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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of extended dog semen processed with diluents containing various concentrations of vitamin C. Ejaculates from five dogs were collected, pooled and evaluated for concentration, sperm motility, rapid steady forward movement (RSF-movement), viability, acrosomal integrity and by the hypo-osmotic swelling test. Also, superoxide (O(2)(-)*) production, hydroxyl radicals (OH*) and total reactive oxygen species (tROS) were determined. The pool was divided in five aliquots, which were diluted to a final concentration of 66 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml with a Tris-glucose-egg yolk extender containing one of the following concentrations of vitamin C (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1 or 2.5 mM). The semen aliquots were chilled and preserved at 4 degrees C. Portions of chilled semen were removed at 24 and 72 h, and semen quality was evaluated after rewarming. This process was repeated 10 times in pooled semen of the same origin and data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance. At both times, none of the semen quality parameters were positively influenced (p>0.05) by vitamin C supplementation. At 24 h, none of the reactive oxygen species (O(2)(-)*, OH*, tROS) were significantly altered. At 72 h, significant reductions of O(2)(-)* production were observed by the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mM compared with the 0 mM concentration (p=0.049). Also, at 72 h, the 2.5 mM concentration showed significantly lower OH* values in comparison with the control group (p=0.048). In conclusion, addition of vitamin C to semen extenders does not benefit the quality of canine extended spermatozoa.
Theriogenology 07/2008; 70(5):827-35. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the present study, we examined two factors associated with the reproduction of rabbit does, cytology of vaginal smears and color of vulva, as potential predictors of the success of superovulation treatment. Vulval color and vaginal smear cytology were assessed in 55 young New Zealand does. Superovulation was then induced by a single administration of eCG (20 IU/kg BW i.m.). Does were artificially inseminated 3 days later, followed by intravenous administration of hCG (120 IU per animal). Does were classified with regard to vulval color (white, rose, red, purple), and the predominant cell type in the vaginal smear (i.e. parabasal, intermediate, superficial, or anuclear). Furthermore, we categorized cells into two groups because we usually observed parabasal and intermediate cells (Group A), and superficial and anuclear cell (Group B) in the same smear. Does were humanely killed 19 h after administration of hCG and the total numbers of corpora lutea (CLs), oocytes, and zygotes (i.e. 1-cell embryos) were determined. The zygotes were assessed by morphological appearance and classified as normal or abnormal. The color of the vulva at the time of eCG treatment did not predict the success of superovulation in terms of the number of CLs, oocytes or zygotes. Does with predominantly superficial cells in vaginal smears yielded significantly fewer CLs and oocytes-zygotes (OZ) compared to does with predominantly parabasal, intermediate, or anuclear cells (P<0.05). Does with predominantly superficial cells in vaginal smears tended to yield fewer normal zygotes (nZ), but this reached significance only when compared to does with predominantly parabasal cells (P<0.05). Does in Group A yielded significantly more (P<0.05) CLs, OZ and nZ compared to does in Group B. Does with predominantly parabasal and intermediate cells in vaginal smears and rose color vulva tended to yield more OZ and nZ (P<0.05). These results suggest that the cytology of vaginal smears may help identify does with a significantly higher likelihood of yielding low numbers of CLs, oocytes, or nZ.
Theriogenology 04/2004; 61(6):989-95. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to investigate the: (a) presence and activity of components of the "plasminogen activators/plasmin" system in dairy cows with or without endometritis; (b) variations in enzyme activity according to the degree of endometritis; and (c) associations between these enzymes and changes in endometrial histology after intrauterine antibiotic treatment. Endometrial biopsies were collected from anestrus (no palpable ovarian structures and milk progesterone <1 ng/ml) Holstein cows, 30-40 days postpartum. On the basis of a vaginoscopic examination, rectal palpation of the cervix and uterus, and endometrial histology, there were 92 cows with endometritis and 20 cows without endometritis. After biopsy collection, each cow was given an intrauterine infusion of 1.5x10(6) IU of procaine penicillin G. In cows with endometritis, genital tract examinations and biopsies were repeated 2 weeks later. Both plasminogen activators (PAs), tissue type (t-PA) and urokinase (u-PA), were immunologically identified in all uterine biopsies. Plasminogen activator activity (PAA) increased, whereas plasminogen activator inhibition (PAI) and plasmin inhibition (PI) decreased in proportion to the degree of inflammation. Two weeks after intrauterine treatment, PAA had decreased significantly in all cows that had reduced severity of endometrial inflammation and had increased significantly in all cows with increased severity of inflammation. The change in the degree of inflammation depended upon plasminogen activator activity; cows with higher PAA were more likely to improve. In conclusion, there was evidence for a role of the plasminogen activation proteolytic system in bovine endometritis.
Theriogenology 01/2004; 61(2-3):337-49. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present research was to compare the enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-amylase, alpha-manosidase, beta-N-acetyloglucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, and beta-galactosidase in the cervical mucus of cows during spontaneous and induced estrus. Friesian cows (n = 106) were assigned to 4 groups: 1) no treatment; 2) progesterone releasing intervaginal device (PRID) for 12 days plus pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at the removal of the PRID; 3) PGF2alpha 2 doses 11 days apart; and 4) PRID for 7 days plus PGF2alpha 1 dose, 24 hours before removal of the PRID. Fourteen cows were excluded from the trial because of an inadequate quantity of cervical mucus collected or a lost PRID. The cows from the 3 induced estrus groups were artificially inseminated (AI) twice, while those with spontaneous estrus received only a single AI. Cervical mucus samples were collected from all cows 5 to 30 min before the first AI. The results are summarized as follows: 1) ALP and alpha-amylase activity for spontaneous estrus were similar to those for induced estrus; 2) LDH activity levels during spontaneous estrus were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that in the P4 and P4+PGF2alpha induced estrus groups; and 3) glycosidases' activity was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the spontaneous estrus group than that in the induced estrous groups. In conclusion, the activity of most enzymes in the cervical mucus of cows, in the present study, was significantly different between the spontaneous and the induced estrus groups.
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche vétérinaire 07/2003; 67(3):189-93. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: ContentsThe reproductive performance of gilts transported for long distances from three high-health breeding farms to six commercial farms was tested after the use of a Parapox-ovis-virus-based immunomodulator, Baypamun N (Bayer AG, Germany). Sixty (60) gilts were injected with Baypamun N, three times (2 days before departure, 2 h before departure and 2 days after their arrival at the commercial farms), while the remaining 60 gilts were injected with placebo at the same times. The results indicated that: (i) no adverse reactions or adverse effects were noticed related to the treatment with Baypamun N, (ii) treatment with Baypamun N improved the reproductive performance of gilts; the proportion of gilts farrowed/total gilts examined, the total number of piglets born, the number of piglets born alive and the body-weight of piglets at farrowing were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and (iii) treatment with Baypamun N reduced (p < 0.05) the cost of medication per gilt examined and per served gilt.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals 01/2002; 34(2):67 - 70. · 1.36 Impact Factor
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