Follicle-stimulating hormone-induced rescue of cumulus cell apoptosis and enhanced development ability of buffalo oocytes.

The effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on apoptotic status of cumulus cells, expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic genes, and development rate of in vitro fertilization-produced buffalo embryos were investigated. FSH supplementation in in vitro maturation-medium resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the expression of proapoptotic genes namely, BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), cytochrome c, and caspase-3 and increase in the expression of antiapoptotic genes such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in cumulus cells of mature oocyte. Cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst development rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 5 and 10-µg/mL FSH-supplemented groups as compared with control. Significant increase in the expression of FSH receptor messenger RNA was also found with 5 and 10-µg/mL FSH (P < 0.05). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay confirmed that the population of apoptotic cumulus cells of matured oocytes was reduced in the FSH-treated groups as compared with control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest that FSH may attenuate apoptosis in cumulus cells via mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway by increasing XIAP expression, resulting in a more favorable ratio of BCL2/BAX expression and decreasing the cytochrome c and caspase-3 expression, eventually contributing to developmental competence of oocytes. The information generated will help in improving the in vitro embryo production program in buffalo.

The effects of protein dietary supplementation on fecal egg counts and hematological parameters in goat kids with subclinical nematodosis.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with different levels of protein on fecal egg counts and hematological parameters in goat kids with subclinical nematodosis under semi-intensive condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 goat kids (3-5 months old with an average body weight of 8.90 kg) were randomly allocated to four groups: T1, served as a negative control, without receiving concentrate feed, and T2, T3, and T4 that received concentrate feed containing 16, 20, and 24% digestible crude protein, respectively. The experiment was carried out for 60 days. RESULTS: In this study, protein supplementation had a significant (p<0.05) effect on fecal egg counts even after 15 days; hemoglobin (Hb) (g/dl) after 45 days; total leukocyte count (10(3)/mm(3)) and total erythrocyte count (10(6)/mm(3)) after 30 days; packed cell volume (%), lymphocyte (%), and eosinophil (%) after 15 days of supplementation, whereas monocyte (%) and neutrophil (%) values were not significantly influenced by protein supplementation effect during the entire experiment. The values of mean corpuscular volume (fl) were affected significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) due to protein supplementation after 30 days, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) (pg) after 45 days, but MCH concentration (g/dl) was not significantly different among the experimental groups during the entire experiment. CONCLUSION: The dietary supplementation with different levels of protein significantly improved the hematological profiles and inhibited the nematodosis infection in the experimental goat kids.