The study was conducted to investigate the effect of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device in three goat breeds of Malaysia using Artificial Insemination (AI), on the reproductive performance, which included; Estrus Synchronization (ES), pregnancy, singleton, twin, and mortality rate. Sixty goats were divided in to treatment group (TRE: n = 30) which received CIDR for 9 days and AI was done on 10th day, and a control group (CON: N = 30). Three goat breed, namely, Kambing Katjang (KK), Boer and Jamnapari, (n = 20 to each strain), were used in this study. . . Data were analyzed to determine the effects of CIDR and strain on the reproductive performance of goats. ANOVA or T-test were used to analyze data for the effects of CIDR and breed. Finding showed the using of CIDR and breed may effect of reproductive performance. Results indicated that the CIDR can be used to activate the reproductive system, accelerate estrus cycle, and increase twin rates. Boer strain that might help to improve herd production by producing twins.

Reproductive performance of different goat breeds in Malaysia

<div>Background: The indiscriminate crossbreeding is the major cause for losses as well as for risk to existing breeds. Kangayam, a pride indigenous cattle breed of Tamil Nadu, also badly affected due to this unplanned indiscriminate breeding. Urgent and immediate action is required to protect this traditional breed. Estrus synchronization would be a best tool to improve the fertility rate and increase the population of this breed under field condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Fifty Kangayam cows selected at farmer&rsquo;s field were divided into Group I, II, III, IV (Treatment groups) and Group V (Control group). Estrus synchronization with single PGF2&alpha;, double PGF2&alpha;, CIDR+PGF2&alpha; and ovsynch protocols were used in Group I, II, III and IV cows, respectively and inseminated during induced estrus. Group V cows were inseminated during observed estrus. The pattern of estrus, fertility rate and serum hormonal profiles on different days of treatment were studied.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The conception rates were higher in double PGF2&alpha; (80 per cent) and ovsynch protocol (80%) followed by CIDR+ PGF2&alpha; (70%). The progesterone (ng/ml) concentration was significantly (P&le;0.05) higher during estrus induction with PGF2&alpha; in treatment groups than during selection and insemination. The serum estradiol-17&beta; concentration was significantly (P&le;0.05) higher during insemination (24.21&plusmn;1.74 to 25.57&plusmn;0.80 pg/ml) than during PGF2&alpha; injection (12.81&plusmn;0.25 to 13.68&plusmn;0.30 pg/ml). The study concluded that higher conception rate in indigenous Kangayam cows can be obtained with synchronization using Double PGF2&alpha; and Ovsynch protocol followed by CIDR+PGF2&alpha; protocol.</div>

Comparative Study on Effect of Different Estrus Synchronization Protocols on the Pattern of Estrus, Conception Rate and Serum Hormonal Profile in Indigenous Kangayam Cows

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15&plusmn;0.03 to 1.70&plusmn;0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 &plusmn;0.19 to 4.09&plusmn;1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (&lt;1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09&plusmn;1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70&plusmn;0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68&plusmn;0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09&plusmn;0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 &plusmn;0.10), CIDR (4.92&plusmn;0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87&plusmn;0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows.

Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows*

Background: Estrus synchronization is a reproductive technique which used in livestock species to enhance the reproductive performances. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of CIDR (EAZI-BREED CIDR&reg;) and Prostaglandin (PGF2&alpha;) on estrus response, ovulation time and conception rate during early breeding season of Boer goats. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A total of 20 non-pregnant does (10 for CIDR based and 10 for double PGF2&alpha; based protocol) were used for the present experiment. For CIDR based protocol (Group I), does were inserted with EAZI-BREED CIDR intravaginally containing 0.3 mg progesterone and kept for 11 days. A single dose of 125 microgram PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;was injected before 24 hrs of EAZI-BREED CIDR removal and 4 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on day of implant removal. For prostaglandin (PGF2&alpha;) protocol (Group II), does were injected intramuscularly with two doses of 125 &micro;g cloprostenol at 11-day intervals. In both the groups teaser buck was used for estrus detection and mated by selected bucks. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Estrus response was hundred per cent in both the groups. The duration of onset of estrus (hours) was shorter (28.80&plusmn;1.20) in CIDR treated protocol than double PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;protocol (40.20&plusmn;1.30), where as the duration of estrus was longer in Group I (37.70&plusmn;0.75) hour as compared to group II (33.60&plusmn;0.54) does. Serum progesterone levels on day 0, on day 12 (24 hrs after completion of protocol) and day 35 after mating were1.31&plusmn;0.13, 0.70&plusmn;0.12 and 5.94&plusmn;1.29 respectively for Group I, where as 1.13&plusmn;0.13, 0.96&plusmn;0.14 and 3.73&plusmn;0.53 (ng/ml) were observed for Group II does. A significant difference was observed between day 12 and day 35 in both the groups but no significant difference was observed between the groups for day 0, 12 and 35. LH concentrations on the day of estrus did not vary significantly in both groups. Conception rates were 80 per cent and 60 per cent for group I and II respectively. In conclusion, the CIDR protocol provided better estrus synchronization and higher conception rates compared to the double PGF2&alpha;&nbsp;protocol, making it a more effective and reliable for estrus synchronization in Boer goats.

Comparative Studies on the Effect of Synchronization Protocols on Estrus Response, Ovulation Time and Conception Rate in Boer Goats during Early Breeding Season in Odisha

<div>Background: Postpartum fertility in dairy bovines is one of the important criteria of sustainable dairy industry and economy of farmers. The Kankrej, a dual purpose zebu cattle, is known for its endurance, but is slow breeder with very late maturity, prolonged postpartum anestrous/subestrous and thereby calving interval. These peculiarities necessitate scientists to adopt fixed time AI (FTAI) protocols of estrus synchronization for improving their reproductive efficiency. Hence this study was aimed to assess the fertility and plasma metabolic profile of normal and synchronized anestrous/ subestrous suckled Kankrej cows of an organized farm. 
 
Methods: The study involved 36 parturient Kankrej cows of the University Farm that were maintained under identical nutritional and managerial practices. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers from all the animals on the day of calving and then at 10 days interval till 90 days for plasma metabolic profile. Animals monitored by per rectal palpation 10 days apart around day 70-80 postpartum revealed 30 cows to be anestrous or subestrous, which were randomly allocated to five different estrus synchronization protocols at day 90-92, each with six cows and a group of six cows that exhibited estrus and were bred by day 70-90 served as normal control. The treatment protocols included Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and double PGF2&alpha; together with estimation of plasma metabolites on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) and then at 10 days interval up to day 40 post-AI.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The mean plasma total protein levels varied non-significantly, while total cholesterol and triglycerides varied significantly (p&lt;0.01) between intervals until 90 days postpartum in most of the groups with gradual increase in the mean values from the day of calving. The estrus synchronization protocols, however. did not alter the plasma profile of these constituents. The estrus induction response with Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2&alpha; treatment was 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66 and 66.66% and the conception rates at induced estrus 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00%, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rate at first cycle was 33.33%. The plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in conceived than non-conceived cows, particularly during early postpartum period and post-AI. It was concluded that CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2&alpha; protocols were better for estrus induction and conception rate in anestrous and subestrous suckled Kankrej cows, although they did not influence the plasma metabolic profile.</div>

Monitoring Plasma Metabolic Profile, Fertility in Normal and Estrus Synchronized Suckled Kankrej Cows

<div>Background: Calving to conception interval is abnormally extended by the occurrence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) by altering the blood biochemical and mineral milieu in cows. Hence this experiment was conducted in RFM affected and normally calved (NC) buffaloes by inducing estrus with CIDR plus PGF2&alpha; protocol to study the blood biochemical and mineral profiles and to correlate them with fertility rate.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Buffaloes (n=64) at 45-60 days postpartum including 32 treated for RFM and 32 NC from field were equally divided into groups I and II and groups III and IV, respectively. Buffaloes of groups I and III were initially dewormed and administered 35-50 g mineral mixture daily orally for 15 days in the concentrate feed. Then, buffaloes of all the groups were treated with CIDR plus PGF2&alpha;. After CIDR removal, all the buffaloes were artificially inseminated twice at 48 and 72 hrs. Blood was collected during different stages of treatment from all the buffaloes to assess the blood biochemical and mineral status. The animals returned to estrus following FTAI were again inseminated during subsequent estrus. Pregnancy diagnosis was done at 60 days post-AI and conception rates for induced estrus and overall of two cycles were calculated. 
 
Result: In all the groups, blood glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and phosphorus levels increased from the time of selection to 10 days post-AI. There was an altered calcium phosphorus ratio in RFM affected buffaloes (1:1) at the time of selection. CIDR plus PGF2&alpha; protocol influenced the blood biochemical constituents and brought the calcium and phosphorus ratio as 2:1 and improved the fertility in riverine buffaloes. The overall conception rate was 62.50, 37.50, 87.50 and 75.00 per cent, in group I, II, III and IV buffaloes, respectively.</div>

<div>Effect of Estrus Induction on Blood Biochemical and Mineral Profiles and Fertility Rate in Retained Fetal Membranes Affected and Normally Calved Riverine Buffaloes</div>

The aim of this study was to enhance the ovulation and subsequent embryo production of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) superovulated goats by supplementing with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Thirty crossbred donor does were oestrus synchronized using controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and superovulated using 1500 IU eCG. Then all the donor does were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 were administered 500 IU hCG each at 2 successive days starting from 24 hours after CIDR removal; Group 2 received a single dosage of 20 &micro;g GnRH and Group 3 was control. Ovulation and embryo production responses were evaluated during laparotomy session on Day 7 after CIDR removal. Does in Group 1 showed higher number of CL (10.90) than the Group 2 (1.90) or Group 3 (0.90). The number of ovarian stimulation and number of anovulatory follicles had no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences among the treatment groups. Average number of structure recovered was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in Group 1 (3.10) than Group 2 (0.70) or Group 3 (0.00). Moreover, average number of embryo production was higher in Group 1 (0.90) than Group 2 (0.50) and Group 3 (0.00), but no significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2. Results indicated that using hCG hormone would be an effective means for increasing ovulation in eCG superovulated crossbred goats, although it was unable to enhance the embryo number due to increase number of unfertilised ovum.&nbsp;

Effect of supplementation of hCG or GnRH on ovulation and subsequent&nbsp;embryo production of eCG superovulated goats

<div>Background: Seasonal anestrus, which is controlled by the photoperiod in ewes, limits the ability to the fertility of ewe every time. Therefore, using hormones by vaginal devices is the most effective way of increasing fertility in order to form oestrus during the anestrus period and obtain a high rate of pregnancy. But, vaginal devices may cause a change in the profile and number of bacteria in the uterus and vagina, and thus create an environment suitable for infection. For this reason, identification of bacteria that are the source of infection can be achieved by performing antibiotic susceptibility tests and interpreting them correctly. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of intravaginal device-type and treatment-duration on vaginal bacteria count and type and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal bacterias in ewes after a program of oestrus synchronization. &nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 90 clinically healthy Kivircik ewes were selected. In order to provide oestrus synchronization during anestrus season (June), CIDR was inserted intravaginally to 45 ewes, the other 45 ewes were progestogen sponges inserted. In both groups remained inserted for 5, 9 and 13 days. While vaginal devices were withdrawal both groups ewes were exposed to intramuscular 350 IU PMSG injection. The mucous samples were collected from all ewes 0, 5, 9 and 13 days at time the IVS or CIDR withdrawal. In samples, bacterial concentration, &nbsp;bacterial identification&nbsp;and antibiotic susceptibility were determined. 
 
Result: The changes in the vaginal flora caused by the vaginal devices favored the development of opportunistic microbiota that could potentially be pathogenic. In the study, after vaginal device withdrawal, the bacteria species most frequently observed in both IVS and CIDR groups were E. coli. According to the results of this study, the first choice of antibiotics for vaginal infections caused by G- agents in ewes should be any of AXC, CEP and CTZ compared to other antibiotics.</div>

<div>Investigation of the Effect of Intravaginal Device-type and Treatment-duration on Vaginal Features in Ewes and Determination of Antibiotic Susceptibility</div>

<div>Background: Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted on &gt;90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2&aacute; injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17&acirc; by RIA technique.&nbsp; 
 
Results: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p&lt;0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25 %, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75 %, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles&rsquo; post-treatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25 %, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p&lt;0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p&lt;0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17&acirc; profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17&acirc; on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates.</div>

<div>Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries</div>

Background: For the successful reproduction in Kangayam cows, adequate nutrition containing sufficient quantum of minerals is necessary. Minerals are important cofactors in majority of the metabolic and immune reactions and hormone synthesis that could affect reproduction. Present study was planned to analyse whether mineral levels change in different treatment days following estrus induction and corresponding changes in stages of the estrous cycle. 
 
Methods:&nbsp; Non pregnant, pluriparous Kangayam cow (n=70) were allotted to control and different treatment protocols (each consist of 10 cows) based on the transdermal (PNC based groups) and transvaginal application of progesterone (CIDR based group) with a shot of PGF2&alpha; one day preceding the day of progesterone removal. Ovulation was induced either using estradiol benzoate or buserelin acetate. Mineral profiles were analysed on the day of progesterone application (APP), removal (REM), AI and 10 days post insemination (10 DPAI).&nbsp; 
 
Result: It indicated that changes in the mineral levels between the treatment days especially on the day of AI and 10DAPAI could be correlated with the corresponding follicle and luteal phases and it could be concluded that there were significant changes especially in selenium, manganese, zinc and copper levels between the treatment days in each group which could be extrapolated to have specific roles in stages of estrous cycle. Among these minerals copper levels could be correlated to affect the steroid concentration by altering its metabolism thereby its clearance in Bos indicus breed ie Kangayam breed of Tamil Nadu.

Changes in Mineral Profiles in Progesterone-based Estrus Induction Protocols and their Relationship with the Phases of Estrous Cycle in Kangayam Cows