Livestock breeding: the past, the present and the future

Successful livestock breeding until production of a healthy offspring is one of the key factors in ensuring sustainable animal production. The use of assisted reproductive biotechnology such as artificial insemination has always been practiced in ruminant sectors worldwide but its application in Malaysia is limited among farmers who are able to envisage the benefit of the technology in upgrading the genetic quality of their animals. The success of artificial insemination involves many factors such as semen collection, semen cryopreservation, handling of cryopreserved semen, insemination time and establishment of pregnancy. Therefore, this lecture dwells around research findings in the many processes in semen collection and cryopreservation which eventually improving the quality of semen prior to artificial insemination. It also discusses other aspects of livestock breeding such as oestrus synchronization and pregnancy diagnosis as well as in vitro embryo production

Semen evaluation in river terrapin (Batagur affinis).

The Batagur affinis or the southern river terrapin is one of the rarest chelonians in the world, found in the rivers of Malaysia. Over years the population of this species has decreased dramatically. Currently there are no data on the reproductive parameters and performance, to include semen collection and evaluation method, for these species. Therefore, this study documented the first-ever semen collection and evaluation in the freshwater turtle, the Batagur affinis. This study was conducted in December 2010 on 15 male river terrapins. Before electroejaculation, the Batagur affinis were sedated with Ketamine (5 mg/kg) IM and then restrained on a wooden stool. An electrical rectal probe was inserted into the cloaca and stimulated with 1-4 volts electrical stimuli in 5-6 cycles followed by manual stimulation. Semen samples were collected immediately after electrical stimuli and/or after manual stimulation. The results of semen evaluation showed that the average semen volume was 3.3 mL (range 0.85-7.45 mL). The seminal fluid was watery, clear, viscous and slimy to touch. An average sperm motility of 4% (range 0-24%) and average concentration of 2.3 million/mL were observed. The sperms had slightly curved narrow heads and the live sperm percentage was 59%. This study forms the basis for the development of a protocol for semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination in chelonians. The method should contribute to preservation of one of the world’s most critically endangered chelonians

Seroprevalence of neosporosis in cattle and its associated risk factors in selected farms in Selangor, Malaysia

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite causing abortion and neonate mortality in cattle. It was discovered in 1988 and has been reported to be a major cause of abortion in many countries. Worldwide seroprevalence of neosporosis range from as low as 1 to over 90%. In Malaysia, a seroprevalence study has only been done in one farm. This preliminary study is conducted to determine the seroprevalence of neosporosis and risk factors associated with neosporosis in different farms in Selangor, Malaysia. One hundred and eighty serum samples were obtained from 9 different cattle herds from 8 farms. The samples were tested for the presence of N. caninum antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire was used to obtain information on the farm for the identification of risk factors associated with neosporosis. The association between the risk factors and neosporosis were evaluated using chi-square analysis. Seropositivity was observed in 2.8% (5/180) of the samples, which came from 3 farms. Chi-square analysis revealed that none of the risk factors is significantly associated with neosporosis. Although a seroprevalence status has been established in Selangor, further investigation on the epidemiology aspects of this disease is required

Effect of turmeric oil in reproductive efficiency of immature male rats exposed experimentally to oxidative stress induced by potassium dichromate.

This study was conducted to evaluate the pre-puberty effects (period I) and post-puberty damage (period II) of K2Cr2O7 and TO on reproductive efficiency of immature male rats. 48 male Albino rats aged 25 day, randomly divided into 4 groups, 12 rats in each. 1stG, received 0.1 ml of DMSO 5% solution I/P, 2ndG, received K2Cr2O7 (0.4 mg/kg I/P) dissolved in distilled water, 3rdG received TO dissolve in DMSO 5% (20 mg/kg I/P), 4thG received both K2Cr2O7 + TO (0.4 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg I/P, ½ h in between). At the end of the experiment, half number (6) of the animals were sacrificed which represent period I (period of treatment, 14 days), the other remaining (6) animals kept on standard food without treatment to the age of 100 day which considered period II (period of recovery). Treatment with K2Cr2O7 (period I) show significant decrease in serum GSH and thickness of seminiferous tubules epithelium with significant increase in serum MDA, while TO treatment revealed significant increase in serum GSH and thickness of seminiferous tubules epithelium with significant decrease in serum MDA furthermore, treatment with K2Cr2O7 and TO together show significant increase in seminiferous tubules epithelium thickness and serum GSH, with significant decrease in serum MDA. In period II rats exhibited significant improvement in the parameters under the study. In conclusion, K2Cr2O7 have harm effects on reproductive efficiency of immature male rats while TO have improvement effects

Disease detection of brucellosis in goat population in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

A serological study of brucellosis in goats caused by Brucella melitensis was conducted in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A total of 771 serum samples were collected from seven districts namely Rembau, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Seremban, Port Dickson, Jempol, and Tampin. At least two farms were selected and a minimum of 100 serum samples were collected from each district. All sera were tested for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and complement fixation test (CFT). In this study, only Rembau and Kuala Pilah showed seropositivity for B. melitensis with RBPT and CFT at 1.0 and 2.5%, respectively. The CFT was more sensitive than the RBPT because the serum antibodies against B. melitensis detected by CFT were twice higher than that detected by RBPT. As suggested by the Office International des Epizooties OIE, CFT was used as a confirmatory test for brucellosis. This test is also recommended as a prescribed test for international trade and is used in the control and eradication programmes

Growth and reproductive performances of farmed timorensis deer, Cervus timorensis

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the growth and reproductive performances of timorensis deer, Cervus timorensis, that were kept in farm. All 140 animals were allowed to graze at all times while supplemented feed of approximately 1 kg/animal/day was provided except during the rainy season between October and December when supplementation was 2 kg/animal/day. Available farm records between 2011 and 2014 were collected and analysed for growth and reproductive performances. Most fawning occurred between October and December (average rainfall 413 mm) with an apparent peak in December. Average annual fawning percentage for the past four years was 57% while the average rate of mortality for fawns and adults was 5.4% and 13.5%, respectively. The average daily weight gain for up to one year of age was 0.042±0.02 kg but after one year it was 0.052±0.01 kg. The average body weight of adult timorensis at 24 months old was 48.5±1.4 and 44.5±0.9 kg for male and female, respectively. Monthly rainfall showed significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with the ADG but showed positive correlation (p<0.05) with fawning. Body weight gain was high during the dry months of May and August (average rainfall 150 mm). There seemed to be a clear breeding season for timorensis deer in this study, which was within the moderate months of March to April (average rainfall 236 mm) when body weight started to increase

Effects of timed artificial insemination following estrus synchronization in postpartum beef cattle.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate estrus response and pregnancy rates resulting from timed artificial insemination (AI) following estrus synchronization using CIDR in postpartum beef cattle. A total of 100 cows were randomly divided into three groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were artificially inseminated at 48-50 h(n=30), 53-55 h(n=30) and 58-60 h (n=40) after CIDR removal, respectively. Estrussynchronization was carried out using a CIDR containing 1.38 mg progesterone. All cows were given 2 mg estradiol benzoate, intramuscularly on the day of CIDR insertion (D 0). The CIDR was removed after 8 days and 125 μg of prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) was injected intramuscularly. One day after CIDR removal all cows were given 1 mg of estradiol benzoate intramuscularly (D 9). Cows were observed visually for estrus after removal of CIDR. Between 30 and 32 days after timed AI, pregnancy was determined using transrectal ultrasonography. The first estrus observation which is approximately 32 h after CIDR removal showed no significant difference (P>0.05) among the three groups. The onset response of estrus after 32 h removal of CIDR was less than 10% in all three group s 6.6% (G1), 6.8% (G2) and 7.3% (G3). Furthermore, percentages of estrus response (D 10) following CIDR removal were 76.6%, 75.0% and 77.5%. The difference between on D9 and D10 estrus response were statistically significant (P<0.05). The pregnancy rates were 23.3% (G1), 26.6% (G2) and 37.5% (G3), which were not significant (P>0.05)