Endometrial Expression of IFNAR‐1 and Oxytocin Receptor (OTR) is not Improved by Prostaglandin Analogues when Compared to Progestagens in Ewes     

I Ruiz‐González  MA Sánchez  RA García‐Fernández  P García‐Palencia  B Sánchez  CA Letelier  A González‐Bulnes  JM Flores 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2012,47(2):274-280

The objective of this study was to investigate differences on the endometrial immunoexpression of type I IFN receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) during the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep, when oestrus is synchronized with either prostaglandin analogues (group PG) or conventional progestagens (group P). Plasma progesterone was measured from day 0 to 21 post‐coitus (pc) (day 0 = day of oestrus). Immunohistochemistry was performed in samples of uterine horns from pregnant sheep on days 9pc, 13pc, 15pc, 17pc and 21pc to locate IFNAR1 and OTR expression in different endometrial compartments. Mean levels of plasma progesterone were different between treatments, obtaining higher levels in the PG group than in the P group (p < 0.05). Comparing days of pregnancy, IFNAR1 protein expression was different in the luminal epithelium (LE) (p < 0.05), while OTR was different in the LE and in the superficial glandular epithelium (SG) (p < 0.05). Temporal variation on the expression of both proteins from day 9pc to 21pc has been evidenced. IFNAR1 and OTR expression did not show significant differences between treatments. However, the response observed in the endometrium was highly inconsistent when prostaglandin analogues were used. Therefore, the protocol based on prostaglandin analogues still needs to be optimized before being considered as a better alternative to progestagens for oestrous synchronization in sheep.  相似文献   

The Effect of Glycerol Concentrations on the Post‐thaw In Vitro Characteristics of Cryopreserved Sex‐sorted Boar Spermatozoa     

I Parrilla  D del Olmo  I Caballero  T Tarantini  C Cuello  MA Gil  J Roca  EA Martinez  JM Vazquez 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2012,47(6):965-974

The objective of this study was to optimize protocols for the cryopreservation of sex‐sorted boar spermatozoa. In the experiment 1, we evaluated the effects of a standard boar sperm cryopreservation procedure (3% final glycerol concentration) on the in vitro characteristics of sex‐sorted sperm frozen at low sperm concentrations (20 × 10⁶ sperm/ml; S20 group). Non‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at 1000 × 10⁶ (C1000 group) and 20 × 10⁶ (C20 group) sperm/ml were used as the freezing control groups. In experiment 2, the effects of different final glycerol concentrations (0.16%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%) on post‐thaw quality of the S20 and C20 groups were evaluated. In both experiments, the samples were evaluated prior to freezing (5°C) and at 30, 90 and 150 min after thawing. Experiment 1 indicated that freezing sperm at low concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) the total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) at 90 and 150 min after thawing regardless of whether the sperm were sorted or not. However, the sperm membrane integrity was not affected at any evaluation step. Inexperiment 2, significant effects on the TM and PM because of increased glycerol concentrations in the S20 and C20 groups were observed only at 90 and 150 min after thawing. The samples frozen in 3% glycerol showed lower (p < 0.05) TM and PM values when compared to those frozen in the presence of 0.5% and 1% glycerol. In both experiments, non‐sorted control samples displayed higher percentages of spermatozoa with damaged DNA than sorted spermatozoa. In conclusion, the optimization of cryopreservation conditions by decreasing the glycerol concentrations can improve post‐thaw motility of sex‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at low concentrations.  相似文献   

Cefquinome Concentrations in Endometrium after Intrauterine Treatment of Cobactan 4.5%^® in Mares and Inflammatory Response of the Endometrium to this Treatment     

JM Parlevliet  DL Paccamonti  SA Barker 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2009,44(2):189-193

This study was conducted to measure the concentration of cefquinome in the endometrium of mares after intrauterine treatment and to evaluate associated inflammation. Mares (n = 14) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (i) control (n = 4) were either not treated (n = 2) or received (n = 2) lactated Ringer's intrauterine for 1 or 3 days; (ii) treated mares (n = 10) received intrauterine cefquinome for 1 or 3 days. After at least 10 days had passed following the last treatment and ovulation, mares were given Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and were randomly assigned to an alternate treatment. Endometrial biopsy samples were taken at 2, 8, 24 and 48 h, or at 4, 12 and 36 h, after the last treatment. Biopsy samples were taken at the same time points from control mares (n = 2) and lactated Ringer-treated mares (n = 2). Cefquinome concentrations were quantified using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and inflammation was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Concentrations of cefquinome [559 (1 day) and 595 μg/g (3 days) at 2 h, and 403 (1 day) and 370 μg/g (3 days) at 4 h] were similar between treatment groups at 2 and 4 h after treatment (p > 0.05). At 8 h, as well as at 24 and 48 h, concentrations were greater in the 3-day group (17 vs 301 μg/g, 3 vs 80 μg/g and 0.1 vs 0.2 μg/g, respectively) (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the inflammatory response at 2–48 h after treatment were found between groups.  相似文献   

Ataxia and paralysis in cats in Australia associated with exposure to an imported gamma-irradiated commercial dry pet food   总被引：1，自引：1，他引：0  

G Child  DJ Foster  BJ Fougere  JM Milan  M Rozmanec 《Australian veterinary journal》2009,87(9):349-351

Between June 2008 and March 2009, 87 cats in Australia developed symmetrical hindlimb ataxia, paraparesis, tetraparesis, paraplegia or tetraplegia in association with eating an imported, irradiated dry pet food. This communication reports the clinical signs and outcomes of those cats.  相似文献   

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide on cytokine secretions by porcine alveolar macrophages and serum cytokine concentrations in nursery pigs     

Che TM  Johnson RW  Kelley KW  Dawson KA  Moran CA  Pettigrew JE 《Journal of animal science》2012,90(2):657-668

This study explored the hypothesis that mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) acts to reduce systemic inflammation in pigs by evaluating cytokine production of alveolar macrophages (AM) and serum cytokine concentrations. A total of 160 pigs were fed diets containing 0.2 or 0.4% MOS for 2 or 4 wk postweaning compared with control diets without MOS. Dietary MOS did not affect the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and tended (P = 0.081) to increase that of IL-10. These cytokine concentrations also changed over time (P < 0.001). After 2-wk feeding of the control or MOS diets, AM were collected and stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PLIC) as infection models. The LPS-stimulated AM from MOS-fed pigs (n = 12) secreted less TNF-α (P < 0.001) and more IL-10 (P = 0.026) than those from control-fed pigs (n = 6). However, dietary MOS had less effect on ex vivo TNF-α and IL-10 production by PLIC-stimulated AM (P = 0.091 and P > 0.10, respectively. Further, effects of MOS were examined in 4 in vitro experiments. In Exp. 1 (n = 4 pigs), MOS and mannan-rich fraction (MRF), when added to AM cultures, were able to increase TNF-α production. This direct effect of MOS was not due to endotoxin contamination as verified in Exp. 2 (n = 6 pigs) using polymyxin B, an inhibitor of LPS activation of toll-like receptor 4. Polymyxin B inhibited production of TNF-α by AM after treatment with LPS (P < 0.001), but not after treatment with MOS in the absence of LPS (P > 0.70). In Exp. 3 (n = 6 pigs), when MOS was directly applied in vitro, the pattern of cytokine production by LPS-activated AM was similar to that observed ex vivo, as MOS suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α (P < 0.001) and enhanced LPS-induced IL-10 (P = 0.028). In Exp. 4 (n = 6 pigs), when MRF replaced MOS, AM-produced TNF-α induced by LPS or PLIC was suppressed by MRF (P = 0.015 or P < 0.001, respectively). These data establish that MOS and MRF suppress LPS-induced TNF-α secretions by AM. Generally, the study suggests that MOS may be a potent immunomodulator because it directly activates AM to secrete TNF-α and alters the cytokine responses of bacterial endotoxin-induced AM in both ex vivo and in vitro systems. In particular, feeding MOS to pigs for 2 wk reduces TNF-α and increases IL-10 concentrations after ex vivo treatment of AM with LPS. These immunomodulatory properties of MOS may have important implications for both host defense and avoidance of harmful overstimulation of the immune system.  相似文献   

The toxicity of difenacoum and difethialone to the rock hyrax,Procavia capensis     

Shmuel Moran  Shaul Sofer 《Pest management science》1995,44(3):305-307

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) were individually caged and were given two second-generation anticoagulants, difenacoum and difethialone, in fresh sliced apple bait. Mortality caused by 0.1-0.2 g kg^?1 difenacoum bait was rather low: 0/6, 1/4 and 2/4 only. As a relatively high concentration in the bait was required, the use of difenacoum in the field is not possible because of environmental considerations. Mortality caused by 0.05 g kg^?1 difethialone bait was 5/6, and by 0.065 g kg^?1 6/6. The potential of using difethialone in the field is uncertain because of the prolonged treatment needed.  相似文献   

Control of introduced mammalian predators improves kaka Nestor meridionalis breeding success: reversing the decline of a threatened New Zealand parrot     

Ron Moorhouse  Peter Dilks  Les Moran  Alan Jones  Dave Wills  Ian Fraser  Claude August 《Biological conservation》2003,110(1):33-44

The kaka (Nestor meridionalis) is a threatened, endemic New Zealand parrot that is declining primarily because of predation by introduced mammals. Numbers of female kaka surviving to sexual maturity more than compensated for adult female mortality at three sites with predator control but not at three unmanaged sites. Nesting success at the sites with predator control was significantly greater (?80%) than at unmanaged sites (?38%) while predation on adult females was significantly less (5% c.f. 65%). Predation was the most common cause of nesting failure at all sites. Stoats (Mustela erminea) appeared to be the main predator, although evidence of possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) predation on eggs, nestlings and nesting females was also found. These results suggest that control of stoats and possums can potentially reverse the decline of the kaka on the main islands of New Zealand.  相似文献   

Timing of Early Foetal Loss for Single and Twin Pregnancies in Dairy Cattle     

F López-Gatius  P Santolaria  JL Yániz  JM Garbayo  RHF Hunter 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2004,39(6):429-433

The incidence of early foetal loss is increasing under intensive management systems for dairy cattle. The aims of the present study were to determine whether there is any peak period of pregnancy loss during the early foetal period and to evaluate possible differences between single and twin pregnancies. The study population consisted of 1442 pregnant cattle from a single herd. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography between 36 and 42 days after insemination, and then weekly until day 90 of gestation or until pregnancy loss. A total of 1310 cows (90.8%) bore single embryos and 132 (9.2%) carried twins. Pregnancy loss was registered in 139 (9.6%) cows before day 90 of pregnancy: 101 (7.7%) in single and 38 (28.8%) in twin pregnancies. The average time of pregnancy loss for all animals was 58.4 ± 12.6 days and ranged from 45 to 90 days. Seventy‐five per cent of the pregnancy losses were registered between 45 and 60 days of gestation. The average time of pregnancy loss for cows with singletons was 52.1 ± 4.1 days and ranged from 45 to 61 days and that for those with twins was 75.1 ± 12.4 days and ranged from 46 to 90 days. Seventy‐five per cent of the twin pregnancy losses were registered between 68 and 90 days of gestation. Our data show that the foetal loss in singleton pregnancies occurs earlier than in twin pregnancies. Assessment of normal development of gestation on days 60 and 90 after insemination is suggested.  相似文献   

Effect of Semen Extender and Density Gradient Centrifugation on the Motility and Fertility of Turkey Spermatozoa     

JM Morrell  B Persson  H Tjellström  A Laessker  H Nilsson  M Danilova  PV Holmes 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2005,40(6):522-525

In the absence of commercially viable methods for cryopreserving turkey spermatozoa, new processing methods are required to extend the functional life of stored turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The present study evaluates the efficacy of a new extender (Turkey Semen Extend) and investigates the use of density gradient centrifugation in processing turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The new extender is compared with two commercially available turkey semen extenders, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl. Turkey spermatozoa in Turkey Semen Extend were still motile 20 h after collection, representing a considerable improvement over the other semen extenders (40%, 0% and 8% for Turkey Semen Extend, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl, respectively). A field trial on a commercial turkey farm showed improved fertilization rates following insemination of turkey hens with semen extended in Turkey Semen Extend (89.7%) compared with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (86.9%). This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Processing on a density gradient, optimized for turkey spermatozoa, also increased sperm survival (50% gradient-prepared spermatozoa still motile after 18 h compared with <10% non-processed spermatozoa). Preliminary studies indicate that gradient preparation of spermatozoa may aid survival during cryopreservation.  相似文献   

Aversiveness of mechanical conveying to laying hens     

S. M. Rutter  G. B. Scott  P. Moran 《British poultry science》1993,34(2):279-285

1. Passive avoidance was used to investigate the aversive‐ness to laying hens of the sound and motion associated with travel on a short section of flat‐belt conveyor.

2. Three groups of 7 birds were trained to key‐peck for food at an operant panel and then exposed to a passive avoidance schedule in which the treatment stimuli were activated by key‐pecking.

3. Birds exposed to both sound and motion (SM), or sound only (S) showed significantly greater suppression in key‐pecking than birds in the control group (C) which had not been exposed to either stimulus. No significant difference was found in aversion levels between the S and the SM groups.

4. Sound alone appeared to be as aversive as sound and motion combined, although certain caveats to this conclusion are given.  相似文献