Project description:The purpose of this study was to identify seminal plasma proteins in Bali bull and their potential as biomarkers of fertility. Semen was collected from 10 bulls aged 5-10 years using an artificial vagina. Fresh semen was then centrifuged (3000× g for 30 min). The supernatant was put into straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. The semen plasma protein concentration was determined using the Bradford method, and the protein was characterized using 1D-SDS-PAGE. Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) was used to color the gel, and the molecular weight of the protein was determined using PM2700. A total of 94 proteins were identified in the seminal plasma of Bali bulls analyzed using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). Proteins spermadhesin 1 (SPADH1), C-type natriuretic peptide (NPPC), clusterin (CLU), apoliprotein A-II (APOA2), inositol-3-phosphate synthase 1 (ISYNA1), and sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) were identified as important for fertility in Bos javanicus. These proteins may prove to be important biomarkers of fertility in Bali bulls. These proteins are important for reproductive function, which includes spermatozoa motility, capacitation, and acrosome reactions. This study provides new information about the protein content in seminal plasma in Bali bulls. The LC-MS/MS-based proteome approach that we applied in this study obtained 94 proteins. The identification of these seminal plasma proteins of Bali bulls and their potential as fertility biomarkers may have an impact on the success of future artificial insemination (AI).
Project description:BackgroundBanteng (Bos javanicus d'Alton 1823) are an endangered species, highly sensitive to habitat structure and quality. In many areas, banteng were extinct and needed to be reintroduced to restore their population. Thus, understanding the responses of body condition of reintroduced banteng to their habitat was important for ensuring the sustainability of a reintroduction program. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the body condition of banteng after reintroduction into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand based on photographs from camera-traps carried out between July 2016 and November 2018.MethodsSeven banteng were bred at the Khao Nampu Nature and Wildlife Education Center and systematically reintroduced into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary in December 2015 (four) and July 2016 (three). The seven reintroduced adults and two newborns (from the 2015 group) were captured via camera traps in 2018. The body condition scoring (BCS) obtained from these photographs was used to identify the individual performance of all seven adults after their reintroduction.ResultsThe BCS scores in reintroduced adult banteng, both males and females, (between 5 and 7 years old) increased significantly over time after reintroduction into a natural habitat (p < 0.05), although the BCS scores in females were not significantly different between the second and third years (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results from the present study suggest that camera traps are a practical tool to assess the BCS of reintroduced banteng, and can be used to monitor their condition post-release. These techniques may be appropriate for translocation programs elsewhere.
Project description:Banteng (Bos javanicus) are susceptible to hunting and habitat destruction. Banteng were successfully reintroduced in Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Thus, understanding their adaptation to natural forage species and nutrition is important to enhance the chance for successful reintroduction of the banteng. We studied the adaptation of banteng to natural forages and nutrition before and after the reintroduction in Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary between November 2015 and November 2017. Four individuals in 2015 and three individuals in 2016 were reintroduced. We analyzed nutritional values before release and after release into the natural habitat. Twenty-four forage species were identified and the ratio of monocots to dicots was 20:80. The highest energy was found in Dalbergia cultrate (17.5 MJ kg-1) in the wet season and Wrightia arborea (19.9 MJ kg-1) in the dry season (p < 0.001). Nutritional values were significantly different among experiments (p < 0.001). Moreover, the macro nutrients including N and Ca in natural forages were the highest in the dry season. In the wet season, micro-nutrients were the highest in dung collected while bantegn were in captivity. Our research improves our understanding of how banteng adapt their foraging after release into the wild, helps in evaluation of the reintroduction, and informs adaptive management of the banteng to support the long term survival of the population.