in treated rams. Serum testosterone, glutathione peroxidase and other blood parameters were elevated (p 0.05) in treated group in comparison with the control one. The results of this experiment confirm that injections of the combination of Vit E and Se during the breeding season improved semen characteristics and the overall reproductive performance of Ossimi rams.

The objective of the present experiment is to study the effect of feed intake restriction on the reproductive performance and pregnancy rate in Egyptian buffalo heifers. Thirty anestrus buffalo heifers were randomly divided into two equal groups. The low feed intake (LFI, n015, 50 % restriction) group was fed a diet that consists of 3 kg concentrate, 1 kg wheat straw, and 3 kg fresh alfalfa, while the high feed intake (HFI, n015) group was fed double the amount given to the LFI group for 4 months. All animals were weighed, transrectally examined, and visually checked for the signs of estrus, and blood samples were collected. Heifers in heat were mated with one fertile bull. The number of heifers showing estrus activity was 93.3%in HFI vs. 20%in LFI (P0.01).Ovarian activity started earlier (P00.03) in the HFI than LFI group. The weight at breeding, the diameter of the dominant follicle, number of heifers showing ovulations, number of services per conception, pregnancy rate, and overall mean of progesterone and estrogen concentrations were significantly higher (P0.01) in the HFI than in the LFI group. The level of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, and calcium were significantly higher (P0.05) in the HFI group. Restriction of the daily feed intake to 50 % from NRC recommendations impair reproductive performance in terms of increasing the age at first service and reducing the pregnancy rate in buffalo heifers. In conclusion, feed intake could be effective in improvement of reproductive performance in buffalo heifers and further studies should be done on large scale of buffaloes in this point.

The study aimed to compare the acid-base balance and steroid concentrations between follicular fluids (FF) of preovulatory follicles derived from a spontaneous (SE), synchronized estrus (IE) and follicular cysts (CYS) and between FF and blood in dairy cows. Forty two dairy cows were included in this study. The animals were allocated into three groups, SE (n = 23), IE (n = 11) using GnRH at Day 0 and Day 9, PGF2α at Day 7 and the animals with CYS (n = 10). The follicular fluids (FF) were aspirated from the cyst / preovulatory ( ≥ 15mm) after SE and after second GnRH dose in IE by transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum-pick-up technique. Blood samples (BL) were collected in herparinized vacutaner tubes. The oxygen tension (pO2) in FF of IE was higher (P  0.05) than in SE and CYS groups. There were negative correlations (P  0.001, r = -0.89) between FF and blood pO2. The carbon dioxide tension (pCO2) and lactate in FF of CYS was higher (P  0.05) than in SE and IE groups. There were negative correlations (P  0.01, r = -0.73) between blood and FF pO2. Estradiol-17β concentration in preovulatory follicles and plasma of the SE was higher (P 0.001) than in IE and cyst groups. Progesterone concentration in preovulatory follicles and plasma of the SE and IE was lower (P 0.01) than in cyst group. Plasma androstendione concentration in SE and IE was higher (P 0.05) than that in cyst group. In conclusion, acid base parameters, E2 and P4 levels in the follicular fluid of both synchronized estrus and cyst were deviated greatly from the physiological naviou (disturbances of intrafollicular/intracystical environment) which may affect the quality of both the oocyte and the granulosa cells.

The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis of degree and duration of uterine torsion in buffaloes. In Assiut province/Upper Egypt, 65 buffaloes (37 with uterine torsion, 28 with normal late pregnancy) were examined clinically and using Doppler ultrasonography. The Dppler indices including resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV), and blood flow volume (BFV) in the arteries ipsilateral to the uterine torsion (IPUT) and in arteries contralateral to the uterine torsion (COUT) were recorded. Methods of correction were documented along with dam and calf survival. Torsion was recorded postcervically with vaginal involvement in 35/37 (94.6%) of the cases. The degrees of uterine torsion were light and high in 9/37 (24.3%) and 28/37 (75.7%) of the cases, respectively (P ¼ 0.001). Right uterine torsion was present in 36/37 (97.3%) of the cases (P ¼ 0.0001). Pulsatility index, RI, TAMV, and BFV in IPUT and COUT did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in normal late pregnancy. The PI and RI in IPUT were significantly higher (P 0.01) than in COUT, and the TAMV and BFV in IPUT were less (P 0.001) than that in COUT in uterine torsion. The PI and RI of torsion cases in IPUT were higher (P 0.001) than that in normal pregnancy. Time-averaged maximumvelocity and BFV in torsion cases were lower (P 0.01) than that of normal pregnancy in IPUT. There was approximately 50% of RI and PI higher than in light degree uterine torsion in IPUT (P 0.001). Consequently, TAMV and BFV were greatly lower (P 0.0001) than that in light degree in IPUT. Pulsatility index and RI were positively correlated (r ¼ 0.856; P 0.001) with the duration and degree of the uterine torsion, and TAMV and BFV were negatively correlated (r ¼ 0.763; P 0.001). In all cases of uterine torsion the uterine flow velocity waveform showed high systolic flow and absence of early diastolic flow and poor uterine and placentomal blood perfusion. In conclusion, depicting blood flow within the middle uterine artery using color Doppler sonography could be helpful in correct diagnosis of duration and degree of uterine torsion and concurrently predicting the viability of the fetus and dam.

Abstract The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant’s vitamins concentrations in serum, follicular fluid and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows. A total of 34 clinically healthy buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 8–10 years, were subjected to study. All animals were examined before slaughtering and the findings on the ovaries and the uterus were recorded. Blood samples and the whole genital tract of each animal were collected just after slaughtering. Antioxidants were measured in serum, CL and follicular fluid at different stage of the estrus cycle (proestrus n08, estrus n07, metestrus n07, and diestrus n012). The results revealed significant increases in serum α-tocopherol concentration during metestrus and diestrus stages (p0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease (p0.05) in follicular ascorbic acid concentration at diestrus phase. Follicular β-carotene (p0.01) showed a significant increase at the metestrus than at estrus and diestrus phases of the cycle. Follicular Vitamin A significantly increased (p0.01) at proestrus phase. Although during metestrus there was significant decrease in the corpus hemorrhagicum weight (p0.01), ascorbic acid concentration was significantly increased (p0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that serum α-tocopherol concentration increased during metestrus and diestrus stages, follicular vitamin A increased in proestrus phases when regeneration and steroideogenesis are required. Ascorbic acid increased in diestrus phase to help corpus luteum to function properly.

Abstract The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant’s vitamins concentrations in serum, follicular fluid and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows. A total of 34 clinically healthy buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 8–10 years, were subjected to study. All animals were examined before slaughtering and the findings on the ovaries and the uterus were recorded. Blood samples and the whole genital tract of each animal were collected just after slaughtering. Antioxidants were measured in serum, CL and follicular fluid at different stage of the estrus cycle (proestrus n08, estrus n07, metestrus n07, and diestrus n012). The results revealed significant increases in serum α-tocopherol concentration during metestrus and diestrus stages (p0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease (p0.05) in follicular ascorbic acid concentration at diestrus phase. Follicular β-carotene (p0.01) showed a significant increase at the metestrus than at estrus and diestrus phases of the cycle. Follicular Vitamin A significantly increased (p0.01) at proestrus phase. Although during metestrus there was significant decrease in the corpus hemorrhagicum weight (p0.01), ascorbic acid concentration was significantly increased (p0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that serum α-tocopherol concentration increased during metestrus and diestrus stages, follicular vitamin A increased in proestrus phases when regeneration and steroideogenesis are required. Ascorbic acid increased in diestrus phase to help corpus luteum to function properly.

Abstract The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant’s vitamins concentrations in serum, follicular fluid and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows. A total of 34 clinically healthy buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 8–10 years, were subjected to study. All animals were examined before slaughtering and the findings on the ovaries and the uterus were recorded. Blood samples and the whole genital tract of each animal were collected just after slaughtering. Antioxidants were measured in serum, CL and follicular fluid at different stage of the estrus cycle (proestrus n08, estrus n07, metestrus n07, and diestrus n012). The results revealed significant increases in serum α-tocopherol concentration during metestrus and diestrus stages (p0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease (p0.05) in follicular ascorbic acid concentration at diestrus phase. Follicular β-carotene (p0.01) showed a significant increase at the metestrus than at estrus and diestrus phases of the cycle. Follicular Vitamin A significantly increased (p0.01) at proestrus phase. Although during metestrus there was significant decrease in the corpus hemorrhagicum weight (p0.01), ascorbic acid concentration was significantly increased (p0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that serum α-tocopherol concentration increased during metestrus and diestrus stages, follicular vitamin A increased in proestrus phases when regeneration and steroideogenesis are required. Ascorbic acid increased in diestrus phase to help corpus luteum to function properly.