In the present study, we evaluated the sustaining effect of various glutathione (GSH) concentrati... more In the present study, we evaluated the sustaining effect of various glutathione (GSH) concentrations in extender on rabbit sperm attributes during storage at 5°C for 24 h. Semen was collected from regular donor rabbit bucks using an artificial vagina and initially evaluated for sperm quality. The qualifying ejaculates were diluted with one of the extenders having 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mM GSH, to achieve a final concentration of 1×108 sperm/mL. The extended samples were stored at 5°C for 24 h. Sperm motility, motion kinetics, acrosome integrity and viability were assessed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 h of storage. The results showed that total sperm motility and sperm motion kinetics (oscillation index of the sperm, straightness index and beat cross frequency) were influenced (P<0.05) by glutathione dose and refrigeration time. An interaction of (P<0.05) GSH concentrations and refrigeration time was observed for sperm viability and acrosome reaction rate. In conclusion, the 4 mM GSH supplem...
The data of buffalo heifers reared in pasture (N=213) and stall feeding system (N=274) were colle... more The data of buffalo heifers reared in pasture (N=213) and stall feeding system (N=274) were collected to determine the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding behavior through a survey study. The results revealed that the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding behavior was lower in heifer reared in pasture compared to stall feeding system. To determine the effect of mineral supplementation on estrus response, thirty five buffalo heifers were divided into two groups; MIN and CTL. The MIN (N=20) group were fed with mineral mixture (100 grams/day/heifer) for four weeks. Whereas, CTL group (N=15) did not receive any mineral supplementation. Mineral supplementation enhanced estrus response in MIN compared to CTL heifers (65% versus 33%). In conclusion, the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding is less in heifers of pasture system. Furthermore, mineral feeding is helpful to induce estrus in heifers that had achieved average age of puberty.
The crossbreeding of Swamp and River type buffalo breeds is practiced for the improvement of milk... more The crossbreeding of Swamp and River type buffalo breeds is practiced for the improvement of milk yield and reproductive performance in swamp buffalo herds. This study aimed to modify the Ovsynch synchronization protocol (GPG) and improve the fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) for better reproductive performance of crossbred buffaloes. Comparison of four conventional synchronization protocols [pregnant mare gonadotropin-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (PmPG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GPG), prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone-prostaglandin F2α-estradiol benzoate (PGPE), and progesterone-pregnant mare gonadotropin-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (P4PmPG)] in crossbred buffaloes showed that the GPG protocol treated buffaloes displayed higher (P < 0.05) estrus response with an increasing tendency in ovulation (84.6%) and pregnancy rates (30.8%) than PmPG, PGPE, and P4PmPG tr...
Abstract The present study was aimed to determine the carry-over effects of immunization against ... more Abstract The present study was aimed to determine the carry-over effects of immunization against inhibin α-subunit (AIINHA) on fresh and post-thawed sperm quality during peak breeding (PBS) and low breeding seasons (LBS). Six Beetal bucks (n = 6) were either immunized against inhibin (AIINHA; n = 3) or kept untreated (CON; n = 3). Initially, the AIINHA group was treated with primary dose of inhibin α-subunit (0.50 mg) at Day 0 and followed by a booster dose 28 days later. The semen collection and cryopreservation were started five weeks post-AIINHA treatment and continued for eight consecutive weeks during LBS (n = 16 replicates; 8 in CON and 8 in AIINHA) and resumed in forthcoming eight weeks of PBS (n = 16 replicates; 8 in CON and 8 in AIINHA). Prior to cryopreservation, the fresh semen quality was assessed and afterwards, cryopreserved semen was evaluated for progressive motility, sperm kinetics, membrane, acrosomal and DNA integrities. The results indicated that AIINHA (P
The current study was designed to determine the effects of dietary quercetin on epididymal sperm ... more The current study was designed to determine the effects of dietary quercetin on epididymal sperm and testicular changes in male rabbits during summer heat stress (HS). Twelve adult male New Zealand white rabbits were submitted to summer heat conditions (temperature-humidity index 29.9±1.2). One group was fed a basal ration (BR; n = 6), whereas the other group was fed the same basal diet supplemented with quercetin (30 mg/kg d; Que-BR; n = 6) for 60 d, and both groups were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Epididymis and testicles isolation was done for sperm, histopathology and apoptosis assessments. The results showed that quercetin improved epididymis weight, but did not affect other testicular dimensions except testicular length. A significant improvement was observed in epididymal sperm motility, concentration, kinematic parameters, viability, mitochondrial potential and acrosome integrity in Que-BR compared to the BR group. Lowered serum malondialdehyde level was observe...
The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, histomorphometric, histochemical,... more The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, histomorphometric, histochemical, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and cytological effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) against bisphenol-A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group remained untreated. The vehicle control group was administered corn oil (2 ml/kg/day), the BPA group was given BPA (100 mg/kg/day), the CoQ10 group was supplemented with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day), and the rats in the CoQ10-BPA group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day) followed by BPA (100 mg/kg/day) 1 h later. The treatments were administered by oral gavage for 14 days. Results showed that the seminiferous tubule diameters (STDs) and seminiferous epithelium heights (SEHs) at stages VII–VIII and XII–XIV, number of undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor-1 (UTF-1) positive cells per tubule, UTF-1 positive tubules (%), plasma glutathione (GSH), and serum ...
The present study was designed to test the modulatory effect of dietary quercetin on follicle pop... more The present study was designed to test the modulatory effect of dietary quercetin on follicle population, apoptosis, in vitro maturation rate and quality of oocytes in heat stressed female rabbits. A total of thirty-four New Zealand White heat stress (HS) exposed female rabbits were either fed with quercetin supplemented diet (QU-HS) or non-supplemented (HS) diet. Firstly, laparotomy was performed for oocyte retrieval and then, oocyte grading and COCs dimensional assessments were conducted. The A and B-grade oocytes were submitted for in vitro maturation. Thereafter, the ovaries were collected from rabbits and were processed for follicular population estimation and granulosa cells apoptosis. The results showed that follicle number, retrieved oocytes and A-grade oocytes were higher in QU-HS, comparatively. A significant difference was observed in A-grade oocytes dimensions between QU-HS and HS treatment groups. The oocyte maturation rate was same across the groups. The quercetin supp...
The objective of this study was to compare oestrus expression and fertility rate in used and new ... more The objective of this study was to compare oestrus expression and fertility rate in used and new controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) device treated anoestrous buffaloes. Furthermore, to determine the timing of ovulation, and fertility rate in estradiol benzoate (EB) and GnRH-administered CIDR-treated anoestrous Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In experiment 1, buffaloes received either a used CIDR (UCIDR, n = 35) or a new CIDR (NCIDR, n = 36) for 7 day and PGF2α on day 6. Oestrous expression was similar (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05) between UCIDR (88.5%) and NCIDR (96.6%) buffaloes. The pregnancy rate did not differ (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05) because of treatment (37.1% in UCIDR vs 36.6% in NCIDR). In experiment 2, buffaloes (n = 55) received CIDR device for 7 days and PGF2α, on day 6 and randomly assigned into three treatment groups: (i) CIDR-EB (n = 17) received EB on day 8, (ii) CIDR-GnRH (n = 18) received GnRH on day 9 and (iii) control (n = 20) received no further treatment. Mean interval from CIDR removal to ovulation in CIDR-EB, CIDR-GnRH and CIDR group were 61.3 ± 0.8, 64.9 ± 1.8 and 65.1 ± 16.7 h, respectively. However, the buffaloes in the CIDR-EB and CIDR-GnRH group had lesser variability in the timing of ovulation compared to control. The pregnancy rate of both CIDR-EB group (58%) and CIDR-GnRH group (61%) were tended to be higher (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.1) than control (30%). In conclusion, compared to NCIDR devices, previously UCIDR devices are equally effective to induce oestrus in anoestrous buffaloes resulting optimal pregnancy rate. Administration of EB and GnRH after CIDR removal results in tighter synchrony (less variability) and improved fertility in anoestrous buffaloes. CIDR based synchronization regimens have great potential in fertility improvement in anoestrous buffaloes.
The study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics in the sperm acrosome reaction (AR), os... more The study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics in the sperm acrosome reaction (AR), osmotic tolerance and serum testosterone concentration in rams. Blood and semen samples were collected from six mature rams during the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. The AR in sperm samples was induced by using lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and calcium ionophore (CI). The AR was monitored at various incubation times (15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) post-induction. To determine the osmotic tolerance through hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) the sperm were exposed to different osmotic conditions (50, 100, 290, 500 and 1000 mOsm/L). The serum testosterone concentration was assessed using a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of acrosome reacted sperm was greater (P < 0.05) during the winter season in the LPC and control groups, whereas, it was greater (P < 0.05) in two different seasons (winter and summer) at all incubation time points (15-18...
Three experiments were conducted to determine the protective effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclode... more Three experiments were conducted to determine the protective effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or cryo-induced damage in ram sperm. In Experiment 1, the fresh ejaculates were either treated with CLC or remained untreated. Both CLC treated and untreated samples were then incubated with 0, 250 or 500μM H2O2 at 35°C for 12h. After incubation period of 12h, the motility, viability and membrane integrity remained higher in CLC treated sperm even in the presence of 250 or 500μM H2O2. The H2O2 treatment affected all the sperm parameters adversely (P<0.05). However, compared to CLC untreated counterpart, the motility, viability and membrane integrity remained higher (P<0.05) in treated sperm, even in the presence of 250 or 500μM H2O2 during 12h of incubation. In Experiment 2, semen was cryopreserved in the presence or absence of CLC. The post-thaw results revealed that CLC treated sperm has higher (P<0.05) motility, viability and membr...
In the present study, we evaluated the sustaining effect of various glutathione (GSH) concentrati... more In the present study, we evaluated the sustaining effect of various glutathione (GSH) concentrations in extender on rabbit sperm attributes during storage at 5°C for 24 h. Semen was collected from regular donor rabbit bucks using an artificial vagina and initially evaluated for sperm quality. The qualifying ejaculates were diluted with one of the extenders having 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mM GSH, to achieve a final concentration of 1×108 sperm/mL. The extended samples were stored at 5°C for 24 h. Sperm motility, motion kinetics, acrosome integrity and viability were assessed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 h of storage. The results showed that total sperm motility and sperm motion kinetics (oscillation index of the sperm, straightness index and beat cross frequency) were influenced (P<0.05) by glutathione dose and refrigeration time. An interaction of (P<0.05) GSH concentrations and refrigeration time was observed for sperm viability and acrosome reaction rate. In conclusion, the 4 mM GSH supplem...
The data of buffalo heifers reared in pasture (N=213) and stall feeding system (N=274) were colle... more The data of buffalo heifers reared in pasture (N=213) and stall feeding system (N=274) were collected to determine the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding behavior through a survey study. The results revealed that the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding behavior was lower in heifer reared in pasture compared to stall feeding system. To determine the effect of mineral supplementation on estrus response, thirty five buffalo heifers were divided into two groups; MIN and CTL. The MIN (N=20) group were fed with mineral mixture (100 grams/day/heifer) for four weeks. Whereas, CTL group (N=15) did not receive any mineral supplementation. Mineral supplementation enhanced estrus response in MIN compared to CTL heifers (65% versus 33%). In conclusion, the age at puberty and seasonality in breeding is less in heifers of pasture system. Furthermore, mineral feeding is helpful to induce estrus in heifers that had achieved average age of puberty.
The crossbreeding of Swamp and River type buffalo breeds is practiced for the improvement of milk... more The crossbreeding of Swamp and River type buffalo breeds is practiced for the improvement of milk yield and reproductive performance in swamp buffalo herds. This study aimed to modify the Ovsynch synchronization protocol (GPG) and improve the fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) for better reproductive performance of crossbred buffaloes. Comparison of four conventional synchronization protocols [pregnant mare gonadotropin-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (PmPG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GPG), prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone-prostaglandin F2α-estradiol benzoate (PGPE), and progesterone-pregnant mare gonadotropin-prostaglandin F2α-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (P4PmPG)] in crossbred buffaloes showed that the GPG protocol treated buffaloes displayed higher (P < 0.05) estrus response with an increasing tendency in ovulation (84.6%) and pregnancy rates (30.8%) than PmPG, PGPE, and P4PmPG tr...
Abstract The present study was aimed to determine the carry-over effects of immunization against ... more Abstract The present study was aimed to determine the carry-over effects of immunization against inhibin α-subunit (AIINHA) on fresh and post-thawed sperm quality during peak breeding (PBS) and low breeding seasons (LBS). Six Beetal bucks (n = 6) were either immunized against inhibin (AIINHA; n = 3) or kept untreated (CON; n = 3). Initially, the AIINHA group was treated with primary dose of inhibin α-subunit (0.50 mg) at Day 0 and followed by a booster dose 28 days later. The semen collection and cryopreservation were started five weeks post-AIINHA treatment and continued for eight consecutive weeks during LBS (n = 16 replicates; 8 in CON and 8 in AIINHA) and resumed in forthcoming eight weeks of PBS (n = 16 replicates; 8 in CON and 8 in AIINHA). Prior to cryopreservation, the fresh semen quality was assessed and afterwards, cryopreserved semen was evaluated for progressive motility, sperm kinetics, membrane, acrosomal and DNA integrities. The results indicated that AIINHA (P
The current study was designed to determine the effects of dietary quercetin on epididymal sperm ... more The current study was designed to determine the effects of dietary quercetin on epididymal sperm and testicular changes in male rabbits during summer heat stress (HS). Twelve adult male New Zealand white rabbits were submitted to summer heat conditions (temperature-humidity index 29.9±1.2). One group was fed a basal ration (BR; n = 6), whereas the other group was fed the same basal diet supplemented with quercetin (30 mg/kg d; Que-BR; n = 6) for 60 d, and both groups were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Epididymis and testicles isolation was done for sperm, histopathology and apoptosis assessments. The results showed that quercetin improved epididymis weight, but did not affect other testicular dimensions except testicular length. A significant improvement was observed in epididymal sperm motility, concentration, kinematic parameters, viability, mitochondrial potential and acrosome integrity in Que-BR compared to the BR group. Lowered serum malondialdehyde level was observe...
The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, histomorphometric, histochemical,... more The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, histomorphometric, histochemical, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and cytological effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) against bisphenol-A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group remained untreated. The vehicle control group was administered corn oil (2 ml/kg/day), the BPA group was given BPA (100 mg/kg/day), the CoQ10 group was supplemented with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day), and the rats in the CoQ10-BPA group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day) followed by BPA (100 mg/kg/day) 1 h later. The treatments were administered by oral gavage for 14 days. Results showed that the seminiferous tubule diameters (STDs) and seminiferous epithelium heights (SEHs) at stages VII–VIII and XII–XIV, number of undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor-1 (UTF-1) positive cells per tubule, UTF-1 positive tubules (%), plasma glutathione (GSH), and serum ...
The present study was designed to test the modulatory effect of dietary quercetin on follicle pop... more The present study was designed to test the modulatory effect of dietary quercetin on follicle population, apoptosis, in vitro maturation rate and quality of oocytes in heat stressed female rabbits. A total of thirty-four New Zealand White heat stress (HS) exposed female rabbits were either fed with quercetin supplemented diet (QU-HS) or non-supplemented (HS) diet. Firstly, laparotomy was performed for oocyte retrieval and then, oocyte grading and COCs dimensional assessments were conducted. The A and B-grade oocytes were submitted for in vitro maturation. Thereafter, the ovaries were collected from rabbits and were processed for follicular population estimation and granulosa cells apoptosis. The results showed that follicle number, retrieved oocytes and A-grade oocytes were higher in QU-HS, comparatively. A significant difference was observed in A-grade oocytes dimensions between QU-HS and HS treatment groups. The oocyte maturation rate was same across the groups. The quercetin supp...
The objective of this study was to compare oestrus expression and fertility rate in used and new ... more The objective of this study was to compare oestrus expression and fertility rate in used and new controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) device treated anoestrous buffaloes. Furthermore, to determine the timing of ovulation, and fertility rate in estradiol benzoate (EB) and GnRH-administered CIDR-treated anoestrous Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In experiment 1, buffaloes received either a used CIDR (UCIDR, n = 35) or a new CIDR (NCIDR, n = 36) for 7 day and PGF2α on day 6. Oestrous expression was similar (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05) between UCIDR (88.5%) and NCIDR (96.6%) buffaloes. The pregnancy rate did not differ (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05) because of treatment (37.1% in UCIDR vs 36.6% in NCIDR). In experiment 2, buffaloes (n = 55) received CIDR device for 7 days and PGF2α, on day 6 and randomly assigned into three treatment groups: (i) CIDR-EB (n = 17) received EB on day 8, (ii) CIDR-GnRH (n = 18) received GnRH on day 9 and (iii) control (n = 20) received no further treatment. Mean interval from CIDR removal to ovulation in CIDR-EB, CIDR-GnRH and CIDR group were 61.3 ± 0.8, 64.9 ± 1.8 and 65.1 ± 16.7 h, respectively. However, the buffaloes in the CIDR-EB and CIDR-GnRH group had lesser variability in the timing of ovulation compared to control. The pregnancy rate of both CIDR-EB group (58%) and CIDR-GnRH group (61%) were tended to be higher (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.1) than control (30%). In conclusion, compared to NCIDR devices, previously UCIDR devices are equally effective to induce oestrus in anoestrous buffaloes resulting optimal pregnancy rate. Administration of EB and GnRH after CIDR removal results in tighter synchrony (less variability) and improved fertility in anoestrous buffaloes. CIDR based synchronization regimens have great potential in fertility improvement in anoestrous buffaloes.
The study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics in the sperm acrosome reaction (AR), os... more The study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics in the sperm acrosome reaction (AR), osmotic tolerance and serum testosterone concentration in rams. Blood and semen samples were collected from six mature rams during the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. The AR in sperm samples was induced by using lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and calcium ionophore (CI). The AR was monitored at various incubation times (15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) post-induction. To determine the osmotic tolerance through hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) the sperm were exposed to different osmotic conditions (50, 100, 290, 500 and 1000 mOsm/L). The serum testosterone concentration was assessed using a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of acrosome reacted sperm was greater (P < 0.05) during the winter season in the LPC and control groups, whereas, it was greater (P < 0.05) in two different seasons (winter and summer) at all incubation time points (15-18...
Three experiments were conducted to determine the protective effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclode... more Three experiments were conducted to determine the protective effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or cryo-induced damage in ram sperm. In Experiment 1, the fresh ejaculates were either treated with CLC or remained untreated. Both CLC treated and untreated samples were then incubated with 0, 250 or 500μM H2O2 at 35°C for 12h. After incubation period of 12h, the motility, viability and membrane integrity remained higher in CLC treated sperm even in the presence of 250 or 500μM H2O2. The H2O2 treatment affected all the sperm parameters adversely (P<0.05). However, compared to CLC untreated counterpart, the motility, viability and membrane integrity remained higher (P<0.05) in treated sperm, even in the presence of 250 or 500μM H2O2 during 12h of incubation. In Experiment 2, semen was cryopreserved in the presence or absence of CLC. The post-thaw results revealed that CLC treated sperm has higher (P<0.05) motility, viability and membr...
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