Ovarian cycle of the captive formosan gem-faced civets (Paguma larvata taivana).

Formosan gem-faced civets are classified to be endemic sub-species of Paguma larvata in Taiwan. Little about their reproductive physiology has been reported. This study was designed to characterize the ovarian activity throughout the year and define ovarian cycle length and the lengths of its component phases. Serum samples were collected for enzyme immunoassay (progesterone and estradiol) from seven captive civets twice weekly for 1 year. Meanwhile, periodic changes in external genitalia (vulva swelling) and vaginal cytology were examined and recorded. Results showed estrous cycles exhibited two types: 18-day (18.5+/-1.1, n=64) and 28-day (27.6+/-1.0, n=28) as shown by progesterone and estradiol fluctuations and corresponding changes in vulva morphology and vaginal cytology. Both types showed a similar 7-day follicular phase, peaking progesterone at Day 7. The 18-day cycle type prevails in the spring and summer whereas the 28-day cycle type is significant in the autumn. In summary, female gem-faced civets are polyestrous (approximately 13 cycles/year), and non-typical seasonal breeders, with follicular phase and two distinct durations of luteal phases (diestrus) cycling throughout the year, but the frequency of ovarian cycles was remarkably gradually decreased from September to February of next year. Zoo Biol 0:1-11, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The effect of different extenders on post-thaw sperm survival, acrosomal integrity and longevity in cryopreserved semen of Formosan Sika deer and Formosan Sambar deer.

This study investigates the efficacy of five extenders in contributing to the outcome of semen cryopreservation in Formosan Sika and Sambar deer. Pooled semen (n=4) of six males of each breed was used. In Sika deer, semen collection rate was 96% (23/24) over all electro-ejaculations. Volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration of fresh ejaculates was 0.5+/-0.4 ml, 77+/-6% and 1471.3+/-940.0 x 10(6) ml(-1), respectively. Post-thaw motility in respective extender was A: 66+/-16%; B: 71+/-2%; C: 73+/-6%; D: 9+/-4% and E: 26+/-12% (mean+/-S.D.). In extender C (74+/-14%) more viable spermatozoa were preserved than in the others (A: 64+/-10%; B: 48+/-11%; D: 41+/-16%; E: 47+/-6%; P<0.05). Acrosomal integrity was not influenced by extender composition. Post-thaw motility did not decrease during a 4-h incubation period, irrespective of the extender used (P>0.05). In Sambar deer, semen collection rate was 88% (21/24) over all electro-ejaculations. Volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration of fresh ejaculates was 1.3+/-0.5 ml, 82+/-4% and 379.1+/-252.2 x 10(6) ml(-1), respectively. Post-thaw motility was in respective extenders A: 69+/-2%; B: 74+/-6%; C: 73+/-2%; D: 13+/-6% and E: 31+/-20%. Extenders B and C were superior (P>0.05) with respect to sperm motility. Similarly, post-thaw viability in extenders A (70+/-7%), B (76+/-7%) and C (79+/-2%) was higher than that D (25+/-19%) and E (29+/-17%) (P<0.01). Sperm acrosomal integrity was better preserved in extenders B (86+/-4%) and C (83+/-4%) than in extenders A (54+/-13%), D (39+/-22%) and E (46+/-22%) (P<0.05). Post-thaw sperm longevity in extender A reduced from 69 to 16% during incubation (P<0.05) whereas only a slight decrease was observed in the other extenders after 4 h. In conclusion these data show that egg-yolk-Tris-Tes-glycerol based extender C containing Equex STM paste is optimal for freezing semen of Formosan Sika deer while egg-yolk-Tris-citric acid-glycerol based extender B containing Equex and extender C are superior in semen cryopreservation to others for Formosan Sambar deer.

Serum haptoglobin concentration in cattle.

To obtain a basal concentration of serum Haptoglobin (Hp) in cattle in Taiwan, Hp concentrations were measured from serum samples collected from 10 healthy heifers, every week for one year. The values were also compared with those collected from 15 cows diagnosed with postpartum metritis. The heifers were successfully impregnated by artificial insemination six months after the tests. Hp concentrations were also measured in the serum collected from 11 other cows within 3 weeks after parturition. The Hp assay developed in this study gave a good correlation (r=0.893)with Western blotting. The Hp concentration of 454 serum samples from the 10 heifers had a mean value of 83.6 +/- 34.1 mg/l, and there was no significant difference among individual heifers. The basal value of Hp in heifers was calculated as less than 73.6 mg/l. No significant difference in Hp concentration was observed among the 10 heifers during cold and warm seasons (19.8 +/- 2.2 degrees C vs 27.3 +/- 1.4 degrees C), or before and after pregnancy. The mean serum Hp concentration from cows suffering from postpartum reproductive disorders was 1133.5 +/- 627.1 mg/l, which was significantly greater than the serum of healthy heifers and postpartum cows (104.6 +/- 61.0 mg/l) (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that Hp concentration may be a useful indicator for cows with postpartum reproductive disorders.

Serum C-reactive protein in dairy herds.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactation and health status. Blood samples were collected every 2 wk for 12 mo from 29 randomly selected dairy cattle on 3 farms. At the time the blood samples were collected, the stage of pregnancy, lactation status, breeding records, general health condition, reproductive status, and body condition score were recorded for each cow. Serum CRP was detected with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western immunoblotting. C-reactive protein levels were measured with a densitometer and expressed as an optimal dose value. C-reactive protein levels were correlated with the body condition score, lactation status, and animal health (P < 0.05), but not with ambient temperature, animal age, or parity. C-reactive protein levels increased with milk production, peaking during high lactation (2 to 4 mo of pregnancy), and decreased when lactation ceased. In addition, the CRP level was highest during naturally occurring infections, such as mastitis and other tissue inflammation. Thus, the CRP level can confirm the presence of inflammation. The stress effect of taking blood samples as measured by the CRP level, was also examined. The CRP level became rapidly elevated 12 h after the blood samples were taken but returned to normal 36 h later. In conclusion, the stresses resulting from overall poor health, heavy lactation, and blood sampling caused the elevation of serum CRP. C-reactive protein is a marker or tool for evaluating the health status of a herd. C-reactive protein should also be considered as a useful criteria to assess the stress levels and may be useful in early surveillance of disease conditions in a dairy herd.

Indenopyridine hydrochloride induced testicular spermatogenesis failure with high seminal alkaline phosphatase levels in male dog.

Indenopyridine hydrochloride (IH), an antispermatogenic agent, was tested to determine the testicular pathological changes, seminal spermatozoa concentrations and seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase levels in male dogs. A single oral dosage of 30 mg IH/kg BW induced the dissociation and premature release of germ cells into the lumens of seminiferous tubules. Ring-shaped spermatid nuclei, nuclear pykonosis of spermatocytes and multinucleated cell associations were also observed. Thereafter, the spermatogenic index (SI) significantly decreased one day after IH administration. Moreover, seminal spermatozoa concentrations decreased two weeks after drug treatment; and there was a statistically significant difference in spermatozoa production inhibited by IH compared to the control. Reversible spermatogenesis was noted 7 weeks after IH treatment in male dogs. Meanwhile, seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase levels also significantly increased two weeks after IH treatment. These data confirm that IH might induce a two-month inhibition of spermatogenesis in male dogs.

Effects of ketoconazole on progesterone and cAMP production in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

The effects of ketoconazole (KCZ) on secretion of progesterone and cAMP in Leydig cells were investigated in vitro. MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells were used to conduct the experiments. KCZ significantly inhibited the progesterone production from MA-10 cells in a dose dependent fashion between 2 and 20 microM among 1, 2 and 3 h of incubation. There was a statistically significant difference in luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulated progesterone production inhibited by 2 and 20 microm KCZ treatment compared to the control. The effect of KCZ on progesterone biosynthesis in MA-10 cells was mediated by cAMP, since KCZ suppressed basal and LH stimulated cAMP production and content within the same dose range. The stimulatory effects of forskolin and sodium fluoride on the adenylate cyclase system were also inhibited by KCZ. Moreover, dibutyryl cAMP blocked the inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis of KCZ in MA-10 cells. These data indicated that KCZ induced the inhibition of a catalytic component of adenylate cyclase holoenzyme in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.