The aim of this study was to investigate the period of estrus cycle in aceh cattle, Indonesia, based on vaginal cytology techniques. Four healthy females of aceh cattle with average weight of 250–300 kg, age of 5–7 years, and body condition score of 3-4 were used. All cattle were subjected to ultrasonography analysis for the occurrence of corpus luteum before being synchronized using intramuscular injections of PGF2 alpha 25 mg. A vaginal swab was collected from aceh cattle, stained with Giemsa 10%, and observed microscopically. Period of estrus cycle was predicted from day 1 to day 24 after estrus synchronization was confirmed using ultrasonography analysis at the same day. The result showed that parabasal, intermediary, and superficial epithelium were found in the vaginal swabs collected from proestrus, metestrus, and diestrus aceh cattle. Proportions of these cells in the particular period of estrus cycle were 36.22, 32.62, and 31.16 (proestrus); 21.33, 32.58, and 46.09 (estrus); 40.75, 37.58, and 21.67 (metestrus); and 41.07, 37.38, and 21.67 (diestrus), respectively. In conclusion, dominant proportion of superficial cell that occurred in estrus period might be used as the base for determining optimal time for insemination.

This study was conducted to validate a commercial testosterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (DRG EIA-1559) inanalytic and biological manner for measuring serum testosterone concentrations in kacang goats. This study used 18 healthy kacang goats, sixbucks (>2 years), six kids (<6 months), and six does (>2 years). Blood samples were collected from jugular vein and prepared as serum. Twovalidation tests were performed, an analytical validation comprises a parallelism, accuracy, precision and sensitivity and a biological validationby comparing testosterone concentration from bucks, kids, and does. Testosterone concentrations were measured using ELISA technique. Data ofanalytical validation were analyzed descriptively and test of equality of slope was performed to see the parallelism between samples and standardcurves. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for biological validation data. Results of parallelism showed that sample curve was parallel tothe standard curve. Accuracy, precision (% CV of intra-and inter-assay) and sensitivity of the assay were 99.65±4.27%, <10%, <15% and 0.083ng/ml, respectively. Results of biological validation showed that the assay used were accurately measured testosterone which testosteroneconcentrations in bucks were significantly higher compared to kids and does (P<0.05). In conclusion, a commercial testosterone ELISA kits(DRG EIA-1559) is a reliable assay for measuring serum testosterone concentration in kacang goats. Key words: analytical and biological validations, ELISA, testosterone, kacang goat

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical mucus viscosity and estrogen concentration, several blood biochemical profiles, and blood macro-mineral levels, as well as to determine the effect of cervical mucus viscosity and pH differences on pregnancy rates in Aceh cattle. Eight females Aceh cows aged 3-7 years old, with body weights of 150-250 kg were synchronized using a 25 mg single dose injection of PGF2α. Afterward, observation of estrus signs was performed for 30 minutes at 06:00 a.m. and at 06:00 p.m. Blood and cervical mucus samples were collected during the first cervical mucus secretion. The estrogen concentrations of each type of cervical mucus, namely thick, moderate, and thin were 29.39±6.29; 23.24±4.62; and 30.93 pg/mL, respectively. The pregnancy rate in cows with a cervical mucus pH of 6 and 9 was 0%. Meanwhile, the groups with a cervical mucus pH 7 and 8 had a pregnancy rate of 50%. An examination of cervical mucus showed different consistencies: five cows had mucus with a thick viscosity, with a 20% pregnancy rate; two had mucus with a moderate viscosity, with a 50% pregnancy rate and one had mucus with a thin viscosity, with a 100% pregnancy percentage. In conclusion, there is no significant relationship between estrogen concentration and cervical mucus viscosity levels in Aceh cattle. Levels of total protein, total cholesterol, and glucose were correlated to the viscosity of the cervical mucus. Higher levels of blood macrominerals (Na, K, Cl, Ca, P, and Mg) in female Aceh cattle resulted in greater viscosities of cervical mucus. The groups with cervical mucus pH of 7 and 8 had higher rates of pregnancy (50%) than the groups with cervical mucus pH of 6 and 9. The viscosity of cervical mucus also had an effect on the success of pregnancy in Aceh cattle.

ABSTRAK. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh pemberian PGF2α dalam pengencer semen komersial (Andromed) terhadap peningkatan motilitas spermatozoa kambing Nubian. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel semen yang dikoleksi dari 3 ekor kambing Nubian berumur 2-3 tahun menggunakan vagina buatan dan dievaluasi kualitasnya secara makroskopis dan mikroskopis. Setelah dievaluasi, sampel semen ditambahkan pengencer Andromed lalu dibagi atas 3 kelompok perlakuan, yaitu: P1; P2; dan P3 yang masing-masing ditambahkan NaCl fisiologis; 37,5 µg PGF2α; dan 75 µg PGF2α. Seluruh sampel disimpan dalam refrigerator selama 4 jam dan dilakukan pemeriksaan motilitas spermatozoa. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan sidik ragam pola satu arah (ANOVA) dan dilanjutkan dengan uji Duncan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa motilitas spermatozoa (%) kambing Nubian pada P1; P2; dan P3 masing-masing adalah 26,33±5,5; 62,0±3,5; dan61,8±10,13 (P0,05). Disimpulkan bahwa penambahan PGF2α pada pengencer Andromed dapat meningkatkan motilitas spermatozoa kambing Nubian.  (The improvement of sperm motility in Nubian goat after PGF2α administration in andromed semen diluents) ABSTRACT. The study aims to determine the administration effect of PGF2α in a commercial semen diluents (Andromed) on improvement of Nubian goat sperm motility. This study used semen samples that collected from three Nubian goats aged 2-3 using artificial vagina and their quality evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. After evaluated, semen samples were added with Andromed diluents then divided into three groups (P1, P2, and P3) where each group was then added with 0,9% physiologic NaCl, 37.5 µg PGF2α, and 75 µg PGF2α, respectively and stored in a refrigerator for 4 hours and subsequently spermatozoa motility was examined. The data obtained were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and followed by Duncan test. The results showed that the spermatozoa motility (%) of Nubian goats at P1, P2, and P3 were 26.33±5.5, 62.0±3.5, and 61.8±10.13, respectively. Based on the statistical tests showed that the administration of PGF2α at P2 and P3 had a significant effect (P0,05) on the motility of spermatozoa of Nubian goats, but the motility decreased in P1. The conclusion of this study is the addition of PGF2α to Andromed diluents can increase the motility of spermatozoa of Nubian goats.

This study aimed to determine the effect of seminal vesicle extract administration to increase the concentration and motility of spermatozoa and testosterone level of kacang goat. The experiment was arranged using a randomly completely block design (RCBD). Three kacang goats were used and each goat received three treatments namely P0 (2 mL of 0.9% NaCl), P1 (1.5 mL Capriglandin, PGF2α), and P2 (2 mL of seminal vesicle extract, EVS). Semen and blood were collected two days post-treatment to measure the concentration and motility of spermatozoa and testosterone level. Testosterone levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Duration between treatments was one week after semen collection. The result showed that the average spermatozoa concentration (x106) in P0; P1; and P2 respectively were 2,763.0±395.0; 2,060.00±678.2; and 2,387.0±442.7 (P>0.05), while the spermatozoa motility score in P0; P1; and P2 respectively were 3.7±1.1, 3.4±0.5, and 3.4±0.5 (P>0.05). The mean testosterone levels in P0, P1, and P2 respectively were 10.27±5.42, 18.51±19.46, and 29.57±12.96 ng/mL (P<0.05). It can be concluded that administration of EVS did not increase concentration and motility of spermatozoa but increased the level of testosterone in kacang goat.