Seasonal variations in scrotal circumference and semen characteristics of Naimi and Najdi rams in Saudi Arabia

In the present study, the authors analysed the effects of seasonal variations on the scrotal circumference and semen characteristics in two ram breeds in Saudi Arabia, namely Naimi and Najdi. Five rams of each breed were used in this experiment. Scrotal circumference and semen characteristics were evaluated in each ram twice a month throughout the year. Significant differences were observed in the scrotal circumference between various seasons. The largest production of semen was recorded mainly in spring, whereas the lowest semen volume was produced in summer. The pH of the semen was slightly alkaline and significantly lower in autumn than in spring. Furthermore, the highest value of the total number of sperm per ejaculate was observed in spring for both breeds. The results indicated that mass motility increased significantly in autumn compared with winter, spring, and summer. Progressive motility was significantly lower during the months of summer and spring. However, no significant differences were recorded between autumn and winter. Hence, the presence of significant seasonal variations in semen quantity and quality of Naimi and Najdi rams suggests the viability of increased utilization of rams in spring and autumn for semen collection and reproductive practices.Keywords: Mass motility, progressive motility, semen volume, sperm concentratio

Studies on the Oestrous Cycle of Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of this study was to investigate the oestrous cycle of the Arabian camel. Eight female camels (Majaheem) were used. Daily blood samples were collected for 60 days to measure Oestradiol - 178 (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels using radioimmunoassays. The duration of the follicular wave cycle ranged from 25-30 days and the length of oestrous from 5-7 days. P, levels were low (<3.2 nmol/l) throughout the cycle, while E2 levels were high during oestrous. The corpus luteum was therefore not present during the natural cycle suggesting that Arabian camels experienced induced ovulation

Studies on the Oestrous Cycle of Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of this study was to investigate the oestrous cycle of the Arabian camel. Eight female camels (Majaheem) were used. Daily blood samples were collected for 60 days to measure Oestradiol - 178 (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels using radioimmunoassays. The duration of the follicular wave cycle ranged from 25-30 days and the length of oestrous from 5-7 days. P, levels were low (&lt;3.2 nmol/l) throughout the cycle, while E2 levels were high during oestrous. The corpus luteum was therefore not present during the natural cycle suggesting that Arabian camels experienced induced ovulation

Studies on the Oestrous Cycle of Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of this study was to investigate the oestrous cycle of the Arabian camel. Eight female camels (Majaheem) were used. Daily blood samples were collected for 60 days to measure Oestradiol - 178 (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels using radioimmunoassays. The duration of the follicular wave cycle ranged from 25-30 days and the length of oestrous from 5-7 days. P, levels were low (<3.2 nmol/l) throughout the cycle, while E2 levels were high during oestrous. The corpus luteum was therefore not present during the natural cycle suggesting that Arabian camels experienced induced ovulation

Concentrations of Plasma Oestradiol-I7ll, Progesterone and Cortisol in Pre-and Postpartum Stages of Arabian She-Camel (Camelus dromedarius L.)

ABSTRACT. The present investigation was conducted to estimate the oestradiol-17B (E2), progesterone (P 4) and cortisol profile in the Arabian she-camel (Came/us dromedarius L.) pre-and postpartum. Five pregnant Arabian she-camels were used. Blood samples were collecteed on 42, 35, 28, 21, 14, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 days pre-and postpartum and on the day of parturition. The plasma was stored at -20°C till use. The ~ concentration has increased significantly from day 42 prepartum (755 ± 104 pmoll ") to day 3 prepartum (1540 ± 460 pmoll "), before decreasing on the day of calving (28.0 ± 12 pmolr") and remained low thereafter. The P 4 concentration has decreased (p < 0.01) from day 42 prepartum (16.0 ± 4.0 nmolr t) to day 2 prepartum (8.0 ± 2.5 nrnoll'") and remained low without any major fluctuations. Cortisol concentration was little changed from day 42 prepartum (27.5 ± 3.2 nmolr ') to day 2 prepartum (52.5 ± 8.0 nmolr"). However, it has increased on day one prepartum (860 ± 17.3 nmoll ") and peaked on the day of parturition (112.32 ± 12.7 nmolr '), before decreasing thereafter. The results showed that ~ and the cortisol levels have increased sharply before parturition which might confirm their role in triggering parturition in the camel. While the decline of P 4 seems to be required for the initiation of parturition too. It could be concluded that together with other parameters, oestradiol-17B, progesterone and cortisol may be used as good indicators to predict the time of parturition in the Arabian she-camel

Superovulation in cattle usingPMSG followed by PMSGmonoclonal antibodies

The advantages of using pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) to stimulate increased preovulatory follicular development are that it is available in large quantities at low cost, and can be administered as a single dose because of its long half-life. The long half-life, however, can have dis¬advantages since it may cause over and/or prolonged stimulation, leading to a second wave offollic¬ular development after ovulation and a secondary rise in oestradiol-l 7 p. The latter may interfere with embryo quality. PMSG antiserum I has been extensively tested in an effort to selectively remove PMSG from the peripheral blood ofPMSG stimulated cattle after the initial phase of follicular stimulation but before the secondary post-ovulatory phase of stimulation. This neutralisation of PMSG with PMSG anti¬serum prevents the secondary development of ovarian follicles and the accompanying rise in oestra¬diol-17 p; however, the evidence regarding the effect on the number of usable embryos recovered is conflicting. The best results, in this respect, have been obtained when PMSG antiserum was admin¬istered 5-6 h after the preovulatory LH peak but this event is difficult to assess in practice. Adminis¬tration of PMSG antiserum at a fixed time in relation to the use of either PMSG or a synchronising injection of a prostaglandin analogue, or in relation to the onset of behavioural oestrus is unsatisfac¬tory because of the variability of the timing of the LH peak in relation to these events. It may, how¬ever, be possible to use the preovulatory peak of oestradiol-l 7 p as a marker for the administration of PMSG antiserum

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like factors in the seminal plasma of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius L.)

The presence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)-like factors in the seminal plasma of the Arabian camel{Camelus dromedarius L.) has been studied in immature rats.Immature male and female rats treated with the Arabian's seminalplasma (SP) or with synthetic GnRH developed heavier testes andovaries and large seminiferous tubules than those of the controls.Immature female rats treated with GnRH and those injected withhighest two doses of the camel's SP has developed a greater number ofovarian follicles than those of the corresponding controls. Thosereceiving the lower three doses of the camel's SP has developed agreater number of small ovarian follicles than in their controls. It isconcluded that the Arabian camel's SP contains an ovulationstimulation factor