BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Shamim Akhter
Associate Professor of Zoology
Pir Mehr Ali Shah arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Life fellow: Zoological Society of Pakistan
2010- To date:
.
Associate Professor, PMAS- Arid Agriculture University, RWP
2004-2010:
Assistant Professor, PMAS- Arid Agriculture University, RWP
1998-2004:
Lecturer, PMAS- Arid Agriculture University, RWP
RESEARCH PROFILE
My research interest lies in the preservation of buffalo semen to ensure successful
Artificial insemination (AI) that is required to improve the genetic potential of buffalo.
This approach will ultimately be very helpful to increase the milk production of our dairy
buffalo. My work in this context is directed towards:
1) The use of egg yolks from different avian species in extender for improving the
post-thaw quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. In preliminary studies,
duck egg yolk was found better compared to other avian yolks for frozen-thawed quality
of buffalo bull spermatozoa. Recently we are investigating different levels of egg yolk
from different avian species for freezability and fertility of buffalo bull semen
2) Screening of different antibiotic combinations in extender for bacterial control
and spermatozoal quality of liquid buffalo bull semen. A relatively new antibiotic
combination, Gentamycin-Tylocin-Lincomycin-Spectinomycin (GTLS) was found more
capable than traditional antibiotic combination, Streptomycin-Penicilin for bacterial
control without compromising the spermatozoal quality. Further studies are in process to
screen other antibiotics to improve freezability and fertility of buffalo bull semen;
3) Identification of chemically defined extenders for buffalo bull semen We have
evaluated chemically defined extenders having a substitute of fresh egg yolk like
powdered egg yolk, low density lipoproteins (LDLs) extracted from egg yolk, soya
lecithin, or prepared extenders having soya lecithin as a substitute of egg yolk for
cryopreservation and in vivo fertilizing ability of buffalo bull semen. These studies
enabled us to conclude that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improved the fertility of
buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk for cryopreservation
of buffalo semen. 4) Antioxidants fortification of extender for buffalo bull semen: We
have evaluated antioxidants like ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, cysteine and glutathione for
their effect on liquid/ cryopreserved buffalo bull semen. Glutathione was found to
improve the post thaw quality of buffalo bull semen.
The best evaluated antibiotic combination has been used in chemically defined extenders
and extenders supplemented with glutathione and cysteine. So far we are successful to
conclude that tris citric acid extender with GTLS antibiotic combination having 10%
soya lecithin a substitute of fresh egg yolk improves the fertility rate in buffalo by 15 %
and can be suggested for routine use in artificial insemination program in buffalo.
Additionally, we are developing techniques to produce buffalo embryos in vitro. My
laboratory is funded by a combination of Pakistan Science Foundation, Pakistan, Higher
Education Commission, Pakistan and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi supports.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
1. Ansari, M. S., B. A. Rakha, S. M.H. Andrabi, N.Ullah, R. Iqbal, W. V. Holt,
Shamim Akhter. 2012. Glutathione-supplemented tris-citric acid extender
improves the post-thaw quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
bull spermatozoa. Reproductive Biology, 12: 271-276. (Impact factor: 1.921)
2. Shamim Akhter, M. S. Ansari, S. M. H. Andrabi, B. A. Rakha, N. Ullah, M.
Khalid. 2012. Soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of
buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Reproduction in Domestic Animals.
47(5): 815-819. (Impact factor: 1.356)
3. Shamim Akhter, M. S. Ansari, B. A. Rakha, N. Ullah, S. M. H. Andrabi and M.
Khalid. 2011. In vitro evaluation of liquid-stored buffalo semen at 5°C diluted in
soya lecithin based extender (Bioxcell®), tris-citric egg yolk, skim milk and egg
yolk-citrate extenders. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 46(1): 45-49. (Impact
factor: 1.356)
4. Shamim Akhter, M. S. Ansari, B. A. Rakha, S. M. H. Andrabi, N. Ullah and M.
Khalid. 2011. Effect of low density lipoproteins in extender on freezability and
fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull semen. Theriogenology, 76(4): 759764. (Impact Factor: 1.963)
5. Ansari, M. S., B. A. Rakha, S. M. H. Andrabi and Shamim Akhter. 2011.
Effect of straw size and thawing time on quality of cryopreserved buffalo
(Bubalus bubalis) semen. Reproductive Biology. 11(1): 49-54. (Impact factor:
1.921)
6. Shamim Akhter, M. S. Ansari, B. A. Rakha, S. M. H. Andrabi and N. Ullah.
2010. Cryopreservation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen in Bioxcell® extender.
Theriogenology, 74: 951-955. (Impact Factor: 1.963)
7. Ansari, M. S., B. A. Rakha, N. Ullah, S. M. H. Andrabi, S. Iqbal, M. Khalid and
Shamim Akhter. 2010. Effect of exogenous glutathione in extender on the
freezability of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Animal
Science Papers and Reports, 28: 235-244. (Impact factor: 0.553)
8. Ansari, M. S., B. A. Rakha and Shamim Akhter. 2011. Effect of L-cysteine in
extender on post-thaw quality of Sahiwal bull semen. Animal Science Papers and
Reports, 29: 197-203. (Impact factor: 0.553)
9. Ansari, M. S., B. A. Rakha, S. M. H. Andrabi and Shamim Akhter. 2010.
Usefulness of powdered and fresh egg yolk for cryopreservation of Zebu bull
spermatozoa. Reproductive Biology, 10(3): 235-240. (Impact factor: 1.921)
10. Shamim Akhter, B. A. Rakha, M. S. Ansari. 2010. Comparison of egg yolks
from three avian species in extender for cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull
epididymal spermatozoa. Animal Science Papers and Reports,29: 131-138
(Impact factor: 0.553)
11. Shamim Akhter, M. S. Ansari, S. M. H. Andrabi, N. Ullah and M. Qayyum.
2008. Effect of antibiotics in extender on bacterial control and spermatozoal
quality of cooled buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull semen. Reproduction in Domestic
Animals, 43: 272-278. (Impact factor: 1.356)
12. Andrabi, S. M. H., M. S. Ansari, N. Ullah, M. Anwar, A. Mehmood, Shamim
Akhter. 2008. Duck egg yolk in extender improves the freezability of buffalo
(Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Animal Reproduction Science, 104: 427-433.
(Impact factor: 1.75)