Effect of vitamins C or E supplementation to Tris diluent on the semen quality of Awassi rams preserved at 5 ˚C.

The present study was aimed to test the efficacy of adding vitamins C or E to Tris-fructose-egg yolk diluent to increase Awassi ram sperm storage period at 5 ˚C. Semen samples from six mature Awassi rams were used in this study. The semen samples were diluted by Tris-glucose-egg yolk. Diluted semen sample was divided into three parts. The first part was added with 0.9 mg mL(-1) vitamin C, the second part was added with 1 mg mL(-1) vitamin E and the third part was considered as a control without any addition. The diluted semen samples were cooled gradually and preserved at 5 ˚C for five days. Sperms in cooled diluted semen samples were examined for motility, vitality, abnormalities and acrosomal defects every 24 hr for five days. Results of the present study showed an increase in the viability of spermatozoa diluted in the Tris diluent containing vitamins C or E stored at 5 ˚C for 120 hr compared with the control group. There were significant (p < 0.05) effects of vitamins C and E addition to semen diluents on sperm motility as well as the sperm viability in different times of preservation at 5 ˚C. Significant (p < 0.05) higher sperm abnormalities and acrosomal defects values (37.6 ± 1.3% and 71.5 ± 1.1%, respectively) were found after 120 hr incubation in Tris free vitamin C (Control) at 5 ˚C compared with those of containing vitamin C (18.8 ± 1.8% and 52.8 ± 4.3%, respectively). From the results of the present study, it could be concluded, that the addition of antioxidants such as vitamins C and vitamin E to semen preservation media could improve longevity and quality of cooled sperm in Awassi ram semen.

A study on the effect of GnRH administration on the ovarian response and laparoscopic intrauterine insemination of Awassi ewes treated with eCG to induce superovulation.

The effect of GnRH administration on superovulatory response of ewes treated with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in breeding and nonbreeding seasons and the contribution of laparoscopic insemination to the improvement of fertilization and embryo recovery were investigated. Twenty-four nonpregnant Awassi ewes of 3-4 years of age were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 12). Each ewe was treated with a progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponge for 12 days. The following superovulation treatment was used: ewes of group 1 received 1,200 IU of eCG once as an intramuscular injection 48 h prior to sponge withdrawal; ewes of group 2 also received 1,200 IU of eCG once as an intramuscular injection, 48 h prior to sponge withdrawal and after 24 h of sponge removal. Ewes were injected with 80 µg of GnRH. Ewes of groups 1 and 2 were further subdivided into four equal groups (n = 6). Subgroups A and C (superovulated with eCG and eCG plus GnRH, respectively) were mated naturally at least two times with Awassi rams of proven fertility at 8-h intervals. Subgroups B and D (same as A and C) had intrauterine insemination at 44-46 h after sponge removal, under laparoscopic visualization of uterine horns, depositing 1 ml of diluted semen containing 100 × 10(6) motile sperm in the distal portion of each uterine horn. Ovarian response was assessed by determining the number of corpora lutea by laparoscopy at day 6 after mating. Embryo recovery was performed by using a semi-laparoscopic flushing procedure in both uterine horns. Results of the present study showed that ewes treated in breeding season with eCG plus GnRH has a higher number (P < 0.05) of corpora lutea than eCG alone as 7.33 ± 0.54 and 4.33 ± 0.39, respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of corpora lutea in nonbreeding season when ewes treated with eCG and eCG plus GnRH. The number of unovulated follicles was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in eCG treated ewes than in ewes treated with eCG plus GnRH, both in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The number of recovered embryos from ewes treated with eCG plus GnRH and eCG differ significantly (P < 0.05) as 4.32 ± 0.56 and 1.06 ± 0.26, respectively, in the breeding seasons. No significant difference was observed when these hormones used for superovulation in the nonbreeding season. A higher number of unfertilized ova (P < 0.05) was observed in ewes when naturally inseminated than in ewes inseminated using the intrauterine laparoscopic technique. Higher rate of embryo recovery (P < 0.05) was achieved when ewes were inseminated via intrauterine (4.66 ± 0.66) compared with ewes naturally mated (2.16 ± 0.74). The fertilization rate in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 91.5% and 44.8%, respectively. Fertilization failure in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 8.4% and 55.2%, respectively. It could be concluded that administration of GnRH 24 h after sponge removal increased ovulation rate of Awassi ewes treated with eCG for superovulation in the breeding season. The use of eCG to induce superovulation in Awassi ewes combined with laparoscopic intrauterine insemination increases the fertilization rate.

A study on superovulation using FSH and eCG in Awassi ewes.

The present study was conducted to evaluate superovulatory treatments in Awassi ewes by eCG and FSH. High number of unovulated follicles (P < 0.05) was observed in ewes treated with eCG in non-breeding season. It could be concluded that using FSH to induce superovulation in Awassi ewes is better than eCG.

A study on the pathological lesions of oviducts of buffaloes diagnosed at postmortem.

The aims of this study were to study the prevalence of oviduct abnormalities of buffaloes, investigate bacteria accompanying hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx and salpingitis. In addition, the study was designed to investigate the correlation between bacterial infection of the uterus and oviduct lesions in buffaloes. Bacteriological examinations were performed on hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx and salpingitis. Hydrosalpinx was found in 28 (6.9%) cases of which 20 (71.4%) were found unilaterally and 8 (28.6%) bilaterally. Pyosalpinx was recorded in 12 (2.9%). Three cases (0.7%) of oviducts filled with blood were recorded. Obstruction of oviducts was recorded in 5 (1.2%). Adhesions between mesosalpinx and perisalpingeal tissues were observed in 7 (1.7) cases. One case of double oviduct was found in the left side of the tract examined. The most prevalent bacteria recovered from hydrosalpinx were Corynebacterium hemolyticum and Actinomyces bovis, 42.8% and 28.6%, respectively. No correlation was noticed between bacteria isolated from the uterus and hydrosalpinx. The most prevalent bacteria recovered from pyosalpinx were Escherichia coli, Archanobacterium pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, 33.3%, 26.7% and 16.7%, respectively. Higher rates of leukocyte infiltration (P < 0.01) were observed in the uterine discharge and pyosalpinx than hydrosalpinx. In a conclusion, the current study disclosed that oviductal lesions seem to be an important problem in buffalo cows. In addition, there is no correlation between bacteria isolated from uterus and hydrosalpinx. There is a high correlation between bacteria isolated from uterus and pyosalpinx and salpingitis. The occurrence of pyosalpinx and salpingitis is mainly due to bacterial infection. Bacterial isolates from pyosalpinx and salpingitis might be related to ascending infection from the uterus.