The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using Ovsynch synchronization protocol as a treatment tool for cows affected with ovarian cysts. In addition, the effects of season, parity, days in milk (DIM) and level of milk production in 100 days on the treatment response were also investigated. On the day of cyst diagnosis (Day 0), 96 lactating Holstein dairy cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD) were treated with Busrelin ® (GnRH), Cloprostenol ® (PGF2aα) on Day 7, Busrelin ® on Day 9, and TAI on 10th day (Ovsynch protocol). Pregnancy was diagnosed between 42 and 48 days after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Cows were classified according to the milk production level into high producers (above average) and low producers (below average); according to parity into primiparous (first lactation) or multiparous (second or more lactations); according to season into hot and cold season and according to DIM into below 100 DIM and above 100 DIM. Data for conception rate (CR) were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The treatment of COD with Ovsynch protocol resulted in acceptable CRs regardless the cyst type. Although the investigated factors exerted no significant influences on the treatment response, cows treated in cold season tend to become pregnant more than cows treated in hot season. Primiparous cows were more likely to become pregnant than multiparous cows. It appears that high-producing cows respond better to treatment compared to low-producing cows. It was concluded that the Ovsynchbased TAI protocol can be successfully used for the treatment of ovarian cysts in lactating dairy cows and produce an acceptable CR that not significantly influenced neither by season, parity, and milk yield nor by days in milk.

The objectives of the present study were to validate ultra-sonographic examination (US) as a reliable diagnostic tool for endometritis, as well as to determine the effects of intrauterine infusion (IU) of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α as a treatment protocol of endometritis in dairy cows. 260 Holstein cows were included in this study. The affected cows were examined rectally and US. The cows were divided according to the diagnostic method and treatment protocol into 3 groups. Group1: rectally diagnosed and received systemic PGF2α. Group2: diagnosed rectally and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Group3: diagnosed US and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Good reproductive indices were recorded for cows examined US and treated with combination of IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. A highly significant positive correlations were observed between days in milking (DIM) and most of tested reproductive indices. Meanwhile, Daily milk yield was negatively correlated with all tested reproductive parameters. In conclusion, transrectal US could be used as a reliable method for early diagnosis of endometritis. In addition, using a combination of IU application of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α was superior treatment protocol in endometritis in comparison with PGF2α.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of aloe vera raw extract on the capacitation of bovine spermatozoa during the in vitro fertilization process. Hyper activated motility (HAM) and acrosome reaction (AR) of sperm cells, as well as in vitro fertilization and cleavage rates are the main parameters used to estimate the aloe vera's effect on bovine spermatozoa's fertilizing ability. In the current study, two different concentrations of aloe vera (5 and 10 µg/ml) were used. Frozen thawed semen spermatozoa were subjected to a swim-up technique to separate the motile spermatozoa and capacitated in modified Sperm Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate (S-TALP) medium supplemented with heparin only without aloe vera treatment (positive control), heparin+5µg/ml aloe vera, heparin+10µg/ml aloe vera, and finally the negative control tube, which was supplemented with 5µg/ml aloe vera without adding heparin. Sperm cells were incubated for 90 minutes at 39C 0 in a 5% CO2 incubator and evaluated every 30 minutes at intervals. Cumulus oophorus complexes (COCs) were matured in a 5% CO2 incubator at 39C 0 and inseminated in vitro with frozen-thawed bull sperm at the above concentrations. The inseminated oocytes were incubated at 39C 0 in a 5% CO2 incubator for 24 hours and then examined for evidence of fertilization. The current study revealed that the aloe vera concentration of 10µg/ml at incubation time (60 minutes) had the best effect on sperm capacitation and acrosome reactions. The overall percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility (PM) had declined across all groups as time progressed, with a significantly lower value found at the above concentration, as well as the effect of sperm treated with aloe vera on fertilization rate. The results showed that the proportion of fertilized oocytes was significantly increased at the aloe vera concentration of 10µg/ml compared to the other concentrations (5µg/ml), positive control, and negative control, respectively. In conclusion, treatment of bull spermatozoa with 10 µg of aloe vera extract/ml semen was considered the most efficient concentration for enhancement of sperm capacitation as a high IVF rate was obtained in Holstein Bull.

The objectives of the present study were to validate transrectal ultrasonography (US) as a reliable diagnostic tool for endometritis, as well as to determine the efficiency of intrauterine infusion (IU) of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α as a treatment protocol of endometritis in Holstein dairy cows. 260 Holstein cows were included in this study. The affected cows were examined rectally and US. The cows were divided according to the diagnostic method and treatment protocol into 3 groups. Group1: rectally diagnosed and received systemic PGF2α. Group2: rectally diagnosed and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Group3: US diagnosed and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Good reproductive indices were recorded for cows examined US and treated with combination of IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. A highly significant positive correlations were observed between days in milking (DIM) and most of tested reproductive indices. Meanwhile, Daily milk yield was negatively correlated with all tested reproductive indices. In conclusion, trans-rectal US could be used as a reliable method for early diagnosis of endometritis. In addition, using a combination of IU application of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α was superior treatment protocol in endometritis in comparison with PGF2α.