Browsing by Author "Athman, K V"

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Diagnosis of pregnancy in bitches by transabdominal palpation along with haematological studies
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Namsui, Thou; Athman, K V
Early pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography in goats
(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Sreejith, J R; Athman, K V
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of B-mode ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats and to identify the optimum stage of gestation for early pregnancy diagnosis using of transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography. Thirty apparently healthy does with the history of breeding were selected for the study and these goats were randomly divided into three groups consisting of ten animals each. Group I consisted of ten goats which were scanned between third and fourth week (15- 28 days) post-breeding. Ten goats scanned between fifth and sixth week (29- 42 days) post-breeding, were included in group II and group III consisted of ten goats which were scanned between seventh and eighth week (43- 56 days) post-breeding. These animals were subjected to B-mode real-time ultrasound scanning transrectally (7.5 MHz probe)) and transabdominally (3.5 MHz probe). The accuracy of transrectal scanning in group I, II and III was 90, 100 and 100 per cent respectively and the accuracy for corresponding weeks was 50, 100 and 100 per cent respectively for transabdominal scanning. The embryonic vesicle was detected earliest on day 19 of gestation by transrectal scanning and on day 26 by transabdominal scanning. The embryo was first observed on day 22 and day 28 by transrectal and transabdominal scanning respectively. The foetal heartbeat which was an indication of foetal viability was detected earliest by transrectal scanning on day 24 of gestation. But by transabdominal ultrasonography, it could be detected only on day 34 of gestation. Placentomes and foetal skeleton were observed on day 42 and 54 of gestation respectively using both methods of scanning. The mean diameter of gestational sac recorded was 5.1 mm on day 19 and 27 mm on day 36 of gestation by transrectal scanning. The mean diameter of gestational sac recorded was 15.7 mm on day 26 and 34.4 mm on day 36 of gestation by transabdominal scanning. The mean crown-rump length ranged from 7.2 mm on day 22 to 34.4 mm on day 43 of gestation using transrectal scanning. By transabdominal scanning, the mean crown-rump length recorded was 16.7 mm on day 28 and 32.7 mm on day 43 of gestation. The diameter of the placentomes recorded by transrectal and transabdominal scanning on day 42 of gestation was 8.4 mm and 8.5 mm respectively. All the foetal measures by transrectal and transabdominal scanning were highly correlated (r > 0.9) with gestational age. The overall accuracy for the prediction of foetal numbers by transrectal and transabdominal scanning was 80 and 50 per cent respectively. The accuracy for prediction of foetal number using transrectal scanning in pregnant animals of group I and III was 71.43 per cent. The accuracy for the prediction was 100 per cent in pregnant animals of group II. By transrectal scanning, the accuracy for the prediction of singletons, twins and triplets by transrectal scanning was 100, 83.33 and 50 per cent respectively. By transabdominal ultrasonography, it was not possible to predict foetal number accurately in pregnant animals group I. The accuracy for the prediction of foetal number in group II by transabdominal scanning was 66.66 per cent while it was 85.71 per cent in group III. . The accuracy for the prediction of singletons, twins and triplets by ultrasonography was 50, 58.33 and 25 per cent respectively. In conclusion, transrectal scanning was accurate for pregnancy diagnosis from fourth week of gestation and transabdominal from fifth week of gestation and that real-time ultrasound scanning by both transrectal and transabdominal approaches was found to be reliable, safe and accurate for the diagnosis of pregnancy in goats from fifth week of gestation.
Effect of blood urea nitrogen,mineral status and uterine PH on fertility in dairy cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Seena, N S; Athman, K V
An investigation was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of BUN and uterine pH on fertility in dairy cows under farm and field conditions and also for correlating the mineral status with fertility using 40 crossbred dairy cows selected at random during oestrus, 20 each from those belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (Group I) and those brought for insemination at Artificial Insemination Centres at Mannuthy and Kokkalai (Group II). All the cows in Group I were found to be maintained in a relatively high nutritious diet computed as per the scientific feeding standards compared to Group II animals. Detailed clinico-gynaecological examination was carried out and blood samples and uterine mucus were collected from all the selected cows during oestrus for estimation of biochemical parameters and uterine pH respectively. They were inseminated during the most appropriate period of oestrus and were subjected to pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days post insemination. Conception rates in both the groups were compared in relation to each parameter. The mean duration of oestrus was slightly higher in Group II (30.00 ± 2.11 hours) compared to Group I (26.10 ± 1.74 hours). Intensity of oestrus was high, medium and low in 40, 45 and 15 per cent of animals respectively in Group I and 50, 40 and 10 per cent in Group II. Physical changes of reproductive tract viz. degree of vulval oedema and hyperemia of vestibular mucous membrane were more pronounced in animals of Group II compared to Group I, where as degree of tonicity was high in Group I compared to Group II. Characteristics of cervical mucus were also found to be affecting fertility. Better conception rate was obtained in animals with clear and stringy cervical mucus exhibiting typical type of fern pattern. Spinnbarkeit value did not vary much between conceived and non-conceived animals. Uterine pH did not show a marked variation between groups, even though a slightly higher value was recorded in Group I. But, an inverse relationship could be obtained between BUN level in serum and uterine pH during oestrus. Correlation between uterine pH and BUN level was highly significant (P<0.01) with a correlation co-efficient of r = -0.896 and r = - 0.753 in groups I and II respectively. The mean blood urea nitrogen level in animals of Group I was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in Group II. The BUN level also varied significantly (P<0.05) between conceived and non-conceived animals of both groups. A marginal increase in plasma glucose level could be noticed in conceived animals compared to non-conceived animals of Group I. The mean serum total protein was significantly higher (P<0.01) in Group I compared to Group II. The serum level of minerals viz. calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper were also correlated with fertility. The mean level of serum calcium and manganese varied significantly between groups I and II, but there was no significant difference in serum phosphorus, zinc and copper between two groups. Also, a slightly higher mean value was observed for serum calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc in conceived animals compared to non-conceived. But serum copper level did not vary between conceived and non-conceived animals. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that the elevation in systemic concentration of urea is likely to impair fertility in dairy cows as a consequence of alterations in uterine environment. The benefits of feeding excess dietary protein and urea to maintain peak milk production should be compared with potential negative effects on fertility. Hence, a good nutritional management is essential for improved fertility in dairy cows.
Evaluation of boar semen extended in belt`s ville thaw solution
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Kantharaj, S; Athman, K V
Hormonal induction of oestrus in bitches
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Shibu Simon; Athman, K V
Reproductive performance of cows under homoeothermal disturbances
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Athman, K V; Sudarsanan, V
Based on the data on the maximum minimum temperature and humidity for a period of two years a year of study was divided into four seasons of JJA SON DJF and MAM The mean maximum environmental temperature of the seasons were 29 56 31 52 32 73 and 34 88°C respectively Two thousand two hundred and ninety eight cows brought to the AI centre from the homesteads of Mannuthy were grouped into 11 treatments of pre and post insemination rests and no rests They were bred by artificial insemination and results of insemination were assessed on the basis of non return Mean conception rate of the seasons were statistically analysed to know the effect of environmental temperature and the effect of pre and post insemination rests to the animals There was no significant difference m conceptions between seasons between the post insemination rests and no rests and between pre insemination rests of 30 and 60 minutes and no rest Conception per cent was significantly higher in the animals those were given pre insemination rest for 90 and 120 minutes Animals with light coat colour had a significantly higher conception rate than those with dark colour irrespective of the seasons Animals inseminated m the afternoon were generally found to have a better conception rate than those inseminated m the forenoon There was no significant difference in the conception rate of heifers and cows both between seasons and between themselves So also there was no significant difference in conception rate of parity groups both between seasons and between themselves Statistical analysis of seasonal mean weight of foetal membranes mean number of cotyledons and mean area of cotyledons and mean birth weight of calves did not show any correlation to suggest influence of seasonal environmental temperature on placental development and birth weight of calves
Utero-tubal insufflation technique for diagnosis of tubal impatency in cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Athman, K V; Neelakanta Iyer, C P
The objective of the present study was to design an apparatus for utero-tubal insufflation test and to standardize its use in both excised genitalia and in live animals for the diagnosis and treatment of tubal impotency. Perfect obturation of the cervix was obstained using a stainless steel catheter with 22 FR. Neo Foley’s latex catheter sleeved over. Unilateral and bilateral impotency were recorded in 8.70 and 19.25 per cent of the excised genitalia. The incidence of unilateral and bilateral impotency in 37 infertile animals were found to be 2.70 and 13.52 per cent respectively. The mean pressure at which air escaped from both the tubes in excised genitalia was 128.12 mm. Hg. In cows and 148.93 mm. Hg. In heifers. On the contrary in experimental animals the corresponding pressure in cows and heifers were 116.38 mm. Hg. And 127.50 mm. Hg. Respectively. It was observed that a higher pressure was required to open both the tubes in heifers than in cows. Blown up condition of the uterus took place in excised genitalia of cows and heifers between 100-280 mm. Hg. And 100-260 mm. Hg. Respectively. The pressure range for producing “blown up” condition in experimental animal was found to be 120-220 mm. Hg. In cows and 195-200 mm. Hg. In heifers. Since the safety margin was estimated to be 60.00 mm. Hg. In experimental cows, the test is considered to be a safe diagnostic test for tubal impotency. Although uterus might be “blown up” in a very few cases at a pressure lower than the higher pressure for escape of air from normally patent tubes, the test will not endanger the life of the animal. Since 69.56 percentage of cows with bilateral patency of salpinx on testing conceived after insemination, utero-tubal insufflation test could also be exploited for the treatment of temporary tubal blockage.