Falah Hasan Ali Baiee

Abstract The effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the fertility of senescent male rats was assessed in this study. 40 rats received daily distilled water, testosterone, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract of Alchornea cordifolia. The reproductive organs weight, the gonadotropins, testosterone and cholesterol level, the sperm parameters, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. The weight of testes and prostate (400 mg/kg) significantly increased (p < 0.05) as well as the level of FHS (p < 0.001), LH and testosterone (p < 0.01) at a dose of 400 mg/kg, respectively, while the cholesterol decreased at a dose of 200 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01) respectively. The testes and epididymis were full of spermatozoa particularly at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The sperm count and morphology significantly increased at both doses of 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001; p < 0.01) respectively. The sperm motion (PROG, VAP, VSL, VCL) (p < 0.001), (ALH, BCF) (p < 0.05) increased at a dose of 200 mg/kg and decreased at a dose of 400 mg/ kg. The overall results provide the strong evidence of the fertility potential of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves in senescent male rats.

Alchornea cordifolia, a shrub found in tropical Africa, is used to treat several physiological disorders, including male infertility and impotency. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the sexual behavior of senescent and sexually inexperienced rats. In order to evaluate aphrodisiac properties and reproductive performance, rats were divided into groups: group I receiving distilled water, group II receiving testosterone, group III receiving sildenafil citrate, group IV and V receiving the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves at 200 mg / kg and 400 mg / kg, respectively. The treatment was done by gavage for groups I, III, IV and V and subcutaneous injection of testosterone every three days for group II for 14 days. On days 1, 7 and 14, the rats were mated to the receptive females. At the end of this last treatment, the rats were mated with gonad-intact females. 14 days after of treatment, the extract leads to an increase in libido and sexual performance parameters (mounts, intromissions and ejaculations frequency) and an increase in sexual desire (decrease of mount and intromission latency). The extract also prolonged the duration of coitus by increasing the ejaculation latency and the average interval of copulation. An increase in the percentage of female’s rats impregnated as well as the numbers of implantations were recorded in females’ rats mated with the males treated with our extract. These results reveal the potential of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves to improve male reproductive performance justifying its use in traditional medicine.

The aim of this study was to reduce acute discomfortness experienced in bulls during semen collection by electro ejaculation method. The normal electro ejaculation method of semen collection (Method I) was compared to a modified method involving three stages of graduated electrical stimulation (Method II) in four crossbred bulls. The results showed that intensive muscle spasm, bull struggling and arc back were reduced (p ˂ 0.05), as well as the time of penile protrusion (p = 0.003) and semen emission (p = 0.084) were improved using Method II than Method I. However, the total time taken for semen collection was the same in both methods. Also, there were no significant differences in semen parameters such as sperm volume, motility, morphology, viability, and concentration. In conclusion, gradation of electrical stimulation into three stages (our modified Method II) could help to ease the collection of semen samples from bulls with minimum discomfort signs. Furthermore, the modified method is also recommended to use for other animals, in particular, the wild animals.

Conventional semen examination involving sperm motility, viability and morphology remains the backbone of assessing the fertility status of a sire. However, there remains instances where these semen parameters appear normal but cases of low conception rates or failure of pregnancy occur. This review highlights the causes of sperm DNA damage and the effectiveness of techniques designed to evaluate the contribution of sperm DNA damage to lowered fertility in bulls. Among the many causes of sperm DNA impairment are imperfect spermatogenesis, faulty apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, in-vitro handling, impact of environment, radiography and the stress of cryopreservation processes. Furthermore, DNA impairment impairs fertilisation, interferes with embryonic development and implantation and blocks blastocyst formation. The most frequently used tests to determine DNA damage are the acridine orange test (AOT) using acridine orange stain with examination under a fluorescence microscope and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) using the same stain but examined with flow cytometry.

This study aims to assess the effect of Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract on chilled and cryopreserved quality of bull sperm. Semen samples were obtained from four Simmental–Brangus. Each sample was divided into two fractions: the first fraction was used for chilling the semen, and the second fraction was used for the freezing process. Both fractions were extended with Tris–egg yolk extender supplemented with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/ml Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract. The diluted chilled fraction was chilled at 5 °C for 6 days, whereas the frozen–thawed fraction was frozen in liquid nitrogen. Data revealed that 1 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract yielded significantly (p < .05) higher sperm motility, morphology, viability, and sperm membrane integrity compared with the control group and other treated groups in chilled semen evaluation. For cryopreserved sperm, a significant difference (p < .05) in sperm motility, viability, sperm membrane integrity, DNA integrity, and lipid peroxidation was observed between 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract and other treated and control groups. However, no significant difference in the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal sperm morphology was observed among the groups. In conclusion, the addition of 0.25 and 1 mg/ml E. langifolia extract to chilled semen and 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract to cryopreserved sperm into Tris–egg yolk extender helps in maintaining superior quality of bull spermatozoa during chilling and freezing.

The seminal plasma consists of several components that stimulate the ovulation process. The great quantity of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in seminal plasma has wide implication questions about identification, sources, mechanism of action, role among species and clinical applications in the infertility. The purpose of the current review is to focus on the current understanding of physiological and biochemical properties of seminal plasma in camelids. llamas and alpaca seminal plasma was used as agent of induced and spontaneous ovulators. Column chromatography was used to identify the ovulation-inducing factor as part of seminal plasma that stimulating hormone secretion (LH) and ovulation in llamas. OIF is β-NGF that is highly conserved. An endocrine route of action of NGF explains a previously unknown pathway for the direct influence of the male on the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis of the inseminated female.

The aim of this study was to assess three different cytological endometrial sampling methods used to estimate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) under high power field (HPF) microscopy and to determine subclinical endometritis in postpartum beef cows. Forty beef cows aged 3-7 years were sampled at week three and four after calving by endometrial cytology methods. The cytological sampling methods used included; cotton swab (CS), cytobrush (CB) technique, and low volume flush (LVF), respectively. The mean PMN counts at the third week was higher (p<0.01) (12.2 cells HPF-1 than on the fourth week (4 cells HPF-1). The average PMN counts using CB alone was significantly higher (11.3 cells HPF-1) than CS (7 cells HPF-1) and LVF ( 6 cells HPF-1) methods. Smears from CB had more endometrial cells (58.55 cells HPF-1) at HPF, which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than CS and LVF methods. Both CB and CS methods yielded more intact cells (62.4 % and 61.9 %) (p <0.01) than LVF (52.4 %). The prevalence of subclinical endometritis in the beef cows between 22 and 28 days postpartum using a threshold value of ≥8 % by cytobrush method was 12.5%, which is considered low. In conclusion, CB method was found to be better and effective technique in comparison to other cytological methods used in obtaining endometrial cytology samples.

This study was carried out to improve the kinetic motilities of frozen-thawed bull semen diluted with tris-based egg yolk diluent that was supplemented with Eurycoma longifolia jack aqueous extract. A total of 24 ejaculates were obtained from six cross-bred bulls using an electro-ejaculator. The extract of Eurycoma longifolia jack was distributed into three low doses and three high doses; cryopreserved samples were evaluated into three different times to confirm the results of kinetic motilities through different times and between groups. Path velocity (VAP µm/s), progress velocity (VSL µm/s), track speed (VCL µm/s), lateral amplitude (ALH µm/s), Beat Frequency (BCF Hz), straightness (STR %), linearity (LIN %), were evaluated three different times using Computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results revealed that the percentage of VAP, ASL and VCL were higher (p<0.05) in the frozen-thawed semen group supplemented with 5 mg mL−1 Eurycoma longifolia jack extract (73.19±1.91, 58.34±2.06 and 117.91±2.68 in first evaluation, then 74.22±2.06, 57.45±1.72 and 118.92±2.55 in second evaluation and 72.95±2.27, 56.75±1.30 and 119.07±3.54 in third evaluation; respectively). In conclusion, Eurycoma longifolia Jack aqueous extract supplementation to the semen diluent at 5 mg mL−1 significantly improved sperm kinetic motilities of frozen-thawed bull semen.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in Tris-based extender on chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen quality parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 ejaculates were collected from four bulls via an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 2% VCO in Tris-based extender which consists of various concentrations of SL (1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75%). A 20% egg yolk in Tris used as a positive control (C+). The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions; one for chilling which were stored at 4°C for 24, 72, and 144 h before evaluated for semen quality parameters. The second fraction used for freezing was chilled for 3 h at 4°C, packed into 0.25 mL straws and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The samples were then evaluated after 7 and 14 days. Chilled and frozen semen samples were thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis, viability, acrosome integrity and morphology (eosin-nigrosin stain), membrane integrity, and lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid reaction test. Results: The results showed that all the quality parameters assessed were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 1.5% SL concentration in chilled semen. Treatment groups of 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75% SL were higher in quality parameters than the control group (C+) in chilled semen. However, all the quality parameters in frozen-thawed semen were significantly higher in the C+ than the treated groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation of 1.5% SL in 2% VCO Tris-based extender enhanced the chilled bull semen. However, there was no marked improvement in the frozen-thawed quality parameters after treatment.

BACKGROUND: Artificial insemination represents one of the most applicable technologies in cattle breeding. Semen quality post cryopreservation have been associated with many factors such as impending storage intervals, source of sperm, cryopreservation protocol and the most important is the type of extenders used. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the extending capacity of four different types of extenders namely, AndroMed ®, BioXcell ®, Triladyl® and Tris-egg yolk in terms of motility, viability, morphology, DNA integrity, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity of post-thawed bull sperms. Three healthy matured BrangusHereford bulls were selected for this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four semen samples were collected using an automatic electro-ejaculator and semen quality was analysed using Computer Assisted Semen Analyser (CASA). Eosin-Nigrosin (EN) staining technique was applied to evaluate the morphology, viability and acrosome integrity whilst sperm DNA integrity was evaluated using modified acridine orange stain and hypo-osmotic swelling test was applied to evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity. RESULTS: Amongst the four extenders, AndroMed ® resulted in superior extending capacity to sperm motility, morphology, DNA integrity, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. BioXcell ® and Tris-egg yolk extenders had the highest capacity to protect sperm viability. Triladyl ® showed lowest extending potential capacity to bull sperm. CONCLUSION: From the present study, AndroMed ® can be considered as the best suitable extender for bull sperm cryopreservation. BioXcel®, Trilady® and Tris –egg yolk based extender can be still applied, but there is a need for more studies in future to improve their extending potential capacity.

Aim: The objective of this research is to report parameters for breeding soundness evaluation, semen extension, and cryopreservation in Rusa timorensis. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy stags were chosen for semen collection using an electroejaculator. The collections were performed twice in a breeding season between February and June 2016. Samples were collected between 2 and 3 weeks interval, collected twice for each animal. Semen was evaluated, extended, and cryopreserved using four different extenders; Andromed®, BioXcell®, Triladyl®, and a modified Tris-egg yolk combined with Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Results: R. timorensis semen characteristics according to volume (ml), color, sperm concentration (106 /ml), general motility (%), progressive motility (%), and % morphology of normal spermatozoa are 0.86±0.18 ml, thin milky to milky, 1194.2±346.1 106 /ml, 82.9±2.8%, 76.1±4.8%, and 83.9±4.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Semen characteristics of R. timorensis collected by electroejaculation is good allowing for cryopreservation and future artificial insemination work. The most suitable extender for Rusa deer semen is Andromed®.

Lead acetate (LA) toxicity can occur either by ingestion or inhalation from contaminated surfaces or from the environment. Nigella sativa is a natural product with immense pharmacological proper-ties. In this study, the effects of N. sativa pre-treatment on lead acetate induced hematological and biochemical changes were evaluated. A total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups with 5 rats each. Group 1 (NC) was the negative control, group 2 was the lead acetate control (PC) and was administered 10 mg/kg/per day of lead acetate (LA) per OS for 30 days, group 3 (T1) was administered 200 mg/kg/daily of Nigella sativa orally for a month and Group 4 (T2) was pre-treated with 200 mg/kg/daily of Nigella sativa orally for one month, followed by administration of 10 mg/kg/daily of lead acetate (LA) orally for another month. At the end of the experiment, whole blood and serum were collected to evaluate the complete blood profile and serum biochemistry. The haemogram showed lower (p < 0 05) level of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and prothrombin in the PC group, while total white blood cell count, band neutrophils, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes counts were higher (p < 0.05) in the PC group than the treatment groups. However, eosinophil count was higher in T2, while no changes were observed in RBC and MCV values. Both alanine and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes were higher in the PC as compared to other groups. Similarly, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, urea and creatinine were all higher (p < 0.05) in the PC group and comparable (p > 0.05) in the control, T1 and T2 groups. The level of SOD and GSH were lower (p < 0.05) in the PC and T2 groups. In summary, this study showed the prophylactic potential of N. sativa extract in modulating both hematological, biochemical and anti-oxidant enzymes alterations induced by sub-chronic lead acetate administration in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8% virgin coconut oil (VCO) combined with different percentages of egg yolk in Tris extender on the quality of chilled and frozen–thawed bull semen. A total of 24 ejaculates from four bulls were collected using an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 8% VCO in Tris extender which contained different concentrations 0% (control), 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk. The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions: one was chilled and stored at 4 °C until evaluation after 24, 72, and 144 h; the second fraction was processed by chilling for 3 h at 4 °C to equilibrate, then packaged in 0.25 mL straws and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C until evaluation after 7 and 14 days. Both chilled and frozen semen samples were then thawed at 37 °C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), viability, acrosome integrity, and morphology (eosin-nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The results indicate treatments with 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk with 8% VCO had greater sperm quality (P < 0.05) as compared with the control. The treatment with 20% egg yolk had the greatest sperm quality (P < 0.05) among the treated groups for both chilled and frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, the use of 8% VCO combined with 20% egg yolk in a Tris-based extender enhanced the values for chilled and frozen-thawed quality variables of bull sperm.

The objective of this study was to enhance the hypo-osmotic swelling test evaluation when it reads under light microscope using 5% formaldehyde-fixed sperm solution buffer (FSSB). Ejaculates were collected from six crossbred bulls using electro-ejaculator (EE), and four collections from each bull. Tris-egg yolk extender was used to cryopreserve the bull semen. Concentration, volume, motility, morphology and viability rates of fresh semen were evaluated after collection. Samples were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen, and after two weeks of freezing in liquid nitrogen, the motility, morphology and viability rate were evaluated. Furthermore, to do a hypo-osmotic swelling test, post-thaw semen was divided into four aliquots depends on time of incubation (30 or 60 minutes) with adding FSSB to half the samples. The components of FSSB were 5% formaldehyde and 1% eosin-nigrosin stain in PBS. Our finding showed that F60 (61.48 ±0.89%) resulted in higher percentage (P<0.05) of total membrane intact as compared with F30 (54.40 ±1.34%) and N30 (53.96±1.17%), but did not differ (P>0.05) with N60 (60.90±0.70%). In conclusion, adding 10 µl from FSSB after 60 min of sperm incubated with hypo-osmotic swelling solution (HOSS) will enhance evaluation of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) under light microscope.

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a chronic infectious disease of sheep and goat caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis). This disease is characterised by the formation of abscesses in lymph nodes and visceral organs. However, it might be involved in reproductive disorders such as orchitic, abortion, and stillbirth. Current knowledge on the complications regarding reproductive system induced by CLA indicates that thees changes were observed in the gonads, seminal secretions, cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) as well as hormonal concentration which overall impaired the reproductive performance of small ruminants. Despite the importance of CLA in small ruminants, reasonable information regarding reproductive pathology caused by this disease has not been provided. In this review, we present the pathogenicity characteristics of the bacterium, disease and its virulence effects on the histology, cytokine production, semen attributes and reproductive hormone profiles. Furthermore, we discuss an update on the isolation of the bacterium from different reproductive organs of bucks and does.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) 600 IU administered immediately after removing the intra-vaginal sponges out of breeding season and compare the twining rate within and out of the breeding season. Twenty four non pregnant, multiparous local Awassi ewes were used, body weight and age ranged (28-36) kg and (2.5-3.5) years old respectively. These ewes (group A) passed through natural breeding season which was August 2009. After 29 days from the last lambing, the ewes divided randomly into two groups, the 1st group (C= 10) kept as a control group and received no treatment, while the 2nd group (T= 14) treated with intra-vaginal progesterone sponges (Cronolone 20 mg Chronogest®), which remained in situ for a period of 11 days then after removing it, animals were immediately injected with 600 IU of PMSG intramuscularly. The results of estrous and conception rate of T group show not much difference with those of group A, in contrast high difference was noticed with group C. The ewes of group C show no estrous. The twinning rate and litter size of group T appeared higher than those of group A and group C. In conclusion, intra-vaginal sponges and PMSG injection improved reproductive performance of Awassi ewes out of breeding season in temperate environment.

هدفت الدراسة الحالية الى معرفة دور عشبة الزنجبيل وفيتامين A في تحسين وقت التفاعل الجنسي في الكباش المحلية، قسمت الحيوانات الى اربعة مجاميع اذ عوملت المجموعة الاولى بعشبة الزنجبيل، والمجموعة الثانية عوملت بـ فيتامين A اما المجموعة الثالثة فقد عوملت بـ عشبة الزنجبيل وفيتامين A وتركت المجموعة الرابعة كمجموعة سيطرة دون اي معاملة نستنج من خلال الدراسة امكانية استخدام الزنجبيل لوحده او مع فيتامين A في تحسين وقت التفاعل الجنسي