A radioimmunoassay for measuring serum progesterone (P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and 17-B-oestradio (E2) in buffaloes was described. One cm3 of pooled serum with three steroids added for recovery was extracted with ether and chromatographed on a celite microcolumn. The recovery of the standard P, 17-OHP and E2 was 72.9-89.6%, 77.0-97.0% and 85.5-101.3% respectively. The precision of within assay variance of these three steroids expressed as percentage of coefficient of variations was 8.2% (P and 17-OHP) and 8.3% (E2). The between assay variance was 13.2%(PT), 11.2% (17-OHP) and 12.9%(E2). The sensitivity of the assay varied between 3.5-25.0 pg. P, 4.0-25.0 pg 17-OHP and 2.5-10.0 g E2. Levels of serum progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 17-B oestradiol were measured in the same serum samples at daily stages of the oestrous cycle in four female buffaloes; altogether there were 11 cycles. The swamp buffaloes have the normal oestrous cycles of 19-27 days. Progesterone levels in pre-oestrous-oestrous were 9.7 +-8.5 ng/100 cm3, the level beginning to rise by day 7 or 10, and reaching a peak of 38.8 +-12.2 ng/100 cm3 in 15.6 +-3.7 days of the cycle, then declining rapidly to the basal level about 4-7 days before the next oestrous cycle. The serum levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone rose significantly in three peaks: preostrous-oestrous (21.3 +-8.3 ng/100 cm3), metoestrous (14.6+-6.6 ng/100 cm3) and dioestrous (20.2 +-8.1 ng/100 cm3). The average values in these three phases were 15.1+-7.1 ng/100 cm3, 9.7+-5.2 ng/100 cm3 and 10.6+-4.0 ng/100 cm3 respectively. The basal levels were below 5.0 ng/100 cm3. The oestradiol levels reached a peak on the day before oestrous. The average value of the peaks was 13.0+-4.0 ng/100 cm3. The duration of the peak was about four days, then it sharply declined to basal levels of 3.9+-1.0 ng/100 cm3.

This paper proposes a third generation communication technical assistance programme to help governments bring about a better operational linkage between development programmes and communications sources. Development workers must be encouraged to apply all appropriate communications resources in ensuring the systematic flow of relevant information during the planning and implementation of development programmes. Communication workers must be motivated to activity support their country's development efforts and be trained to handle development messages properly. Communication support is only one element in the development process, but an important one for helping people understand, accept and properly apply new technology.