Indicators of immunosuppression peripartum in dual purpose cows in the tropics affected health, productive and reproductive parameters

Abstract The objective of the study was to identify immunosuppression peripartum indicators in dual purpose cows in the tropics and determine their effects on productive and reproductive parameters. The indicators used were: changes in leukocyte and neutrophils population, concentrations of energy metabolites (β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose) and body condition scores (BCS). Blood sampling and BCS (scale 1 - 5) were taken weekly during the peripartum. Uterine health was assessed (3 weeks postpartum) by ultrasonography and using a vaginal score (0-3) described by Sheldon et al. (2006). Cows (n=30) were classified as healthy or clinical endometritis (CE). CE prevalence was as high as 29.6%. Leukocyte and neutrophils populations diminished while in the peripartum and were lower (P<0.05) in cows suffering CE. Healthy cows had higher (P<0.05) daily milk production than those with CE (18.84±0.63 vs 14.76±0.84 kg). CE cows had lower (P<0.05) reproductive performance compared with healthy cows (open days: 244.40 ± 35.00 vs 178.00 ± 23.33 and services by conception 3.33 ± 0.51 vs 1.83 ± 0.34). BCS similarly (P>0.05) decreased following parturition in both groups. Concentrations of energy metabolites during peripartum fluctuated in a similar (P>0.05) manner in healthy and CE cows. In summary, dual purpose cows in tropical conditions, presented peripartum immunosuppression indicators, characterized by a decline in the leukocyte population, mainly neutrophils, as well as decreased glucose concentrations and BCS postpartum. In addition to it, there was a rise in the β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and cows presenting CE had a negative effect in the productive and reproductive parameters.

Indicators of immunosuppression peripartum in dual purpose cows in the tropics affected health, productive and reproductive parameters

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar indicadores de imunossupressão periparto em vacas de duplo propósito nos trópicos e determinar seus efeitos sobre parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos. Os indicadores utilizados foram: alterações na população de leucócitos e neutrófilos, concentrações de metabólitos energéticos (β-hidroxibutirato e glicose) e escores de condição corporal (ECC). Amostras de sangue e BCS (escala 1 5) foram realizadas semanalmente durante o periparto. A saúde uterina foi avaliada (3 semanas após o parto) por ultrassonografia e usando um escore vaginal (0-3) descrito porSheldon et ai. (2006). Vacas (n=30) foram classificadas como endometrite saudável ou clínica (CE). A prevalência de EC foi de 29,6%. As populações de leucócitos e neutrófilos diminuíram no periparto e foram menores (P<0,05) nas vacas com CE. Vacas saudáveis ​​apresentaram maior (P<0,05) produção diária de leite do que aquelas com CE (18,84±0,63 vs 14,76±0,84 kg). Vacas CE tiveram desempenho reprodutivo inferior (P<0,05) em comparação com vacas saudáveis ​​(dias abertos: 244,40 ± 35,00 vs 178,00 ± 23,33 e serviços por concepção 3,33 ± 0,51 vs 1,83 ± 0,34). BCS similarmente (P>0,05) diminuiu após o parto em ambos os grupos. As concentrações de metabólitos energéticos durante o periparto flutuaram de maneira semelhante (P>0,05) em vacas saudáveis ​​e CE. Em resumo, vacas de duplo propósito em condições tropicais, apresentaram indicadores de imunossupressão periparto, caracterizada por um declínio na população de leucócitos, principalmente neutrófilos, bem como diminuição das concentrações de glicose e BCS pós-parto. Além disso, houve aumento nas concentrações de β-hidroxibutirato e vacas com CE tiveram efeito negativo nos parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos.(AU)

Effect of the type of egg yolk, removal of seminal plasma and donor age on ram spermcryopreservation

This study was conducted to assess the effect on ram sperm freezability by the replacement of traditional fresh egg yolk (FEY) with fresh clarified egg yolk (CEY) or powdered egg yolk (PEY) in extenders. Simultaneously, the effect of semen washing and donor age (1 and 2 years old) was studied on thawed sperm quality. Briefly, in two consecutives autumns, ejaculates from 8 males were collected by artificial vagina, mixed and split into two samples. One sample was washed by centrifugation and the pellet was split into three aliquots and re-suspended in an extender containing 15% of different type of egg yolk (PEY, FEY or CEY) supplemented with 5% glycerol in a Tris-based medium. The other sample was directly split into three aliquots and diluted in the same extenders. All samples were chilled for 4 h at 5ºC before been frozen to −196ºC. The results suggested that powdered egg yolk can be used satisfactory on ram sperm cryopreservation ensuring greater bio-security meanwhile fresh clarified egg yolk did not improve sperm freezability. Moreover, semen from 2 years old donors was more resistant to cryopreservation than semen collected from younger males. Finally, sperm washing had a beneficial effect on sperm cryosurvival.

Effect of the type of egg yolk, removal of seminal plasma and donor age on ram spermcryopreservation

This study was conducted to assess the effect on ram sperm freezability by the replacement of traditional fresh egg yolk (FEY) with fresh clarified egg yolk (CEY) or powdered egg yolk (PEY) in extenders. Simultaneously, the effect of semen washing and donor age (1 and 2 years old) was studied on thawed sperm quality. Briefly, in two consecutives autumns, ejaculates from 8 males were collected by artificial vagina, mixed and split into two samples. One sample was washed by centrifugation and the pellet was split into three aliquots and re-suspended in an extender containing 15% of different type of egg yolk (PEY, FEY or CEY) supplemented with 5% glycerol in a Tris-based medium. The other sample was directly split into three aliquots and diluted in the same extenders. All samples were chilled for 4 h at 5ºC before been frozen to −196ºC. The results suggested that powdered egg yolk can be used satisfactory on ram sperm cryopreservation ensuring greater bio-security meanwhile fresh clarified egg yolk did not improve sperm freezability. Moreover, semen from 2 years old donors was more resistant to cryopreservation than semen collected from younger males. Finally, sperm washing had a beneficial effect on sperm cryosurvival.(AU)