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Studies on maturation of genitalia in murrah buffalo-heifers
THERIOGENOLOGY
STUDIES ON MATURATION OF GENITALIA IN MURRAH BUFFALO-HEIFERS Gurdial Singh and G.B. Singh Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology College of Veterinary Science Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana-141004 (India) Received for publication: SW~~~~ J, 1984 Accepted: APM 9, 1985 ABSTRACT Studies on the growth of uterine horns and cervix were conducted on 161 prepuberal, puberal and postpuberal (non-gravid) farm-reared buffalo heifers. Age of the buffalo heifers varied between 17 and 37 months, while body weight range was 180-500 kg. The approximate diameters of the mid-cervix and uterine cornua (at the point of pseudobifurcation) were visualized mentally by palpating the organs per rectum with fingers of the left hand while focusing the adjudged diameters between the jaws of a vernier caliper held in the other hand. Both uterus and cervix increased progessively with the advancing age and body weight of heifers, however, the growth of the cervix was more consistent compared to that of the uterus. A marked enlargement in uterine cornua was noted at the time of puberty, however, the rate of cornual growth declined with subsequent estrous cycles. Keywords: Growth, uterus, cervix, buffalo, heifers INTRODUCTION Onset of puberty exerts marked influence on the development of genitalia in concert with the ovarian hormones, however, the most striking changes that occur in the reproductive organs at puberty in cattle are those that take place in the uterus (1 and 2). Moreover, Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to Dr. M.S. Tiwana, Senior Geneticist, Dept. of Animal Science, PAU, Ludhiana, for providing animals for the study. Digital electronic instrument was generously provided by Dr. J.C. Hindson, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Fishleigh Castle, Hatheleigh, Okehampton. Thanks are due to Anne-Sofie Lundquist, Secretary, SODA Course on Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden for typing the manuscript.
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
857
THERIOCENOLOGY rapid puberal growth of genitalia in Holstein heifers commences during the 7th month of age and is largely terminated by the 10th month (3). No such study is available in buffaloes. The present study was,therefore, undertaken to determine the growth parameters of the cervix and uterus in relation to age and body weight in buffaloes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were obtained from 161 prepuberal, puberal and postpuberal (non-qravid) buffalo-heifers of Murrah breed maintained at Dairy Farm Department of Animal Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. All the heifers were healthy and varied in age between 17 and 37 months, and in body weight between 180 and 500 kg. A standard ration and water were available to them ad-libitum. The following procedures were used for the measurements of the cervix and uterus. Measurement of the diameter of mid-cervix The left hand, after proper lubrication, was introduced into the rectum of the properly secured animal; and the cervix was palpated at its middle with the thumb and the fingers. A vernier caliper was held in the right hand. The sliding jaw of the vernier caliper was moved back and forth till the distance between the two jaws coincided with the diameter of the mid-cervix -- visualized mentally with the fingers of the left hand. The vernier caliper reading was recorded. Measurement of the diameter of uterine cornua At the time of rectal palpation, the uterus was lifted upward and backward, and the left cornum was grasped at the pseudo (external) bifurcation. The diameter at this point was measured in the same manner as the diameter of the mid-cervix. Similarly, the diameter of the right cornum was recorded. The mean of the two diameters was considered as the diameter of uterine cornua. The procedure of measurements of cervix and cornua was repeated at three consecutive weekly intervals and the average of these measurements were recorded. At the time of observation, results of examination of internal and external sexual organs for each heifer were also recorded separately, which included nature of mucous discharge, uterine tone, consistency, size and location of palpable follicle (>0.80 cm) and corpus luteum. Before rectal examination, blood samples for progesterone assay were also obtained from each heifer. To confirm the accuracy of the procedure for measur-
858
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
THERIOGENOLOCY ing the diameters of mid-cervix and uterine cornua, correlation coefficients between the estimations per rectum and actual measurements of the organs after slaughter were determined in 30 buffaloes. The correlation coefficient between the estimated and actual diameters of mid-cervix was 0.906 (P < 0.005); while that of uterine cornua was 0.946 (P < 0.005). It implied that the estimated measurements were close to the actual measurements. The measurements of cervix and uterine cornua were also obtained in 24 adult non-gravid buffaloes employing a digital electronic instrument. The positive and negative electrodes of the instrument were attached to the thumb and the index finger of the hand respectively, before inserting it into the rectum. The electrodes were also connected to the instrument by two thin, long insulated electrical wires. The readings of mensurations of the organs while palpating were automatically recorded on the dial of the instrument. The differences between the readings of the electronic instrument and the measurements obtained by using the vernier caliper were nonsignificant (P < O.Ol), indicating the authenticity of the estimates recorded per rectal examination. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Growth of uterus and cervix in relation to age For the study, animals were divided into four age groups. It was observed that in the age group of 17 to 23 months, the average diameter of each cornum at the point of external bifurcation was 1.502 + 0.186 cm (coefficient of variation = 12.38%) (Table 1). At 24-30 months, the diameter increased to 1.780 2 0.336 cm (CV = 18.47%). At 31-37 months the mean diameter of cornua exceeded 2 cm (CV = 15.78%). It was observed that the uterine cornua steadily grew as the age of the animal advanced from 17 to 37 months. Similarly, the diameter of cervix increased as the animal aged. Though high variations in the diameters of both these organs were observed in all the age groups, the variations in the diameters of uterine cornua were greater than those of mid-cervix. It revealed that the growth of the cervix in relation to age of the heifers was more consistent than the growth of uterine horns. Growth of genitalia in relation to body weight To study the growth of genitalia in relation to body weight, heifers were divided into eight groups (Table 2, Figure 1). It was found that both the uterus and cervix increased in size as the body weight of buffalo-heifers increased. There was a slowdevelopment of uterine cornua
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
859
THERIOGENOLOGY
TABLE I. MEAN DIAMETERS OF UTERINE CORNUA AND CERVIX IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS Age group Number of Width of cornua (months) animals (cm) 17-23 54 1.502 2 0.186 (12.38%) 24-36
64
31-37
43
1.780 + 0.336 (18.87%) 2.090 ? 0.330 (15.78%)
Width of mid-cervix (cm) 1.950 + 0.232 (11.89%) 2.090 2 0.330 (15:78%) 2.570 f 0.253 ( 9.85%)
Figures in parentheses indicate coefficients of variation.
TABLE 2. MEAN DIAMETERS OF CORNUA AND CERVIX IN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF BODY WEIGHT Group Body weight Mean diameter Mean diameter No of of each cor- of mid-cervix hei(kg1 (mid-value) nua at exfers (cm) ternal bifurcation (cm) I II III
IV V VI VII VIII
860
180-220 (2001 220-260 (240) 260-300 (280) 300-340 (320) 340-380 (360) 380-420 (400) 420-460 (440) 460-500 (4801
No of cycleling heifers (%I
1.38
+ 0.11
I.78
? 0.14
18
0
1.48
1: 0.12
I.98
+ 0.20
28
0
1.60
,+ 0.23
2.13
2 0.17
36
I.95
f. 0.31
2.41
+ 0.24
39
2.14
!: 0.26
2.56
i 0.24
27
2.30
f 0.12
2.68
+ 0.26
9
2.43
+ 0.40
2.80
2 0.21
3
2.47
2 0.00
2.88
2 0.00
I
(:3.8) 24 (61.5) 22 (81.48) CYOO, c:oo, c:oo,
JUNE
1985 VOL.
23 NO. 6
240
FIG.1 GROWTH
IL 0 2.2 I ii 2.1 5 2.0
OF UTERUS
AND CERVIX
280 320
360
400
440
480
IN RELATION
( kg)
TO BODY WEIGHT
BODY WEIGHT
IN BUFFALO
- 1.9
2
200
-.2.0
5 2.5 z? fj 2.4
HEIFERS
- 1.6
- 1.8
- 2.1
2.6
6
2.3
- 2.2
2.7
_
/'
- 2.4
2.8 -23
-2.5
2.9
THERIOGENOLOGY up to 280 kg body weight. At 280 kg body weight, the average uterine cornual diameter was 1.60 cm; but thereafter, a progressive increase in cornual growth was observed with the result that the average diameter of each cornum was 1.95 cm at 320 kg body weight. The increment in the cornual size also triggered an increase in the number of animals eliciting puberty. Consequently 61.5 percent (24/39) of heifers had attained puberty at 320 kg body weight, as compared to 13.5 percent (S/36) that exhibited puberty at 280 kg body weight. After the attainment of 320 kg body weight, growth of uterine cornua nevertheless continued, but with a decreased rate; because most of the buffaloheifers had already attained sexual maturity and hence registered a decline in the uterine horn development consequent to the subsequent rise in body weight. A rapid development of the uterus at puberty in Friesian heifers has been reported (7,3). Similarly, Amir -et al. (2) observed a marked enlargement of the uterus preceding first ovulation in Israeli Friesian heifers; but after puberty the rate of uterine growth declined with subsequent estrous cycles. Up to body weight of 280 kg, a steady increase in the diameter of the cervix was evident. Like the uterus, increased growth of cervical diameter was registered at body weight 280-320 kg: however, sudden increase was less marked than that observed in the uterus. Even after the attainment of body weight of 320 kg, the growth of the cervix continued more uniformly compared to that of uterine cornua. This implied that the growth of the cervix in buffalo heifers between body weights of 200 and 480 kg was more consistent than that of the uterus. REFERENCES 1. S$rensen, A.M., Hansel, W., Hough, W.H., Armstrong, D.T., McEntee, K. and Bratton, R.W. Causes and prevention of reproductive failure in dairy cattle, influence of underfeeding on growth and development of Holstein heifers, Bull. 936: Cornell Univ. Agri. Exp. Stat. (1959). 2. Amir, A.S., Kali, J. and Volcani, R. Influence of growth rate on reproduction and lactation in dairy cattle. Growth and development of mammals. Eds. Lodge, G.A. and Lamming, G.E. Butterworths, London, Boston, 1968, pp 234-256. 3. Desjardin, C. and Hafs, H.D. Maturation of bovine female genitalia from birth through puberty. J. Anim. Sci. -28:502 (1969).
862
JUNE
1985 VOL.
23 NO. 6
STUDIES ON MATURATION OF GENITALIA IN MURRAH BUFFALO-HEIFERS Gurdial Singh and G.B. Singh Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology College of Veterinary Science Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana-141004 (India) Received for publication: SW~~~~ J, 1984 Accepted: APM 9, 1985 ABSTRACT Studies on the growth of uterine horns and cervix were conducted on 161 prepuberal, puberal and postpuberal (non-gravid) farm-reared buffalo heifers. Age of the buffalo heifers varied between 17 and 37 months, while body weight range was 180-500 kg. The approximate diameters of the mid-cervix and uterine cornua (at the point of pseudobifurcation) were visualized mentally by palpating the organs per rectum with fingers of the left hand while focusing the adjudged diameters between the jaws of a vernier caliper held in the other hand. Both uterus and cervix increased progessively with the advancing age and body weight of heifers, however, the growth of the cervix was more consistent compared to that of the uterus. A marked enlargement in uterine cornua was noted at the time of puberty, however, the rate of cornual growth declined with subsequent estrous cycles. Keywords: Growth, uterus, cervix, buffalo, heifers INTRODUCTION Onset of puberty exerts marked influence on the development of genitalia in concert with the ovarian hormones, however, the most striking changes that occur in the reproductive organs at puberty in cattle are those that take place in the uterus (1 and 2). Moreover, Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to Dr. M.S. Tiwana, Senior Geneticist, Dept. of Animal Science, PAU, Ludhiana, for providing animals for the study. Digital electronic instrument was generously provided by Dr. J.C. Hindson, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Fishleigh Castle, Hatheleigh, Okehampton. Thanks are due to Anne-Sofie Lundquist, Secretary, SODA Course on Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden for typing the manuscript.
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
857
THERIOCENOLOGY rapid puberal growth of genitalia in Holstein heifers commences during the 7th month of age and is largely terminated by the 10th month (3). No such study is available in buffaloes. The present study was,therefore, undertaken to determine the growth parameters of the cervix and uterus in relation to age and body weight in buffaloes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were obtained from 161 prepuberal, puberal and postpuberal (non-qravid) buffalo-heifers of Murrah breed maintained at Dairy Farm Department of Animal Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. All the heifers were healthy and varied in age between 17 and 37 months, and in body weight between 180 and 500 kg. A standard ration and water were available to them ad-libitum. The following procedures were used for the measurements of the cervix and uterus. Measurement of the diameter of mid-cervix The left hand, after proper lubrication, was introduced into the rectum of the properly secured animal; and the cervix was palpated at its middle with the thumb and the fingers. A vernier caliper was held in the right hand. The sliding jaw of the vernier caliper was moved back and forth till the distance between the two jaws coincided with the diameter of the mid-cervix -- visualized mentally with the fingers of the left hand. The vernier caliper reading was recorded. Measurement of the diameter of uterine cornua At the time of rectal palpation, the uterus was lifted upward and backward, and the left cornum was grasped at the pseudo (external) bifurcation. The diameter at this point was measured in the same manner as the diameter of the mid-cervix. Similarly, the diameter of the right cornum was recorded. The mean of the two diameters was considered as the diameter of uterine cornua. The procedure of measurements of cervix and cornua was repeated at three consecutive weekly intervals and the average of these measurements were recorded. At the time of observation, results of examination of internal and external sexual organs for each heifer were also recorded separately, which included nature of mucous discharge, uterine tone, consistency, size and location of palpable follicle (>0.80 cm) and corpus luteum. Before rectal examination, blood samples for progesterone assay were also obtained from each heifer. To confirm the accuracy of the procedure for measur-
858
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
THERIOGENOLOCY ing the diameters of mid-cervix and uterine cornua, correlation coefficients between the estimations per rectum and actual measurements of the organs after slaughter were determined in 30 buffaloes. The correlation coefficient between the estimated and actual diameters of mid-cervix was 0.906 (P < 0.005); while that of uterine cornua was 0.946 (P < 0.005). It implied that the estimated measurements were close to the actual measurements. The measurements of cervix and uterine cornua were also obtained in 24 adult non-gravid buffaloes employing a digital electronic instrument. The positive and negative electrodes of the instrument were attached to the thumb and the index finger of the hand respectively, before inserting it into the rectum. The electrodes were also connected to the instrument by two thin, long insulated electrical wires. The readings of mensurations of the organs while palpating were automatically recorded on the dial of the instrument. The differences between the readings of the electronic instrument and the measurements obtained by using the vernier caliper were nonsignificant (P < O.Ol), indicating the authenticity of the estimates recorded per rectal examination. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Growth of uterus and cervix in relation to age For the study, animals were divided into four age groups. It was observed that in the age group of 17 to 23 months, the average diameter of each cornum at the point of external bifurcation was 1.502 + 0.186 cm (coefficient of variation = 12.38%) (Table 1). At 24-30 months, the diameter increased to 1.780 2 0.336 cm (CV = 18.47%). At 31-37 months the mean diameter of cornua exceeded 2 cm (CV = 15.78%). It was observed that the uterine cornua steadily grew as the age of the animal advanced from 17 to 37 months. Similarly, the diameter of cervix increased as the animal aged. Though high variations in the diameters of both these organs were observed in all the age groups, the variations in the diameters of uterine cornua were greater than those of mid-cervix. It revealed that the growth of the cervix in relation to age of the heifers was more consistent than the growth of uterine horns. Growth of genitalia in relation to body weight To study the growth of genitalia in relation to body weight, heifers were divided into eight groups (Table 2, Figure 1). It was found that both the uterus and cervix increased in size as the body weight of buffalo-heifers increased. There was a slowdevelopment of uterine cornua
JUNE 1985 VOL. 23 NO. 6
859
THERIOGENOLOGY
TABLE I. MEAN DIAMETERS OF UTERINE CORNUA AND CERVIX IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS Age group Number of Width of cornua (months) animals (cm) 17-23 54 1.502 2 0.186 (12.38%) 24-36
64
31-37
43
1.780 + 0.336 (18.87%) 2.090 ? 0.330 (15.78%)
Width of mid-cervix (cm) 1.950 + 0.232 (11.89%) 2.090 2 0.330 (15:78%) 2.570 f 0.253 ( 9.85%)
Figures in parentheses indicate coefficients of variation.
TABLE 2. MEAN DIAMETERS OF CORNUA AND CERVIX IN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF BODY WEIGHT Group Body weight Mean diameter Mean diameter No of of each cor- of mid-cervix hei(kg1 (mid-value) nua at exfers (cm) ternal bifurcation (cm) I II III
IV V VI VII VIII
860
180-220 (2001 220-260 (240) 260-300 (280) 300-340 (320) 340-380 (360) 380-420 (400) 420-460 (440) 460-500 (4801
No of cycleling heifers (%I
1.38
+ 0.11
I.78
? 0.14
18
0
1.48
1: 0.12
I.98
+ 0.20
28
0
1.60
,+ 0.23
2.13
2 0.17
36
I.95
f. 0.31
2.41
+ 0.24
39
2.14
!: 0.26
2.56
i 0.24
27
2.30
f 0.12
2.68
+ 0.26
9
2.43
+ 0.40
2.80
2 0.21
3
2.47
2 0.00
2.88
2 0.00
I
(:3.8) 24 (61.5) 22 (81.48) CYOO, c:oo, c:oo,
JUNE
1985 VOL.
23 NO. 6
240
FIG.1 GROWTH
IL 0 2.2 I ii 2.1 5 2.0
OF UTERUS
AND CERVIX
280 320
360
400
440
480
IN RELATION
( kg)
TO BODY WEIGHT
BODY WEIGHT
IN BUFFALO
- 1.9
2
200
-.2.0
5 2.5 z? fj 2.4
HEIFERS
- 1.6
- 1.8
- 2.1
2.6
6
2.3
- 2.2
2.7
_
/'
- 2.4
2.8 -23
-2.5
2.9
THERIOGENOLOGY up to 280 kg body weight. At 280 kg body weight, the average uterine cornual diameter was 1.60 cm; but thereafter, a progressive increase in cornual growth was observed with the result that the average diameter of each cornum was 1.95 cm at 320 kg body weight. The increment in the cornual size also triggered an increase in the number of animals eliciting puberty. Consequently 61.5 percent (24/39) of heifers had attained puberty at 320 kg body weight, as compared to 13.5 percent (S/36) that exhibited puberty at 280 kg body weight. After the attainment of 320 kg body weight, growth of uterine cornua nevertheless continued, but with a decreased rate; because most of the buffaloheifers had already attained sexual maturity and hence registered a decline in the uterine horn development consequent to the subsequent rise in body weight. A rapid development of the uterus at puberty in Friesian heifers has been reported (7,3). Similarly, Amir -et al. (2) observed a marked enlargement of the uterus preceding first ovulation in Israeli Friesian heifers; but after puberty the rate of uterine growth declined with subsequent estrous cycles. Up to body weight of 280 kg, a steady increase in the diameter of the cervix was evident. Like the uterus, increased growth of cervical diameter was registered at body weight 280-320 kg: however, sudden increase was less marked than that observed in the uterus. Even after the attainment of body weight of 320 kg, the growth of the cervix continued more uniformly compared to that of uterine cornua. This implied that the growth of the cervix in buffalo heifers between body weights of 200 and 480 kg was more consistent than that of the uterus. REFERENCES 1. S$rensen, A.M., Hansel, W., Hough, W.H., Armstrong, D.T., McEntee, K. and Bratton, R.W. Causes and prevention of reproductive failure in dairy cattle, influence of underfeeding on growth and development of Holstein heifers, Bull. 936: Cornell Univ. Agri. Exp. Stat. (1959). 2. Amir, A.S., Kali, J. and Volcani, R. Influence of growth rate on reproduction and lactation in dairy cattle. Growth and development of mammals. Eds. Lodge, G.A. and Lamming, G.E. Butterworths, London, Boston, 1968, pp 234-256. 3. Desjardin, C. and Hafs, H.D. Maturation of bovine female genitalia from birth through puberty. J. Anim. Sci. -28:502 (1969).
862
JUNE
1985 VOL.
23 NO. 6