1,720,984 research outputs found
Novel approaches in andrology examination and follicular fluid biochemical characterization in the optimization of reproductive technologies in farm animals
Full text linkThe purpose of the studies reported in this Thesis was to increase our understanding of two aspects of the reproductive system in farm animals: the andrological evaluation and the follicular fluid composition. The final aim was to give some tools that can be helpful in optimizing the application of assisted reproductive technologies. Studies were conducted in bulls, rams, alpacas, lamas and dairy buffalo cows.
The first study was designed to investigate the efficacy of scrotal thermographic monitoring in the evaluation of young bulls with low semen production after GnRH administration. Yearling bulls with low semen quality were selected. Scrotal surface temperature (SST) and serum testosterone (T) were evaluated before and after administration of 10.5 µg Buserelin Acetate IV. Bulls were divided in two groups: LowTemp bulls had a decreased SST at 60 minutes; HighTemp bulls had an increased SST. After 60 minutes from Buserelin administration, LowTemp bulls had higher T values compared to HighTemp bulls: 14.32 ± 0.53 ng/ml vs. 10.30 ± 1.37 ng/ml respectively (mean ± SEM) (P<0.05). Reproductive performances in both groups improved after Buserelin administration, but the improvement was more marked in LowTemp bulls. In conclusion a decreased SST after GnRH administration was associated with better testicles functionality.
The second study was done to assess the predicting value of trans-scrotal ultrasonography (TSUS) and testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology (TFNAC) on sperm production in rams. TSUS and TFNAC were performed on eighteen adult rams at the beginning of the breeding season. After evaluation, semen was collected twice with electroejaculation from each ram, and then epididymal spermatozoa were collected after slaughtering. Ultrasonography appearance of testicular parenchyma was analyzed to create a four classes division of the animals. Relative percentages of spermatogenic cells and Spermatic Index (SI = percentage of spermatozoa on the total of spermatogenic cells) were calculated after obsersation of TFNAC slides. Rams having a better echogenicity had a higher SI and a higher total sperm and number of straws per ejaculate either with electroejaculation or epididymal spermatozoa than the worst groups. Several cytological parameters were correlated with sperm production: the most interesting correlation was between SI and number of straws obtained by epididymal collection (0.667; P=0.003. In conclusion, TSUS and TFNAC can be usefully integrated in breeding soundness evaluation of rams, as these techniques had a potential as a marker of semen production.
The third study documents the variability of follicular fluid (FF) composition of South American camelids, in different stages of ovarian activity. In the first experiment, ovaries of alpacas were collected at slaughterhouse and FF was aspirated dividing sample on the base of ovarian cycle stage and follicular dimension. Follicle size affected FF composition, either by biochemical analysis or electrophoresis. Conversely, the influence of corpus luteum was minimal. In the second study, ovaries of thirty lamas were scanned ultrasonographically to identify wave emergence. FF was aspirated trans-vaginally at three different stage of development (growing, static and regressing phase). The electrophoresis analysis revealed differences between groups in 4 classes of weight (250 KDa, 75 KDa, 25 KDa, 15 KDa). This study offers new information concerning the biochemical composition of follicular fluid in South American camelids, suggesting that oocytes grow and mature in an environment that changes in function of the follicle stage, while is minimally influenced by the presence of the corpus luteum.
The aim of the forth study was to characterize the biochemical and fatty acids composition of the follicular fluid (FF) in water buffalo. Ovaries of buffalo were collected after slaughtering during breeding season. Fluid was aspirated from follicles of small and large follicles ( 6 mm respectively) and dividing females in those in luteal or follicular phase of estrous cycle. Biochemical analysis and gas chromatography were performed. Biochemical and fatty acids compositions were influenced by both follicular dimension and phase of ovarian cycle. Biochemical composition and its variation was in agreement with previously study conducted in buffalo and other species. Twenty-two fatty acids were identified in FF; nine were saturated fatty acids, six monounsatured fatty acids and seven polyunsatured fatty acids. The most dominant fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidonic acid. All the identified fatty acids concentrations varies at least because of follicle dimension or phase, with the exception of γ-linoleic acid and arachidonic acid which concentrations remain stable in all classes.
The fifth study was designed to investigate the effect of different diets on the testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology (TFNAC) in rams. Eighteen rams were fed with three different diets since 8 months of age up to 1 year. The diets were: 1- pasture (N=6); 2- hay and commercial concentrate (N=6); 3- hay, commercial concentrate and a supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) containing equal parts of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isoforms (N=6). After slaughtering, testes were collected to perform TFNAC. No statistical differences were observed in live weight and testicular weight between groups. CLA supplemented rams had higher relative percentage of early spermatogenic cells (primary spermatocytes and AB spermatids) and lower percentage of CD spermatids and SI compared to other groups. Total CLA concentration in diets was similar in pasture and CLA supplemented groups, but rams graze at pasture receive almost all cis-9, trans-11 isomer. Rams fed with hay and concentrate received a lower quantity of CLA in the diet. In conclusion, CLA supplementation and in particular the trans-10, cis-12 isomer affected negatively the TFNAC results in peripubertal rams probably because it returded the onset of puberty
Biochemical and protein profile of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) uterine horn fluid during early pregnancy
Full text linkSouth American camelids show high embryo loss rate, during the first 60 days of pregnancy. One of the factors which may be related to this situation is that over 98% of the embryos implant in the left uterine horn (LUH) even though both ovaries contribute similarly to ovulation. There is scarce information about the uterine environment of female camelids at any physiological state that could explain the capability of the LUH to attract the embryo and maintain pregnancy. We describe, for the first time, the biochemical and protein profile of uterine fluid (UF), addressing the right and LUH environment in non-pregnant and pregnant alpacas. Different substrates, electrolytes and metabolites were assayed in both uterine horn fluids. Small changes were observed in glucose and total protein levels, which were more noticeable during pregnancy. In addition, 10 specific proteins were found in the left horn fluid in 5-week-pregnant alpacas, and two protein bands were identified in non-pregnant alpaca right horn fluid. These results would provide basic information for identification of possible markers for pregnancy diagnosis, reproductive diseases and hormone-treated animals evaluation and hence contributing to improve the pregnancy rate.Fil: Argañaraz, Martin Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Apichela, Silvana Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Agronomia y Zootecnia. Cátedra de Zootecnia General I; ArgentinaFil: Zampini, Renato. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Vencato, Juri. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Stelletta, Calogero. Università di Padova; Itali
Comparative study of testicular cytology in the ram, boar and alpaca
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate effectiveness of testicular aspiration cytology in the ram, boar and alpaca. Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was performed in rams (N=18), boars (N=8) and alpacas (N=5) using a 21G butterfly needle and 20 ml syringe. Slides were stained using a modified May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining. Cells were evaluated at 1000x magnification assessing the composition of testicular cells, relative percentage of spermatogenic cells and specific indexes of sperm production. Cells morphology did not differ between species, with the exception that in alpaca they look slightly greater. Quantitative analysis shows some differences between species. Intra-species statistical evaluation included effect of different nutrition, treatment of spermatogenesis suppression and comparison of aspiration versus impression cytology. Aspiration cytology was successful in identifying the effect of different treatments and was more precise than impression in characterizing spermatogenesi
Trans-scrotal ultrasonography and testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of ram sperm production
No full textPurulent pericarditis from Arcanobacterium pyogenes in a bull [Pericardite purulenta da arcanobacterium pyogenes in un toro]
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Operator’s effect during ultrasonographic canine pregnancy monitoring on measurement of fetal parameters.
No full textPregnancy ultrasound monitoring of rare venetian sheep breeds: preliminary study
Full text linkSe evaluaron 40 ovejas de cuatro razas locales en peligro de extinción pertenecientes a una granja de producción biológica de la Regíon Veneto, Italia. El examen ultrasonografico para monitorear la preñez se realizó a intervalos de 30 días. En cada examen se midió el diametro biparietal del feto y se determinó el tamaño de los cotiledones. Despues del parto se procedió a pesar las crias. La edad de gestación de las hembras monitoreadas fue calculada considerando una gestación de 146 días, partiendo de la fecha de parto y realizando el conteo hacia atrás. Los valores obtenidos fueron analizados a fin de evidenciar una posible relación entre la edad gestacional y los valores medidos. El análisis de los datos mostró la existencia de una alta relación entre el diametro biparietal y la edad gestacional con un R2 de entre 0,75 – 0,88 según la raza en consideración. Estos resultados sugieren la posible utilización de este dato para estimar la fecha de nacimiento de las crías. Un segundo análisis fue conducido para evidenciar la influencia del número de los fetos sobre el crecimiento de los mismos durante la preñez. En este caso se encontró que, en las razas más grandes, la presencia de dos fetos determina una reducción del diámetro biparietal y del peso de las crias al nacer. Estos resultados preliminares indican que los datos evaluados, que pueden ser medidos en las primeras etapas de la preñez, podrían ser importantes indicadores de producción
Le ulcere gastriche nei camelidi sudamericani
No full textPatologie peculiari che caratterizzano i lamoidi ed in particolare gli alpaca sono le ulcere gastriche. Le ulcerazioni più comu- nemente riscontrate sono a livello di C-3 e vengono normalmente diagnosticate durante la necroscopia, considerando che nel- le gastriti primarie non si mettono in evidenza segni clinici specifici. La patologia ha eziopatogenesi in parte sconosciuta ed una incidenza non estremamente elevata. Considerando le probabili cause scatenanti la formazione di ulcere gastriche nei ca- melidi, la terapia non può che basarsi sull’utilizzo di farmaci soppressori della produzione acida dello stomaco: H2 antagoni- sti, gli H+/K+ ATPasi inibitori e gli analoghi delle prostaglandine. Sotto l’aspetto profilattico è necessario ridurre le cause pre- disponenti la malattia riducendo lo stress a cui questi animali possono essere sottoposti
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