STUDIES ON THE IMMUNOMODULATORY AND THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA IND/CA) ON ENDOMETRITIS IN REPEAT BREEDING CROSSBRED COWS

Abstract

An experiment was designed to investigate the immunomodulatory and therapeutic efficacy of neem on
endometritis in repeat breeding crossbred cows. Twenty four cows were selected on the basis of history, breeding
records, transrectal examination, white side test and randomly divided into 3 groups (Group A: 30 ml normal
saline; Group B: 30 ml hydro-alcoholic neem bark; Group C: 30 ml hydro-acetonic neem bark). Treatments were
given intrauterine beginning on the day of estrus for seven days in each group. Cervical mucus samples were
collected on the day of estrus before treatment and at subsequent estrus after treatment and tested for appearance,
pH, white side test and bacterial load. Blood samples were collected on the day of treatment and 24 hr after
treatment and analyzed for glucose, Hb, PCV, TLC and DLC to know health status of the experimental animals.
Uterine flushings were collected on the day of estrus before treatment and again on eighth day of first collection
i.e. 24 hr after last treatment. These flushings were used for the estimation of total protein, immunoglobulin, TLC
and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). At subsequent standing estrus following treatment, all cows were artificially
inseminated twice using frozen semen 12 hours apart. Pregnancy was confirmed transrectally 45-60 days after
insemination. Significant (p<0.05) decline in pH and bacterial load was observed in cervical mucus of the groups
after treatment. Hemoglobin, neutrophils, lymphocytes and WBC were increased significantly (p<0.05) in both
hydro-alcoholic and hydro-acetonic extract treated groups. Moreover, RBCs and glucose were increased in hydroalcoholic
extract treated group. Significant (p<0.05) rise was found in TLC, PMN and immunoglobulin concentration
in both the treated groups. Although both the extracts led to improved clinical recovery and conception rates, the
hydro-alcoholic extract was more effective. Based on these results, it may be concluded that hydro-alcoholic
extract of the neem has a better antibacterial and immuno-modulation and can be used as a therapy for endometritis
in repeat breeding crossbred cows.