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the uplift of the CAP margins started (Yildirim et al. 2011;Cosentino et al. 2012;Schildgen et al. 2012). Here we describe the type section of the Tuğlu Formation, a sequence exceptionally rich in fossils. The section has been sampled for micropalaeontological (ostracods, foraminifera, pollen, Characeae), palaeontological (molluscs, small mammals, fish remains), environmental magnetism, and stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses (on ostracods and bulk sediment samples) as well as strontium isotope analyses (on ostracods and foraminifera) and major elements composition of the sediments. Through a highly multidisciplinary approach, we document the Abstract: The Çankırı Basin, located in the northern part of the Central Anatolian Plateau, is a large Tertiary basin where thick Miocene to Quaternary continental sediments overlay the Cretaceous-Tertiary units. This investigation focuses on the Tuğlu Formation, an Upper Miocene succession mainly composed of dark grey silty and organic rich clays. The type section of Tuğlu has been sampled for an array of multidisciplinary analyses. The palaeontological proxies included ostracod, foraminifer, nannoplankton, pollen, molluscs, charophytes, small mammal assemblages, fish, and crab remains. The abiotic parameters studied were: palaeomagnetism and environmental magnetism, stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios (on ostracods and bulk sediment samples), strontium isotope ratios (on ostracods and foraminifera), and major elemental composition of the sediments. All analysed proxies point to a continental setting characterised by permanent water bodies affected by strong salinity oscillations. A shallow saline lake developed in a permanent freshwater lake. Barren layers, potentially linked to a short subaerial exposure, mark the end of the saline lake and the transition to a fluvial environment. Geochemical analysis confirms aridity-humidity oscillations as recorded by the micropalaeontological proxies. Analysis of small mammal assemblages refined the chronology of the Tuğlu Formation, with the onset of the deposition at the base of the mammal zone MN9 (around 11 Ma) and continuous deposition until the MN11 zone (around 8 Ma). The stable oxygen isotope records from the Tuğlu section point to Miocene δ 18 O water values consistent with subdued topography where no prominent mountain belts were yet developed at the northern plateau margin. If correct, this suggests that at least until the end of the deposition of the Tuğlu Formation, the Çankırı Basin did not yet experience rain shadow conditions, and the regional surface uplift of the area most likely occurred after 8 Ma.

This study was undertaken to assess the reproductive performances of sheep at field level of Rajshahi and Mymensingh district of Bangladesh during January to December, 2016. A total of 52 farms (26 each in Rajshahi and Mymensingh) were selected for determining the reproductive parameters of ewes. Ewe lambs in Mymensingh reached puberty at significantly (P<0.03) younger age (186.9±18.4 days) than in Rajshihi (199.9±24.9 days). The average age at first pregnancy was 201.4±20.0 days in two regions. Similarly, the ewes in Mymensingh was lambing at significantly (P<0.002) early age than ewes in Rajshahi (356.0±6.8 days vs. 372.7±27.8 days). The observed duration of oestrus at Rajshahi and Mymensingh was 36.0±6.7 hrs and 36.0±7.3 hrs, respectively. The gestation length varied from 145 to 150 days. The average gestation length was 147.9±3.4 days in two regions. The gestation length was not significant (P˃0.05) in the ewes between Rajshahi and Mymensingh (148.7±3.4 and 147.1±3.2 days; respectively). The pooled over litter size was 1.6±0.2 in two regions. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in litter size of ewes in Rajshahi and Mymensingh region (1.7±0.2 vs. 1.6±0.2). The pooled lambing interval was 193.9±21.7 days in two regions. Mean birth weights of lambs, weaning weight and mature weight were 1.7±0.6 vs. 1.3±0.1 kg; 8.9±2.7 vs. 6.9±1.0 kg and 24.9±7.3 vs. 19.4±2.7 kg in Rajshahi and Mymensingh, respectively. These reproductive parameters were significantly higher (P<0.001) in Rajshahi compared with in Mymensingh. The reproductive parameters are almost similar between confined and the traditional management system if the farms are well managed.

This study was undertaken to study the AI conception rate using frozen semen at field level. Five farms in Mymensingh, Bangladesh were selected for AI Trial in field ewes. Four rams were selected for semen collection, evaluation, and frozen semen production and further to study conception rate followed by intracervical AI in both natural and synchronized ewes. Conception rate were confirmed by non-returned rate and ultrasound scanning at 30-40 days of post insemination. The volume, colour, mass activity, sperm motility, viability, concentration, HOST +ve (%) and normal spermatozoa percentages were 0.8±0.3 ml, 3.9±0.3, 4.4±0.6, 81.3±5.0%, 90.0±4.0%, 3519.0±545.6x10 6 /ml, 87.4±3.3% and 85.6±1.8%, respectively. The sperm concentration of ram R#6 was significantly higher (P<0.05) (4120.5±93.5x10 6 /ml) compared with other rams. The mean motility and viability of pre-dilution, 120 minutes of addition of Part-A, 240 minutes of addition of Part-B and post-thaw were (83.8±4.8%, 81.3±2.5%, 80.0±4.1% and 41.3±9.5%) and (93.3±1.0%, 90.0±1.4%, 88.8±1.0% and 58.3±8.7%), respectively. There were no significant difference (P˃0.05) between pre-dilution and post-dilution sperm motility and viability percentage however, post-thaw sperm motility and viability significantly (P<0.05) decreased compare with the motility and viability of pre-dilution and post-dilution values. Motility and viability percentages of frozen semen did not decrease significantly (P> 0.05) with the increase of preservation time. The mean motility and viability at 24 hrs, day 7, day 15 and day 30 were 41.3±9. 5%, 41.5±8.5%, 41.8±9.9% and 40.5±10.2%; and 59.0±10.1%, 58.5±7.7%, 59.0±8.8% and 57.8±8.3%, respectively. The conception rates in natural and synchronized estrous were 26.7% and 25%, respectively. There was no significant difference in conception rates between the natural and synchronized oestrous in field level. However, the present non-return rate and conception rate indicate the suitability of produced frozen semen application in the field level.