Many countries in the world consider the buffalo as a priority animal for the future, since it plays a pivotal role in human food sustainability. Even though Food and Agriculture Organization has termed the buffalo as an important undervalued asset, this species has yet to drive the same attention as cattle. Egypt has a wealth of buffaloes dispersed in small herds all over the country, so the efforts that have been made to improve their genetic background show little return. Contrarily, other countries concerned with buffalo improvement have already used a data recording system in buffalo herds, allowing to achieve a much faster improvement progress. This review intends to survey the existing information on the application of assisted reproduction techniques to improve buffalo productivity. The strength points that may help to improve buffalo production are identified, and the obstacles hindering the genetic improvement of Egyptian buffalo are characterized. Therefore, this work will gather information related to buffalo and compile it for an audience of researchers and specialists to enforce international collaboration for the development of buffalo production. Also, it will open the way for people interested in developing a future vision for buffalo potential, which will be helpful to close or minimize the biological gaps of buffaloes’ researches.

Objective: To explore the potential predictors of a live birth (LB) outcome among subfertile couples of Asian ethnicity undergoing the first fertility treatment cycle; to assess the cumulative live birth rates after successive cycles; and to determine the incidence rate of spontaneous conception (SC). Methods: Subfertile couples were grouped according to treatment modalities at the first fertility treatment cycle: intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and no treatment, and were followed-up for duration up to seven years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used for statistical analyses. Results: Age of female subjects [35-38 years, odds ratio (OR): 0.39; ≥ 39 years, OR: 0.14], uterine factor subfertility (OR: 5.24), and treatment modalities (ORs: IUI 0.25, IVF 2.33 and ICSI 1.91) significantly predicted a LB outcome (P<0.05). The cumulative live birth rates were 11.7% IUI, 41.5% IVF, 27.5% ICSI and 22.6% from frozen embryo transfer cycles. The cumulative SC rate was 24.6% in the non-treated group and 10.7% in the treated group. All LBs from IVF cycles were delivered by the second cycle and within four years, compared to SC delivery of within five years in the non-treated group and six years in the treated group. Conclusions: Age of female subject, uterine factor and modalities of treatment are significant predictors for LB outcome at the first cycle. Higher delivery rates could be achieved following fewer successive IVF cycles and within a shorter duration compared to SC.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of graded doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on sperm chromatin integrity and sex hormones in the adult male mouse. Methods: Forty-nine male adult mice were divided into seven groups. Control group received no drug, sham group received ASA solvent (dimethylsulfoxide 0.1%), groups 3 to 7 received different doses of 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg ASA, daily for 14 d, respectively. On day 15, evaluations were made by sperm chromatin dispersion test for the study of DNA sperm integrity, radioimmunoassay for the study of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level and histopathology of testis for Jhonson’s scoring. Results: ASA in groups 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg reduced big halo sperms. DNA fragmentation significantly increased just in 5 mg group. Serum level of testosterone in doses of 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg groups reduced significantly (P<0.01) while LH level was not affected. Johnson’s score reduced in all ASA treated groups. Conclusions: Administration of ASA over the 14 days in dose of 5.00 mg increases sperm DNA fragmentation index and therefore reduces DNA integrity and in doses of 0.50, 1.00, 5.00 mg reduces serum testosterone level with no effect on LH. Generally, ASA has deleterious effects on the male reproductive indices even in low doses.

Objective: To describe the breed predisposition, clinical diagnosis, pathological findings and the surgical approach through excision of the hyperplasic mass from the vagina. Methods: Twenty five bitches of different breeds suffering from a protruded mass from the vulva were examined clinically, blood samples were collected to ensure the phase of estrus that were determined by evaluating the exfoliative vaginal epithelium, and a histopathological examination of the hyperplastic mass was done after its surgical excision. Results: The current work revealed that the maximum value of estradiol 17-B was in Alabai breed while the maximum value of progesterone was in Pit bull breed. And Pit bull breed showed cornification and stratification of the vaginal mucosa with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and regular round nuclei. Conclusions: As the vaginal hyperplasia is a crucial gynaecological problem that affects different breeds of bitches, the current work provides a comprehensive diagnosis of the case and illustrates the surgical interference for its excision.

Objective: To investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the motility of rat sperm and the fertilization rate following in vitro fertilization. Methods: hCG concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ng/mL with incubation time of 1 h and 2 h were used in medium to study sperm motility. Then, 25 and 100 ng/mL of hCG with incubation time of 2 h were applied for in vitro fertilization. After 6 h, the number of two pronuclei was counted. Obtained data was subjected to one way ANOVA and Bonferroni-Dun hoc-post test. Results: Total motility and progressive motility of sperms were increased significantly (P<0.05) in hCG experimental group with concentration of 25 ng/L and incubation time of 2 h compared to control group, however, total motility and progressive motility of sperms were decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing dose of hCG. Fertilization rate was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in hCG experimental group with dose of 100 ng/mL compared to 25 ng/mL and control group. Conclusions: The effect of hCG on the rat sperm motility and the rate of their fertility is dose-dependent so that hCG with dose of 25 ng/mL leads to an increase in rat sperm motility and to some extent fertilization rate.

Objective: To investigate the effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) application into the rat endometrium on oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods: The female rats selected in estrous cycle were divided into three groups (saline, media and BMSC group). The intrauterine and intraperitoneal injections were performed using the saline (200 μL), culture media (200 μL) and 1×10⁶ BMSCs/200 μL culture media, and then they were mated with male rats. On the 7th day of the pregnancy, uterine samples were harvested and dyed with heamatoxylin-eosin histochemically, anti-endothelial nitric oxide synthase and anti-inducible nitric oxide synthase, and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemically, with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferas dUTP nick end labeling for apoptosis. The stainings were evaluated by H-score and the results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test statistically. Results: It was found that BMSCs increased the endometrial thickness, endometrial epithelium thickness and number of endometrial glands compared to control and sham groups. The intrauterine BMSC application decreased both anti-endothelial nitric oxide synthase and anti-inducible nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivities and the number of apoptotic cells compared to the intraperitoneal applications whereas the immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was increased. Conclusions: In current study, we define that stem cells do not cause any structural damages. Also they change the distribution of oxidative stress and cell proliferation marker. These findings support the reliability of stem cells in clinical use in the case of infertility.

Cases of acquired infertility in dogs often have poor prognosis and can be frustrating to clinicians in canine practice. In this case, a 3.5-year-old male Caucasian dog was presented for infertility evaluation. He had no record of successful breeding despite being mated with multiple bitches over a two-year period. Breeding soundness examination was performed including history evaluation, general physical and reproductive system examination, hematology, libido determination, and semen collection, evaluation and screening for infectious organisms. The presence of copious growth of bacteria (Escherichia coli) in conjunction with significant sperm abnormalities and leucospermia was applied to diagnose infertility due to a sub-chronic or chronic bacterial infection of the reproductive tract. Bacterial infection caused significant sperm abnormalities including low sperm motility, increased number of dead sperm and sperm with structural abnormalities such as detached heads, fractured necks, looped tails and coiled tails. Treatment was effected by administering ciprofloxacin orally for 4 weeks.

We are reporting a case of monozygotic twinning after donor egg intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A 34-year-old lady presented to our centre with primary infertility due to severe endometriosis and low egg reserve. ICSI with donor eggs was planned. A 24 years old voluntary oocyte donor was investigated and stimulated under antagonist protocol. Total 21 eggs and all in metaphase Π were retrieved. These eggs were injected with the patient’s husband sperms by ICSI. Patient’s endometrial lining was prepared under hormonal replacement therapy protocol. Two expanded blastocysts were transferred on day 5 of progesterone. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin was positive after 10 days. The first antenatal scan at 6 weeks could pick up only two sacs indicating twin conception. Repeat scan at 12 weeks revealed tri-amniotic triplet conception with two foetuses sharing the same placenta (triamniotic pregnancy with monochorionic twins). The patient was counselled about risks associated with triplet conception and was advised of embryo reduction. Two mono chorionic twins were reduced under ultrasonography guidance. Single pregnancy continued till 21 weeks after which the patient miscarried spontaneously. It is difficult to identify the subset of patients at risk for monozygotic twinning; hence, all patients should be counselled about possibility of monozygotic twinning while deciding the number of embryos to be transferred.