This study aimed to determine the effect of age on bulls’ productivity and fresh semen characteristics of Simmental bull in Indonesia. A total of 1071 data of semen collection and production from four age groups (two years old (yo), four yo, ≥ 10 yo with high semen rejection (≥10 HR), and ≥ 10 yo with low semen rejection (≥10 LR) were used in this study to evaluate the productivity and characteristics of fresh semen. The results showed that the pre-freezing and post-freezing semen rejection rate of ≥10 HR group was higher (P0.05) than the other groups. The four yo group had the percentage of second semen ejaculation each collection was higher (P0.05) than the other groups. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm concentration significantly increased (P0.05) until four yo and then decreased (P0.05) in ≥ 10 yo groups. The ≥10 HR group had the volume and total sperm concentration significantly different (P0.05) with a group of ≥10 LR. Total sperm motility, individual motility, and mass movement were lower (P0.05) in ≥10 HR than the other groups. In conclusion, age differences of bulls can affect the productivity and characteristics of fresh semen.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of chilled canine semen in Tris-egg yolk (TEY) extenders containing different concentrations of sericin. Semen were collected from four dogs by massage method. Canine semen was collected using sterile urine pots and evaluated. Sperm-rich fractions were pooled and divided into four equal aliquots, which were then diluted with TEY extenders supplemented with different concentrations of sericin (0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%). The diluted semen aliquots were preserved at 4 ℃ in sterile centrifuge tubes and were then evaluated for spermatozoa motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity every 12 hours up to 72 h. The TEY extenders supplemented with 0.25% and 0.5% sericin resulted in higher spermatozoa motility and viability at 72 h compared to other TEY extenders (P0.05). The integrity of plasma membrane and acrosome of spermatozoa showed no significant differences among the groups extenders at 72 h. In conclusion, sericin in concentration of 0.25% and 0.5% were able to prevent the motility and viability of canine spermatozoa after storage for 72 h.

This study aimed to analyze various alterations in the morphology of the sperm head and its association with nucleus instability and insufficient sperm protamine. Frozen-thawed semen from twenty local Indonesian bulls was used for all stages in this study. The results of sperm head defect assessments are used for bull grouping, high (HD) and low (LD). Sperm DNA damage was assessed using Acridine Orange and Halomax. The PRM1 protein abundance was carried out using an enzyme immunoassay, while PRM1 gene expression was carried out using the RT-qPCR. PRM deficiency was performed using CMA3. Several kinds of sperm head defects in the HD were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the LD bulls. Sperm DNA damage showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference between the HD and LD bulls. PRM1 abundance was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in HD bulls. PRM deficiency was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in HD bulls than in LD bulls. PRM deficiency in bulls correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with sperm head defects, DNA damage, and PRM1 abundance. The lack of sperm protamine might affect the sperm nucleus’s stability and induce morphological alterations in the sperm head.

ABSTRAK: Large colon displacement merupakan perpindahan posisi kolon menjadi ke arah kiri disebut left dorsal displacement of colon (LDDC), atau ke arah kanan disebut right dorsal displacement of colon (RDDC). Perpindahan ini menyebabkan kolik pada kuda. Palpasi per rektal pada kuda G. Galunggung menunjukkan adanya perubahan konsistensi dan perpindahan lokasi kolon sehingga dugaan utama adalah terjadinya large colon displacement. Palpasi per rektal daerah nephrosplenic menunjukkan limpa pindah ke arah caudal di dinding kiri abdomen. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa kuda G. Galunggung mengalami LDDC. Reposisi mekanis metode nephrosplenic entrapment reposition menggunakan katrol dilakukan untuk mengembalikan posisi kolon yang terperangkap di antara ginjal dan limpa setelah kuda G. Galunggung dibius terlebih dahulu. Konfirmasi secara palpasi per rektal menunjukan bahwa metode tersebut berhasil mengembalikan posisi kolon pada kasus kuda G. Galunggung. Setelah 3 hari perlakuan, kuda makan dan minum secara normal, konsitensi feses normal, serta tidak terjadi kolik maupun ambruk.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kerusakan jaringan kauda epididimis domba selama empat hari penyimpanan dengan atau tanpa DMEM pada suhu 4 ºC. Sebanyak 15 pasang kauda epididimis dikoleksi dari tempat pemotongan hewan dan disimpan dengan cara salah satu dari setiap pasang kauda epididimis dimasukan ke dalam DMEM dan bagian lainnya disimpan tanpa menggunakan DMEM. Preparat histopatologi jaringan kauda epidimis dilakukan setelah penyimpanan pada suhu 4 ºC (H-0), lalu dilanjutkan setelah penyimpanan pada suhu 4 ºC selama 24 jam (H-1), 48 jam (H-2), 72 jam (H-3), dan 96 jam (H-4). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kapsula kauda epididimis secara nyata mengalami penebalan pada H-2 untuk penyimpanan tanpa DMEM dan H-4 untuk penyimpanan menggunakan DMEM (P<0,05). Kerusakan epitel kauda epididimis mengalami peningkatan mulai H-1, namun jumlah kerusakan di H-4 pada penyimpanan menggunakan DMEM lebih sedikit dibandingkan tanpa menggunakan DMEM (P<0,05). Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa penyimpanan kauda epididimis pada suhu 4 ºC menggunakan DMEM dapat mengurangi tingkat kerusakan epitel kauda epididimis hingga jam ke-96 dan memperlambat kerusakan kapsula kauda epididimis hingga jam ke-48.

Sericin is a water-soluble protein produced by silk cocoons and known to have antioxidant activity. This study is aimed to analyze the nuclear maturation and the quality of bovine oocytes in the collection and in vitro maturation (IVM) medium supplemented with sericin. Bovine oocytes were collected using a collection medium supplemented with sericin in 0 (control) concentrations, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%. Selected oocytes were then matured for 24 h at 38.5 o C in 5% CO₂ and evaluated for nuclear maturation. In the subsequent experiment, oocytes were collected and matured with or without 0.1% sericin at 38.5 o C in 5% CO 2 . Matured oocytes were counterstained with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Hoechst 33342. Matured oocytes were characterized by oocytes that reached the MII stage. The results showed that supplementation of 0.1% sericin in the collection medium increased the number of oocytes reaching the metaphase II (MII) stage compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the next experiment, sericin 0.1% in the collection and in vitro maturation media increased (p<0.05) the percentage of oocytes reaching the MII stage compared to control without sericin supplementation. Furthermore, the number of fragmented DNA in the oocytes showed no differences in all groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of 0.1% sericin in the collection and in vitro maturation media improved the nuclear status without affecting DNA fragmentation.

Peningkatan populasi dan mutu ternak, khususnya sapi dan kerbau dilakukan melalui program inseminasi buatan (IB). Angka kebuntingan hasil IB di Indonesia, relatif masih rendah, salah satunya diduga disebabkan oleh fertilitas pejantan. Program IB di Indonesia menggunakan semen beku yang diproduksi oleh Balai Inseminasi Buatan (BIB). Standar evaluasi semen bagi pejantan yang digunakan sesuai SNI masih mengacu pada konsentrasi, motilitas pra dan pasca thawing serta skor individu. Perkembangan terbaru menunjukkan bahwa parameter uji tersebut tidak lagi memadai. Protein dan gen pada spermatozoa dan seminal plasma pejantan dapat menjadi kandidat alat bantu "akurat" untuk menentukan fertilitas pejantan sesuai keberhasilan IB di lapangan. Policy brief ini diharapkan dapat menjadi bahan pertimbangan bagiPemerintah dan BIB dalam pengembangan dan pengaplikasian penanda fertilitas berbasis molekuler sebagai alat bantu "akurat" dalam proses seleksi dan kebijakan pengafkiran pejantan sapi yang akan digunakan untuk IB. Dengan demikian, efisiensi penggunaan pejantan unggul di berbagai Balai Inseminasi Buatan, baik Nasional maupun Daerah di Indonesia dapat dioptimalkan.

Goats and sheep are valuable as they are a source of meat, milk, fleece, and other products. These livestock are also important both for agriculture and biomedical research. However, the efficient, sustainable, and profitable production of these small ruminants faces major obstacles. Hence, this review analyzes these major challenges specifically, their negative impacts on the industry, and suggests some science-based solutions to overcome them. Those challenged areas are education and training, research, translational research/biotechnology, goat and sheep health, and maintenance of an economically sustainable agribusiness. The suggested solutions include the effective teaching of goat and sheep science to the next generation and public empowerment, support for innovative and translational research, disease prevention and treatment, support for technology transfer, and development of sound agribusiness practices. This review is helpful particularly for scientists, students, and the goat and sheep producers. In general, these information on the current state of goat and sheep agriculture will also help the public to better understand and appreciate the challenges met and opportunities provided in small ruminant production enterprises.