Concept paper, Proposed study for PhD research

1. July 14, 2020
Concept Paper
Seminar on Current Topic (PHYS 716)
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM
SUPPLEMENTATION OVER FOLLICULAR GROWTH
IN GOAT
Concerned Teacher
Dr. Saeed Ahmed Soomro, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, SAU Tandojam
By.
Nabi Bux Solangi, (PhD-2K19-BP-01)
PhD Scholar
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, SAU Tandojam
SUMMARY
Goats are important species of livestock in Pakistan since they contribute greatly to the agrarian
economy and plays important role in the livelihood of large proportion of small and marginal scale
farmers. Most of the production especially red meat comes from small holder farmers using traditional
methods of management system.
The relationship between the environment and nutrition with reproductive physiology has always
played a pivotal role in maintenance of life processes. The reproductive performance of sheep and goat is
regulated by the nutritional status of animal, (Griffiths et al., 2007). Several studies demonstrated
interaction between nutrition and reproduction in sheep and goats have shown that poor nutrition causes
delayed puberty, silent heat period, poor fertilization, decrease ovulation; decrease conception rates
increased lambing and kidding mortality in young sheep and goat (Smith and Akinbamijo, 2000). Recent
researches have shown that minerals in nutrition have a fundamental role on reproductive performance of
goat (Arguello, 2011). From the essential mineral nutrients Selenium (Se) is vital trace elements which
contribute in reproductive health of small ruminants by its antioxidant activity (Hefnawy and Tortora
Perez, 2010). Hence nutritional management in young female stock determines the future reproductive
efficiency.
Development of follicle is most important physiological change to start cyclic activity in female,
while the nutrition and dietary supplementation highly effects the induction and maintenance of estrus

2. Concept paper
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION OVER FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN GOAT
Nabi Bux Solangi, PhD Scholar [PhD-2K19-BP-01]
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, FAHVS, SAU Tandojam 2
cycle. Disturbances in normal cyclic activity may be evident in delayed puberty and low fertility rate
which effects reproductive efficiency of female goat negatively, hence lowering overall production and
decreasing economic worth of female goat. We have started artificial insemination in goats in January
2019 and still have very little information about reproductive behavior of goats in Sindh. Therefore, to
suggest a better solution for problems related with reproductive health of female goats, the present study
has been designed to study the effects of nutrition and dietary Se yeast supplementation on follicular
growth.
GOAL
The main goal of this study is to improve reproductive performance of small ruminants by
achieving early maturity and maximize fertilization by improving follicular growth.
OBJECTIVES
Keeping in view background and scientist facts, following objectives are suggested to achieve the
goals of study.
1. To evaluate the effect of dietary Se supplementation over morphology of ovaries in goats.
2. To evaluate the effect of dietary Se supplementation over histomorphometry of follicles in goats.
3. To detect the effect of dietary Se supplementation over hormonal changes of ovaries in goats.
HYPOTHESIS
Keeping in view the rational statement and objectives it is hypothesized that the follicular growth
would be improved by Se yeast supplemented diet, hence early and maximum number of follicles would
be achieved.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The outcomes of this study will help in breeding management aspects to reduce age of puberty in
goat; hence we could have breeding improvements which ultimately effects over production of female
goats.
Breeding improvement
1. Reduction in age of puberty and calving intervals
2. Maximize chances of fertilization

3. Concept paper
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION OVER FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN GOAT
Nabi Bux Solangi, PhD Scholar [PhD-2K19-BP-01]
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, FAHVS, SAU Tandojam 3
PLAN OF WORK
Experimental Animals, Place of study and adaptation period
The study will be carried out on cross-bred pateri goats in Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad,
Badin and Thatta districts of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of thirty cross-bred female goats will be selected at
different goat farms, ten out of them will be purchased from nearby market with an age of three to four
months. Animals will be given a period of three weeks for adaptation in the environment and diet they
provided, each of two trail period will end up at tenth week of experiment.
Experimental design
Goats will be randomly allocated into three groups (n=10/group) viz., A, B and C. Two
experiments will be conducted. Experiment I will be conducted during breeding season and after breeding
season; Group A and B will be kept on grazing while group, both groups will be offered same (low
concentrate) diet. Group C will be confined provided high concentrate diet, both group B and C will be
supplemented with Se. Same pattern as in experiment I will be followed for experiment II during out of
breeding season.
Table 2 Experimental groups
S# Group Description Feeding No of Animals
1 A Control group (Grazing) Low concentrate 10
2 B Treatment Group (Grazing) Low concentrate + Selenium 10
3 C Treatment Group (Confined) High concentrate + Selenium 10
Feeding management
High concentrate diet will have > 60% TDN while the low concentrate diet will have <58% TDN.
B and C groups will receive concentrate diet supplemented with the organic selenium, i.e. selenium yeast
(SY) at the optimal dose rate of 0.3 mg/kg. diet (Fubon Selenium Yeast, Angle Yeast Co. LTD. China) as
used by (Nabi et al., 2019). The composition of concentrate diet is given in Table 2.
Table here

4. Concept paper
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION OVER FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN GOAT
Nabi Bux Solangi, PhD Scholar [PhD-2K19-BP-01]
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, FAHVS, SAU Tandojam 4
PARAMETERS
Following parameters will be recorded to study effect of feeding and dietary selenium
supplementation over follicular growth of goat.
1. Morphology
Ovaries will be observed by ultrasonography, also ovaries will be removed by C-section to study detailed
morphology and follicular development.
1. Size of follicle (length, width, circumference)
2. Different functional stages of ovaries
3. No of follicles
2. Hormonal Assay
Hormonal level will be observed by lab analysis to differentiate different phases of estrus cycle.
1. Serum Estrogen
2. Serum Progesterone
3. Serum FSH
4. Serum LH
3. Antioxidant status
Serum GPx and SOD level for all animals will be recorded before start of trail and will be compared
with the readings of later stages
1. Serum GPx
2. Serum SOD
4. Physical signs
1. Behavioral signs of estrus
2. Cyclicity
Data Analysis
Data will be collected on prescribed data sheets for described parameters. Data will be analyzed
by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and if found significant, means will be compared by multiple
pair wise comparison using Tukey’s HSD method under statistical program Statstix 10 (USA, ©
statstix.com) statistical software package (Nabi, 2019).

5. Concept paper
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION OVER FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN GOAT
Nabi Bux Solangi, PhD Scholar [PhD-2K19-BP-01]
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, FAHVS, SAU Tandojam 5
REFERENCES
Arguello, A. 2011. Trends in goat research, a review. Journal of Applied Animal Research.39:429-434.
Griffiths, L.M., S.H. Loeffler, M.T. Socha, D.J. Tomlinson and A.B. Johnson. 2007. Effects of
supplementing complexes zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt on lactation and
reproductive performance of intensively grazed lactating dairy cattle on the South Island
of New Zealand. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 137:69-83.
Hefnawy, A. E. G and J. L. Tortora-Perez. 2010. The importance of selenium and the effects of its
deficiency in animal health. Small Ruminant Research.89:185-192.
Nabi. B. S., S.P. Samo, M. Malhi, S.A. Soomro, N. Bhatti, A.W. Solangi, H. Soomro, Bushra and B.
Kanwal. 2019. Growth performance of young pateri cross breed goat supplemented with
selenium yeast. EC Vet. Sci, 4(4): 266-272.
Smith, O. B. and O. O. Akinbamijo. 2000. Micronutrients and reproduction in farm animals. Animal
Reproduction Science. 60:549-560.
BUDGET
Billable costs associated with planning and executing project, associated resources if any,
NECESSARY APPROVALS
Necessary approvals will be furnished before start of trail.