Effect of time of eCG administration on the fate of ovarian follicle in Holstein heifers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin [eCG] on ovarian follicles at three stages of development [emergence, dominance and early static phases] during the first follicular wave [FFW] in Holstein heifers. Heifers [n=20] were randomly assigned into four experimental groups [n=5 in each group]. Heifers received eCG [500 IU; Folligon®; Intervet, Holland; i.m] a] on the day of follicle emergence [day of ovulation; group 1], b] on the dominant phase [dominant follicle [DF]: the first day in which follicle was observed at >/= 10 mm; group 2, and c] on the early static phase [group 3] of the FFW. Control group heifers did not receive any treatment. Daily ultrasonography was conducted to monitor ovarian structure throughout estrous cycle. All treatment group heifers, regardless of the stage of follicle development, displayed follicle growth after eCG injection. Administration of eCG, in group 1, hastened DF detection and induced co-dominant follicles; whereas, in groups 2 and 3, it delayed DF regression, and increased cycle length compared to control. In all treatment group heifers, DF was present 84 h after eCG injection. Maximum diameter of corpus luteum was larger in eCG treated groups compared to control [P<0.05]. In conclusion, depending on the time of eCG administration throughout the FFW [emergence, dominant and early static phases], co-dominancy, maintenance of DF, enhancement of follicle and corpus luteum growth and increase in estrous cycle length could be observed in Holstein heifers

Isolation and identification of molds flora in external genital tract of healthy mares

Background: Microorganisms are responsible for development of many diseases, which directly or indirectly affect reproductive performance in mares, like various animal species. Fungi are present at mucous membranes of reproductive tract as mycoflora in warm blooded animals

Objectives: The aim of this study was isolation and identification of molds of external reproductive tract in mares

Methods: Samples were collected from genital tract of 151 mares in different ages from horse breeding farms and clubs suburb of Tehran from April to December, 2014. Age, pregnancy, insemination and mating were recorded. Samples were taken by sterile cotton swabs from 3 different sites, [1] vestibule, [2] clitoral fossa and [3] vagina and transferred under cold condition to the laboratory of Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran,Iran. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud glucose agar supplemented with antibiotic [chlor-amphenicol; 0.005] and kept at 30°C for 10-15 days before being considered negative. Fungal identification relied on morphologic and physiologic features. SPSS Version 20 was used for statistical analysis of the data

Results: Totally, 666 filamentous fungi colonies were isolated. Maximum colony [CFUs] were 20 and 37 colonies for each site and horse, respectively. In total, 81.5 percent of mares and 48.3 percent of different sites were positive. The most predominant isolates were Aspergillus spp 362[54.35%], Scopulariop-sis 93[13.96%], Cladosporium 35[5.25%], Penicillium 31[4.65%], Alternaria 26[3.90%], Fusarium 20[3.03%]. Aspergillus took high occurrence with 362 and A. fumigatus with 156 colonies followed by Scopulariopsis 93, Cladosporium 35 and Pencillium 31. A. fumigatus had significant difference among other fungi p<0.05. Among sites, 39.51% for filamentous fungi and 8.17% for both filamentous fungi and yeasts were positive.265

Conclusions: Isolated filamentous fungi could be resident flora of external reproductive tract of mares. These saprophytic pathogen fungi in predisposing conditions could be causative agents of endometritis and infertility in mares

case of perosomus elumbis concurrent with visceral abnormalities in a Holstein calf

Perosomus elumbis is an occasional congenital anomaly of cattle, swine, sheep, and dogs with unknown etiology. This congenital abnormality occurs in both sexes. A dead Holstein calf characterized by musculoskeletal and external genitalia abnormalities was referred to the large animal hospital of University of Tehran. Radiographic evaluation and subsequent dissection revealed that the vertebral column was truncated at the level of first lumbar vertebra [L1]. Moreover, L2-L5, sacrum and coccygeal vertebrae were absent. The dorsum of the lumbosacral region contained only soft tissues. Urogenital tract was incomplete, and it contained agenesis of the ovaries, uterine tubes, cervix, and vulva concurrent with unilateral umbilical artery agenesis. Small and large intestine contained blind-ended sacs. No testes, scrotum, and penis were found. The intact ureter was attached to a thin-walled fluid fill sac. The laboratory finding showed that the pH of the fluid was 6 and contained hemoglobin, white blood cells, bacteria, a few red blood cells, oxalate crystalline, and epithelial cells. It was concluded that the collected fluid was urine. This is the first report of perosomus elumbis in a Holstein calf having a lot of visceral abnormalities in Iran

[Effect of PGF[2] alpha injection on conception rate of insemenated repeat breeder cows during summer warm condition]

It has been demonstrated that heat stress has a detrimental effect on conception rate of dairy cows, via early embryonic death. To reduce heat stress, providing shade, fan, appropriate diet and application of ovulation induction agents [GnRH and hCG] is recommended. Endogen PGF[2]alpha has positive effect on ovulation. Repeat Breader. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of PGF[2] alpha injection on reproductive performance of Repeat Breader [RB] dairy cows in heat stress condition at artificial insemination [AI]. This study was conducted in two large dairy farms in Tehran province during the summer 1386-87. All cows were inseminated [A M -PM] based on heat detection at 12 hours after observed standing heat. Mean temperature and humidity were recorded throughout the study. In this study 150 RB cows were randomly divided into three groups. Group A [n=50] received PGF[2] alpha simultaneously with AI, group B [n=50] received GnRH at the time of AI and group C [n=50] did not receive any treatment and served as control. Based on rectal palpation on 40-50 days of AI, 5 cows of group A, 9 of group B and 10 group C were pregnant. There were not any significant differences among groups [p>0.05]. The results revealed that simultaneous using of PGF[2]alpha or GnRH with AI has no beneficial effects on conception rate in RB cows

Efficacy of using GnRH antagonist as pretreatment on super ovulation in goats

The effect of short term usage of GnRH antagonist as pretreatment on superovulation in goats was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and showed that usage of GnRH antagonist as pretreatment can improve number of recovered embryos [p < 0.05], but there were no statistically difference between treatment group versus control group in term of number of corpura lutea and cystic follicles[p > 0.05]. This study showed that usage of GnRH antagonist can improve superovulatory response in term of embryo recovery in goats

[Survey on pregnancy rate in synchronized dairy cows by selectsynch]

To evaluate pregnancy rate in synchronized dairy herd by Selectsynch procedure and PG. Experimental Study. Three hundred and seventy four dairy cows were randomly allocated to three groups: selectsynch, synchronized with PG and spontaneous heat. All cows were cleaned at day 30 after parturition and allocated to the following groups: synchronization by select synch- insemination [n=139], synchronization by PG- insemination [n=125] and natural heat-insemination [n=110]. Pregnancy was diagnosed at days 42-50 after insemination. Chi-square test. For these methods pregnancy rate were 54 percent, 44.8 percent and 46.4 percent, respectively. Moreover there were not any significant difference among them. Since selectsynch made an acceptable pregnancy, it can be recommended for dairy herds

Prevalence of bacterial mastitis in cattle from the farms around Tehran

To determine the prevalence of bacterial mastitis in cattle, milk samples positive for California mastitis test [CMT] were cultured during a period of almost 4 years. The bacterial species isolated from 2904 milk samples studied were coagulase negative Staphylococcus sp. in 879 [30.27%] samples, Streptococcus agalactiae in 642 [22.11%], 5. dysgalactiae in 332 [11.43%], E. coli in 295 [10.16%], Staphylococcus aureus in 84 [2.89%], Bacillus cereus in 51 [1.76%], Arcanobacterium pyogenes in 31 [1.07%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 6 [0.21%], Klebsiella pneumoniae in 4 [0.14%], Pasteurella multocida in 1 [0.03%] and Mycoplasma sp. in another [0.03%] sample. No growth was found in 578 samples [19.90%]. Thirty-one [37%] of 84 animals which were infected with S. aureus, had acute infection. We found that contamination of milk with coagulase negative staphylococci are the most frequent bacterial infection in dairy cattle around Tehran; it mostly causes subacute form of the disease. S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae and E. coli are the second, third and the fourth causative agents

influence of foal heat oxytocin injection with or without lunging in foal heat on conception rate in mares with intrauterine fluid accumulation

To study the effect of oxytocin injection and also oxytocin plus lunging on intrauterine fluid reduction and conception rate in mares with intrauterine fluid accumulation. Experimental study. A total of 45 mares, 8-14 years old. Among the mares in foal heat, 45 mares with more than 1 cm2 fluid in their uterus [evaluated by ultrasonography] were selected and categorized randomly in 3 groups as follow: Group 1: Without treatment [control]. N=17. Group 2: Oxytocin injection [15 iu, IV], one daily, up to the end of foal heat [first injection on the 2[nd]day of foal heat]. N=14. Group 3: Treatment as group 2 plus lunging for 20-30 minutes, initiated 60 minutes after oxytocin injection [to evaluate the effect of lunging in association with oxytocin on uterine drainage]. N=14 Results: Reduction of uterine fluid after treatment was 71.4% and 98.9% in group 2 and 3 respectively compared with 17.6% in control group [P<0.05]. The total conception rate in 3 groups with uterine fluid less than 1 cm[2][61.5%] was significantly more than the total one in 3 groups with uterine fluid > 1 cm[2][26.3%][P<0.05]. Lunging and or oxytocin injection in mares with intrauterine fluid accumulation in foal heat can improve conception rate in next estrus