UWI Vet School PPT_Dr. Krishna Mohan Kumar.pptx

Folliculardynamics

1. The University of the west Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago Temporal Changes in endogenous hormones and expression of behaviours during periovulatory period in buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) Dr. Krishna Mohan Kumar, BVSc, MVSc , PhD, PGDAEM

2. BVSc & AH : 1996-2001 Bombay Veterinary College, Parel , Mumbai, India MVSc : 2001-2004 Department of Veterinary Physiology College of Veterinary Sciences & AH, Anjora , Durg , Chhattisgarh, India

3. PhD: 2004-2007 Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal , Haryana, India Assistant Professor: 2007-2011 Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, India Lecturer: 2011-2021 The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago (W.I.) School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences

4. Background Buffaloes play a prominent role in rural economy and are very efficient in the utilization of poor quality roughages . Buffalo produces high quality, rich, creamier milk as well as lean meat with very low fat and cholesterol content. Buffaloes are resistant to several tropical diseases, while enduring diverse harsh climates making it a preferred climate resilient livestock species. Exceptionally thick, parasite proof skin of the buffaloes that makes it unique. Buffalo is called the black gold of South Asia. Yuvraj “ The bull whose semen is worth $ 3,000”/ejaculate ($ 5.65; £3.75) a dose provides 500 to 600 sperm " doses“

5. Buffaloes origin and population The  water buffalo  ( Bubalus bubalis )  originates in South Asia , Southeast Asia and China .   Today , it is also found in Europe , Australia , North America , South America and some African countries and Caribbean countries .   Of the 194.29 million world buffalo population, 97% is concentrated in Asia and 57% in India alone (FAO, 2014). *Trinidad and Tobago < 5000 heads of buffaloes (Bennet et al ., 2007)

6. Subestrus or silent estrus in buffaloes Among various problems Silent estrus is perhaps the most important factor leading to poor reproductive efficiency in buffaloes especially during hot summer months. As a result of  silent heat , animals become repeat breeders and fail to maintain the  estrus   cyclicity . Proper estrus detection is essential for artificial insemination (AI) practices so as to achieve maximum improvement in reproductive efficiency.

7. Factor responsible for sub- estrus / silent estrus in buffaloes Environmental factors Animals which are not allowed for grazing Concrete floor Over crowding Heat Stress: Hormonal factors Estrogen plays a key role in the regulation of the endocrine and behavioral events associated with estrous cycle. Estrogen induces the preovulatory surge in LH and estrus behavior (Hafez and Hafez 2000).

8. Heat stress in buffaloes Cortisol – block estradiol - Estrus behaviour Cortisol - conc. P 4 - ve feedback on the hypothalamus decrease GnRH decrease LH and estradiol Buffaloes are more susceptible to heat stress due to following reason : 1) Thick black colour skin 2) Sparse hair coat, considered inadequate to insulate the buffaloes from high temperature 3) Buffalo skin has fewer (almost 1/6 th ) sweat glands in the skin than zebu, situated deep in the skin.

9. The study was designed to: 1. record and relate the duration and intensity of estrus to the periovulatory total estrogen release and timing of ovulation in buffaloes. 2 . compare conception rates following timed AI (TAI) after Heatsynch in summer and winter seasons.

10. GnRH (10 µg ) PGF 2  (25 mg ) EB (1 mg ) Timed AI Estrus detection and AI 7 Days 24 Hours 48 Hours Heatsynch protocol for timed AI To improve reproductive efficiency, several protocols of oestrus and ovulation synchronization have been adopted from their use in commercial cattle production. These protocols yield encouraging pregnancy rates.

11. Conclusion Buffaloes exhibited both behavioral and physiological changes in response to Heatsynch treatment. The results suggest the possibility of using Heatsynch treatment followed by fixed time A.I. in buffaloes for fertility improvement especially because the incidence of silent heat in buffaloes is very high particularly in summer.

12. Efficacy of Doublesynch Protocol for synchronizing oestrus and ovulation in the Buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad & Tobago .

13. Updated: 5/9/2022 Doublesynch protocol 7 Days GnRH PGF2  16 - 24 hours Timed AI GnRH PGF2  2 Days 2 Days PGF 2α on day 0 (without regard to the estrous cycle stage), GnRH on day 2, a second PGF 2α injection on day 9, and a second GnRH injection on day 11. Timed artificial insemination (TAI) was performed 16 and 24 hours after the second GnRH injection .

14. Efficacy of Doublesynch Protocol for synchronizing estrus and ovulation in the Buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad & Tobago Group No.   No. conceived (%) Doublesynch   11 6 (54.5) Spontaneous estrous (Control)   11   5 (45.5) Aripo livestock station herd 99 23 (24.0)

15. Efficacy of Doublesynch Protocol for synchronizing estrus and ovulation in the Buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad & Tobago   Oestrous signs   Number of responders   Intensity b (Mean)   Frequent urination   11   +++   Bellowing   4   ++   Mounting   -   -   Swollen vulva   11   +++   Bulling string   6   ++   Uterine tone   9   ++   Restlessness   -   -  

16. Impact of supplementing commercial rabbit pellets with fresh Moringa oleifera leaves on semen characteristics of rabbit bucks The University of the west Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

17. Introduction Moringa oleifera is a tropical forage and its leaves are used for nutritional and medicinal values. It contains considerable levels of vitamins ( β- carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E ). This study was aimed to investigate the level of inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaves in rabbit diet and its effect on semen quality characteristics in rabbit bucks under tropical climate in Trinidad. Moringa oleifera Family: Moringaceae Common name: drumstick tree, horseradish tree, ben oil  tree or  benzoil tree, Saijan

18. Methodology Location of the Experiment Site : The experiment was conducted at the rabbitry unit of the field station of The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Animals : A total of eighteen (n=18) male rabbits were used for the experiment. These animals are primarily used for research purposes and some for breeding purposes at the farm. B reeds for experiment: New Zealand white California white Flemish Giant Average weight of the bucks ranges from 3200g -3900g.

19. Methodology contd…. Experimental design : Feeding Trial with Moringa Oleifera : Animals were separated in three groups consisting of six animals (n=6) in each group and were fed on the following regime: Diets fed for two months and semen was collected artificially the following week Treatment Animals (n=18) Hutch number Group1: Control n=6 01, 04, 11, 13, 17, 08 Group2 : 10% MOL 90% concentrate n =6 02, 05, 06, 09, 14, 16 Group3 : 20% MOL 80% concentrate n =6 03, 07, 10, 12, 15, 18

20. Methodology contd Semen Evaluation Semen Parameters : 1) Semen volume 2) Sperm concentration 3) Forward motility 4) Live sperm count 5) Total sperm output Semen Analysis using Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer ( HT Casa II) : Semen was evaluated using a computerized program known as Hamilton Thorone Computer A ssisted S emen Analyzer ( HT Casa II)

21. Effect of different levels of Moringa oleifera leaves on physical parameters of semen of rabbit bucks Parameters Control Group 10 % inclusion of M. Oleifera 20% inclusion of M. Oleifera Reaction time (s) 2.6 2.4 2.1 Volume (ml) 1.0 0.8 1.0 Sperm Concentration (10 6 /ml) 136.2 a 221.0 b 297.2 b Forward motility (%) 81.6 89.4 89.9 Live sperm (%) 76.0 88.3 91.2 Abnormal sperm (%) Tail abnormality (%) Head abnormality (%) 6.4 5.3 1.1 5.2 4.8 0.4 5.0 4. 4 0.7 * TSO (10 6 /ejaculate) 136.2 a 183.4 297.2 b *Total sperm output (TSO) = semen ejaculate volume (ml) × semen concentration (10 6 /ml ) a,b Means within a row with different superscript letters are significantly different (P <0.05).

22. Recent Research Activities Research Topic Collaborators Completed/ Ongoing Efficacy of Doublesynch Protocol for synchronizing oestrus and ovulation in the Buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad & Tobago. Aripo Buffalypso farm, Aripo Completed The effect of Moringa oleifera leaves on semen characteristics in rabbits. Department of Food Production, UWI Completed A project entitled “An Exploration of optimum semen collection, Extension, Preservation and Delivery in an AI Protocol for Water Buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis )” University of Trinidad and Tobago. Research work ( PhD student) - in progress Evaluation of semen for artificial insemination and use of novel oestrus synchronization protocol to improve efficiency in buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad” Aripo Buffalypso farm & Artificial breeding centre Completed Estrus synchronization and pregnancy rate in Barbados Black Belly Sheep. Department of Food Production, UWI and University field station Completed Effect of supplementing fresh Moringa oleifera leaves on semen characteristics and reproductive efficiency in buffalypso ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Trinidad. Artificial breeding centre , Aripo & University of Trinidad and Tobago. Submitted

23. Thank you