Concentrations of steroids and biochemical constituents in follicular fluid of buffalo cows during different stages of oestrous cycle

Follicular fluid samples were collected immediately after slaughter from 197 pairs of buffalo ovaries during different stages of estrous cycle to determine the concentrations of the steroids and other biochemical constituents. Total estrogens, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and total protein levels were found to be higher in proestrus and reached their peak values during estrous phase. Glucose concentrations were maximal during proestrus. On the other h and, testosterone, total corticosteroids and acid phosphatase concentration increased during metestrous and reached their peak levels during the diestrous phase. Alkaline phosphatase levels were higher during diestrous. Rations and correlations between the changes in concentrations of the different follicular steroids were determined

Concurrent changes of plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17B, oestrone sulphate, Corticosteroids and a metabolite of pGF2x throughout pregnancy, around parturition and during postpartum in buffalo cows

Concentrations of plasma progesterone, estradiol-17 beta, estrone sulphate, corticosteroids and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostagl and in F2 alpha were measured in 12 buffalo cows during the whole length of gestation, around parturition and 15 days postpartum. From the results obtained, it was concluded that progesterone, in particular 3 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, is essential for maintaining pregnancy in buffalos and that maturational events leading to parturition are linked with both the luteolytic effect of corticosteroids and the estrogen-stimulated increased synthesis and relase of PGF2 alpha

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone treatment of holstein cows with follicular cysts monitored by skim milk progesterone determination

Progesterone was assayed in skim milk fraction of 38 cystic cows, 26 [68.4%] of which had basal [< 0.5 ng/ml] progesterone concentration and were diagnosed as having follicular cysts. These cows were allotted at random to one of 3 treatments: First, to sham injection of sterile water in 7 cows as controls, second, a single injection [1 mg] of GnRH analog in 8 cows, third, double injections [1 mg] of GnRH analog at 7 day interval in all cows. According to rectal palpation confirmed by skim milk progesterone determination, the double injection group responded well [P <0.05] compared to the single injection and control groups [81.8% vs 62.5% vs 42.9%]. The interval from calving to first insemination, interval from treatment to conception were significantly [P <0.01] shorter in the double- injection group than in the other two groups. Moreover, the conception rate to first insemination was significantly [P <0.05] higher [63.6% vs 37.5% vs 42.9%]. The data provide an evidence for reduction in infertility and reproductive disorders in cystic cows given double injections of GnRH

Effect of acute administration of ethyl alcohol on plasma lipids

In the present work, the effect of acute intravenous administration of ethanol on plasma lipid profile was studied. Ethanol was injected in the inferior vena cava of albino rats of both sexes in a dose of 0.8 gram/rat over one hour. Two and four hours later, blood samples were obtained, analyzed for triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL.C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL.C]. It was found that acute ethanol injection resulted in significant rise in triglycerides, insignificant decrease in cholesterol, HDL.C, phospholipids and LDL.C. These results may be of utmost importance as increasing cardiovascular risks in binge drinkers

Influence of general anaesthesia [thiopental sodium] on progesterone and cortisol levels in pregnant goat serum

Six pregnant Baladi goats were subjected to the application of thiopental sodium as a general anesthetic. It was found that 10 - 15 mg/kg body weight of thiopental sodium in 2.5% solution given i.v. produced light plane anesthesia for about 20 minutes. The effect of general anesthesia on progesterone and cortisol levels was studied before and during the application of anesthesia as well as 0.5, 1, 4, and 24 hours post-anesthesia. Progesterone was determined by radioimmunoassay and cortisol by competitive protein binding reaction. A decrease in progesterone and rise in cortisol was noticed during and post-anesthesia. Out of 13 offspring, four fetuses were aborted 1-2 weeks after the application of anesthesia, six were born dead, two died few hours after birth and one was alive