197,411 research outputs found
New aspects of boar sperm encapsulation
No full textThe study takes into account the main steps and techniques for boar semen encapsulation, to optimize the instrumental insemination interventions. The use of cheap, biocompatible polymers as alginate can assure a regular, constant release of spermatozoa in the sow reproductive system, avoiding the double/triple intervention of insemination and reducing the employ of disposable materials. The encapsulation/microencapsulation of semen can therefore be the starting point of new, innovative systems of pig reproduction management
Ultrasonographic Study of Deep Portion of Diencephalo-Telencephalic Vesicle for the Determination of Gestational Age of the Canine Foetus
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of
ultrasonographic measurement of the deep portion of
diencephalo-telencephalic vesicle (DPTV) in the prediction
of delivery date in different size bitches. The effects of litter
size and foetal sex ratio on the accuracy were also investigated.
For this purpose, the growth curve of DPTV was
derived in large size dogs (26–40 kg) and the results of the
accuracy of the prediction were compared with those
obtained in small (£10 kg) and medium (11–25 kg) size dogs
by the application of the equations derived from the growth
curve previously described. Ultrasonographic examinations
were performed once a week during the second half of
pregnancy in seven large size bitches (26–40 kg body weight).
A linear regression model was adopted to analyse the
relationship between the DPTV mean values and the days
remaining to parturition. The results of regression analysis
indicated that DPTV measurement in large size dogs is
significantly and linearly related to the gestational age.
Ultrasonographic measurements of DPTV were also performed
during pregnancy in different size bitches with
unknown breeding dates. Although the results indicated a
similar accuracy of the prediction of the date of parturition in
the different sizes of bitches, a higher accuracy was obtained
in normal and large litter size compared with small litters.
Foetal sex ratio did not affect the accuracy. In conclusion,
this study demonstrated that the accuracy of the prediction of
parturition day obtained by ultrasonographic evaluation of
DPTV growth is reliable when specific formulae for different
size dogs are applied. It should be noted that although foetal
sex ratio does not affect the accuracy, the prediction could be
less accurate when a small litter is present
Feto-maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches : effect of gestational age and maternal size
No full textFew information is available on parameters that can be used to objectively assess the foetal health during canine pregnancy. To identify a reliable parameter for the evaluation of foetal well-being, the effect of pre-gestational maternal bodyweight and gestational age on foetal heart rate (FHR) and on feto-maternal heart rate ratio (FHR/MHR) was investigated. Seventeen client-owned pregnant bitches of different pre-gestational maternal bodyweight were examined by serial echo colour Doppler. Only data from 11 uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR, and independent variables was analysed by polynomial regression (p ≤ .05). The FHR and the FHR/MHR significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables. They both increased from 35 to 20 days before parturition and then a decreasing pattern followed. Higher values of both parameters were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. Patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. Thus, the highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate foetal well-being. The equation derived by the regression analysis of FHR/MHR could be applied in clinical practice to obtain its expected values in healthy pregnancies
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND RESIDUE DEPLETION OF OXYTETRACYCLINE IN THE RABBIT
No full text[EN] Oxytetracycline (OTC) is an antimicrobial drug widely
used in the rabbit for treatment of intestinal and respiratory diseases
sustained by Pasteurella spp, Sa/mone//a spp. or E. Coli. This study
was carried out to evaluate the distribution and residue depletion of
oxytetracycline. The tissue distribution study was performed treating
animals with a single dose of 80 mg of OTC per kg body weight
(b.w.) in 2.7 kg rabbits. The residue studies were performed
administering OTC vía drinking water (680 ppm) or vía pelleted food
(1000 ppm). Real daily intake ranged from 50 to 80 mg per kg b.w.
for 5 consecutive days. The drug tissue concentrations were
determined by an HPLC method, with a quantification limit (LOQ) of
50 mg.kg-1 and a detection limit of 5-6 mg.kg-1according to considered tissue. The results of the study show that, in rabbits, OTC
does not reach very high lissue concentralions following oral
administration vía medicated water or feed. Tissue residues fall
below MRLs 72 and 48 hours following the withdrawal of medicated
water and feed respectively. Tissue concentrations of OTC following
administration vía medicated water were greater than those recorded
following administration vía pellets : e.g. 200 to 700 vs <50 mg.kg·1 in
muscle or 200 to 600 vs 80 to 280 mg.kg-1 in liver. One hour after !he
single dose administration, the concentration was 350-850 mg.kg-1 in
lung and twice of these values in kidneys.[FR] L'oxytétracycline (OTC) est un antibiotique largement employé chez
le lapin pour le traitement des troubles respiratoíres ou digestifs
attribués a des Pasteurelles, des Sa/mone//es ou des colibacilles.
Cette étude a été conduite de maniere a déterminer la distribution de
l'OTC dans les lissus de lapins de 2,7 kg apres administration d'une
dose unique de 80 μg.kg-1
. La vitesse d'élimination de l'antibiotique
des tissus a été étudiée au cours des 42 heures suivant le retrait
d'une médication par l'OTC soit via l'eau de boisson (680 ppm), soit
via l'alíment (1000 ppm) appliquée pendant 5 jours chez des lapins
de 2,7 kg également. La méthode de dosage de l'OTC (HPLC) avait un seuil de quantification de 50μg.kg"1 et un seuil de détection de 5-
6 μg.kg"1 selon les lissus.
Une heure apres une administration unique, les teneurs en OTC sont
de 350 a 850 μg.kg-1dans les poumons et enviren 2 fois plus élevées
dans les reins. A l'issue des 5 jours d'administration (ingestion réelle
de 50 a 80 μg selon les índívídus) la teneur en OTC dans les tíssus
est plus élevée apres administration vía J'eau de boísson que vía
l'aliment : 200 a 700 contre < 50 μg.kg·1 dans les muscles ou 200 a
600 contre 80 a 280 μg.kg·1 dans le foie. La teneur en OTC
résiduelle passe au dessous du seuil légal pour la consommation
(MRLs) en 48 a 72 heures selon que l'antibiothérapie a été appliquée
via l'aliment ou via J'eau de boissonVilla, R.; Cagnardi, P.; Bacchetta, P.; Sonzogni, O.; Faustini, M.; Carli, S. (2001). TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND RESIDUE DEPLETION OF OXYTETRACYCLINE IN THE RABBIT. World Rabbit Science. 9(4). https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2001.460SWORD9
Insulin-like growth factor I and non esterified fatty acids plasma concentrations in the newborn calf
No full textFetal and maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches: effect of gestational age and maternal bodyweight
No full textIntroduction and aim. The most widely used method to evaluate fetal health is the monitoring of fetal heart rate (FHR). In case of fetal distress a bradycardia is commonly detectable, but the relationship between FHR and maternal heart rate (MHR) has been poorly investigated (1). Pregnancy induces some hemodynamic changes and MHR tends to be higher to ensure adequate blood supply to the fetus (2). However, several factors such as maternal age, breed, bodyweight, temperament could also affect the MHR (3). The availability of reference values of the ratio FHR/MHR, could better contribute to the evaluation of the fetal health at different gestational ages than the single FHR values. For this purpose, the trend of FHR, and FHR/MHR ratio in bitches of different pre-gestational bodyweight was evaluated during uncomplicated pregnancies.
Materials and methods. Pregnant bitches (n=17) of different breeds, pre-gestational bodyweights (5.8-68 kg) and ages (2-7 years) were examined by ecocolordoppler (SonoAce 8800, Medison Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) twice a week (5 bitches) from day 21 after ovulation (progesterone 4-10 ng ⁄ml), and at week 4, 7, and 9 of pregnancy (12 bitches). To reduce and control the stress-effect induced by the restraint, MHR was evaluated at the aortic valve three times: at the beginning of the examination, after 10 minutes and at the end of the examination. The FHR of at least 3 different puppies (in litter size >3) was recorded. Only data from uncomplicated pregnancies (n=11) were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR ratio, and independent variables (pre-gestational maternal bodyweight, and gestational age, in terms of days from parturition) was analyzed by a quadratic regression (p≤0.05).
Results. Fetal heart rates and FHR/MHR ratio significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables (p<0.02 and p<0.05, respectively); FHR increased from 35 days to 20 days before parturition, and then a decreasing pattern until parturition followed. Higher values of FHR were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. As seen for FHR, the FHR/MHR ratio resulted higher in low and high bodyweight, and it reached the maximum values at about 20 days from parturition. The FHR/MHR ratio was well expressed by a quadratic law, in terms of pre-gestational bodyweight and gestational age. The equation derived was as follows: z= 1.8284-0.0137x + 0.00014x2+0.05071y-0.00099y2,where z = FHR/MHR ratio, x = pre-gestational maternal bodyweight (kg), y= days from parturition.
Conclusion. This study suggests that the maternal pre-gestational bodyweight and the gestational age influence FHR and MHR. The patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR ratio were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. The highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone, encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate fetal wellbeing. The derived equation could be applied in clinical practice to obtain the expected values in healthy pregnancies.
References. 1) Johnston et al., Canine and Feline Theriogenology 2001; WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 2) Lucio et al., Reprod Dom Anim 2009;44(suppl 2):133-6. 3) Hezzell et al., JSAP 2013;54:318-24. 4) Assali et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977;129:748-59
Relationship between pharmacological induction of estrous and/or ovulation and twin pregnancy in the Thoroughbred mares
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship of pharmacological induction of estrous and/or ovulation with the occurrence of twin pregnancies in Thoroughbred mares. Out of 680 mares, 356 received one of the following treatments during the estrous cycle in which they became pregnant: injection of 0.5 mg of cloprostenol at the ultrasonographic detection of a CL (n=86); injection of 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) immediately before mating (n=221); injection of 0.5 mg of cloprostenol at the ultrasonographic detection of a CL plus injection of 5000 IU hCG immediately before mating on cloprostenol-induced estrous (n=49). The other 324 mares, not treated for induction of estrous or ovulation in the estrous cycle resulting in pregnancy, were used as control group. The occurrence of twin and single pregnancies in treated and control mares underlines that the percentage of twin pregnancy in treated mares (16.6%) was statistically significantly higher (p<0.0001; odds ratio, OR=2.87) than the percentage of twinning in the control group (6.5%). Comparison of the occurrence of twins between treatments revealed a statistically significant difference between mares treated with hCG alone compared to animals given prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) plus hCG. The results show a statistically significant difference for each treatment compared to controls, with the least difference (p<
0.05; OR=2.18) for the comparison between hCG treatment group and controls, a significance of p<0.01; OR=3.05; for the comparison between PGF2α treatment and controls, and a highly statistically significant difference (p<0.0001; OR=6.37) for the comparison between PGF2α plus hCG-treated animals and controls
Progetto di attività e terapia assistita in un’istituzione geriatria : risultati dell’analisi fisiologica e comportamentale del cane
No full textNew indices for canine sperm morphology: the World Health Organization experience of multiple sperm defects
No full textIndices of multiple sperm defects (Multiple Abnormalities Index, MAI; Teratozoospermic Index, TZI; Sperm Deformity Index, SDI) are routinely used in human medicine to evaluate sperm morphology according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (1). These indices allow a systematic record of all the abnormalities on a single gamete, and they correlate with in vitro (SDI) and in vivo (MAI, TZI) fertility. Our preliminary study applied MAI, TZI and SDI in dogs (2), pointing out that spermatozoa are seldom affected by multiple and associated abnormalities. However, since some sperm defects, often observed in canine species, are not considered in human indices, some adjustments might be needed. Therefore, in this study new indices of multiple sperm defects for canine sperm morphology are proposed, and their potential as fertility parameters based on their correlation with different in vitro function tests was assessed. Eighteen healthy stud dogs were included in the study. Ejaculated spermatozoa were collected by digital manipulation and used fresh (n. 6) or frozen (n. 6) according to the Uppsala method, whereas epididymal spermatozoa (n. 6) were collected from isolated testicles obtained by routine orchiectomies. In each group, subjective motility, membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and acrosome status (FITCPNA/PI) were assessed. Sperm morphology (Bengal Rose and Victoria Blue B staining) was evaluated by the WHO multiple-entry system (1), and hMAI, hTZI and hSDI (i.e. WHO human indices) were obtained. New indices for canine spermatozoa (cMAI, cTZI, cSDI) were calculated including common defects as cytoplasmic droplets (cMAI), detached heads (cMAI, cTZI) and acrosomal abnormalities (cMAI, cSDI). Finally, the Zona Pellucida Binding Assay (ZBA) was performed with homologous oocytes (n. 316) collected from frozen ovaries (3), and ZBA-adhesion indices (ZBA-ai, spermatozoa adherent to the zona divided by spermatozoa total number) were calculated. Spearman non-parametric test and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by multiple comparison test were used to assess correlations and differences among data, respectively. Significance was set at p<0.05. Motility, membrane integrity, acrosome status and ZBA-ai differed significantly between fresh (ejaculated and epididymal) and frozen-thawed samples (p<0.05), whereas indices of multiple sperm defects showed similar values among groups (mean ± SD). Since morphological indices did not differ, their correlation with function tests was analyzed on pooled data (18 dogs). Damaged acrosomes correlated positively (+0.71; p=0.001) with cSDI and negatively (-0.59; p=0.012) with ZBA-ai. A negative correlation (-0.478; p=0.045) between ZBA-ai and cSDI, but not hSDI, was observed, supporting the hypothesis that human indices are not predictive of dog in vitro fertility, and that species-specific indices are necessary. Specific parameters for dog semen evaluation and their correlation with fertility would be of high interest during andrological examination, and cSDI might be the first candidate for a clinical validation.1) World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen (fifth edition). 2010.(2) Morselli MG, Vernocchi V, Varesi S et al. Indices of multiple sperm defects applied to dog semen. Proc. 16th Congress EVSSAR, Toulouse (France),5th-6th July 2013, p.158(3) Holst BS, Larsson B, Rodriguez-Martinez H et al. Zona pellucida binding assay- a method for evaluation of canine spermatozoa. J Reprod Fertil 2001;57:137-40
In vitro fermentation of feed ingredients by fresh or frozen pig fecal inocula
No full textIn vitro techniques can offer a rapid, repeatable and cost-effective alternative to in vivo experiments. We investigated the gas production (GP) of nine different feeds commonly used in Italian and Maltese pig farms in order to assess the use of the Ankom system in this species and to compare the in vitro microbial activity fresh or frozen inocula derived from piglet feces. Proximate and polyphenolic analyses were determined for all substrates. Fermentation profiles were measured according to the cumulative GP technique. Analysis of GP values revealed significant differences in the fermentation patterns mainly due to substrate and inoculum effects. Fermentation parameters varied significantly according to the substrate ingredients. The frozen inoculum generally led to more total GP than for fresh, with the exception of hard wheat bran pellets (HWBP), pelleted pulp and mature carob. Conversely the fresh fecal inoculum had an earlier maximum time to reach maximum GP than the frozen, showing a higher maximum rate of GP in all substrates excepting for HWBP. A significant difference in frozen and fresh inocula was found for the complete formulation. Further studies are required to confirm the variation between fresh and frozen fecal inocula to a wider range of feed, including those that could have negative biological effects
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