Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

96-101

Authors: B.O. Omontese, P.I. Rekwot, I.U. Ate, J.O. Ayo, M.U. Kawu, J.S. Rwuaan, A.I. Nwannenna, R.A. Mustapha, A.A. Bello

This review is aimed at providing information on current status of oestrus synchronization as a management tool in goats in Nigeria. Oestrus synchronisation is a reproductive tool that enables goat farmers breed their animals within a short pre-determined period. The principle of oestrus synchronisation is chiefly the control of the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and two basic mechanisms are employed. These include the use of prostaglandins or its analogues to shorten luteal life/induce premature luteolysis or the use of exogenous progesterone to prolong luteal life, thereby simulating the activity of natural progesterone produced by the corpus luteum. The latter is advantageous where the reproductive status of the flock is unknown. However, the former is easy to apply and only effective in cycling animals. Pharmaceutical products that have been employed in ES protocols in Nigeria include Lutalyse®, Estrumate®, EstroPLAN®, Fluorogestone acetate®, Sil-Oestrus®, Medroxyl-progesterone acetate®, Synchromate-B®, PMSG®, and more recently, the Controlled Internal Drug Release® (CIDR) devices. Over the last three decades, many attempts have been made at assessing the response of goats to various oestrus synchronisation agents and protocols in Nigeria. However, the low availability of these pharmaceutical agents and cost preclude the widespread use of oestrus synchronisation technique in goat production. The inclusion of gonadotrophins in oestrus synchronisation protocols have been reported to improve oestrus responses in goats, while season has been reported to influence the efficiency of oestrus synchronisation programmes. Increasing the dose levels of exogenous hormones in oestrus synchronisation protocols has caused variable and sometimes inconsistent effects. The effects of combining the male stimulus with exogenous hormones, seasonal variation, extra-label use of products and short-term nutritional manipulation on oestrus responses in goats require further evaluation. It is concluded adoption of oestrus synchronisation practice portends enhanced goat production in Nigeria.

105-110

Authors: I. Onyeso, K.W. Nkpaa, S. Omenihu

Objective To investigate the effect of Citrillus lanatus (C. lanatus) seeds and caffeine on blood glucose levels and testicular functions of alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Methods Alloxan was administered at a single dose of 150 mg/kg BW to induce diabetes. A dose of either 200 mg/kg C. lanatus or 100 mg/kg caffeine or both was administered daily to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for three weeks, after which results were compared with a normal control group and a positive control group that received both alloxan and glybenclamide. Results C. lanatus seeds extract significantly decreases (P < 0.05) blood glucose level and significantly (P < 0.05) increased sperm motility, sperm count, normal sperm morphology, sperm viable cells and testosterone in plasma level of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with C. lanatus seed extract and caffeine. Conclusions The present study showed that co-administration of caffeine and hydromethanolic fraction of C. lanatus seed extract have hypoglycemic effect and may consequently ameliorate the impaired testicular general architecture and inhibits sperm death or testicular damage caused by alloxan-induced diabetes.

116-122

Authors: P. Sushma Reddy, Nazia Begum, Sumith Mutha, Vasudha Bakshi

Objective To investigated beneficial effect of Curcumin (a phenolic curcuminoid derivative from Curcuma longa) in Letrozole induced PCOS in female Wistar rats. Methods Letrozole (1 mg/kg) was administered per orally (p.o) for a period of 21 days for the induction of PCOS, followed by dose of Curcumin (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, p.o) for 15 days using 0.5% w/v CMC as vehicle. Results The administration of Letrozole led to abnormalcy in serum sex steroid profile, lipid profile, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels and depletion in antioxidant activity. Curcumin was able to successfully exert its protective effect by restoring all the parameters to normal and disappearance of cysts in ovaries. Conclusion Curcumin showed beneficial effects in Letrozole induced PCOS in female Wistar rats. Its effect was comparable to that of Clomiphene citrate, most widely used treatment for ovulation induction in PCOS condition.

128-131

Authors: Sneha Panchal, Ramtej J. Verma

Objective To determine the toxic effect of diethanolamine on testicular steroidogenesis and its possible amelioration by curcumin in mice. Methods Adult Swiss strain male albino mice were orally administered with diethanolamine (110, 165 and 330 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days. In another set of experiment, male albino mice were orally administered with curcumin (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) along with diethanolamine (330 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days. On completion of treatment, animals were humanely sacrificed, testis dissected out, blotted free of blood and used for biochemical analysis. The obtained serum samples were analyzed for serum testosterone level. Results Diethanolamine caused significant (P < 0.05), dose-dependent reduction in total lipid and cholesterol contents, activities of 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in testis as well as significant reduction in serum testosterone level. However, co-treatment of curcumin along with diethanolamine caused significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent amelioration in diethanolamine-induced changes in total lipid and cholesterol contents, activities of 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and serum testosterone levels. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that curcumin significantly ameliorates diethanolamine reduced testicular steroidogenesis.

140-143

Authors: Afifi Inayah, Sri Rahayu, Nashi Widodo, Widya Ayu Prasdini

Objective To determine the polymorphism of GDF-9 gene in FH cattle that may affect its interaction with the BMP-15 protein. Method Blood was taken from the jugular vein using 10 mL sterile syringes from ten Friesian Holstein cattle. The DNA were isolated from the whole blood and used as a template to amplify GDF-9 gene. The Amplicon (PCR product) was sequenced to identify the new SNP. The three-dimensional structure of GDF-9 protein was modeled by SWISS-MODEL. The characteristic of the protein structure was analyzed by using projectHOPE. The binding affinity GDF-9 into MBP was examined by PatchDock and FireDock. Results The result indicates a new variant G1358A changed amino acid residue at position 435 from Arginine into Histidine (R453H). In silico analysis using projectHOPE predicted that the variant altered side chain of GDF-9 and changed its interaction with BMP-15. Further study suggested that the polymorphism R453H also reduce the binding affinity of the GDF-9 into BMP-15 from −85.58 kcal/mol (R453) into −80.79 kcal/mol (H453). Conclusion The new variant G1358A at an estrous FH a cattle has potency alter GDF-9 profile that may affect to reproduction performance.

148-155

Authors: K.H. El-Shahat, M.I. Taysser, M.R. Badr, K.A. Zaki

Objective To determine the effect of different concentrations of heparin, caffeine or calcium ionophore and incubation time on motility, hyperactivity (HA) and acrosome reaction (AR) of ram sperm in vitro. Methods Semen samples were collected by artificial vagina from three mature ram. Split fractions (0.1 mL) of the pooled semen were layered under 1 mL of S-TALP medium supplemented with either heparin (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL), caffeine (0.5, 0.75, 1, 2 mg/mL), or calcium ionophore A23187 (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.55 mM/mL). Individual motility, hyperactivity percentage and acrosomal status were recorded at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h post-incubation for all treatments and control. Moreover, they were examined for ability to fertilize sheep oocyte in vitro. Results Heparin, caffeine and calcium ionophore A23187 at a concentration of 75 μg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 1.55 mM/mL respectively can be used as a protocol to provide the best results for in vitro cap citation and acrosome reaction in ram. The penetration rates of rate of oocytes inseminated with spermatozoa treated with calcium ionophore A23187, and heparin were higher as compared with caffeine. Moreover, heparin achieved higher fertilization rates but without significant difference with others. Conclusion The best concentration of heparin, caffeine and ionophore A23187 are 75 μg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 1.55 mM/mL for 3, 1, 4 h incubation respectively and can be used for in vitro fertilization in sheep.

161-170

Authors: Loganathan Kousalya, V. Narmatha Bai

Objective An efficient in vitro plant regeneration protocol for Canscora decussata Schult. (Gentianaceae) (C. decussate), a threatened medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic system of medicine was developed. Seed germination was achieved on MS growth regulator free medium. Methods The nodal explants were excised from the in vitro raised seedlings and inoculated on MS medium supplemented with various plant growth regulators such as BAP, KIN, TDZ and Zeatin individually and in combinations with or without GA3. BAP (2 mg/L) was proved to be effective for multiple shoot induction (30.20 ± 6.53) among the cytokinin tested individually. Addition of NAA (1 mg/L) to cytokinin containing medium resulted in callus, KIN (3 mg/L) with NAA (1 mg/L) produced highest percentage of callus (82%) per explant. Results Among the various combination of cytokinin tested, BAP (0.5 mg/L) in combination with KIN (2 mg/L) induced highest number of multiple shoots (72.10 ± 1.05 shoot per explant). Addition of 1 mg/L of GA3 to the above medium induced highest number of shoots (100.80 ± 3.20) with an average shoot length of 6.98 ± 0.66 cm. Rooting was optimized in half-strength MS medium supplemented with IBA at 1.0 mg/L. The plantlets were successfully transferred to hardening medium containing vermiculite with 83% survival rate. Among the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of wild-grown plants and in vitro regenerants tested, half-MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/L) derived callus has promising activity for total phenolics, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and phosphomolymbdenum assays. Total flavonoid content was found to be high in callus derived from MS medium supplemented with KIN (2 mg/L) in combination with NAA (1 mg/L). Conclusion Our present study suggest that in vitro derived callus of C. decussata represent a promising alternative source to meet the pharmaceutical demands for commercial formulations and the protocol could effectively be applied for the conservation of C. decussata Schult.