Animal‐Level Factors Affecting Ovarian Function in Bos indicus Heifers Treated to Synchronize Ovulation with Intravaginal Progesterone‐Releasing Devices and Oestradiol Benzoate     

SAA Butler  NJ Phillips  GB Boe‐Hansen  GA Bo  BM Burns  K Dawson  MR McGowan 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2012,47(3):463-471

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of animal‐level factors including energy balance and environmental/management stress, on the ovarian function of Bos indicus heifers treated to synchronize ovulation. Two‐year‐old Brahman (BN) (n = 30) and BN‐cross (n = 34) heifers were randomly allocated to three intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device (IPRD) treatment groups: (i) standard‐dose IPRD [Cue‐Mate^® (CM) 1.56 g; n = 17]; (ii) half‐dose IPRD [0.78 g progesterone (P₄); CM 0.78 g; n = 15]; (iii) half‐dose IPRD + 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at IPRD removal (CM 0.78 g + G; n = 14); (iv) and a control group, 2× PGF_2α [500 μg prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α)] on Day ?16 and ?2 (n = 18). Intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device‐treated heifers received 250 μg PGF_2α at IPRD insertion (Day ?10) and IPRD removal (Day ?2) and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day ?10 and ?1. Heifers were managed in a small feedlot and fed a defined ration. Ovarian function was evaluated by ultrasonography and plasma P₄ throughout the synchronized and return cycles. Energy balance was evaluated using plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I) and glucose concentrations. The impact of environmental stressors was evaluated using plasma cortisol concentration. Heifers that had normal ovarian function had significantly higher IGF‐I concentrations at commencement of the experiment (p = 0.008) and significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations at Day ?2 (p = 0.040) and Day 4 (p = 0.043), than heifers with abnormal ovarian function. There was no difference between the mean pre‐ovulatory cortisol concentrations of heifers that ovulated or did not ovulate. However, heifers that ovulated had higher cortisol concentrations at Day 4 (p = 0.056) and 6 (p = 0.026) after ovulation than heifers that did not ovulate.  相似文献   

Preliminary investigations into the feasibility of freezing koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) semen     

SD JOHNSTON  MR McGOWAN  FN CARRICK  A. TRIBE 《Australian veterinary journal》1993,70(11):424-425

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The Application of Reproductive Technologies to Natural Populations of Red Deer   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

JJ Garde  F Martínez-Pastor  M Gomendio  AF Malo  AJ Soler  MR Fernández-Santos  MC Esteso  AJ García  L Anel  ERS Roldán 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2006,41(S2):93-102

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The Effects of Cryopreservation on the Morphometric Dimensions of Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Sperm Heads     

MC Esteso  MR Fernández-Santos  AJ Soler  V Montoro  A Quintero-Moreno  JJ Garde 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2006,41(3):241-246

Computer-automated sperm-head morphometry was used in this study to determine the effects of cryopreservation on red deer sperm-head morphometry. Epididymal sperm samples were collected from 40 mature stags and were divided. One portion was diluted at room temperature in a Tris-citrate egg yolk medium, containing 6% glycerol. A microscope slide was prepared from single extended sperm samples prior to freezing. The remainder of each sample was frozen in nitrogen vapours. After thawing, sperm smears were prepared as described above. All slides were air dried and stained with Hemacolor. The sperm-head dimensions for length, width, area, perimeter and shape factor (length/width), for a minimum of 135 spermatozoa were determined for each slide by means of the Sperm-Class Analyser (SCA). Firstly, our results show that cryopreservation substantially reduced (p < 0.001) sperm motility and plasma membrane and acrosome integrities. In addition, sperm heads were significantly smaller in cryopreserved spermatozoa than in the companion extended samples for area (32.05 microm2 vs 32.56 microm2; p < 0.05), length (8.46 microm vs 8.53 microm; p < 0.0001) and shape factor (1.833 vs 1.849; p < 0.0001) for all stags. These differences were found within 29 of 40 stags (75%) for at least three of the morphometric parameters. The individual variability (CV) of sperm head measurements from extended samples was negatively correlated (p < 0.005) with the per cent of change in sperm head measurements after cryopreservation for area (r = -0.465), width (r = -0.483) and perimeter (r = -0.375). Thus, the lower the sperm head variability in the extended samples, the greater the sperm change as a consequence of the cryopreservation. These results suggest that the variability (heterogeneity) in sperm head dimensions of individual stags may be a good indicator of sperm freezability.  相似文献   

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil     

Madeira NG  Amarante AF  Padovani CR 《Tropical animal health and production》2000,32(4):225-232

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.  相似文献   

Field study on nematode resistance in Nelore-breed cattle     

Bricarello PA  Zaros LG  Coutinho LL  Rocha RA  Kooyman FN  De Vries E  Gonçalves JR  Lima LG  Pires AV  Amarante AF 《Veterinary parasitology》2007,148(3-4):272-278

The present study evaluated Nelore cattle with different degrees of resistance to natural infections by gastrointestinal nematodes. One hundred weaned male cattle, 11-12 months of age, were kept on the same pasture and evaluated from October 2003 to February 2004. Faecal and blood samples were collected for parasitological, haematological and immunological tests. In February 2004, the 10 most resistant and the 10 most susceptible animals were selected based on individual means of nematode faecal egg counts (FEC). Such animals were slaughtered for worm burden determination and nematode species identification. The repeatability estimates for FEC (+/-S.D.), log-transformed FEC and packed-cell volume (PCV) in all animals were 0.3 (+/-0.05), 0.26 (+/-0.04) and 0.42 (+/-0.05), respectively. The resistant group showed lower FEC and worm burdens than the susceptible group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups regarding mean body weight, weight gain, PCV and total serum protein values (P>0.05). The resistant group showed higher total serum IgE levels (P<0.05) and higher mean eosinophil blood counts. However, the latter was statistically significant only 42 days after the beginning of the study. Nematodes Cooperia punctata and Haemonchus placei were predominant and the correlation between Cooperia and Haemonchus burdens was 0.64 (P<0.05), which indicated that animals presenting increased numbers of one of those genera probably had increased numbers of the other. The current study provides further evidence of IgE active role in nematode immunity and suggests that total serum IgE level might serve as an additional marker to select Nelore cattle that are responsive to H. placei and C. punctata infections.  相似文献   

Babesia spp. infection in Boophilus microplus engorged females and eggs in Sao Paulo State, Brazil     

Oliveira MC  Oliveira-Sequeira TC  Araujo JP  Amarante AF  Oliveira HN 《Veterinary parasitology》2005,130(1-2):61-67

Babesia spp. infections were investigated in Bos taurus x Bos indicus dairy cows and calves and in Boophilus microplus engorged female ticks and eggs. Blood samples and engorged female ticks were collected from 25 cows and 27 calves. Babesia spp. was detected in ticks by microscopic examination of hemolymph of engorged female and by squashes of egg samples. Cattle infection was investigated in blood thin smears and by DNA amplification methods (PCR and nested PCR), using specific primers for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina. Merozoites of B. bovis (3 animals) and B. bigemina (12 animals) were detected exclusively in blood smears of calves. DNA amplification methods revealed that the frequency of B. bigemina infection in calves (92.6%) and in cows (84%) and of B. bovis in calves (85.2%) and in cows (100%) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Babesia spp. infection was more frequent in female ticks and eggs collected from calves (P < 0.01) than from cows, especially in those which had patent parasitemia. Hatching rates of B. microplus larvae were assessed according to the origin of engorged females, parasitemia of the vertebrate host, frequency and intensity of infection in engorged female tick, and frequency of egg infection. Hatching rate was lower in samples collected from calves (P < 0.01) than from cows, and in those in which Babesia spp. was detected in egg samples (P < 0.01).  相似文献   

Influence of dietary protein supply on resistance to experimental infections with Haemonchus contortus in Ile de France and Santa Ines lambs   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Bricarello PA  Amarante AF  Rocha RA  Cabral Filho SL  Huntley JF  Houdijk JG  Abdalla AL  Gennari SM 《Veterinary parasitology》2005,134(1-2):99-109

The effect of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep fed with a moderate and high protein content diet was evaluated in two breeds of sheep. Forty-eight Ile de France and Santa Ines lambs were maintained indoors since birth, in worm-free conditions. The lambs were allocated after weaning in four groups of six animals per breed, which were either infected or remain uninfected and given access to either a moderately or highly metabolizable protein diet. The moderately and highly metabolizable protein diets were calculated to supply 75 and 129 g metabolizable protein per kg of dry matter (MP/kg DM), respectively. The infection consisted of a trickle infection with 300 infective larvae, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Significant differences were observed for mast cell, globule leukocyte and eosinophil counts in the abomasal mucosa of the infected groups compared to the control of both breeds (P<0.05), regardless of the diet supplied. Significantly higher IgA anti-L5 antibody was detected in the infected Santa Ines groups than in the infected Ile de France groups (P<0.05). Increased metabolizable protein supply resulted in larger body weight gain and higher packed cell volumes for both breeds (P<0.05). Both breeds showed an increased ability to withstand the pathophysiological effects of H. contortus infection when given access to the highly metabolizable protein diet. However, increased metabolizable protein supply resulted in reduced worm burdens in Santa Ines lambs but not in the Ile de France lambs (P<0.05). The present results show that the increase in protein content in growing lamb diets may benefit resistance and resilience to gastrointestinal parasites but that these benefits may vary among breeds.  相似文献   

Heterologous In Vitro Fertility Evaluation of Cryopreserved Iberian Red Deer Epididymal Spermatozoa with Zona-intact Sheep Oocytes and its Relationship with the Characteristics of Thawed Spermatozoa     

AJ Soler  N Poulin  MR Fernández-Santos  Y Cognie  MC Esteso  JJ Garde  P Mermillod 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2008,43(3):293-298

A heterologous in vitro system, using zona‐intact sheep oocytes, was used to evaluate the relationship between sperm factors of Iberian red deer thawed epididymal sperm and the percentage of cleaved oocytes. Epididymal spermatozoa were recovered from six males, diluted with freezing extender and cryopreserved. After thawing sperm motility (SM) and acrosome and membrane integrities were evaluated. Again, these parameters were assessed after incubation in freezing extender at 37°C for 2 h. After cryopreservation the values for SM and acrosome and membrane integrities were high (～80, 80 and 70% respectively). However, these values significantly decreased after incubation (～59, 62 and 47% respectively). Red deer thawed epididymal sperm fertilized zona‐intact sheep oocytes, although the percentage of cleaved oocytes was low (～22%). No relationship was found between sperm parameters assessed after thawing and the percentage of cleaved oocytes. Likewise, any sperm parameter evaluated after incubation was assessed in relation to the percentage of cleaved oocytes. However, acrosome and membrane integrities were near to significance (p = 0.06 and p = 0.09 respectively). Then, we conducted a reduced model with these two variables and both were related to the percentage of cleaved oocytes (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04 respectively). Thus, acrosome and membrane integrities were related to the percentage of cleaved oocytes negatively and positively respectively. It was concluded that the classical parameters assessed in deer thawed sperm samples can be good predictors of the ability to fertilize zona‐intact sheep oocytes.  相似文献   

Oestrous sheep serum balances ROS levels to supply in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa          下载免费PDF全文

E Del Olmo  O García‐Álvarez  A Maroto‐Morales  M Ramón  M Iniesta‐Cuerda  F Martinez‐Pastor  V Montoro  AJ Soler  JJ Garde  MR Fernández‐Santos 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2016,51(5):743-750

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are fundamental for intracellular signalling. In spermatozoa, they are involved both to apoptosis and to capacitation, and changes in ROS levels can alter the balance between these two processes. Oestrous sheep serum (OSS) is considered an efficient agent for in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa. We have explored the effects of OSS on ram sperm physiology, especially on ROS production, during in vitro capacitation. Semen samples from 15 rams were cryopreserved. After thawing, samples were submitted to four treatments: control (CTL), 10% OSS supplementation for in vitro sperm capacitation, caspase inhibitor (INH, Z‐VAD‐FMK 100 μM) and OSS (10%) plus caspase inhibitor (I + E). Sperm samples were incubated for 30 min at 38.5°C and 5% CO₂ and evaluated motility and kinetic parameters by computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) and viability (propidium iodide), apoptotic‐like membrane changes (YO‐PRO‐1), acrosomal status (PNA‐FITC), intracellular calcium (FLUO‐3), membrane fluidity (M540) and ROS production (CM‐H₂DCFDA) by flow cytometry. OSS induced changes in kinetic parameters compatible with capacitation, with a decrease in the percentage of progressive motility and linearity, and an increase in the amplitude of the lateral displacement of the sperm head (p < .05). Moreover, OSS increased the proportion of M540+ viable spermatozoa, YO‐PRO‐1+ and acrosome‐reacted spermatozoa (p < .05). After incubation, OSS and I+E achieved lower ROS levels (p < .05). Ca²⁺ levels did not change with the incubation, but were slightly higher (p < .05) when both OSS and the inhibitor were present. We suggest that OSS may modulate ROS levels, allowing intracellular signalling for capacitation to occur while preventing higher levels that could trigger apoptosis.  相似文献