The study was to find patterns of progestagen (progesterone and its metabolite) and glucocorticoid and their metabolite concentrations in serum and feces of pregnant Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The 5 female Asian domestic elephants were naturally mated until pregnancy. After that, blood and feces samples were collected monthly during pregnancy for progestagen, glucocorticoid and their metabolites analysis by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The results showed the serum progestagen concentration during gestation was 2.11 ± 0.60 to 18.44 ± 2.28 ng/ml. Overall, serum progestagen concentration rose from the 1st month to reach peak in the 11th month, after which it declined to its lowest level in the 22nd month of pregnancy. Fecal progestagen concentration varied from 1.18 ± 0.54 to 3.35 ± 0.45 µg/g during pregnancy. In general, fecal progestagen concentration increased from the 1st month to its highest level in the 12th month. After this, it declined reaching its lowest point in the 22nd month of pregnancy. Glucocorticoid hormones and their metabolite concentrations both in serum and feces fluctuated from low to medium throughout almost the entire pregnancy period and then rapidly increased around the last week before calving. Our study suggests that this profile of progestagen and glucocorticoid hormones and their metabolite concentration levels in serum and feces can be used to assess the pregnancy status of Asian elephants. If serum and fecal progestagen concentrations were found in very low levels and glucocorticoid and their metabolite concentrations were found in very high levels, it was indicated that the cow elephant would calve within 7 days.

Samples of ready-to-eat snacks based on Lethocerus indicus, Gymnogryllus vietnamensis, Tarbinskiellus portentosus, Teleogryllus mitratus, Bombyx mori, Omphisa fuscidentalis, and Cybister limbatus were purchased in Cambodia and Thailand, and their proximate chemical composition (including Na and Cl) was analysed. Comparing the results with the few existing references from the literature (based on unprocessed specimens), marked differences occurred. This was expected as the insect chemical composition varies strongly intra- and interspecifically due to taxon, feeding, instar, and processing, among others. In general, the insects mainly consisted of fat (35 to 60) and protein (25 to 38), with 2 to 16 nitrogen-free extract, 2 to 15 fibre, 3 to 5 ashes, 0.4 to 1.6 Na, and 0.6 to 1.4 Cl (dry matter base). In this way, this contribution adds to the compositional knowledge about traditional insect-based foodstuffs. The combination of high fat and protein with low carbohydrates makes them suitable to combat nutrition disorders.

Background and Aim: Producing and transferring embryos in vitro are profitable for enhancing premium beef genetics. Reducing costs and enhancing the effectiveness of hormone protocols before ovum pick-up (OPU) yield advantages. This study aimed to confirm that estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment resulted in more medium- and large-sized follicles before OPU and of higher oocyte quality after OPU than non-hormonal treatments, comparable to those undergoing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plus prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and progesterone-releasing controlled internal drug release (CIDR) or EB with progesterone-releasing CIDR hormonal treatments. Materials and Methods: 30 crossbred Japanese black cows were divided into five equal groups, which were either untreated or treated with different hormone protocols before OPU. Group 1 (cows in estrus) and group 2 (cows in diestrus) were the untreated controls. Cows in group 3 were treated with GnRH + FSH + CIDR + PGF2α. Cows in group 4 received EB, and those in group 5 received EB + CIDR + PGF2α. After administering the protocols, all cow follicles were examined through ultrasonography and categorized by size. Subsequently, all cows underwent OPU, and the oocytes were collected and graded from A to D according to standard criteria. Results: Group 3 presented the highest large follicle numbers, and groups 3–5 had more medium follicle numbers, not different among groups but they had this parameter more than those of control groups 1 and 2. Moreover, groups 3–5 did not differ in combined grades A + B oocytes (good-quality oocytes). Groups 3 and 4 had more A + B oocytes than control groups 1 and 2, whereas group 5 was not different in this parameter from group 1. Conclusion: Among the three hormone protocols, EB treatment proved the most cost-effective and efficient, yielding more high-quality oocytes compared to the non-treatment protocols. To reduce the limitations of EB use in the future, this study suggests researching natural EB phytoestrogens as alternative treatments for improving ovarian function before OPU in other cattle breeds. Keywords: estradiol benzoate, follicle-stimulating hormone, gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone, Japanese black cow, ovum pick-up.

Background: Treating beef cattle with estradiol benzoate before ovum pick-up (OPU) increases the number of high-quality follicles and oocytes. L. spinosa Thwaites (L. spinosa Thw.) supplement has been used to replace synthetic estradiol benzoate in food animals to reduce the side effects and meat residue in consumers. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of L. spinosa Thw. feed supplementation on the follicle and oocyte quality of crossbred Brahman. Methods: Estrus was induced in 21 crossbred Brahman cows using intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and prostaglandin F2α. The cows were divided into Groups 1, 2, and 3, with each group receiving L. spinosa Thw. supplements at daily rates of 0, 15, and 30 g per cow, respectively. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma estradiol (E2) levels. The follicles were evaluated via ultrasonography and categorized according to follicle diameter. Oocytes were collected using OPUs for counting and grading. Results: The cows in Groups 2 and 3 produced more medium follicles (Group 2=5.29±1.80, Group 3=7.43±1.72) than those in Group 1 (2.57±1.51) (P<0.05). Cows in Group 3 also produced more combined grade A+B (good-quality) oocytes (9.71±1.89) than Group 1’s (5.14±2.12) (P<0.05). Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly in this regard, nor did Group 2 differ from Group 3. In addition, the plasma E2 levels of Groups 2 and 3 were not significantly different, and both groups showed higher levels than those in Group 1 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Feeding crossbred Brahman with 30 g/cow/day L. spinosa Thw. was more effective than the control group, resulting in a greater number of high-quality follicles and oocytes.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a transdermal progestin patch versus oral altrenogest on estrus synchronization, preovulatory follicle development, and ovulation.