Accounting for Genetic Differences Among Unknown Parents in : A Case Study From the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo.

The use of genetic evaluations in the Water Buffalo by means of a Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) animal model has been increased over the last two-decades across several countries. However, natural mating is still a common reproductive strategy that can increase the proportion of missing pedigree information. The inclusion of genetic groups in variance component (VC) and breeding value (EBV) estimation is a possible solution.

FSH Stimulation with Short Withdrawal Improves Oocyte Competence in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo ().

The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of different FSH doses and FSH coasting times before ovum pick-up (OPU) on follicular growth and oocyte competence in buffalo. Experiment 1 involved two different FSH treatments: 40 mg FSH given three (FSH3) or six (FSH6) times, 2 days after dominant follicle removal were tested, with OPU carried out after 40-44 h of coasting. In experiment 2, OPU was carried out after FSH6 protocol followed by 28-32 h (C1), 40-44 h (C2), or 64-68 h (C3) of coasting time.

Early Prediction of Corpus Luteum Functionality Using an Imaging Software.

The present study aimed to assess the applicability of luteal blood flow data acquired through the use of color Doppler ultrasonography and a post-processing analysis tool (ImageJ) for predicting pregnancy in buffaloes (). The experiment was carried out on 59 multiparous Italian Mediterranean buffaloes that underwent synchronization of estrus and fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI). Corpus luteum features (size: CLS and blood flow: BFA) were taken from Day 5 to 10 after TAI and retrospectively measured with ImageJ.

Crocin Improves the Quality of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in Different Breeds.

The effect of crocin in the semen extender before cryopreservation was evaluated on sperm parameters of 20 bucks of five different breeds: Garganica (GA), Jonica (JO), Maltese (MA), Mediterranean Red (MR) and Saanen (SA). Semen samples were centrifuged, to remove seminal plasma, divided in two aliquots and diluted with Tris-egg-yolk-based extender, containing 0 (control group) and 1 mM crocin. Crocin concentration was established after a preliminary dose trial.

Analysis of meiotic segregation by triple-color fish on both total and motile sperm fractions in a t(1p;18) river buffalo bull.

Chromosomal aberrations are relatively frequent pathologies in both humans and animals. Among them, translocations present a specific meiotic segregation pattern able to give a higher percentage of unbalanced gametes that can induce fertility problems. In this study, the meiotic segregation patterns of 1p, 1q and 18 Bubalus bubalis chromosomes were analyzed in both total sperm fraction and motile sperm fraction of a t(1p;18) carrier and a control bulls by triple-color FISH analysis with a pool of specific BAC probes.

Evaluation of factors involved in the failure of ovum capture in superovulated buffaloes.

The aim of this work was to evaluate factors affecting ovum capture in superovulated buffaloes, by comparing the morphological features of pre-ovulatory follicles and oocytes, the intrafollicular and plasmatic steroid profile, as well as the expression of genes involved in cumulus expansion and steroid cascade in granulosa cells (GCs) and that of genes involved in contraction-relaxation of the oviduct between superovulated and synchronized buffaloes. Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows were either synchronized by Ovsynch (n = 25) and superovulated (n = 10) with conventional FSH protocol and sacrificed 18 h after last GnRH. Antral follicular count, recovery rate and oocyte quality were recorded, and plasma and follicular fluid were collected for steroid profile determination.

Inhibition of apoptosis by caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK improves cryotolerance of in vitro derived bovine embryos.

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether the treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-FMK) during cryopreservation and post-warming in vitro culture improves cryotolerance of bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos. Abattoir derived bovine oocytes were in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured according to standard procedure. On Day 7, embryo yields were assessed and blastocysts randomly divided in 2 groups: vitrification and post-warming culture in the absence (n = 184) or presence (n = 156) of 20 μM Z-VAD-FMK.

Resveratrol prevents capacitation-like changes and improves in vitro fertilizing capability of buffalo frozen-thawed sperm.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplementation of semen extender on fertility parameters of frozen-thawed buffalo sperm. After the initial semen assessment, buffalo semen was cryopreserved in BioXcell containing 0 (control group), 0.5, 1, 10, and 50-μM resveratrol.

Carnitine supplementation decreases capacitation-like changes of frozen-thawed buffalo spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carnitine supplementation of semen extender on fertility parameters of frozen-thawed buffalo sperm. Buffalo semen was cryopreserved in BioXcell containing 0 (control group), 2.5 and 7.