Biochemical polymorphisms in the Malaysian water buffaloes

Ten enzymes and proteins: transferrin, amylase, haemoglobin, esterase D, red cell acid pho.phatau, superoxide dismutase, phosphoglycolate phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and soluble glutamate oxaloace.tate transaminase, from the serum and red blood cell of 88 water buffaloes, Bubalus bubahs, have been investigated by starch gel or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Four of these: transferrin, amylase, haemoglobin and esterase D show electrophoretic variation at polymorphic proportions

Relationship of scrotal circumference to age, body weight and onset of spermatogenesis in goats

Scrotal circumference (SC) and body weight (BW) measurements were obtained from 122 crossbred (Saanen × Loca; Jumnapari × Local) bucks, ranging in age from 3 to 28 months. Spermatogenesis and semeniferous tubule diameters were studied from testicular biopsies in 24 bucks. The results showed that SC increased curvilinearly and was significantly correlated with age (P < 0.05). Scrotal circumference correlated more significantly with BW (P < 0.001). Spermatogenesis was completed at 6–7 months with a sudden increase in tubular diameter at the same time. Since SC is an indirect measurement of testicular size, a marked increase in testicular size indicated the onset of active spermatogenesis and, hence, the possibility of using bucks for breeding at an earlier age than normally recommended. Further, SC norms obtained in this study may become useful in the evaluation of bucks for breeding soundness

Reproductive behaviour of captive Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is on the verge of extinction in Malaysia. At the Sumatran rhinoceros Conservation Centre in Sungai Dusun, the reproductive behaviour of two female and two male rhinoceroses were studied for 8–10 months during attempts to breed them in captivity. Due to the paucity of scientific information on the reproductive biology of the Sumatran rhinoceros, this study was conducted to obtain information on the reproductive behaviour of this species. The male rhino was introduced to a female rhino in the morning for 1–2 h daily in order to observe for behavioural oestrus. Observations were made on the signs of oestrus and mating behaviour. Oestrus was determined by receptivity towards the male and lasted about 24 h. Common signs of oestrus were an increase in frequency of urine spraying, tail raising or swinging, anogenital and other contacts. Although the males exhibited mounting, the inability of the male to achieve intromission was poor. The study demonstrated that the pattern of courtship and copulation of the captive Sumatran rhinos were comparable with those of other rhino species, reported previously by other scientists and flehmen reflex was also exhibited by the male Sumatran rhinos. In a captive breeding programme, it is recommended that only an oestral female is introduced into a male enclosure due to the male solitary behaviour and to avoid serious injuries inflicted onto the females

Induction of oestrus and ovulation in buffalo (bubalus bubalis) using cloprostenol, a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin f₂ᵪ*

The use of cloprostenol ("Fstrumate", I.C.I), a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F ₂ᵪ for the induction of oestrus and ovulation was studied in 23 lactating swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). A dose of 250 or 500μg cloprostenol was administered as a single intramuscular injection between day 5 and 14 of the oestrous cycle. Oestrus occurred 82±8.2 hr. (25Oμg) or 81±10.7 hr (500μg)after cloprostenol treatment in 21 of 23 cows treated. The induced oestrus was followed by ovulation and corpus luteum development in every animal. The pregnancy rate was 48 per cent for the service at the induced oestrus. However, in the absence of control data no conclusions can be drawn on the effects of cloprostenol on fertility

The immobilization and translocation of wild Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, in Peninsular Malaysia

The drug immobilization technique for the capture and translocation of wild elephants [Elephas maximus) is described. Doses of 2.7 mg to 8.6 mg of etorphine hydrochloride alone or in combination with acepromazine satisfactorily immobilized 9 out of 11 animals. Two capture related deaths were recorded. This technique proved to be safe and was a very practical method for elephants located in the dense vegetation and swampy conditions in Malaysi

Fertility of cloprostenol-treated dairy cattle inseminated at fixed times

The conception rate (C.R.) of 50 cycling crossbred dairy cattle lnseminted at 72 and 96 hr. (group 1/) or 72 hr. (group III} after the second of two intramuscular injections of 500 ug Cloprostenol (Estrumate ICI, a synthetic analogue structurally related to PGF2α) given 11 days apart was compared with first service C.R. of 18 untreated controls (group I). The higher C.R. in cloprostenol-treated cows (group II = 56%,' group III = 40%) than in untreated controls (group I = 28%) demonstrates that normal fertility could be expected with cloprosteno! and fixed time insemination. The lower C.R. in untreated animals re-emphasizes the difficulties of oestrous detection for artificial insemination under Malaysian conditions. The possibility now exists in Malaysia for a much greater utilization of valuable sires so that the potential benefits of an artificial insemination programme could be realized

The karyotype of the crossbred between the Murrah and Malaysian swamp buffalo (bubalus buballs)

Chromosome analysis on cultured peripheral blood leucocytes demonstrated that the Fl cross of Murrah X Malaysian swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) had a diploid chromosome number of 49 and a karyotype intermediate to that of the parents. The effect this chromosome complement may have on fertility is discussed

Long-term plasma progesterone profiles in captive macaques (macaca fascicularis)

Five adult female long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis} were studied in a laboratory environment soon after capture for a 14-month period to determine the relationship between ovarian cyclicity and captivity, and to establish whether there was seasonal fluctuation in ovarian function under local conditions. Menstrual cycle lengths were established for each animal using both vaginal swabbing and progesterone determination. Plasma progesterone was measured by radioimmunoassay with a sensitivity of ~ 0.25 ng/ml and an intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation of 6.7% (n=30) and 16.9% (n=22), respectively. Regular ovarian activity was observed in 3 animals, with a mean (± S.D.) ovarian cycle length of 25.5 ±. 1.8 (n=17), 32.8 ±. 6.3 (n=l1) and 31.3 ±. 3.8 (n=11) days, respectively. Long-term disruption of ovarian cyclicity was observed in two animals; one animal showed numerous anovulatory cycles with a mean length of 70.3.± 37.3 (n=6) days, while the other had amenorrhea exceeding 200 days. With twice weekly observations, the present study suggests that serial plasma progesterone determination is a better indicator of ovarian cyclicity than vaginal swabbing. It was found that captivity was associated with ovarian dysfunction in some but not all animals. No seasonal fluctuation in ovarian function was observed