1,720,996 research outputs found
Resveratrol supplementation and cryopreservation of buck semen
No full textResveratrol (Resv) was tested to assess its effects on buck semen freezability. Ejaculates of 4 bucks were collected, washed and diluted in a commercial extender at 30 °C. Extended semen was divided into 4 aliquots supplemented with increasing concentrations of Resv: 0 μM (control); 10 μM; 25 μM and 50 μM. Aliquots were cooled to 4 °C in 5h and frozen in LN2. Thawing was performed at 37 °C for 30 s. At the 3 stages of the experiment (30 °C, 4 °C, thawing), motility (CASA), osmotic resistance (Hos test) and integrity of cytoplasm and acrosome membranes (PI/PSA staining) were assessed. Moreover, in thawed samples, the oxidative status (MDA assay) and early apoptosis (DNA fragmentation by TUNEL assay) were evaluated. Resveratrol supplementation did not affect most of the motility parameters analysed, except for total motility, ALH (lateral head displacement) and velocity distribution (P < 0.05). Functional and morphological integrity of membranes was not affected at any stage of the experiment (P > 0.05). In thawed spermatozoa, the oxidative status was not preserved by Resv (P > 0.05) while early apoptosis, was significantly decreased in the 50 μM Resv group (P < 0.05). Resveratrol did not improve buck semen freezability; the observed effects on motility and DNA were not dose dependent and not mediated by a potential anti-oxidant activity
Selection of immature CAT oocytes with brilliant cresyl blue stain improves in vitro embryo production during non-breeding season
No full textIn domestic cats, the maturation, fertilization, and development potential in vitro decreases during the non-breeding season. This study aims at evaluating the efficacy of Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) staining in selecting developmentally competent oocytes to be used in in vitro embryo production (IVEP) programs in order to overcome the season variability in blastocyst yield. Cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) collected from antral follicles of domestic cat ovaries during the anestrus phase (July to November) were selected by BCB staining and classified as BCB+ (colored cytoplasm) and BCB− (colorless cytoplasm). COCs not exposed to BCB staining were used as control. Before and after in vitro maturation mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Following in vitro fertilization, blastocyst rate, hatching rate, and blastocyst cell numbers were recorded. The results show that BCB staining did not alter the mitochondrial function and ROS production in cat oocytes. BCB+ oocytes presented a higher (p < 0.05) blastocyst rate, hatching rate, and blastocyst cell number than BCB− and control oocytes. In conclusion, BCB staining does not affect the bioenergetic/oxidative status of the oocyte while being a useful tool for selecting good quality oocytes to increase IVEP in domestic cats during non-breeding season
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection of in vitro matured oocyte of domestic cats with frozen thawed spermatozoa
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Behavour during the oestrus cycle of the Martina Franca donkey, ovarian ultrasonography and endocrine aspect
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Effects of a glucogenic diet on reproductive performances and foetal growth in dairy ewes
No full textBACKGROUND-AIM
Nutritional challenges during the periconceptional period and gestation can affect fetal growth and future development of the offspring. The aim of the experiment was to test, in dairy ewes, the effects of two different nutritional plans (high and low starch) fed from weaning to parturition on pregnancy rates, foetal development and morphometric parameters of lambs at birth.
METHODS
From 30 days of age until parturition, 118 Sarda ewes were randomly allocated to two different nutritional plans: the high starch group (HS; n= 56) and the low starch group (LS; n=62) were fed respectively diets consisting in 25% and 9% of starch and sugars on total dry matter. In the LS diet, part of the starch was substituted with beet pulp. At the onset of puberty, ewes were submitted to oestrus synchronisation and allowed to mate with rams of proven fertility wearing a marking harness. Non return to oestrus rates were recorded. Pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed by transabdominal scan (MylabTM One, Esaote, Italy) at 25 days post mating. Ultrasound scanning was repeated at 30 days for the measurement of crown rump length (CRL) and assessment of twinning rates, and at 48, 68, and 88 days for the measurement of biparietal diameter (BPD) of foetuses. At birth, liveweights and withers heights were recorded. Data were analysed by x2 test or t-test using StataIC 11 (StataCorp LP, USA).
RESULTS
Non return to oestrus and pregnancy rates did not differ between groups (HS 66.1% vs LS 56.4%; P>0.05) and no effect of nutrition was observed for twinning rates (HS 37.8% vs LS 25.7%; P>0.05). In HS ewes, CRL of foetuses was higher compared to LS ones (2.16 cm ± 0.03 vs 2.05 cm ± 0.04; P<0.05) but BPD recorded up to 88 days post mating did not differ between groups (P>0.05). At birth, no effect of the diet was reported on lambs liveweight (HS 3.72 Kg ± 0.57 vs LS 3.67 Kg ± 0.56; P>0.05) and withers height (HS 36.6 cm ± 1.5 vs LS 36.2 cm ± 1.63; P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The glucogenic diet fed from weaning to parturition did not have any remarkable effect on reproductive performances, foetal growth, and morphometric parameters at birth. Further investigations are needed to assess if exposing the foetus to these maternal nutritional challenges in a specific gestational window may have consequences on its development and growth
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