Superovulatory response and embryo recovery after treatment with different gonadotrophins during induced luteal phase in Camelus dromedarius.

Superovulation, embryo recovery and transfer were attempted in 19 dromedary camels of about 6-10 years of age, and having calved at least once. Superovulation was done using two commercially available porcine FSH preparations, FSH-I (II donors) and FSH-2 (8 donors) during a luteal phase created by inducing ovulation with hCG. The superovulatory response was assessed by ultrasonography. The embryo recovery was attempted non-surgically in sitting position on day 8 and day 7 after first mating in one FSH-1 and one FSH-2 group, respectively. Considerable individual variation in response to the superovulatory stimulus was observed. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of superovulatory response and embryo recovery (p > 0.05). In total 30 embryos were recovered from 17 donors (1.51 embryos/donor). Recipients were synchronized with donors using hCG. Eight embryos were transferred, resulting in two pregnancies and live births.

Use of real-time ultrasonography for control of follicular activity and pregnancy diagnosis in the one humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) during the non-breeding season.

Ovaries of 16 adult pleuriparous, non-pregnant and non-lactating one humped female camels (Camelus dromedarius) belonging to National Research Centre on Camel, at Bikaner, India, were examined for the presence of follicular activity (< or = 0.5 cm diameter) using real-time ultrasonography during June-August, which is considered to be non-breeding season in India. Follicles > or = 1.0 cm diameter were found in eight females. These animals were mated with virile studs. In four out of eight camels pregnancy was confirmed by progesterone assay and ultrasonography. The study shows that pre-ovulatory follicle may develop in some female camels during June-August (non-breeding season in India) and successful pregnancies may be achieved after mating of individual animals during this period.

Induction of sexual activity in female camels during the nonbreeding season.

Sixteen anestrous adult female camels (Camelus dromedarius ) in good health and with inactive ovaries were selected from the herd during the month of June (non-breeding season). The camels were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. To induce ovarian activity, camels in Groups I,II and III were given an intramuscular injection of 250 mg hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate followed by 1000 IU eCG on days 2 and 3 of treatment. The camels were mated on Day 5 after the last eCG injection. Ovulation in Groups II and III was induced by intravenous administration of 3000 IU hCG and 40 mcg GnRH, respectively. Group IV was administered saline and served as the control. Periodic examinations per rectum were performed to explore the status of the ovaries. Blood samples were collected at 8 different stages and sera were analyzed for estradiol 17-B and progesterone using specific RIA kits. All camels in the control and treated groups were mated successfully. Levels of estradiol 17-B did not exhibit any particular trend. Blood progesterone levels suggested ovulation in 2 camels (50%) in Group I and in 3 camels (75%) in each of Groups of II and III. This was confirmed by presence of CL in the ovary during per rectum examination. No camel ovulated in the control group. One camel conceived in each of Groups I and III.

Hormonal studies in postpartum female camels and their neonates.

The expulsion of the fetus from the mother at parturition necessitates reorganization of the endocrine status in both individuals. In this study, the patterns of hormonal changes were investigated in postpartum Dromedary camels and their neonates. Blood samples were recovered within a few hours after calving from 10 female Dromedary camels and their calves, and sampling was continued at varying intervals upto Day 21 post partum. Sera were assayed for progesterone, cortisol and thyroid hormone concentrations by specific radioimmunoassays. Progesterone concentrations in the dams varied between 0.5 and 2.0 ng/ml on the day of calving and declined steadily thereafter to become undetectable by Day 9; progesterone remained undetectable in the neonates. Cortisol concentrations were high (25 to 30 ng/ml) at parturition in both the dams and their calves. They declined to 6 to 7 ng/ml in the dams, but became undetectable in the neonates by Day 14 post partum. The thyroid hormones were low in the dams (T4=70; T3=1.6 ng/ml) on Day 1 post partum but then increased gradually to Day 21 (T4=110; T3=2.2 ng/ml). In contrast, thyroid hormone concentrations in the neonates were 4 to 5 times higher than those of their mothers at birth. They declined thereafter but nevertheless remained at almost double the concentrations found in the dams.

Circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones in pregnant camels (Camelus dromedarius ).

Blood samples from 16 female camels were collected at monthly intervals commencing from 60 d post. breeding until the last month of gestation. Two camels failed to conceive and two had unnoticed abortions. The average gestation period was 398+/-13 and 372+/-11 in camels bearing male and female fetus, respectively, with an overall mean of 383+/-9 d. Sera were analyzed for thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) by radioimmunoassay. Mean T(4) and T(3) concentrations varied from 76 to 116 ng/ml and 0.73 to 1.32 ng/ml, respectively, during various stages of gestation. In general, the T(4) and T(3) levels were higher during early pregnancy, with lowest values in the tenth month. T(4):T(3) ratio showed minor, nonsignificant fluctuations. Age of dam of sex of fetus had no effect on hormone levels. Similarly, hormone levels were not affected by failure of conception or by abortion.

Serum electrophoretic pattern of chickens vaccinated with R2B (Mukteswar) and F strain of Newcastle disease virus.

Sera from NDV (Mukteswar and F strain) vaccinated chickens of various age groups were subjected to paper, starch-gel and immunoelectrophoresis. An increase in total serum protein, gamma globulin, alpha globulin, and a decrease in beta globulin and albumin concentrations was observed in adult birds. The concentration of the various serum proteins varied widely depending upon the age of the other test birds. IgM and IgG band characteristics did not differ in sera from vaccinated and unvaccinated birds. The one transferrin band observed in the sera from unvaccinated chickens was not observed when chickens were vaccinated with the R2B vaccine. However, this transferrin band was again observed in the sera of chickens revaccinated with the R2B. No such changes were evident in the sera of chickens vaccinated with F strain only or followed by an R2B vaccination.