Evaluation of biochemical and electrolytic components of semen from ram supplemented with different concentrations of selenium and its correlation with sperm quality / Avaliação de componentes bioquímicos e eletrolíticos do sêmen de ovinos suplementados com diferentes concentrações de selênio e sua correlação com a qualidade espermática

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether supplementation with different levels of selenium (Se) can change the biochemical and electrolytic components of semen, causing an improvement in seminal quality in rams. Thirty animals were kept in an intensive pen system, fed with hay and commercial ration, allocated into five groups (six animals/pen) and supplemented with a mineral mixture containing Omg (G1), 5mg (G2), 10mg (G3), 15mg (G4) and 20mg (G5) of Se/kg. Each group received a different treatment every 56 days and treatments were rotated between groups following a dynamic sequence. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation after the end of each treatment to evaluate the levels of fructose, citric acid, potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), Se, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S) and lead (Pb). The statistical design was a 5x5 Latin square. The different levels of Se supplementation evaluated maintained the concentrations of electrolytes and minerals in the semen at the required levels and did not change the sperm quality, concluding that higher intakes of Se do not cause antagonistic effects on the absorption and subsequent action of other essential minerals supplied to the animals and still maintains electrolyte balance.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar se a suplementação com diferentes níveis de selênio (Se) pode alterar os componentes bioquímicos e eletrolíticos do sêmen, ocasionando, por conseguinte, uma melhoria na qualidade seminal em carneiros. Foram utilizados 30 animais, mantidos em sistema intensivo de baias, alimentados com feno e ração comercial, sendo alocados em cinco grupos (seis animais/baia) e suplementados com uma mistura mineral contendo 0mg (G1), 5mg (G2), 10mg (G3), 15mg (G4) e 20mg (G5) de Se/kg. Cada grupo recebeu um tratamento diferente a cada 56 dias, e foi realizado um rodízio de tratamentos entre os grupos seguindo uma sequência dinâmica. Amostras de sêmen foram colhidas por eletroejaculação após o fim de cada tratamento, a fim de se avaliarem os níveis de frutose, ácido cítrico, potássio (K), sódio (Na), cálcio (Ca), Se, zinco (Zn), manganês (Mn), enxofre (S) e chumbo (Pb). O desenho estatístico foi um quadrado latino 5x5. Os diferentes níveis de suplementação de Se avaliados mantiveram as concentrações de eletrólitos e de minerais do sêmen nos níveis exigidos e não modificaram a qualidade espermática, concluindo-se que maiores ingestões de Se não causam efeitos antagônicos na absorção e subsequente ação de outros minerais essenciais fornecidos aos animais e ainda mantêm o equilíbrio eletrolítico.

Pregnancy rates and luteal phase characteristics of bovine embryo recipients treated with flunixin meglumine / Taxas de prenhez e características da fase lútea de receptoras de embriões tratadas com flunixina meglumina em bovinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on pregnancy rates and luteal phase characteristics in bovine embryo recipients at the moment of embryo transfer. In experiment 1, in vitro produced embryos were transferred to 184 females divided as control and treated group (recipients treated with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 2, 22 females were divided as control group; group 2 (animals submitted to a reproductive tract manipulation similar to an embryo transfer on the 7th day after estrous); and group 3 (females submitted to a manipulation and treatment with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 1 no difference was observed between control and treated groups (40.2% and 44.6%, respectively) for pregnancy rates. In experiment 2 no difference was observed on the length of luteal phase between groups, however, animals in group 2 presented lower plasma progesterone concentrations than the control group and group 3. Therefore, we concluded that although the administration of flunixin meglumine at the moment of embryo transfer inhibited the reduction plasma progesterone concentrations, it was not effective in increasing pregnancy rates of bovine recipients.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração de flunixina meglumina sobre as taxas de prenhez e características da fase lútea da receptora no momento da transferência de embriões em bovinos. No experimento 1, embriões produzidos in vitro foram transferidos para 184 fêmeas, divididas em grupos controle e tratado (tratados com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 2, 22 fêmeas foram divididas em grupo controle (n=7); grupo 2 (n=8; animais submetidos à manipulação do trato reprodutivo semelhante à transferência de embriões no sétimo dia pós-cio); e grupo 3 (n=7; fêmeas submetidas à manipulação e ao tratamento com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 1, não foi observada diferença nos grupos controle e tratado (40,2% e 44,6%, respectivamente) para as taxas de prenhez. No experimento 2, não houve diferença na extensão da fase lútea entre os grupos, entretanto os animais do grupo 2 apresentaram concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona mais baixas que o grupo controle e o grupo 3. Portanto, conclui-se que a administração de flunixina meglumina no momento da transferência de embriões inibiu a redução das concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona, no entanto não foi eficaz para aumentar as taxas de prenhez de receptoras em bovinos.(AU)

Pregnancy rates and luteal phase characteristics of bovine embryo recipients treated with flunixin meglumine / Taxas de prenhez e características da fase lútea de receptoras de embriões tratadas com flunixina meglumina em bovinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on pregnancy rates and luteal phase characteristics in bovine embryo recipients at the moment of embryo transfer. In experiment 1, in vitro produced embryos were transferred to 184 females divided as control and treated group (recipients treated with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 2, 22 females were divided as control group; group 2 (animals submitted to a reproductive tract manipulation similar to an embryo transfer on the 7th day after estrous); and group 3 (females submitted to a manipulation and treatment with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 1 no difference was observed between control and treated groups (40.2% and 44.6%, respectively) for pregnancy rates. In experiment 2 no difference was observed on the length of luteal phase between groups, however, animals in group 2 presented lower plasma progesterone concentrations than the control group and group 3. Therefore, we concluded that although the administration of flunixin meglumine at the moment of embryo transfer inhibited the reduction plasma progesterone concentrations, it was not effective in increasing pregnancy rates of bovine recipients.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração de flunixina meglumina sobre as taxas de prenhez e características da fase lútea da receptora no momento da transferência de embriões em bovinos. No experimento 1, embriões produzidos in vitro foram transferidos para 184 fêmeas, divididas em grupos controle e tratado (tratados com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 2, 22 fêmeas foram divididas em grupo controle (n=7); grupo 2 (n=8; animais submetidos à manipulação do trato reprodutivo semelhante à transferência de embriões no sétimo dia pós-cio); e grupo 3 (n=7; fêmeas submetidas à manipulação e ao tratamento com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 1, não foi observada diferença nos grupos controle e tratado (40,2% e 44,6%, respectivamente) para as taxas de prenhez. No experimento 2, não houve diferença na extensão da fase lútea entre os grupos, entretanto os animais do grupo 2 apresentaram concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona mais baixas que o grupo controle e o grupo 3. Portanto, conclui-se que a administração de flunixina meglumina no momento da transferência de embriões inibiu a redução das concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona, no entanto não foi eficaz para aumentar as taxas de prenhez de receptoras em bovinos.(AU)

Morfometria e população de folículos pré-antrais de vacas Nelore vazias, gestantes e de fetos nos terços inicial, médio e final da gestação / Morphometry and population of preantral follicles of not pregnant Nelore cows, pregnant and fetus in the initial, medium and final third of pregnancy

The aim of this study was to describe population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of not pregnant cows, pregnant cows and fetus. Ten ovaries of non-pregnant Nelore cows, eighteen ovaries of pregnant cows and eighteen ovaries of fetus were used. For pregnant cows, six ovaries from each third (initial, middle and final) were evaluated, acquired from a slaughterhouse. For fetus, the same methodology and proportion of ovaries were used. Ovaries were washed, fixed and embedded in paraffin. They were then sectioned in longitudinal sections and stained by the Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Preantral follicles were classified according to morphology (primordial, primary and secondary) and degree of viability (intact and in initial, moderate and marked atresia). Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed through KS300 image analysis program and Tukey's test. A greater proportion of primordial follicles were found in all categories. Secondary follicles were not observed in ovaries of fetus and cows in the initial third of pregnancy. All the ovary dimensions were higher in non-pregnant cows and in the final third of cows' pregnancy, and lower in final third of pregnancy fetus. It was concluded that follicle isolation was effective in describing population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of cows and fetus.(AU)

Morfometria e população de folículos pré-antrais de vacas Nelore vazias, gestantes e de fetos nos terços inicial, médio e final da gestação / Morphometry and population of preantral follicles of not pregnant Nelore cows, pregnant and fetus in the initial, medium and final third of pregnancy

The aim of this study was to describe population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of not pregnant cows, pregnant cows and fetus. Ten ovaries of non-pregnant Nelore cows, eighteen ovaries of pregnant cows and eighteen ovaries of fetus were used. For pregnant cows, six ovaries from each third (initial, middle and final) were evaluated, acquired from a slaughterhouse. For fetus, the same methodology and proportion of ovaries were used. Ovaries were washed, fixed and embedded in paraffin. They were then sectioned in longitudinal sections and stained by the Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Preantral follicles were classified according to morphology (primordial, primary and secondary) and degree of viability (intact and in initial, moderate and marked atresia). Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed through KS300 image analysis program and Tukey's test. A greater proportion of primordial follicles were found in all categories. Secondary follicles were not observed in ovaries of fetus and cows in the initial third of pregnancy. All the ovary dimensions were higher in non-pregnant cows and in the final third of cows' pregnancy, and lower in final third of pregnancy fetus. It was concluded that follicle isolation was effective in describing population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of cows and fetus.(AU)