Reproductive System Evaluation in Anestrus Buffaloes by Ultrasound and Antioxidants Profile in Basrah Governorate, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.SI.14Keywords:
buffaloes, infertility, ultrasonography, antioxidantAbstract
The research study aimed to explore the reasons for buffaloes experiencing anestrus during their breeding season in Basrah governorate, Iraq. The research included a sample of 52 buffaloes suffering from anestrus and another five in the estrus phase. The reproductive system of these animals was examined to evaluate the causes of anestrus using trans-rectal ultrasonography. Antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the blood of anestrus buffaloes and compared with those of normal cyclic buffaloes. Ultrasonographical results revealed that the infertile buffaloes suffered from ovarian inactivity, anovulatory follicles, persistent corpus luteum, and luteal cysts at rates of 34.16%, 21.15%, 17.30%, and 13.46%, respectively. The research found that 13.46% of buffaloes with normal estrous cycles experienced silent estrus. The results also showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in CAT, SOD, and GSH-px in anestrus buffaloes compared with regularly cyclic buffaloes and a significant elevation (P<0.05) in the MDA level in anestrus buffaloes compared with the control group. The study concluded that the animals were under oxidative stress due to heat stress and a poor diet in highly productive buffaloes, which plays an important role in anestrus and infertility.
References
Abdulkareem, T. A., Eidan, S. M., Al-Sharifi, S. A., Abd Al-Mousawi, S. M., & Dhaydan, M. N. (2021). Effect of hCG hormone administration on estrus induction and reproductive performance of anestrus Iraqi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Buffalo Bulletin, 40(3), 499–502.
Aebi, H. (1984). Catalase in vitro. In Methods in Enzymology (Vol. 105, pp. 121–126). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(84)05016-3
Aitken, R. J. (2020). Impact of oxidative stress on male and female germ cells: Implications for fertility. Reproduction, 159(4), R189–R201. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-19-0452
Ali, F., Lodhi, L. A., Hussain, R., & Sufyan, M. (2014). Oxidative status and some serum macro minerals during estrus, anestrus and repeat breeding in Cholistani cattle. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 34(4), 532–534.
Alsalim, H. A., Abbas, M. F., Sanad, N. H., & Abbas, H. R. (2023). Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity and reproductive hormones in postpartum anestrus cows diagnosed by ultrasound in Basrah province. International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 5, 304–314. https://doi.org/10.47832/2717-8234.17.21
Amin, Y. A., Nour, A. H., & Mohamed, R. H. (2025). Effects of follicular and luteal cysts on reproductive organs, interstitial glands, and mast cell distribution in buffalo ovaries. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 12837. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94941-y
Atallah, S. A., & Moustafa, S. A. (2006). Relation between oxidative stress and retained placenta in buffaloes. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 52(110), 298–311. https://doi.org/10.21608/avmj.2006.177408
Awasthi, M. K., Kavani, F. S., Siddiquee, G. M., Sarvaiya, N. P., & Derashri, H. J. (2007). Is slow follicular growth the cause of silent estrus in water buffaloes? Animal Reproduction Science, 99(3–4), 258–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.05.014
Barkawi, A. H., Hafez, Y. M., Ibrahim, S. A., Ashour, G., El-Asheeri, A. K., & Ghanem, N. (2009). Characteristics of ovarian follicular dynamics throughout the estrous cycle of Egyptian buffaloes. Animal Reproduction Science, 110(3–4), 326–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.02.016
Beuge, J. A., & Aust, S. D. (1978). Estimation of serum malondialdehyde level. In Methods in Enzymology (pp. 114–120). Academic Press.
Bratovcic, A. J. A. S. (2020). Antioxidant enzymes and their role in preventing cell damage. Acta Scientiae Nutritionis et Salutis, 4(3), 1–7.
Chainy, G. B., & Sahoo, D. K. (2020). Hormones and oxidative stress: An overview. Free Radical Research, 54(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10715762.2019.1702656
Chauhan, S. S., Rashamol, V. P., Bagath, M., Sejian, V., & Dunshea, F. R. (2021). Impacts of heat stress on immune responses and oxidative stress in farm animals and nutritional strategies for amelioration. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65, 1231–1244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-021-02083-3
Choudhary, B. B., & Sirohi, S. (2019). Sensitivity of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to heat stress. Journal of Dairy Research, 86(4), 399–405. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029919000773
Dash, S., Chakravarty, A. K., Singh, A., Upadhyay, A., Singh, M., & Yousuf, S. (2016). Effect of heat stress on reproductive performances of dairy cattle and buffaloes: A review. Veterinary World, 9(3), 235–244. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.235-244
Dobson, H., Routly, J. E., & Smith, R. F. (2020). Understanding the trade-off between the environment and fertility in cows and ewes. Animal Reproduction, 17(3), e20200017. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0017
Drost, M. (2007). Bubaline versus bovine reproduction. Theriogenology, 68(3), 447–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.012
Duan, Z., Liu, M., Li, J., Liu, K., Qi, Q., Yu, Z., & Hou, J. (2025). Melatonin implantation improves the reproductive performance of estrus-synchronized ewes during seasonal anestrus and enhances antioxidant and steroidogenic capacities of granulosa and luteal cells. Antioxidants, 14(7), 895. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14070895
Flohé, L., & Günzler, W. (1984). Assays of glutathione peroxidase. In Methods in Enzymology (Vol. 105, pp. 114–120). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(84)05015-1
Ghosh, M., Gupta, M., Kumar, R., Kumar, S., Balhara, A. K., & Singh, I. (2015). Relation between antioxidant status and postpartum anestrous condition in Murrah buffalo. Veterinary World, 8(10), 1163–1166. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2015.1163-1166
Hameed, W. S., & Alsalim, H. A. (2022). Ultrasonographical and hormonal comparison between true and postpartum anestrus of cows in south of Iraq. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(S6), 7909–7925. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS6.12183
Hayward, N. (2012). BSAVA manual of canine and feline ultrasonography. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 53(2), 143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2012.01183.x
Jyoti, S., Subedi, D., Adhikari, B. K., & Kaphle, K. (2019). Ultrasonographic descriptions of reproductive tracts of cattle, history of veterinary ultrasound and its current practice in Nepal. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 1(3), 48–53.
Khan, A., Dou, J., Wang, Y., Jiang, X., Khan, M. Z., Luo, H., & Zhu, H. (2020). Evaluation of heat stress effects on cellular and transcriptional adaptation of bovine granulosa cells. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 11(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-019-0408-8
Khodaei-Motlagh, M., Shahneh, A. Z., Masoumi, R., & Derensis, F. (2011). Alterations in reproductive hormones during heat stress in dairy cattle. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(29), 5552–5558. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB09.033
Khudhair, N. A., Abbas, H. R., & Alsalim, H. A. (2021). Relationship between enzymatic antioxidant activities and reproductive hormones in cows with retained placenta in Basrah province, Iraq. Archives of Razi Institute, 76(5), 1537. https://doi.org/10.22092/ari.2021.355553.1696
Kumar, P. R., Shukla, S. N., Shrivastava, O. P., & Purkayastha, R. D. (2013). Incidence of postpartum anestrus among buffaloes in and around Jabalpur. Veterinary World, 6(10), 716–723. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2013.716-719
Kumar, P. R., Singh, S. K., Kharche, S. D., Chethan, S. G., Behera, B. K., Shukla, S. N., Kumar, H., & Agarwal, S. K. (2014). Anestrus in cattle and buffalo: Indian perspective. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2(3), 124–138. https://doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.3.124.138
Kumar, R. S., Krishnakumar, K., Balasubramanian, S., Vijayarani, K., Jawahar, T. P., Balasubramaniyam, D., & Sarath, T. (2021). Serum estradiol-17β and progesterone levels during different phases of the estrous cycle in silent estrus Murrah buffaloes. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 9(1), 2092–2095.
Kumar, S., Kumar, G., & Gahalot, S. C. (2019). Anestrus in buffaloes and different treatment regimens: A mini review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 8, 1162–1179. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2019.803.138
