THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

R-34
ASSESSMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE STATUS
OF MATURE FEMALE CARABAOS SLAUGHTERED
AT FOOD TERMINAL, INC. ABATTOIRS*
A. R. Obsioma, University Researcher, PCRDC-PCARRD, UPLB
V. G. Momongan, Prof., IAS-CA, UPLB & Proj. Leader, PCRDC-PCARRD,
UPLB
A study was conducted to assess the biometry, gross
anatomical structures and ovarian activities, and pregnancy
status of mature female carabaos slaughtered at Food
Terminal, Inc. (FTI). Out of 165 reproductive organ samples
collected, 39 were found to be inflicted with different forms
of abnormalities. Out of 39 cases observed, 28.20% had
defects in the ovaries. These include presence of ovarian
cysts, adhesion, underdeveloped ovaries, embedded
follicle and leutenized follicle. About the same percentage
of samples had defects in the cervix. Presence of fibrotic
canal, curved cervix, presence of cysts along the canal
and narrow cervical canal were observed. Only 7.69%
had defective oviducts which have been inflicted with
salphingitis and blocked oviduct. Gross abnormalities
were also noted in four (4) cases which include pyometra
and bloody lesions. Three samples were found to have
circular cysts either in the horn of the uterus (1) or in the
body of the uterus (2). The rest of the samples (17.94%)
had defects in two or more parts. Accuracy of rectal
palpation in performing biometry of reproductive organs
and in the identification of ovarian structures was lower
compared to the actual measurements of parts and post
mortem identification and classification of ovarian structures.
Keywords: carabaos, corpus luteum, Food Terminal,
Inc. abattoir, plasma progesterone, rectal palpation accuracy,
reproductive abnormalities
*Abstracts of Completed Researches 1981-1995. (1994).
PCC-DA, UPLB, College, Laguna. Also on Abstracts of
Water Buffaloes in the Philippines 1981-1995. PCC-DA.
1996. p. 62-63. Also in Annotated Bibliography on
Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and Poultry
(Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos. 2002. p. 355.
R-35
BLASTOCYST FORMATION OF SWAMP BUFFALO
EMBRYOS IN CO-CULTURE SYSTEM*
L. C. Ocampo, Senior Science Research Specialist, PCC-OED, DA
F. P. Aquino, Training Specialist III, PCC-CLSU, DA
R. V. de Vera, Laboratory Aid, PCC-CLSU, DA
L. C. Cruz, Prof., DAS-CA, CLSU and Executive Director, PCC-OED, DA
Buffalo follicular oocytes (n=712) collected at slaughter
76
ABSTRACT OF RESEARCHES ON
THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
were matured and fertilized in vitro. Of these, 353 oocytes
were fixed at 15 h post insemination, registering maturation
and fertilization rates at 82.3% and 57.8%, respectively.
The remaining 361 oocytes that were allowed to continue
development for 30 h had a cleavage rate of 29.9%. Coculture
system A (chick embryo amniotic cavity) B
(cumulus cell monolayer) provided the proper stimulus for
embryo development during the initial 72 h culture beyond
the critical embryonic stage (cell block = 8–16 cell stage)
in the species. Blastocyst formation (9.8%) was achieved
after 168 h of culture in the cumulus cell monolayer.
Keywords: swamp buffalo, follicular oocytes, blastocyst
formation, co-culture system
*Annual Report Embryo Technology Project, PCC. 1995.
Also in Abstracts of Water Buffalo Research in the Philippines
1981-1995. 1996. PCC-DA. p. 65-66. Also in Annotated
Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and
Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos. 2002.
p. 283.
R-36
CYSTEAMINE IMPROVES THE GLUTATHIONE
(GSH) LEVEL, MALE PRONUCLEUS FORMATION
(MPN) AND DEVELOPMENTAL CAPACITY OF
SWAMP BUFFALO OOCYTES MATURED IN VITRO*
L. C. Ocampo, Senior Science Research Specialist, PCC-CLSU, DA
M. B. Ocampo, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC-CLSU, DA
A. A. Mendoza, PCC at CLSU,
A. V. Venturina, PCC at CLSU,
F. V. Mamuad, Center Director, PCC-CLSU, DA
T. Mori, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
A. Shimizu, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
The study was carried out to determine if the addition of
cysteamine to the culture medium of buffalo oocytes would
improve its intracytoplasmic glutathione (GSH) levels and
if such changes would translate an improvement in the
male pronucleus (MPN) and developmental capacity. In
Experiment 1, buffalo oocytes were cultured in basic
maturation medium composed of TCM 199 + FCS (10%
v/v) + gonadotropins with or without cysteamine. The
addition of 50mM and 100 mM cysteamine resulted in
75% and 81% MPN formation, respectively, of the in
vitro fertilized oocytes. In Experiment 2, the proportion of
cleavage stage embryos was greater for oocytes that
were matured in the presence of cysteamine (46/96)
compared to the control (27/90). The percentage of cleaved
embryos developing up to the blastocyst stage wa 19.3%
with cysteamine and 11.1% without cysteamine
supplementation. In Experiment 3, intracytoplasmic
glutathione levels were measured for oocytes matured in