Cytogenetic analaysis of early stage buffalo embryos matured and fertilized in vitro

The in vitro fertilization technique offers the opportunity to study the karyotype of gametes and early embryos. Follicular buffalo oocytes were matured in TC-199 medium enriched with FCS, fertilized in vitro using thawed frozen buffalo semen and cultured at 38.5°C, 5% CO[2] and high humidity. Chromosome preparations were made from 232 buffalo embryos at 4 - to 8-cell stage after culturing for 48 hr in vitro. Only 74 embryos from 170 fixed embryos provided analyzable chromosome spreads. The percentage of embryos with chromosomal aberrations was 12.16%. The observed abnormal embryos were 5.41% haploid, 4.05% polyploid [2.70% triploid and 1.35% pentaploid] and 2.70 haploid/ diploid mosaicism. It is concluded that cytogenetic analysis of buffalo embryos is valuable for detection of chromosomal abnormalities which hinder the cleavage processes to reach to blastocyst stage

Effect of the seasonal changes on recovery, quality and maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro

The present work aimed to study the effect of seasonal variations on the recovery rate, quality of recovered oocytes and maturation rate of buffalo oocytes in vitro. The effect of culture period on maturation rate was studied. The follicular oocytes were collected from ovarian follicles [2-5 mm in diameter] of slaughtered buffaloes by aspiration method. The recovered oocytes were classified morphologically into three categories [A, B and C]. The selected recovered oocytes [class A and B] were matured in tissue culture medium-199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotics at 39°C, 5% Co[2] and high humidity for two different culture periods [21-24 hr and 25-28 hr]. Cultured oocytes were examined for nuclear maturation. The results indicated that, the average number of buffalo oocytes was 3.33 +/- 0.81 oocytes /ovary, without significant variation between the four, seasons. A higher [p<0.001] percentage of high quality oocytes was obtained in winter, autumn, spring than the summer season, while the percentage of poor quality oocyte [class C] was increased significantly [p<0.01] during summer. Moreover, the percentage of oocyte suitable for maturation decreased in summer than other seasons. The maturation rate of oocytes cultured for 21-24 hr was lowered than that recorded after 25-28 hr incubation period, among different four seasons. It is concluded that the quality of buffalo oocytes but not the recovery rate was affected by the seasonal variations. Increasing in the time of culture period was associated with improving in maturation rate. The high quality oocytes and high maturation rate can be obtained all over the year except summer season after culturing for 25-28 hr in vitro

Effect of dietary energy on the superovulatory response to PMSG treatment, with special reference to embryo quality, metabolic and endocrine response in female goats

Thirty Baladi non lactating, goats were randomly allocated according to their dietary treatments into 3 groups. Group I [Restricted diet], group II [Flushing diet] and group III [High fat diet]. The oestrous cycle were synchronized with progestagen impregnated intravaginal sponges [MPA], for 14 days, followed by injection of PMSG at day 13, and HCG at day 14, for all female goates. At day 5-6 post oestrus, the embryos/ova were recovered surgically and examined for evaluation. The onset and duration of oestrus varied significantly between the groups. It appeared earlier in animals in group II and III than in group I. The total ovarian response, increased in group III and decreased in group II, compared with group I. However, the average number of normal corpora lutea was non significantly affected by feeding regimens. The data also revealed that, the total percentage of transferable embryos [grades 1, 2 and 3] was significantly elevated in groups II and III, compared with group I. Similarly the recovery rate was higher in groups II and III. At day of embryo recovery, the concentrations of serum progesterone have remarkable increase in groups II and III. In addition, the level of estradiol-17beta recorded a peak level at the day of oestrus. This level dropped to record a lowest values at day of embryo recovery. Serum triglycerides, cholesterol and HDL-CH were lowered in feed restricted diet compared with high fat level. Regarding serum insulin concentration, goats received the energy restricted diet had a significant decrease in serum insulin level than those received flushing or high fat diets. It is concluded that the level of dietary energy had a significant effect on the onset and duration of oestrus, ovarian activity and quality of embryos available for transfer, but increased the number of unovulatory follicles

Immunogenetic correlation between blood protein polymorphism and treatment with PMSG and PGf[2alpha] in Buffaloes

23 buffalos [Bubalus bubalis] were treated with 2000 IU PMSG, followed by 25 mg PGF-2 alpha for induction of superovulation. Biochemical polymorphism analysis was done by using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for determination of 4 blood protein systems, albumin [Al], polymorphism [Pa], transferrin [Tf] and post-transferrin [Pt]. From the results obtained it was concluded that there are a positive correlation between plasma progesterone levels and AlA allele and also, between estrous phase and PaA allele frequencies. Determination of these alleles can be used as a tool for predilection of the phase of estrus

Pulmonary complications: Incidence in early versus delayed stabilization of femoral fractures

Sixty nine patients with fracture femur constituted the material for a prospective randomized trial over a two-year period, done in Ismailia General Hospital to study the relation between early versus delayed stabilization of fracture femur on the development of pulmonary complications. The patients were randomly assigned to four groups according to the timing of stabilization [48 hours were taken as a cut off point] and presence or absence of multiple injuries. Measures for outcome were the development of pulmonary complications and hospital stay. It was found that the incidence of pulmonary complications was higher and hospital stay was longer when stabilization of the fractures was delayed, as compared with those who had early stabilization

Some reproductive patterns of the buffalo-cows

Normal physiological reproductive patterns were studied in 10 female Egyptian buffaloes. The results revealed that silent heat represent about 66.6% while intense heat represent a bout 33.3% of the total studied cycles. The length of oestrous cycle averaged 21.34 +/- 2.05 days, whereas, the duration of oestrous phase averaged 14.65 +/- 3.32 hours. The ovulation time recorded averaged 14.46 +/- 2.89 hours and the activity of both ovaries is nearly equal. Blood plasma was analysed for hormonal assay by using radioimmunoassay [RIA] technique. Progesterore concentrations in the blood plasma of buffalo-cows were very low one day before the onset of oestrus to day four of the next cycle [averaged 0.03 ng/ml] and the peak value [5.76 +/- 0.69 ng/ml] recorded at days 13 to 15 of the oestrous cycle. Oestradiol-17B fluctuated between 23.39 +/- 7.84 to 28.16 +/- 11.44 pg/ml throughout the luteal phase [27.04 +/- 9.58 pg/ml] to reach its peak value [52.84 +/- 12.75 pg/ml] at days 17-20 of the cycle

Compartment pressure measure: its value as a diagnostic tool for compartment syndrome of the forearm

Forty consecutive patients with supracondylar fracture of the humerus and fractures of the forearm bones were subjected to measurement of compartment pressure in the forearm. The readings were more with severe injuries, high level fractures and after 12 hours. The value of the measurement was evident in noncooperative patients. The technique used in this work is that of the needle manometry of white side and associates