NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
280
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV
[Vol. XXV, Part IV,
The difference was statistically significant. The statistical significance of difference
in average semen volume of bulls of any two breeds is given in the two-way Table
below:
TABLE II
Average semen volume of bulls
Breed
X-bred
Sahiwal
Hariana
Nagore
Thari
Sindhi
Hallikar
Murrah
X-bred
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
Sahiwal
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
Hariana
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
Nagore
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
Thari
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
Sindhi
..
..
..
..
..
..
*
*
Hallikar
..
..
..
..
..
*
..
*
Murrah
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
..
* Statistically significant
These conclusions are restricted to the bulls of the breeds studied. For a
comparative study of the semen volumes of breeds, a more extensive study comprising
larger number of bulls is required. However, the limited data gathered by the
centres appear to suggest that bulls of milk breeds like Gir, Sindhi and Sahiwal give
ejaculates of larger volume than other breeds.
A comparative statement of the average semen volumes per ejaculate of same
bulls observed during the different years is given in Table III.
TABLE III
Average semen volume per ejaculate
Bull No.
X-bred
Multani
Hiralal
158/2
57/2
7/2
Unique
281
S.P. 439
S.P. 441
1946
2.44 (28)
2.41 (20)
2.84 (31)
3.07 (21)
2.90 (84)
2.23 (73)
..
..
3.42 (16)
3.62 (11)
1947
B. indicus bulls
3.22 (41)
3.39 (22)
3.86 (49)
3.66 (57)
3.22 (55)
3.41 (29)
3.39 (23)
7.57 (13)
B. bubalis bulls
2.92 (37)
2.52 (43)
1948
4.11 (46)
3.86 (19)
3.41 (77)
3.86 (54)
3.38 (74)
3.72 (79)
4.56 (23)
6.59 (34)
2.21 (17)
2.36 (63)
1949
4.90 (5)
5.10 (23)
4.05 (67)
3.75 (25)
3.69 (78)
4.23 (76)
3.76 (17)
6.54 (36)
..
1.88 (85)
The figures in brackets are the number of collections on which the averages are based
On an average, in case of B. indicus bulls the average semen volume appears to
show a progressive increase with years,while it is the other way about in the case of
buffalo bulls. The difference between years in both cases was statistically signi-
ficant. It is difficult to determine without additional data whether this represents
a general situation or peculiarity of the bulls in use at the centres.
December, 1955] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PRABHU 281
DETAILS OF INSEMINATIONS
Details of inseminations made from the semen of various bulls at the centres are presented in Table IV. The
distribution of the total services between the bulls was as follows :
TABLE IV
Details of inseminations at the three artificial insemination centres
Names of centres
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Serial No.
of
bulls
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Brand No.
or names of
bulls
Eng. 1
do. 2
Multani
Har. 12
do. 48
Hiralal
7/2
57/2
158/2
Tulsiraj
Unique
281
484
575
Warriorson
568
Warspite
K. Star
Suguna Select
R.
S. P. 441
132
Janardhan
Total number of inseminations per
Breed
X-bred
do.
Sahiwal
Hariana
do.
Nagore
Thari
do.
do.
do.
R. Sindhi
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Murrah
do.
do.
do.
Bull
50
49
234
547
70
247
1,809
1,659
506
141
214
469
170
164
165
346
78
101
214
121
523
180
120
Breed
Species
B. indicus.
99
234
617
247
4,115
1,606
315
7,233
B. bubalis
944
944
Average number of inseminations per
Bull
10.00
9.80
10.17
8.87
8.75
9.64
23.80
21.00
20.24
20.14
12.59
13.03
9.44
18.22
6.88
16.48
11.14
5.05
6.48
2.75
6.15
2.17
2.22
ejaculate per
Breed
9.90
10.17
8.94
9.64
22.01
12.17
5.94
3.55
Species
13.62
3.55
Remarks
282
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV [Vol. XXV, Part IV,
Inseminations
Over 1,000
From 501—600
From 401—500
From 301—400
From 201—300
From 101—200
Less than 100
Bulls
2
3
1
1
4
8
4
TOTAL
31
The largest number of animals served by a single bull in a year was 1,809. This
was 4.6 times the highest figure in 1946, 28 times of that in 1947 and 1.5 times that of
1948. Further, on an average 13.62 (highest, 23.80) cows of Bos indicus breeds
and 3.55 (highest, 6.17) cows of B. bubalis breeds were served per ejaculate. The
like figures in preceding years were as follows :
Bulls
B. indicus
B. bubalis
Years
1946
Average
(all bulls)
4.88
5.16
Highest
(per bull)
6.09
14.00
1947
Average
(all bulls)
7.91
4.72
Highest
(per bull)
14.75
5.78
1948
Average
(all bulls)
10.75
3.61
Highest
(per bull)
24.00
5.92
The comparatively lesser figure for the buffalo was due to lesser demand for
buffalo semen at the three centres.
An estimate of the working efficiency of the centres in respect of the economic
utilization of semen would be given by the average number of cows served per eja-
culate. For example, during 1949, the average overall bulls at the three centres
were as follows :
Calcutta
9.42 (2.75) inseminations per ejaculate
Patna
22.20 (6.15) inseminations per ejaculate
Bangalore 10.97 (2.20) inseminations per ejaculate
(The figures in brackets pertain to buffaloes)
From the above estimates, it would be clear that the most economic utilization
of semen was made at the Patna Centre, while the figures of other centres, though
showing improvement over past years' figures did exhibit scope for further improve-
ment. Detailed information given in Table IV shows that out of the 23 bulls only
four had averaged above 20, 6 above 10 but below 20 and the rest 10 and below
services per ejaculum. The highest number of cows served from a single ejaculum
was 47 for B. indicus bulls and 16 B. bubalis bulls.
December, 1955] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PRABHU 283
At centres run solely for the purpose of grading local indigenous breeds of live-
stock with semen of superior sires, as for example the key-village artificial insemina-
tion centres, a careful watch on the number of services performed per ejaculum
would enable one to effect considerable economy in the budget of the centres since
the cost of maintenance of bulls is one of the major items of expenditure.
DETAILS OF REACTION TIME
Details of reaction times of various bulls at the three artificial insemination
centres are presented in Table V. The data show considerable variation in reaction
time from bull to bull, and with a given bull, from collection to collection. The longest
time taken for a collection was one hour and six minutes (Bull No. 57/2 of Patna)
and the shortest time was seven seconds (R. S. Bull No. 484 and buffalo bull No.
132). Reaction time also appears to increase with length of artificial service. For
example, in the case of the Patna Centre where the same bulls were in use for three to
four years, there was a distinct increase in reaction time. Perhaps this was due to
the practice of collection from on 'heat' teasers—a practice followed at this centre—
and might not represent a general situation where anoestrous 'teasers' were used.
There is, however, some evidence gathered from our experience which suggests a
lengthening of reaction time with increased length of artificial service.
TABLE V
Details of reaction time
Serial
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Brand No./
Name of
bulls
Eng. 1
do. 2
Multani
Haviana 12
do. 48
Hiralal
7/2
57/2
158/2
Tulsiraj
Unique
281
484
Breed
B. indicus
X-bred
do.
Sahiwal
Hariana
do.
Nagore
Thari
do.
do.
do.
R. Sindhi
do.
do.
Average
reaction
time
(seconds)
..
..
267.87
198.85
232.75
202.78
1,458.38
958.04
1,259.56
743.25
116.29
474.92
73.18
Range
..
..
(90—440)
(45—630)
(130—470)
(31—607)
(70—3420)
(80—3960)
(205—3240)
(60—1800)
(15—250)
(11—2165)
(7—310)
S.E.
284
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV [Vol. XXV, Part IV,
TABLE V—(contd.)
Details of reaction time
Serial
No.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Brand No./
Name of
bulls
575
Warriorson
568
Warspite
K. Star
Suguna
Select
R.
S. P. 441
132
Janardhan
Breed
R. Sindhi
do.
do.
do.
Hallikar
do.
B. bubalis
Murrah
do.
do.
do.
Average
reaction
time
(seconds)
B. indicus
581.11
147.27
397.95
500.00
360.05
103.33
310.36
600.15
152.27
359.35
Range
(90—2100)
(60—300)
(30—3600)
(115—1800)
(60—900)
(10—600)
(125—610)
(60—2700)
(7—3600)
(45—900)
S.E.
DETAILS OF CONCEPTION RATES
In Table VI(a) are brought out details of conception rates observed at the three
artificial insemination centres. Wide variation was noticed in the bull-wise rates,
46.32 per cent to 72.83 per cent for bulls of B. indicus breeds and 54.30 per cent to
93.14 per cent for bulls of B. bubalis breeds.
The overall conception rates for all centres were 57.64 per cent for cows and
63.04 per cent for she-buffaloes. The conception rates got at the three centres were
as follows: Centre
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Total/Average
Total served
Cows
1,286
3,678
1,802
6,766
Buffaloes
102
488
284
874
Total conceiving
Cows
729
2,186
985
3,900
Buffaloes
95
265
191
551
Percentage of concep-
tion
Cows
56.69
59.43
54.66
57.64
Buffaloes
93.13
54.30
67.25
63.04
December, 1955 ] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PRABHU 285
TABLE VI(a)
Details of service and conception rates at the three artificial insemination centres
Names of centres
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Serial No.
of
bulls
1
2 3
4 5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Brand No.
or name
of bulls
Eng. 1
Eng. 2
Multani
Har. 12
Har. 43
Hiralal
7/2
57/2
158/2
Tulsiraj
Unique
281
484
575
Warriorson
568
Warspite
K. Star
Suguna select
R.
S. P. 441
132
Janardhan
Breed
x-bred
do.
Sahiwal
Hariana
do.
Nagore
Thari
do.
do.
do.
R. Sindhi
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Murrah
do.
do.
do.
Total No. of cows
whose calving data
were
Known
Unknown
B. indicus
38
43
185
442
52
526
1,668
1,534
476
126
200
427
159
155
136
325
71
92
111
6,766
12
6
49
105
18
120
141
125
30
15
14
42
11
9
29
21
7
9
11
774
B. bubalis
102
488
174
110
874
19
35
6
10
70
No. of
cows
holding to
service
22
23
112
254
28
290
935
918
287
59
111
220
92
97
63
104
37
67
75
3,903
95
265
122
69
551
Average service rates per conception ox
conception rate percentage per
Bull
1.73 or 57.89
1.87 or 53.49
1.65 or 60.54
1.74 or 57.47
1.86 or 53.85
1.81 or 55.13
1.69 or 59.05
1.67 or 59.84
1.66 or 60.08
2.14 or 46.83
1.80 or 55.50
1.94 or 51.52
1.73 or 57.86
1.60 or 62.58
2.16 or 46.32
1.98 or 50.46
1.92 or 52.11
1.37 or 72.83
1.48 or 67.57
1.07 or 93.14
1.84 or 54.30
1.43 or 70.11
1.59 or 62.73
Breed
1.89 or 55.56
1.75 or 57.09
1.81 or 55.13
1.69 or 59.10
1.88 or 53.22
1.43 or 69.95
1.59 or 63.04
species
1.73 or 57.64
1.59 or 630.4
Remarks
36 AR/55
286
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
Using the conception rates given by the same bulls over the past years, an analysis
was carried out to find out whether the rates had varied from year to year. The F.
ratios for variation between years and bulls were statistically significant at 5 per
cent level. Summary of the analysis is presented in Table VI(b).
TABLE VI(b)
Analysis of variance
Variation
Between years
Between bulls
Error
Total
D.F
3
5
15
23
S.S
520.94
719.46
577.92
1818.32
M.S
173.64
143.89
38.52
F
4.50*
3.73*
*Significant at 5 per cent level
Since the conception rates depend on a variety of factors, among which (a) the
skill of the artificial insemination technician, (b) stage of oestrum of the cows and
(c) length of storage of semen outside the body are important, the effect of these
factors on conception rates were studied.
(a) Skill of the artificial insemination technician and conception rates
Foreign artificial breeding co-operatives have observed that the freshly trained
technicians take some time before they reach the desired level of efficiency as artificial
insemination technicians. The efficiency was measured by the conception rates
based on percentage of 'non-returns'. Distinct individual to individual variation in
efficiency was observed, some taking longer time than others to reach the desired
level of proficiency. Further, even in otherwise skilled technicians, difference in
efficiency was noted. To see whether the conception rates at the three centres
were influenced by the skill of operators, the conception rates obtained by the differ-
ent persons who performed the inseminations at the centres were worked out and
they are presented in Table VI(c).
December, 1955 ] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PRABHU 287
TABLE VI(c)
Efficiency of artificial insemination operators
Name of centre
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Total/Average
Initials of
operators
1. S.G.S.
2. B.K.B.
3. R.
4. S.
5. O.C.N.
6. Ch.C.
7. R.K.Y.
8. C.R.
9. P.N.Y.
10. R.L.S.
11. S.V.C.
12. H.S.V.
13. K.M.
14. D.N.
15. D.L.S.
15
No. of
animals
inseminated
338
356
146
53
19
2,992
403
102
76
223
553
445
765
135
81
6,687
Number
pregnant
196
239
93
30
11
1,818
207
53
51
127
320
260
452
83
37
3,977
Percentage
of
conception
57.99
67.13
63.70
56.60
57.89
60.76
51.36
51.96
67.11
56.95
57.87
58.43
59.08
61.48
45.68
59.47±1.46
288
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
It appears that significant variation did exist from operator to operator. The
lowest rate was 45.68 per cent and the highest 67.13 per cent with the overall average
standing at 59.47±1.46 per cent. With the exception of operator No. 5, the per-
centages are based on sufficiently large number of cases so that the chances of the
precision of the estimates being influenced by the varying number of observations
may be taken as small. If the average over all conception rate, namely 59.47
per cent is taken as the desired level of efficiency, it would be seen that three of the
15 operators fell significantly below this level. All the operators included in the study
had three to four or more years of experience and the low conception rates obtained
by some of them could hardly be said to be due to their being new to the job. The
observed bull to bull variation was probably not due to the inclusion of inseminations
performed by operators having 'low' index of efficiency, for (1) there was no evidence
to show that they used semen of only certain bulls for the inseminations and (2) two
of these men belonged to Patna Centre, where the bull to bull variation in rates was
negligible. Thus, this study while establishing operator to operator difference in
efficiency failed to account for the wide variation noted in conception rates of cows
bred from different bulls.
(b) Stage of oestrum of the cow and conception rate
The stage of oestrum was measured by the number of hours elapsing from the
onset of heat till the time of insemination. For this study only approximate
times were used. The time of occurrence of heat was fixed by closely interrogating
the owners of the animals and through examination of the condition of the 'os uteri'
and vagina. For convenience, the animals were grouped into six-hourly blocks.
In Table VI(d) are brought out the data so summarised.
TABLE VI(d)
Data showing hours of heat in cattle
Name of centre
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
Calcutta
Patna
Bangalore
1.6
64.21
(95)
64.59
(836)
61.37
(321)
..
55.94
(143)
80.49
(82)
6.1.12
60.47
(382)
64.58
(1200)
56.19
(420)
..
62.21
(172)
67.09
(79)
Hours of heat
12.1.18
63.10
(290)
62.75
(835)
58.86
(440)
18.1.24
Cows
57.66
(248)
50.32
(473)
52.56
(371)
Buffaloes
Data scanty
47.47
(99)
74.42
(62)
23.08
(13)
59.18
(49)
24.1.30
47.83
(138)
38.20
(178)
47.20
(125)
..
20.00
(5)
64.71
(17)
30.1.36
54.29
(35)
38.89
(36)
60.00
(25)
..
..
36.1.42
31.25
(48)
31.25
(32)
..
..
..
42.1.48
43.78
(16)
12.50
(24)
..
..
..
Figures in brackets are the numbers of inseminations
December, 1955 ] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PEABHU 289
From Table VI, it would be seen that there was a general drop in the conception
rates with the increase in the time lag between onset of heat and time of insemination.
This was found in both species and at all the three centres. The drop was marked
after a lapse of 18 hours. Results of statistical analysis of cow data are summarised
in Table VII. Only figures upto 36 hours of oestrum were used. No analysis of
buffalo data was done, as the information was scanty.
TABLE VII
Analysis of variance
Source of variation
Between Centres
Between lengths of heat
Error
Total
D.F.
2
5
10
17
S.S
67.2422
808.7389
310.0400
1,186.0211
M.S.
33.6211
161.7477
31.0040
P.
1.08
5.21*
*Significant at 5 per cent level
The variation in conception rates between centres was not statistically significant,
while the variation in conception rates between the first six periods of oestrum was
significant at 5 per cent level.
(c) Age of stored semen and conception rates
In Table VIII are summarised the data on conception rates obtained with
semen samples of different ages.
TABLE VIII
Age of semen and conception rates
Age of semen
(hours.)
1-12
12.1-24
24.1-36
36.1-48
48.1-60
60.1-72
72.1-84
84.1-96
96.1-108
108.1-120
120.1-132
132.1-144
144.1-156
156.1-168
168.1-180
Conception rates
Calcutta Centre
Patna Centre
Cows
62.28 (448)
56.03 (257)
58.95 (285)
51.75 (114)
49.00 (100)
63.64 ( 22)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
61.63 (1285)
60.44 ( 594)
59.57 ( 831)
60.60 ( 305)
54.52 ( 343)
59.09 ( 22)
58.82 ( 17)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Bangalore Centre
59.09 (506)
54.43 (158)
56.29 (286)
55.32 (141)
54.23 (201)
60.47 ( 86)
47.65 (149)
52.63 ( 57)
53.76 ( 93)
65.79 ( 38)
44.00 ( 25)
57.89 ( 19)
33.33 ( 12)
50.00 ( 6)
60.00 (5)
Figures in brackets are the numbers of inseminations
290 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE-IV [ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
At the Calcutta and Patna centres semen preserved for more than 84 hours was
not used. At the Bangalore Centre, information was available upto the age of 180
hours. But as the number of inseminations made beyond 132 hours of age was small
and in the absence of like figures for other centres, analysis was carried on data upto
72 hours of preservation and the results are summarised in Table IX.
TABLE IX
Analysis of variance
Source of variation
Between centres
Between age-groups
Error
Total
D.F.
2
5
10
17
S.S.
25.8459
157.3332
75.6903
258.8694
M.S.
12.9229
31.4666
7.5690
F.
1.70
4.15*
*Significant at 5 per cent level
The analysis revealed that while there was no difference in conception rates
between centres, the rates differed significantly among age groups. Willett, Fuller
and Salisbury [1940] have noted no significant difference in conception rates when
semen preserved upto 96 hours was used for insemination.
General
A fact of considerable interest to veterinarians was the high rates of abortions
and calf mortality observed at Calcutta which represents conditions found in a typical
large city. Out of the 700 pregnant cows, 103 aborted, 13 dropped still-births, while
120 of the normally born calves died subsequently. The corresponding figures for
buffaloes were 72 pregnant, 6 abortions, 1 still-birth and 28 calf deaths. The rate of
aborted calvings worked out at 14.71 per cent for cows and 8.33 per cent for buffaloes.
The respective calf mortality figures were 17.14 per cent and 38.89 per cent. These
high abortion and calf mortality rates could not be due to artificial insemination,
for at the other two Centres no such evidence was obtained. These rates appear part
of the normal conditions prevailing in that city.
SUMMARY
Data gathered during the year 1949 by the Calcutta, Patna and Bangalore Field
Artificial Insemination Centres run by the Animal Genetics Division of the Indian
Veterinary Research Institute and comprising 8177 inseminations made from 797
ejaculates drawn from 19 Bos indicus and 4 Bubalus babalis bulls of the Centres are
analysed and discussed. The paper also includes the study of three factors,
namely (a) skill of artificial insemination technicians (b) stage of oestrum of the cow
and (c) effect of age of preserved semen on conception rates.
December, 1955 ] P. BHATTACHARYA AND S. S. PRABHU 291
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to thank Shri Gajjan Singh, Ch. Chetram and Shri S. V. Chandi-
ramani, Officers-in-charge of the Calcutta, Patna and Bangalore centres respectively
for their help in introducing the new technique in the field. The basic data utilised
in this paper were collected by them. Thanks are also due to Major J. M. Lahiri,
Principal, Bengal Veterinary College, Shri S. K. Sen, Director of Animal Husbandry,
Bihar and Dr. K. C. Sen, Director, Indian Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, for
their personal interest and for providing all facilities for work. To the Director,
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar the authors are grateful for help
and advice at all stages during the operation of the Scheme.
REFERENCES
Bhattacharya., P. (1948). Preliminary report on the field application of artificial insemination in
India. Abstr. Proc. 36th Indian Sci. Congr.,
III(4), 96
—and
Prabhu, S. S. (1950). Field application of artificial insemination in India-II. Abstr. Proc.
37th Indian Sci. Congr. ffl(9), 196-197
—
(1952). Field application of artificial insemination in India-III. Abstr. Proc. 38th Indian Sci.
Congr. III(9), 196
——(1952). Field application of artificial insemination in cattle-I. Indian J. vet. Sci., 22(3), 163-178
—— (1953). Field application of artificial insemination in cattle-II and III. Indian J. vet. Sci.
(in press)
—
(1953). Field application of artificial Insemination in India-IV. Abstr. Proc. 40th Indian Sci.
Congr. III(9), 61-62
Willett, E. L., Fuller, H. K. and Salisbury, G. W. (1940). Preservation of bovine spermatozoa in
yolk- phosphate diluent and the field results from its use. Cornell Vet., 30, 507-513
SEASONAL CHANGES IN THE HISTOLOGY OF THE
THYROID AND THE TESTIS OF BUFFALO
By D. S. BHATNAGAR, D. P. MUKHERJEE and P. BHATTACHARYA, Division of
Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
(Received for publication on 7th January 1955)
T HERE is seasonal variation in semen qualities of Indian farm animals, viz. bulls,
sheep and goats [Mukherjee and Bhattacharya, 1952; Shukla and Bhatta-
charya, 1952, a & b]. In all these farm animals it has been observed that the qualities
of their semen deteriorate during the part of the year when air temperature is high
associated with high relative humidity and rainfall. The qualities improve when
air temperature is moderate coupled with low humidity and scanty rainfall. Seasonal
variation in the reproductive activity of rams is caused not directly but indirectly
through the thyroid gland [Berliner and Warbritton, 1937; Bogart and Mayer,
1946]. High or low environmental temperature cause hypo or hyper thyroidism
respectively in rams as a result of which the semen qualities decrease or increase.
Opinion of workers on the role of the thyroid on the testicular function varies. Some
believe that the action is not due to endocrine imbalance but to changed metabolic
status [Moor, 1939], changed nervous irritability [Lerman, 1942], general growth
disturbances [Schneider, 1939] or to complex inter-relations between the endocrine
system and body metabolism as a whole [Cameron, 1945]. In spite of disagreement
among the thyroid physiologists regarding the action of the thyroid on the testicular
function, there is unanimity of opinion that the thyroid does influence fertility
in male [Oloufa et al., 1951]. Buffalo being an important farm animal of India and
there being no information available on the thyroid and the testis of this animal,
it was considered worthwhile to study the effect of climatic changes on the two
glands of this species and their inter-dependence, if any.
EXPERIMENTAL
The thyroid and the testicular materials were obtained from 32 adult buffalo-
bulls slaughtered at the peak of four different seasons in a local abbatoir. As far
as possible, the materials were obtained from animals which were in good condi-
tion of health, free from visible symptoms of any disease and between 6½ to 8½
years of age as determined by their dental formation.
The materials were obtained from each animal immediately after it was
slaughtered. The thyroid materials were fixed in 5 per cent formalin for 4 to 5
hours followed by 24 hours in Susa and the testicular materials were fixed in
Bouin's fluid. Paraffin sections were made of a thickness of 8u and the sections
were stained with haematoxylin and eosin.
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