<div>Background: Understanding of ovarian follicular dynamics and endocrine regulation is essential to design and use interventions to optimize reproductive efficiency. Bos indicus and Bos taurus cows have some differences in their follicular dynamics and ovarian steroidal hormones. The present study was planned to understand follicular dynamics vis-a-vis ovarian steroids profiles in Sahiwal cattle. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in normal cyclic, pluriparous, non-lactating Sahiwal cows (n=7). Trans-rectal ultrasonography was performed to record the location, size, number of follicles and size of corpus luteum (CL) from the beginning, till the end of experiment. The dataset was used to characterize the follicular wave emergence, growth, regression, time of selection and ovulation of the dominant follicle in each cow.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Three Sahiwal cows showed two wave and four cows showed three wave estrous cycles with mean interovulatory length of 20.33&plusmn;0.33 and 22.50&plusmn;0.28 days, respectively. No significant difference was recorded in the maximum diameter of corpus luteum, P4 and E2 plasma levels between 2-wave and 3-wave estrous cycles. The peak progesterone values of 6.00&plusmn;0.91 and 6.2&plusmn;1.2 ng/ml and peak estradiol values of 15.83&plusmn;0.60 and 14.31&plusmn;0.44 ng/ml were recorded in 2-wave and 3-wave estrous cycle, respectively. The results showed that Sahiwal cows had 2-wave and 3-wave estrous cycle and the 3-wave estrous cycle had comparatively longer inter-ovulatory period and smaller maximum diameter of second wave dominant follicle than 2-wave estrous cycle.</div>

Studies on Ovarian Follicular Dynamics and Steroid Profiles in Sahiwal Cattle

<div>Background: One of the major factors affecting the physiology of pregnancy and reproductive cycle is the trace elements intake and their levels in serum of brood ewes and does. The main objective of this investigation was to study the association between serum concentration of trace elements, ovarian findings, stage of pregnancy and steroid hormones in sheep and goats.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Total of 129 ewes (68 pregnant and 61 non-pregnant) and 54 does (32 pregnant and 22 non-pregnant) were examined clinically and ultrasonographically for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring the ovarian findings. Pregnant animals were categorized according to the gestational stage into 1 to 2, &gt;2 to 3, &gt;3 to 4 and &gt; 4 months. According to the ovarian findings, non-pregnant animals were categorized as having mature corpus luteum (CL), large follicle (&gt; 5 mm) and corpus luteum (CL+F), growing follicles (GF, &lt;5.mm) and mature follicle (MF, &gt;5 mm). Animals were bled and serum was harvested and assayed for estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) levels.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Mn (P=0.01), Fe (P=0.05) and Zn (P=0.001) were lower in pregnant compared with non-pregnant ewes. Fe was significantly higher (P=0.03) in non-pregnant compared with pregnant does at any gestational stage. Ewes with MF had higher Se (P=0.02) and Fe (P=0.001) compared with other ewes.&nbsp;Fe (P=0.001) and Zn (P=0.000) were higher in does having MF compared with other does. A positive association between E2 and serum Fe in non-pregnant ewes (P=0.03) and does (P=0.05) was found. It can be concluded that pregnancy associated with a decrease in serum trace elements in sheep and goats.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Trace Elements in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Sheep and Goats and Their Relation to Steroid Hormones

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant Jaffarabadi buffaloes (n=40) of 2-4 parity selected on an organized farm were divided equally into control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 150-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 6 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and PGF2a metabolites on days -45, -30, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 peripartum as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. Half of the buffaloes in both the groups also received parenteral microminerals (Inj. Stimvet 5 ml i/m) twice, 45 days before and on the day of calving. Again half of them were treated with ecbolic (Exapar) 2 boli bid for first 4 days postpartum. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;4 ng/ml) on day 45 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 7 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 15, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 7 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 45 and 60 postpartum. The levels of cortisol were significantly higher on the day of parturition as compared to values on day 7 pre- and post-partum. The plasma concentration of PGFM was low on day 45 prepartum, which increased gradually and significantly by almost 10-folds to reach peak values on the day of calving in both control and treatment groups and then declined gradually and significantly till day 45 postpartum. The rise was little more in nutrients supplemented group with higher mean values at most intervals peripartum than in control group. The periods for uterine involution, first postpartum estrus, and days open were significantly shorter with higher conception rate in nutrient supplemented group. It is concluded that the peripartum nutrient supplementation in Jaffarabadi buffaloes is beneficial and has positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma progesterone and PGFM profile.</div>

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Japanese quail, similar to domestic chicken, is equally sensitive and susceptible to stress but limited literatures are available so far. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of feed withdrawal stress on the changes in reproductive tissues, steroid hormones and gene expression in Japanese quail.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Forty two quail hens (10weeks) were individually caged and subjected to feed withdrawal for a period of 10 days without water restriction. Six birds each were sacrificed on 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 day. The reduction in oviduct weight and serum concentration of steroid hormones was evaluated. The quantitative expression of IGF-1, Caspase-2, Survivin and HSP-70 genes were performed in ovarian follicles using real-time PCR.&nbsp; 
 
Result: No hierarchial follicles were detected after day 6. The ovary and oviduct weight was significantly reduced on day 2 and 4 respectively. The serum estrogen and progesterone were declined significantly when corticosterone was increased from day 1. The IGF-1 gene expression was significantly (P&lt;0.05) down regulated in yellow and atretic follicles. The gene expression of Survivin and caspase-2 was up-regulated in F3 follicle. It concludes feed withdrawal brings noticeable change in reproductive tissues, steroid hormones and associated gene expression in Japanese quail.</div>

Effect of Feed Withdrawal Stress on Reproductive Tissue, Sex Steroids and mRNA Expression of IGF-1, Survivin, Caspase 2 and HSP 70 Gene in the Ovarian Follicles of Japanese Quail

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant healthy HF crossbred cows (n=20) of 2-4 parity were equally divided in to control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 100-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 2 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and metabolites on days -14, -3, 0, +3, +14, +28 and +42 as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;6 ng/ml) on day 14 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 3 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 14, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 28 and 42 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 3 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 35 postpartum. However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in either of the hormones, except on day 42 postpartum. The levels of cortisol and PGF2 a Metabolites (PGFM) were 3-8 times higher on the day of parturition as compared to values at day 14 pre- and postpartum, and declined further till day 42 postpartum reaching to prepartum levels. The plasma cholesterol gradually decreased as parturition approached and increased in postpartum days to reach the highest value (p&lt;0.01) at day 42. The nutrients supplemented cows had significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol values than the control cows around parturition. However, no such variation was noted in plasma protein profile. The period of uterine involution in control and supplemented groups was identical (31.97&plusmn;1.82 and 30.27&plusmn;1.41 days), yet the cows in treatment group resumed estrous cycle earlier (38.00&plusmn;1.95 vs 42.32&plusmn;4.14 days, p&lt;0.05) and had shorter service period (85.22&plusmn;7.17 vs 100.67&plusmn;5.60 days) with improved pregnancy rate (80 vs 60 %) as compared to those in control group. Thus, the peripartum nutrient supplementation in crossbred cows was beneficial and had positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol profile.</div>

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows&nbsp;

Background: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a widely known medicinal herb with numerous bioactive compounds that enhance growth, immunity and reproductive performance. This study evaluates the effects of W. somnifera ethanolic extract (WSEE) on growth, gonadal maturation, steroid hormone profiling in Lepidocephalichthys thermalis under controlled conditions. 
 
Methods: Fish were fed diets supplemented with WSEE at different concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) for 70 days. Growth performance, gonadosomatic index (GSI), serum steroid hormone levels and gonadal histology were assessed. 
 
Result: Results demonstrated significant improvements in growth parameters, with the highest weight gain (1.51&plusmn;0.22 g) and specific growth rate (2.26&plusmn;0.22) observed in the 300 mg/kg WSEE group. Additionally, FCR improved across treatments, with the lowest value recorded in the 300 mg/kg group (1.08&plusmn;0.05), indicating enhanced feed utilization efficiency. Steroid hormone analysis revealed a dose-dependent increase in progesterone, estrogen and testosterone levels, with T2 (200 mg/kg) exhibiting the highest concentrations. Histological examination showed enhanced gonadal development, with increased vitellogenic follicles and reduced atretic structures in treated groups. These findings support the use of W. somnifera as a sustainable alternative to synthetic hormones in aquaculture reproduction management.

Impact of Withania somnifera Supplementation on Growth, Reproduction and Hormonal Profile of Lepidocephalichthys thermalis in Captivity

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Chinese pond turtle (CPT, Mauremys reevesii) is a typical species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Pond slider turtle (PST, Trachemys scripta) is considered one of the worst invasive species in the world. In order to analyze the adaptive evolution of fecundity traits in CPT and TSD, the rapidly evolving gene families were obtained and functional enrichment analysis was performed. At the same time, CPT and PST species-specific genes were also enriched for their fecundity traits. 
 
Methods: Orthofinder software was employed to search homologous genes based on protein sequence. CAF&Eacute; software was used to obtain the expansion and contraction gene families of CPT and PST. Then, GO terms and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using TBtools software and Swissprot database.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In CPT, 159 rapid expansion gene families GO enrichment results showed that the reproductive activities related pathways were mainly three significant enrichment process, spermatogenesis, steroid hormone mediated signaling pathway and male gamete generation. 2 rapidly contraction gene families showed that there was no significant enrichment pathway related to reproduction. The pathway of significant enrichment were RNA biosynthetic process, regulation of RNA metabolic process and regulation of cellular metabolic process. The gene families unique to the species were significantly enriched in pathways DNA replication-dependent nucleosome organization, DNA replication-dependent nucleosome assembly and negative regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation. In PST, 15 rapid expansion gene families GO enrichment results showed that the most significant GO terms mainly consisted of biological processes which were involved in endocrine process, regulation of endocrine process and cellular response to steroid hormone stimulus, but spermatogenesis and male gamete generation gene families also expanded. 58 rapidly contraction gene families showed that the pathways of significant enrichment were endocrine process, cellular response to steroid hormone stimulus and regulation of endocrine process. At the same time, estrogen secretion, binding of sperm to zona pellucida and sperm-egg recognition gene family also rapidly contraction. The gene families unique to the species were significantly enriched in pathways adenylate cyclase-activating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, double-strand break repair and regulation of potassium ion transport.</div>

Comparison of Fecundity Traits between Mauremys reevesii and Trachemys scripta based on Gene Family Analysis

The present study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of Koi carp, Cyprinus carpio exposed to different light spectra using light-emitting diodes, LEDs: blue (peak at 450nm), green (530 nm), yellow (580nm) and red (630nm) within a visible light under long photoperiod (16h, light : 8h, dark) at &raquo;0.9 W/m2 light intensity. White fluorescent light (simulated natural photoperiod, SNP) was used as control. The last 30 days of total experimental period (120 days), fishes from all the groups were uniformly exposed to green-LED light to assess the reproductive recovery. The highest levels of both male and female GSI, ova diameter, VTG and sex steroid hormones on 90th day were recorded in green-LED fish group. In case of male the highest concentration of 11-KT hormone was also found in green-LED fish group on 90th day. Yellow and red-LED fish groups showed significant lower level of above parameters compared to control (SNP) group. Yellow and red-LED fish group showed significant retrieval in gonadal maturation during the recovery period. Therefore, the present study indicates that green light accelerates gonadal maturation of koi carp and use of particular spectrum light likely to facilitates the more-energy efficient aquaculture practices.

Effect of LED light spectra on reproductive performance&nbsp;of Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)&nbsp;

<div>Background: In this study, mesenchymal stem cell therapy and the findings were discussed in a bilateral chronic osteoarthritis case in a Cane Corso breed dog. 
 
Methods: A patient was brpought to the clinic with the complaint of lameness, malaise, fear, anxiety and reluctance in running, stair climbing and descending movements. In the orthopedic examination, Art. Genu was found to have pain in flexion and extension movements and on radiological examination, joint space was reduced and bilateral chronic osteoarthritis was found. The patient was sedated and mesenchymal stem cells were injected into both knee joints. These procedures were repeated twice with an interval of three weeks. 
 
Result: The joint space of both knees widened and the joint fluid increased after the treatment. In addition, there was a relief in flexion and extension movements on the both knees. The patient&rsquo;s lameness decreased and he did not experience uneasiness when going up and down the stairs and there was a significant improvement. It was determined that mesenchymal stem cell therapy gave a positive response in the current osteoarthritis case. It has been concluded that this method can be applied as an alternative to steroids, NSAID (Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs) and GAG (Glycosaminoglycan) applications in similar cases.</div>

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in a Case of Bilateral Chronic Osteoarthritis Occurring in Articulatio Genu in a Dog of Cane Corso Breed

<div>Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the common cause of chronic gastrointestinal signs in dogs. The treatment possesses numerous difficulties due to the idiopathic nature of the disease. Conventional steroid therapy usually produces side effects on long term usage. Thus, there is a need for alternative therapies. When compared to human medicine, there is no published data on the use of budesonide and probiotic in the treatment of canine IBD in India. The present study was proposed to compare oral prednisolone, budesonide and probiotics in the management of canine inflammatory bowel disease.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Thirty dogs with idiopathic IBD were selected and randomly grouped. They were subjected to therapy involving prednisolone, budesonide or probiotics. Clinical assessment was performed by calculation of the post treatment Clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) score, faecal score and endoscopy. Biochemical analysis of alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase were done to record side effects of steroid administration.&nbsp; 
 
Result: It was observed from the present study that both prednisolone and budesonide are equally effective in the management of IBD in dogs. Probiotics were found to be less effective when compared to prednisolone and budesonide in the treatment of IBD. 
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