Ascorbic acid in buffalo ovary in relation to oestrous cycle.

Concentration of ascorbic acid was determined in different parts of buffalo ovary at four different stages of oestrous cycle viz. early luteal, mid luteal, late luteal and follicular. The stages were decided from the physical and morphological examinations of corpora lutea. The ovary was dissected in three components viz. corpus luteum, follicular fluid and ovarian stromal tissue for ascorbic acid assay. Corpus luteum showed significant change in concentration of ascorbic acid with the advancement of oestrous cycle, value being highest in late- luteal stage. Follicular fluid and ovarian stromal tissue did not show significant changes in ascorbic acid at any stage of the oestrous cycle. Small follicles, irrespective of the stage of oestrous cycle had, however, significantly higher ascorbic acid content than large follicles.

Ovarian response and endocrine changes in buffalo superovulated at midluteal and late luteal stage of the estrous cycle: a preliminary report.

A study was designed to determine whether superovulatory and endocrine responses in buffalo differ when gonadotropin treatment is initiated at midluteal and late luteal stages of the estrous cycle. Twenty-eight buffalo were randomized into 4 groups (A, B, C and D). Buffalo in Groups A and B (n = 8 each) were superovulated with Folltropin (total dose 25 mg) and Lutalyse. Treatments in Group A were initiated between Days 8 to 10 (midluteal group) and in Group B between Days 13 to 15 (late luteal group) of the estrous cycle. Buffalo in Groups C and D (n = 6 each) were not superovulated and served as controls. Blood samples from all groups of buffalo were collected daily for plasma progesterone and estradiol determinations. The number of corpora lutea (CL) and unovulated follicles was recorded (following per rectum palpations) 5 or 6 d post-estrus. Buffalo in Groups A and B exhibited estrus in larger proportions and earlier (49.33 +/- 3.82 h and 46.67 +/- 2.46 h, respectively) than the control Groups C and D (77.33 +/- 5.33 h and 78.0 +/- 3.83 h, respectively). Mean number of CL was higher in Group B (3.38 +/- 0.46) than in Group A (2.25 +/- 0.75), however,the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Plasma progesterone concentrations on the day of treatment were higher in late luteal superovulated and control groups than in midluteal superovulated and control groups. In both Groups A and B progesterone levels were significantly related (r = 0.78,0.76; P < 0.05) to the number of CL palpated after the superovulatory estrus. Progesterone levels on the day of estimation of ovarian response were approximately 4 times higher in Groups A and B than in Groups C and D. Peak estradiol concentrations were approximately twice as high in superovulated groups as in control groups.

Changes in serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, estradiol-17 beta, progesterone levels and egg production in hypocholesterolemia induced Japanese quails Coturnix coturnix japanica.

Mature healthy female Japanese quails injected (i.p.) with gemfibrozil at two dose levels for 1,2,3 and 4 weeks induced hypocholesterolemia as observed by the serum cholesterol concentration which was more severe with the higher dose. Liver and ovarian cholesterol contents decreased in 3rd and 4th week of the treatment. Significant (P > 0.05) increase in serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) level were observed between 3rd and 4th week while serum estradiol-17 beta and progesterone levels declined continuously from Ist week till the termination of the treatment. The quantity and quality of the eggs produced by the treated quails were inferior. These results indicate that induction of hypocholesterolemia impaired the reproductive efficiency of quails.

Gonadotrophin-induced ovulation in melengestrol acetate treated female goat.

Adult, Black Bengal goats synchronized to oestrus with Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) could be subjected to superovulation with 1000 IU of the Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG). However, with 500 IU of PMSG higher rate of ovulation observed only in goats above one year age was not significant. Results indicate that the successful superovulation in MGA synchronized goats depend both on the dosage of the PMSG, as well as upon the age of the treated animal.

Studies on physiology & biochemistry of cervix: response of rat cervix to a continuous low dose of megestrol acetate.

PIP: The long-term (12 months) effects of a continuous daily dose (1.5 mcg per animal) of megestrol acetate on the physiology and biochemistry of the rat cervix is described. Megestrol acetate treatment resulted in a decline in dry matter, protein, lactic acid, and acid phosphatase activity. Glycogen, phospholipid, and alkaline phosphatase also diminished but the difference was not statistically significant. Megestrol acetate caused vertical disappearance of the superficial keratinized layers of the epithelium.^ieng

Long-term effect of a continuous low dose of megestrol acetate on the genital organs and fertility of female rats.

PIP: Micro doses (1.5 mcg/rat/day) of megestrol acetate (6-methyl-17beta-acetoxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20 dione) were administered to 16 rats for 1 year to determine the effect on the genital organs and female fertility. No noteworthy ponderal or histologic effect of the genital organs or the pituitary was observed. However, uterus glycogen concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were greatly reduced (versus controls, p.05 and p.01, respectively) while glucose-6-phosphate and lactic dehydrogenase activities increased significantly (versus controls, p.01). In the fertility performance test, 86% of the 14 controls showed positive mating compared with 50% for the treated group. By Day 10 of pregnancy many of the fetuses in the treated group were in the process of resorption. The factors contributing to pregnancy failure were inhibition of mating, implantation failure and fetal resorption.^ieng