A study on the efficiency of Saraca asoca leaves on serum biochemical, antioxidant and hormonal profile in postpartum anestrum buffaloes

Introduction

Productive and reproductive performance in buffaloes is greatly affected by postpartum anestrus condition (Kalyan et al., 2021) [6] . Major cause of anestrum in buffaloes is feeding defects, unbalanced diets leading to deficiency of energy, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and some other metabolites. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen metabolites and antioxidants (Ullah et al., 2019) [15] and various oxidative status markers (Saqib et al., 2022) [11] . Antioxidants play a vital role in reproductive processes by modulating follicular dynamics and other critical activities. The balance between ROS and antioxidants may have an important role in reproductive processes such as follicular development (Heba et al., 2014) [3] . Antioxidant enzymes like SOD acts as defense against reactive oxygen species. Post-partum buffaloes experience hormonal changes, specifically in oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels, which affect the quality of oocytes and influence reproductive stages (Husamaldeen A et al., 2023) [4] Materials and methods: A total of Sixteen postpartum anestrum buffaloes (45-90 days) were identified through rectal palpation twice at an interval of 10 days. Blood samples were also collected twice 10days before and 0 th day for serum hormonal levels (17β-estradiol and progesterone) estimation. On 0 th day, one time blood sample was collected for biochemical, antioxidant profile. Anestrum in buffaloes was confirmed by Ultrascan machine with B-mode scanner (Aloka). The selected anestrum buffaloes were divided into two groups @ 8 buffaloes in each group. Group I (Control group) were treated with ovsynch protocol (GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH on 0-7-9th day respectively), Group II were fed with 130 gm of Saraca asoca leaves powder orally for 24 days. Blood samples were collected for further analysis of various parameters.

Results and Discussion

Postpartum anestrum buffaloes were estimated for biochemical profile of serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin A/G ratio, cholesterol and triglycerides, antioxidant profile SOD, Catalase and LPO were estimated and hormonal profile for progesterone and 17β-estradiol were estimated. The mean values of biochemical profile and antioxidant profile of postpartum anestrum buffaloes of experimental groups are given in the Table 1 and Table 2. The mean values pertaining to serum biochemical profile, antioxidant and hormonal profile after 24 days of treatment with Ovsynch protocol (group I) and Saraca asoca leaves powder (group II) were depicted in Table 3 and Table 4. The low values of total protein, albumin in postpartum anestrus buffaloes were probably associated with deficiency of certain amino acids required for the biosynthesis of gonadotropins and gonadal hormones and consequent reproductive hormonal disturbances led to inactive ovaries. The similar observations were recorded by Emad et al., 2019, Kalasariya et al., 2018 [2,5] . The values of 17β-estradiol and progesterone were lower than normal range (Susmitha et al., 2024, Husamaldeen A. Alsalim et al., 2023) [14,4] in anestrum buffaloes. After postpartum there will be negative energy balance, deficiency of minerals and clearance of ovarian steroids (17 β-estradiol and progesterone) led to anovulation. The above findings are in agreement with the results of Kumar et al., 2014; Walsh et al., 2007. [7,16] . The mean serum glucose, total protein, albumin, A/G ratio were significantly (p<0.01) higher in group II compared to group I, while globulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides were significantly (p<0.01) lower in group II compared to group I. SOD and catalase showed significantly higher values and LPO showed lower levels in group II compared to group I. On 24 th day in group II progesterone levels were highest (p<0.01) compared to group I. The mean serum glucose levels were significantly (p<0.01) lower in group II compared to group I indicating that glucose levels were reduced by Saraca asoca leaves on the treatment days but glucose has increased on the day of estrous and was regulated in Group II. β-sitosterol in Saraca asoca leaves on oral administration, regulates glucose uptake by increasing plasma insulin level, correspondingly decreases fasting hyperglycemia, increases glucose uptake by adipocytes and down-regulates GLUT4 gene expression (Sayeed et al., 2016). [12] Decreased cholesterol and triglycerides in group II was due to β-sitosterol will reduce LDL cholesterol from blood and prevent the synthesis of cholesterol in liver (Soodabeh et al., 2014). [13] Increase in concentration of antioxidant activity in group II compared to group I was due to β-sitosterol from Saraca asoca leaves which increase concentrations of the antioxidants lead to an increased ability to neutralize oxidative stress (Lakshminarayanan A, 2023). [8] The antioxidant activity of Saraca asoca leaves was due to the ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation (Prathapan et al., 2012). [9] The mean serum progesterone concentration tended to rise by treating with Saraca asoca indicated initiation of cyclicity and formation of corpus luteum (Rajkumar et al., 2008). [10] Beta-sitosterol from Saraca asoca leaves possess antioxidant, lipid lowering effect, antidiabetic property, hepatoprotective, effective on reproductive disorders. (Heba S and Jayaraman, 2020).

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementI am thankful to late Dr. Solomon Raj sir (Professor, Depat. Of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, CVSc, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad) for his support in the research work. I acknowledge for the cooperation and support of our PVNRTVU for completion of my research work successfully.

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