A study was carried out on 16 indigenous ewes in Bangladesh in order to assess the reproductive physiology, the pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation and progesterone profiles during the estrous cycle period. The mean estrous cycle length and duration of estrus were 15.8±0.12 days and 31.1±0.57 h respectively. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorized into parabasal, intermediate, superficial and keratinized and their relative occurrences. The percentages of parabasal, intermediate and superficial cell type during proestrus were similar. The percentage of superficial cell type during estrus was 61.7%, which was significantly (p<0.01) differ from other types of cells and stages of estrus cycle. Metoestrus was predominant with neutrophils in addition with other cell types. Dioestrus was dominated by neutrophils. On days 0 to 5 of the cycle the progesterone concentration was 0.09 to 1.6±0.07 ng/ml. The length of diestrus was 5∼10 days with a range of mean progesterone level of 1.6±0.07 to 2.8±0.11 ng/ml. Progesterone levels increased significantly (p<0.01) after Day 5 and maximum level was 2.8±0.11 ng/ml observed on Day 10 of the estrous cycle. Thereafter it dropped rapidly to basal level of 0.11±0.04 ng/ml on Day 0 (p<0.01). These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells along with progesterone concentration could be used to determine the reproductive stages of indigenous ewe.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of anthelmintics against gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in periparturient dairy cows and its effect on milk yield and quality. Sixty pregnant cows of 1st & 2nd parity were divided into four groups. The efficacy of anthelmintic treatment was evaluated by counting faecal egg per gram (EPG) compared with pre-treatment values. The milk yield of each cow was recorded in pre and post treatment lactations. Cows of group A were treated with Nitroxynil 10 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously 30 days before parturition, group B were treated with combination of triclabendazole and levamisole 19.5 mg/kg body weight orally at calving and group C treated with Endex® at calving and 42 days after. The mean change in EPG 14 days after treatment was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated (79.1%) cows than control. Average milk yield of group C (2.8 ± 0.8) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than group A (2.6 ± 0.7). Similarly, the average milk yield in all the treated cows was significantly (p<0.01) higher in treated lactation (2.5 ± 0.7) than in the previous lactation (2.2 ± 0.7). The average milk yield in all treated cows was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control cows. Although, milk yields were higher in second parity than the first, there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The milk protein percentage was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated group than the control group. Therefore, it may be concluded that periparturient anthelmintic treatment effectively reduced the gastrointestinal parasitic load and improved milk yield.

The present study was designed to observe the oestrus responses in the indigenous ewe induced by cloprostenol sodium manufactured by two different companies (Ovuprost®, BOMAC, Newzealandand Prostenol®, Techno, Bangladesh). Twelve local ewes were divided into 3 groups (n= 8). The ewes in Group I and II were induced by intramuscular injection of 100 μg (0.4 ml) of cloprostenol sodium (Ovuprost® and Prostenol®), respectively. The 2nd injection in each group was given at 9 days apart. The ewes in Group III were kept as control for observing natural oestrus characteristics and comparing the responses with induced oestrus. Hundred and 75% ewes showed oestrus following 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol®, respectively. The average time of onset of oestrus following 1st and 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol® were 50.5 ± 3.5 vs 48.0 ± 0.0 h and 49.9 ± 1.9 vs 49.5 ± 1.7 h, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two types of cloprostenol sodium group on the onset of oestrus. The average duration of oestrus was 27.5 ± 0.7 vs 27.5 ± 0.0 h and 25.9 ± 3.3 vs 24.2 ± 0.3 h in Ovuprost® and Prostenol® treated ewes, respectively. For natural oestrus, the duration of oestrus was 25.2 ± 3.3 h. There was no significant difference among the cloprostenol sodium produced by two different companies and natural oestrous ewes on the duration of oestrus. The higher percentages of cornified cells were present in induced oestrus (90 and 85%) compared with natural oestrus (80%), although there was no significant difference among them. The pregnancy rates were 75, 66.7 and 100% in Ovuprost®, Prostenol® and natural oestrous ewes, respectively. The above results indicate the suitability of using cloprostenol sodium for synchronization of oestrus in indigenous ewes in Bangladesh.