Seasonal Effect on Zebu Embryo Quality as Determined by Their Degree of Apoptosis and Resistance to Cryopreservation     

YC Marquez  CS Galina  N Moreno  H Ruiz  A Ruiz  H Merchant 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2005,40(6):553-558

In order to optimize the production of embryos under tropical conditions and to test a possible seasonal effect on embryo quality, 40 Zebu cows were superovulated during the dry season (April to May) and during the rainy season (July to August). A total of 116 (average 2.7/cow) and 83 embryos (3.5 average/cow) were obtained during the respective seasons. After classification as good, fair or poor quality, embryos were tested based on their ultrastructural differences (n = 53 dry season 16 good, 20 fair and 17 poor and n = 61 rainy season 21 good, 20 fair and 20 poor) and their degree of apoptosis using the TUNEL technique (n = 30 during the dry season and n = 55 in the rainy season). Structural characteristics determining embryo quality varied between good and fair quality embryos. No difference, however, was observed between good, fair and poor quality embryos from the two seasons. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was different among embryos (p < 0.001), being lower in labelled cells of good quality embryos regardless of the season. Fewer apoptotic cells were observed in embryos assigned in all three quality levels during the rainy season (p < 0.001). Ultrastructural evaluations confirmed the results obtained by TUNEL. Cryopreserved embryos of good (n = 25 in each season) and fair quality (n = 11 dry season; n = 17 rainy season) showed a significant decrease of TUNEL-positive cells during the rainy season (p < 0.05). Results suggest that embryos collected in the dry season have more cellular damage in contrast; embryos cryopreserved in the rainy season appeared morphologically better equipped to result in a pregnancy following transfer.  相似文献   

Assessment of the Intensity of Behavioural Traits and Ovulation between Synchronized and Non-synchronized Cows     

K Forster  CS Galina  M Maquivar  G Van der Laan  R Arnoni  A Verduzco 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2007,42(6):566-570

Thirty cyclic, non-suckled Brahman cows were divided into three groups, all of which were synchronized sequentially with CIDR-B and observed continuously for 100 h to determine different behavioural oestrus signs. Twenty-four hours after implant withdrawal, all synchronized cows in the group, together with all other cows displaying oestrus, were subjected to intensive ultrasonographic observations (every 6 h for 120 h) to pinpoint the moment of ovulation. In the first group, oestrus and ovulation response was 60% (6/10), in the second 44% (4/9) showed oestrus and six ovulated, and in the third group oestrus and ovulation were 80% (8/10). Significant differences were observed between the second and third groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the duration of oestrus, time when oestrus was displayed after implant withdrawal, time of ovulation and onset of oestrus, end of oestrus to ovulation, and intensity of oestrus on a point scale. The relationship between duration of oestrus and time of ovulation was r(2) = 0.16. Ovulation, on average, was 32.1 +/- 14.5 h after the onset of oestrus, 22.3 +/- 16.5 h after the end of oestrus, and 91.8 +/- 16.7 after implant withdrawal, although no significant differences were observed. One non-synchronized animal showed oestrous activity in the second group but failed to ovulate. In the third group, 8 animals showed oestrus, 4 with high concentrations of progesterone. Of the other four one ovulated. In conclusion, oestrous behaviour is not necessarily the best marker to predict the time when ovulation takes place due to variation in the length of the oestrous period and the possible integration of non-ovulatory animals into sexually active groups.  相似文献   

Is the Production of Embryos in Small‐Scale Farming an Economically Feasible Enterprise?          下载免费PDF全文

Z Sánchez  MA Lammoglia  MA Alarcón  JJ Romero  CS Galina 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2015,50(4):574-579

The present assay attempts to evaluate the feasibility of using embryo transfer in small community farmers by in vivo study and by modelling the results obtained. From the total of 59 donor cows, 62.7% responded to treatment, with a significant difference (p = 0.002) in the percentage of the response between breeds, being 90.5% (19/21) in Holstein and 47.4% (18/38) in Brahman. A total of 283 embryos were graded as transferable, while 141 as non‐transferable, without difference in the percentage of transferable embryo by breed (p = 0.18). The mean of transferable embryos graded as class I and II was not different between Holstein and Brahman (p = 0.96 and p = 0.92, respectively); besides, no differences were observed in the other grades (non‐transferable). The highest difference in costs, regardless of its quality by breed, was seen in the lower levels of probable fertility of the embryo transferred, even reaching several hundred dollars. When modelling the expected costs for embryo produced and transferred, values can reach nearly $2000.00 when the probable fertility is only 10%. However, when the probable fertility was 60%, embryo cost was close to $300.00. This technology seems to be viable on average or high‐scale systems, having a superovulatory response between 60 and 80% with 4–6 transferrable embryos. Yet, in small‐scale farming, due to the reduced number of donors and/or recipients, the costs surpass the economical feasibility of the technique.  相似文献   

Accelerated induction of etorphine immobilization in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) through the addition of hyaluronidase          下载免费PDF全文

Mark J Dittberner  Leon Venter  Vinny Naidoo 《Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia》2015,42(2):173-177

ObjectiveTo study the effects of the addition of hyaluronidase (HA) to an etorphine/azaperone drug combination on induction times of immobilization.Study designExperimental part-randomized ‘blinded’ cross-over study.AnimalsEight wild managed blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).MethodsAnimals were immobilized, on separate occasions separated by two weeks, with one of four treatments. Treatments were; ‘Control drugs (CD), etorphine 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹; treatment 1 CD + 5000IU HA; treatment 2 CD + 7500 IU HA; and treatment 3 etorphine 0.007 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.07 mg kg⁻¹ + 7500 IU HA. Times to first effect and to immobilization (from darting to possible to approach and blindfold) were measured. anova was used to compare treatments. Results are given in means ± SD (range).ResultsFor control, and treatments 1–3 respectively, times (in minutes) to first effect were 1.58 ± 0.42 (1.02–2.10), 1.64 ± 0.42 (0.95–2.17), 1.12 ± 0.24 (0.80–1.48) and 1.60 ± 0.21 (1.13–1.88) and to immobilization were 5.38 ± 1.53 (3.82–8.07), 3.80 ± 1.14 (2.02–5.50), 3.51 ± 1.08 (2.28–5.52) and 4.46 ± 0.67 (3.30–5.40). Compared to control, time to first effect for treatment 2 was significantly shorter. Time to immobilization was significantly quicker in all three treatments containing HA than that for control.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyaluronidase can reduce the time to immobilization when used in the immobilizing dart, and might be usefully incorporated into etorphine combinations for darting wildlife.  相似文献   

Relationship of Progesterone,Bovine Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein-1 and Nitric Oxide with Late Embryonic and Early Fetal Mortalities in Dairy Cows     

Aly KAREN  árpád Csaba BAJCSY  Rosa MINOIA  Rezs? KOVáCS  Noelita Melo DE SOUSA  Jean-Fran?ois BECKERS  János TIBOLD  István MáDL  Ottó SZENCI 《The Journal of reproduction and development》2014,60(2):162-167

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of progesterone (P4), bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 (bPAG-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels with late embryonic (LEM; day 28 to day 42) and early fetal mortalities (EFM; > day 42 to day 56) in dairy cows. Transrectal ultrasonography (6–8 MHz) was performed in 100 Holstein-Friesian cows at days 28, 42 and 56 after artificial insemination (AI; day 0) to diagnose pregnancy and to monitor the fate of the embryo. After ultrasound scanning of each cow, a milk sample was collected for assessment of P4 by an ELISA test and a blood sample was collected for assessment of bPAG-1, by using a double-antibody radioimmunoassay, and serum NO metabolites (nitrate + nitrite). Based on ultrasonographic examinations and bPAG-1-RIA, 41 of 100 inseminated cows were confirmed pregnant at day 28 after AI. Nine cows suffered of LEM, and 6 cows suffered of EFM and the overall pregnancy loss rate was 36.6% (15/41) between days 28 and 56 of pregnancy. By logistic regression analysis, there were no significant relationships between the level of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 28 after AI and the occurrence of LEM and EFM. Also, there were no significant relationships between the levels of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 42 and the occurrence of EFM. On the other hand, a significant relationship (P<0.05) was found between NO level at day 28 and the occurrence of LEM. In conclusion, measurement of the serum NO concentration at day 28 of pregnancy might help to predict the outcome of pregnancy by day 42 in dairy cows but further studies are needed to confirm this.  相似文献   

Hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide premedication on cardiovascular variables of horses sedated with medetomidine     

João H Perotta  Paulo A Canola  Maristela CS Lopes  Patrícia M Évora  Paulo EB Martinez  André Escobar  Carlos AA Valadão 《Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia》2014,41(4):357-364

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) hyoscine premedication on physiologic variables following IV administration of medetomidine in horses.Study designRandomized, crossover experimental study.AnimalsEight healthy crossbred horses weighing 330 ± 39 kg and aged 7 ± 4 years.MethodsBaseline measurements of heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), respiratory rate, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), percentage of patients with second degree atrioventricular (2^oAV) block, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pH, and arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) and oxygen (PaO₂) were obtained 5 minutes before administration of IV hyoscine (0.14 mg kg^?1; group HIV), IM hyoscine (0.3 mg kg^?1; group HIM), or an equal volume of physiologic saline IV (group C). Five minutes later, medetomidine (7.5 μg kg^?1) was administered IV and measurements were recorded at various time points for 130 minutes.ResultsMedetomidine induced bradycardia, 2^oAV blocks and increased SVR immediately after administration, without significant changes in CI or MAP in C. Hyoscine administration induced tachycardia and hypertension, and decreased the percentage of 2^oAV blocks induced by medetomidine. Peak HR and MAP were higher in HIV than HIM at 88 ± 18 beats minute^?1 and 241 ± 37 mmHg versus 65 ± 16 beats minute^?1 and 192 ± 38 mmHg, respectively. CI was increased significantly in HIV (p ≤ 0.05). Respiratory rate decreased significantly in all groups during the recording period. pH, PaCO₂ and PaO₂ were not significantly changed by administration of medetomidine with or without hyoscine.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyoscine administered IV or IM before medetomidine in horses resulted in tachycardia and hypertension under the conditions of this study. The significance of these changes, and responses to other dose rates, requires further investigation.  相似文献   

A molecular epidemiologic investigation of Salmonella from a meat source to the feces of captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).     

Estelle H Venter  Moritz van Vuuren  Johann Carstens  Martha L van der Walt  Badenhorst Nieuwoudt  Helena Steyn  Nick P J Kriek 《Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine》2003,34(1):76-81

Low cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) birth rates were observed for a long time in a captive breeding facility in which Salmonella, which was possibly present in contaminated beef, was isolated from still-born lion (Panthera leo) cubs. Salmonella, including 14 isolates of Salmonella serovar typhimurium and 19 isolates of Salmonella serovar muenchen, was subsequently isolated 47 times from 378 meat samples at the facility during a 13-mo period. Salmonella, including 26 isolates of S. serovar typhimurium, 10 of S. serovar muenchen, and 11 other serovars, also was isolated 54 times from 119 fecal samples. Only three plasmid profiles were identified in 59 S. typhimurium isolates from both meat and fecal samples. Although random-amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting using different primers in the polymerase chain reaction was able to distinguish between S. typhimurium and S. muenchen and to demonstrate similar chromosomal DNA fingerprints in some of the isolates from meat and feces, the results were not consistent enough to prove that the Salmonella in the feces originated from contaminated meat. However, the predominance of only two serovars in the meat fed to carnivores and in the feces of these animals suggests that the meat was the source of the Salmonella organisms in the feces.  相似文献   

Moisture preferences,growth and reproduction of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)     

A. J. Reinecke  J. M. Venter 《Biology and Fertility of Soils》1987,3(1-2):135-141

Summary Although moisture requirements of Eisenia fetida are considered to be generally known, very few in-depth studies have been performed. The moisture preferences of juveniles as well as adults of this species were determined in moisture towers containing cow manure with a particle size bigger than 500 and smaller than 1000 m and an organic matter content of 54%. The clitellate worms showed a wider preference range than the juveniles but deposited most of their cocoons within the narrow range of 65%–70% moisture — a moisture range preferred by 80% of the juveniles. Growth studies of newly hatched worms at various moisture levels over a period of 90 days showed that growth rate and final biomass were influenced by moisture availability with a very low rate of growth at low as well as at high moisture levels. The change in biomass of clitellate specimens as well as their consecutively produced cocoons were monitored at different moisture levels. A clear relationship between mass of cocoons and biomass of the producing worms was established at presumably favourable moisture conditions. Furthermore, the relation between cocoon mass and the production rate of cocoons was also determined, which showed that cocoon mass increased concomitantly with increase in cocoon production. The study also showed that clitellum development was increased at moisture levels above 64%. The onset of cocoon production was, however, earliest at slightly lower moisture levels, from which it is concluded that the optimal moisture level for growth and development of clitella are not necessarily optimal for the production of cocoons.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov  相似文献   

Increased vitamin A intake in children aged 2-5 years through targeted home-gardens in a rural South African community     

Faber M  Venter SL  Benadé AJ 《Public health nutrition》2002,5(1):11-16

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The nutritional status of asymptomatic HIV-infected Africans: directions for dietary intervention?     

Vorster HH  Kruger A  Margetts BM  Venter CS  Kruger HS  Veldman FJ  Macintyre UE 《Public health nutrition》2004,7(8):1055-1064

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relationships between food (nutrient) intakes and biochemical markers of nutritional status of asymptomatic HIV-infected with HIV-uninfected subjects, to gain more information on the appropriate diet for HIV-infected persons at an early stage of infection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based survey. SETTING: North West Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixteen asymptomatic HIV-infected and 1550 HIV-uninfected men and women volunteers aged 15 years and older, recruited as 'apparently healthy' subjects from 37 randomly selected sites. OUTCOME MEASURES: Food and nutrient intakes, measured with a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and nutritional status indicated by anthropometric and biochemical variables, measured by a standardised methodology. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV infection in the study population was 11.9%. The anthropometric indices and nutrient intakes of HIV-infected and uninfected subjects did not differ significantly, indicating that these 216 HIV-infected subjects were at an early stage of infection. Of the biochemical nutritional status variables, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, haemoglobin, albumin and triglycerides were significantly lower in infected subjects. They also had higher globulin and liver enzyme levels than uninfected subjects. In infected subjects, serum albumin correlated significantly with serum lipids, serum vitamin A, serum vitamin E, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity and haemoglobin. The significant positive correlations of the liver enzymes with serum lipids, albumin, vitamin A and iron, observed in HIV-uninfected subjects, disappeared in the infected subjects. Polyunsaturated fat intake showed significant positive correlations with the increased liver enzymes in infected subjects. A principal components analysis indicated that, in infected subjects, increased liver enzymes correlated with higher consumption of maize meal and lower consumption of meat and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This survey indicated that asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects who followed a diet rich in animal foods had smaller decreases in serum albumin, haemoglobin and lipid variables, and smaller increases in liver enzymes, than those who consumed a diet based on staple foods. This suggests that animal foods are associated with improved nutritional status in HIV-infected persons. These results should be confirmed with intervention studies before dietary recommendations for asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals can be made.  相似文献