<div><strong>Background:</strong> The proteome analysis of seminal plasma and spermatozoa is of special relevance in livestock. Heparin binding proteins (HBPs) found in the seminal plasma of several mammals are shown to bind to sperm membrane and affect a series of events that contribute to normal fertility, such as sperm capacitation, formation of the oviduct reservoir and binding to the oocyte. Profiles of HBPs from seminal plasma and sperm membranes have been associated with sperm fertility. Although, HBPs present in the SP are described in several species, but little is known about HBPs in buck.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>Seminal plasma (SP) and sperm extracts (SE) of 13 bucks were subjected to heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography. Sperm extract, seminal plasma and purified HBPs and Non-HBPs were fractionated by SDS-PAGE. Total 78 females (6 per buck) were mated with 13 bucks. Bucks were divided into two groups, G-I (high fertile, 83.3-100% FR) and G-II (low fertile, 50-66.7% FR). Relationship between HBPs and fertility rate was observed.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> SDS &ndash; PAGE of SP and SE resulted in resolution of 22 (10-240 kDa) and 21 (10-270 kDa) bands, respectively. Based on fertility rate 15 and 13 kDa proteins were absent in SP of higher number of GI-compared to G-II bucks. Fourteen bands ranging from 10 &ndash; 180 kDa and 10 &ndash; 150 kDa were separated from SP-NHBP and SP-HBP. SP-HBPs of 75, 35, 30, 28, 25 and 13 kDa were present in higher (28.6%, 42.5%, 26.2%, 40.5%, 14.3% and 36.2%) number of high fertile than low fertile bucks. NHBP and HBP purified from SE resolved into 11 bands ranging from 10 &ndash; 135 kDa and 10 &ndash; 120 kDa, respectively. SE-HBP of 53 kDa, 50/45 kDa and 25 kDa were present in higher percentage of high fertile than low fertile bucks.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Proteins and Heparin Binding Proteins of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Beetal Bucks: Purification, Characterization and Role in <em>In vivo</em> Fertility</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Pantja is a dual purpose indigenous goat breed, reared in Tarai region of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. There is a lack of thorough study about the seminal characteristics of this goat breed. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the level of certain biochemical constituents and their relationship with macroscopical and microscopical semen characteristics in Pantja buck.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A total thirty two ejaculates from four sexually mature Pantja buck were analysed. The ejaculates were evaluated for volume (0.36&plusmn;0.06 ml), mass activity (4.47&plusmn;0.22), concentration (3.54&plusmn;0.13 x 10<sup>9</sup>/ml), individual motility (85.28&plusmn;1.17%), viability (88.28&plusmn;0.78%), morphological abnormalities (4.70&plusmn;0.17%), plasma membrane integrity (86.31&plusmn;0.62%) and acrosome integrity (94.31&plusmn;1.05%) by standard semen evaluation protocol. Seminal plasma ALT (18.10&plusmn;0.45 U/L), AST (124.04&plusmn;0.86 U/L), ALP (49.98&plusmn;0.38 U/L), LDH (216.36&plusmn;1.78 U/L), GSH-Px (10.90&plusmn;0.21 U/ml), MDA (2.14&plusmn;0.05 nmol/ml), albumin (2.29&plusmn;0.03 gm/dl), globulin (2.52&plusmn;0.02 gm/dl), total proteins (4.81&plusmn;0.05 gm/dl), calcium (11.07&plusmn;0.18 mg/dl) and phosphorus (12.34&plusmn;0.20 mg/dl) were determined spectrophotometrically. Two tailed Pearson&rsquo;s correlation was applied to check the relationship among the above attributes.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> A significant correlation was observed among the biochemical constituents of seminal plasma and seminal attributes of Pantja bucks. The selected biochemical constituents also showed significant correlation with each other.</div>


<p>Correlation of Certain Biochemical Constituents of Seminal Plasma with Semen Characteristics in Pantja Buck</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>The selection of breeding bulls based on the association of sexual behaviour, seminal attributes and conception rate are more important and economical. However, information on association of sexual behaviour and seminal attributes with fertility in buffaloes particularly with reference to Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls is meager.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The study was carried out to assess the association of sexual behaviour and seminal attributes with first service conception rate (FCR) of Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls. A total of 192 semen ejaculates were evaluated and cryo-preserved. First AI conception rate (FCR) was carried out on 800 Jaffarabadi female buffaloes inseminated with frozen-thawed semen and pregnancy was confirmed by per rectal palpation at 2 months post-insemination.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The results indicated that both sexual behaviour and seminal attributes were associated with fertility in Jaffarabadi buffalo bulls.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>


<p>Sexual Behaviour and Seminal Attributes Associated with Fertility of Jaffarabadi Buffalo Bulls</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Kachchhi-Sindhi horses are famous for their &lsquo;Rewal chal&rsquo; (a unique style of running). These horses dominantly exist in the western-northern border of India adjoining Pakistan. The breeding tract of these horses is Surat, Navsari, Kachchh district of Gujarat and Jaisalmer-Barmer districts of Rajasthan in India. Most familiar colors in the Kachchhi-Sindhi horses are bay and chestnut. Roman nose, ears curved at tips but not touching each other, short back, short pastern length, broader hoof for better grip and docile temperament are major characteristics of these horses.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The present study is an effort to phenotypically characterize Kachchhi-Sindhi horse breed based on their different biometric indices for selection and conservation of stallions and mares for breeding purposes by private breeders. Fourteen biometric indices were recorded for phenotypic characterization of each breed viz., height at wither (HW), body length (BL), heart girth (HG), neck length (NL), face length (FL), face width (FW), pole, ear length (EL), ear width (EW), foreleg length (FLL), canon, pastern, hoof length (HoL) and hoof width (HoW). On average, these horses stand 148 cm height, have a body length of ~140 cm, a heart girth of ~165 cm, an ear length of ~15 cm and a face length of ~61 cm.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Horse keepers sustain horses in intensive as well as an extensive system of rearing. It has also been ascertained from various sources that horse number is declining rapidly, however, breed population statistics are not available. There is, therefore, an urgent need to conserve this breed. Proper managemental practices and conservation efforts will pave the way for the multiplication of this valuable equine genetic resource of India.</div>


<div>Phenotypic Characterization of Kachchhi-Sindhi Horses of India</div>


<p><strong>Background:</strong> Stallion sperms are very sensitive to cryopreservation. Free radicals generated during cryopreservation lead to spermatozoa membrane damage, decline in their viability and change the activity of cysteine cathepsins. On the other hand, cathepsins may involve in the utilization of oxidatively modified proteins. The present study was conducted to assess cysteine cathepsins activity and level of oxidatively modified proteins in seminal plasma of stallions with a low (&lt;30%) and normal (&gt;30%) percentage of live spermatozoa post cryopreservation&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 33 breeding stallions comprising 6 stallions of the Budennovskaya breed, 22 Arabian breed, 4 Soviet Heavy-Draft and 1 Bashkir breed. We assessed standard quality parameters in fresh and cryopreserved sperm, as well as cysteine cathepsins B,L,H activity, the level of oxidatively modified proteins in stallions seminal plasma with a low (&lt;30%) and normal (&gt;30%) percentage of live spermatozoa post cryopreservation.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The group with a low percentage of live spermatozoa was characterized by decreased sperm quality, increased level of aldehyde dinitrophenylhydrazones (p=0.045) and ketone dinitrophenylhydrazones (p=0.049) of a neutral nature, as well as increased activity of cathepsin L (p=0.029). Evaluation of activity of cathepsin L and the concentration of oxidatively modified proteins in the seminal plasma can serve as a marker in the selection of stallions for sperm cryopreservation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


<p>Thiol Cathepsins and Oxidative Modification of Stallion&rsquo;s Seminal Plasma Proteins with Normal and Low Percentage of Live Spermatozoa Post Cryopreservation</p>


<div>The existing literature sans a collective picture of minerals and seminal plasma proteins in cow bulls having major sperm morphological defects. &nbsp;The present study involved six Jersey bulls imported from Denmark as calves. After sexual maturity, two bulls (Ab1 and Ab2; collectively as Ab) repeatedly exhibited abnormal spermiogram. The major sperm morphological abnormalities in Ab1 and Ab2, respectively, were Dag defect (32 and 27%), distal mid &ndash; piece reflex defect (42 and 17%) and coiled tail (11 and 12%). The mineral content of Ca and P was similar between the Ab and N (normal; N1, N2, N3 and N4 - collectively as N); values being higher in seminal plasma than blood plasma in both the groups. Seminal plasma of Ab had high K (indicates membrane damage), high Zn, especially in Ab2 (linked to Dag defect) and low Cu (decreases progressive motility). The seminal plasma proteins revealed absence of 15 kDa protein and weak expression of 25 kDa protein in Ab1. Both proteins are associated with sperm motility, viability and morphological abnormalities. In conclusion, the semen with abnormal sperm morphology also exhibited altered mineral content and seminal plasma proteins, which corroborates to their respective roles in seminology.</div>


<div>Evaluation of certain minerals and seminal plasma proteins in Jersey bulls having major sperm morphological defects</div>


<div><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong>Artificial insemination with chilled sperm is a reproductive biotechnology often used in horse breeding. However, maintaining the acceptable sperm quality after cooling, which affects the frequency of pregnancy, remains an urgent problem at the present time. Therefore, clarifying the role of important physiological metabolites, such as L-carnitine and nitric oxide, is a significant aspect in terms of possible improvement of the quality of cryopreserved sperm.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 35 breeding stallions, 27 of which were stallions of the Arabian breed and 8 were of the Soviet heavy draft breed. The content of total, free and bound carnitine and NO metabolites was determined by photometric method in the samples of seminal plasma and blood plasma. The correlation coefficient between the content of L-carnitine and the level of NO metabolites was also determined.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>We have found a direct moderate correlation between the level of total and free L-carnitine in the seminal plasma and blood plasma. The study has also revealed a positive correlation between the level of all L-carnitine fractions and NO metabolites in seminal plasma. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the total L-carnitine of blood plasma and NO metabolites in seminal plasma.</div>


<p>​Study of the Relationship between the Levels of L-carnitine and NO Metabolites in Blood Plasma and Seminal Plasma in Stallions</p>


<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background:</strong> Chicken represents a valuable genetic resource and protein source, it remains a potential threat to human health as they serve as a reservoir for diseases and food borne pathogens. Diversification of the poultry production is one of the viable options to enhance the food production with less susceptibility to the threats from the emerging diseases and changing climatic conditions. Ducks are promising species suitable for the diversification and will be complimentary with an adaption potential from small to commercial farming. Majority of ducks in the country are desi type with a meagre proportion of improved duck strains.&nbsp; genetic characterization by developing duck specific microsatellite markers and designing suitable improvement program are required to be undertaken at the earliest. The microsatellite markers are extensively used for assessing genetic structure, diversity, and relationships. Information about genetic diversity of indigenous duck breeds is important to design effective improvement and conservation strategies. Therefore, the current studies aim at genetic characterization and evaluation of growth, production and reproduction traits of the crosses of local duck population besides undertaking a suitable duck improvement program.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong>&nbsp;Spectrophotometric evaluation of DNA extraction,&nbsp; Electrophoretic evaluation of DNA extraction , microsatellite primers- Presently, a panel of 10 informative duck microsatellite markers were identified from database as reported by <a href="#alyethodi_2010">Alyethodi and Kumar (2010)</a> and <a href="#huang_2006">Huang <em>et al.,</em> (2006)</a> and used for the studies, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) , Documentation of PCR products by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, Metaphor agarose gel electrophoresis(MAGE)of microsatellites alleles, Determination of molecular size of microsatellite alleles and genotypes, Statistical analysis of population genetics data, Data on genotype of all experimental birds at ten microsatellites were compiled and analyzed using POPGENE<sup>&reg;</sup> 3.1 software (<a href="#yeh_1999">Yeh <em>et al</em>., 1999</a>) for their population genetics parameters.<br />
<br />
<strong>Results</strong>: The study was conducted at College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.&nbsp; In this study, the genomic DNA was isolated and characterized microsatellite loci in crossbred&nbsp; duck (<em>Pati x White Pekin</em>). Ten&nbsp; microsatellites were used to detect polymorphisms in 50 cross bred ducks. A total of 28 nos of alleles were observed and all loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 5 with an average of 2.6 &plusmn;0.08 per microsatellite locus. The observed and expected heterozygosity of these polymorphic makers ranged from 0.00 to 0.42 &nbsp;with an average number of 0.047 &nbsp;and 0.41 to 0.82 with an average number of 0.57, respectively. &nbsp;The Polymorphic markers consist of observed heterozygosities of loci were less than 0.50. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of 10 loci ranged from 0.32 to 0.78 with an average of 0.477. Microsatellite markers will be useful tool for constructing the genetic linkage map of the duck as well as comparative mapping with the chicken.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>


<p>Characterization of Microsatellite Markers in Crossbred Ducks</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Cryopreservation is an invaluable technique yet it is also known to be detrimental to sperm function and fertility due to cryo-injury and concomitant generation of reactive oxidants. During laboratory manipulation for the cryopreservation and freeze-thaw process, spermatozoa undergo osmotic stress, ionic imbalance, metabolic decoupling, membrane phase transition, destabilization of the cytoskeleton and antioxidant depletion which communally hampers the semen quality.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> With the aim of determining implications of cryopreservation and storage, semen samples were collected by artificial vagina technique from 12 Murrah bulls and subsequently examined at 0 hour (before cryopreservation) and at 24 hour, 1 month and 2 month of storage for various seminal attributes. Simultaneously seminal plasma was separated and preserved at -20<sup>o</sup>C till the analysis of biochemical indicators of semen quality <em>viz</em>., nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant quantity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation status (TBARS).&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> A sharp reduction (p&lt;0.01) in the semen quality was observed only at 24 h after cryopreservation except for viability. Significant reduction (p&lt;0.05) in viable counts was observed up to 1 month interval. The capacitated sperm percentage was greater (p&lt;0.01) in the cryopreserved semen as compared to fresh ejaculate. The mean&plusmn;SE levels of NO (&mu;mol/L), TAC and TBARS (Units/ml) was 2.31&plusmn;0.27, 0.73&plusmn;0.04 and 1.11&plusmn;0.16 respectively in seminal plasma of neat semen stored at -20<sup>o</sup>C, while the values in the extended seminal plasma after cryopreservation was 2.37&plusmn;0.31, 0.44&plusmn;0.03 and 0.65&plusmn;0.03 respectively. So it can be inferred that most of the damage encountered by spermatozoa is during the initial period of freezing, but the damage associated by various stressors cannot be ignored.</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">Time Dependent Impact of Reactive Oxidants on Seminal Attributes of Murrah Bull during Cryopreservation and Storage</div>


<p style="text-align: justify;">Majority of the Kargil sheep populations are indigenous. Very scanty information is available for morphological characterization of Purky sheep population. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objectives to study the morpho-metric characteristics and body measurements for phenotypic characterization of the local sheep. A stratified random sample survey was conducted on various parameters (horn size, tail size, chest girth, punch girth, body length, height at wither and body weight) in seven different age groups. Data were collected randomly from 510 sheep of either sex. The local sheep population of Kargil which was selected for the present investigation is named as &lsquo;Purky&rsquo; by the name of the community that reared this breed. In Purky sheep white body colour was predominant in both the sexes. The sheep breed was of low to medium body weight. The chest girth, punch girth, height at withers of Purky sheep showed it to be medium sized. Sex had significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on height at wither only. For males the least squares means were higher for all the traits of all age groups baring few exceptions. The phenotypic correlations of age groups with different morpho-metric traits were very high. The phenotypic correlations of &nbsp;body weight with other body measurements like tail size, chest girth, paunch girth, body length and height at wither were very high. Further studies should be carried out to fully exploit their genetic potential and to register the breed and in-situ conservation of this population.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Proteins and Heparin Binding Proteins of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Beetal Bucks: Purification, Characterization and Role in In vivo Fertility

Correlation of Certain Biochemical Constituents of Seminal Plasma with Semen Characteristics in Pantja Buck

Sexual Behaviour and Seminal Attributes Associated with Fertility of Jaffarabadi Buffalo Bulls

Phenotypic Characterization of Kachchhi-Sindhi Horses of India

Thiol Cathepsins and Oxidative Modification of Stallion’s Seminal Plasma Proteins with Normal and Low Percentage of Live Spermatozoa Post Cryopreservation

Evaluation of certain minerals and seminal plasma proteins in Jersey bulls having major sperm morphological defects

Study of the Relationship between the Levels of L-carnitine and NO Metabolites in Blood Plasma and Seminal Plasma in Stallions

Characterization of Microsatellite Markers in Crossbred Ducks

Time Dependent Impact of Reactive Oxidants on Seminal Attributes of Murrah Bull during Cryopreservation and Storage

Phenotypic characterization of Purky sheep population of Kargil district