Two different extenders were compared for their effects on preservation of semen from Indigenous rams and on pregnancy rate (PR) in Indigenous ewes. Semen was collected from nine Indigenous rams (Ovis aries) once a week using an artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was divided into 2 aliquots, diluted with either commercial (Triladyl ® ) or locally manufactured (tris, fructose, citric acid, egg yolk: TFE, prepared in own laboratory) extenders and kept at 4°C for 48 h. Motility, viability, functional integrity and morphological changes were evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 h. Synchronized oestrus ewes inseminated transcervically with 24 and 48 h of preserved chilled semen diluted with Triladyl and TFE extenders separately. Semen preserved in Triladyl had better motility, viability, and functional integrity at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.001) than did in TFE. The morphologically normal spermatozoa up to 48 h of preservation did not differ between extenders. However, in abnormalities studied, Triladyl had detrimental effect on sperm acrosome and TFE on sperm tail (P < 0.001) at 24 and 48 h of preservation. But, midpiece was not affected by any extender (P > 0.05) over the entire period of preservation. The quality of semen decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing preservation time for both extenders. The extenders did not differ (P > 0.05) the overall PR after transcervical AI (TCAI) in ewes. Increased preservation time (48 h) negatively affected the PR in TFE extended semen compared with than that of Triladyl. The results suggest that the quality of chilled semen (motility, viability, and functional integrity) is more improved when preserved in Triladyl than if extended with a TFE. PR may higher when TCAI is performed with chilled semen preserved in Triladyl for a longer time than TFE. However, TFE extender may be used to dilute the semen for chilling and used in TCAI to get similar PR of Triladyl up to 24 h of preservation.

The study was carried out to observe the effects of preservation time on the quality of frozen semen of indigenous rams. Semen was collected using AV once a week from 4 rams. Tris based with 10% egg yolk and 7% glycerol extender was used to extend and freezing the semen.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of breed, age, scrotal circumference, Body Condition Score (BCS), season and nutrition on bull semen quality at breeding bull station of Ejab Alliance Limited, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh. A total of 777 ejaculates were collected from 25 bulls (Holstein-Friesian-10; Sahiwal-15). All semen parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Sahiwal bulls than in Holstein-Friesian. The volume, individual motility, mass activity and sperm morphology were significantly (P<0.05) higher in bulls aged >3.5 - 4.5 years than in younger (2.5 - 3.5 years) and older bulls (>4.5 years). Scrotal circumference significantly (P<0.05) affected all the parameters of semen quality. The highest values were observed in bulls with scrotal circumference 31.1 - 33.0 cm and the lowest in bulls with scrotal circumference of 33.1 cm and less. The volume, individual motility, mass activity and sperm morphology were higher (P<0.05) in bulls with BCS of 4 to 4.5 than in bulls with BCS of >4.5 to 5. Significantly (P<0.05) highest values regarding semen quality were in winter and the lowest in summer. Vitamin ADE supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved the semen quality. It is suggested that Sahiwal breeds may be reared at the bull station in the subtropical climate of Bangladesh. Semen should be collected during winter in bulls of >3.5 to 4.5 years of age with moderate scrotal circumference and BCS. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 32-39

The effects of two doses of cloprostenol and two doses of flurogestone acetate sponge on the onset of oestrus, and embryo recovery and quality were evaluated. Thirty-two indigenous ewes (Wera breed) were allocated into four groups of eight. All ewes were synchronised with 100 µg (Group I) or 175 µg (Group II) cloprostenol injection, 9 days apart, or insertion of intravaginal sponges containing 30 mg (Group III) or 45 mg (Group IV) flurogestone acetate (FGA) for 12 days. The ewes were superovulated with 600 IU PMSG intramuscularly 10 days after the second cloprostenol injection or immediately after sponge removal on Day 12. After the detection of oestrus, the ewes were mated naturally at 6 and 12 h, and some ewes were inseminated laparoscopically. Embryos were recovered surgically 5 or 6 days after service. All ewes exhibited oestrus. The onset of oestrus occurred significantly (P < 0.05) earlier in FGA-treated (50.0 ± 1.5 and 48.0 ± 0.00 h) than in cloprostenol-treated groups. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the mean time of onset of oestrus (50.0 ± 1.5 and 48.0 ± 0.00 h) between the two doses of cloprostenol. The mean number of corpora lutea (8.1 ± 1.26) and embryos recovered (6.1 ± 1.00) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with 45 mg FGA than in ewes treated with cloprostenol. Embryo recovery rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with 45 mg FGA (75.4%) than in other groups (41.7% and 51.6% in 100 μg and 175 μg cloprostenol- and 52.7% in 30 mg FGA-treated groups, respectively). Fertilisation rate was 93.3% in ewes given 100 µg cloprostenol, whereas other groups showed 100% fertilisation rate. The highest percentage (100%) of Grade 1 embryos was in FGA groups. In conclusion, despite FGA protocol presenting superior results, cloprostenol protocol was equally efficient in synchronising oestrus. The embryo recovery rate was better after 45 mg FGA than 30 mg FGA or after either dose of cloprostenol.

Dairy and non-dairy households in chars in northern Bangladesh were compared. About 35% of dairy households earned money by selling milk along with labour. Dairy households owned more land than the non-dairy group. More dairy households (70%) had drinking water and 74% had sanitation facilities, while 49% and 44% non-dairy households had such facilities. The dairy households owned 3065 livestock, of which 946 were cattle; while non-dairy households owned 1915 livestock, including 17 cattle. Average daily income of each dairy household was 129 Taka (US$ 1 = Taka: 56.31), and for non-dairy household it was 109 Taka. Many dairy households had a bicycle (n = 54), radio (n = 59) and cell phone (n = 211), but fewer in the non-dairy had a bicycle (n = 8) and cell phone (n = 43). The livestock are living assets for the flood-prone households and source of daily income. Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 52-60