RESUMO
In this study, we examined the usefulness of a simpler and more feasible method for determining the optimal timing of artificial insemination and the conditions for its success in six female common bottlenose dolphins. Pregnancy was successfully achieved in five dolphins by performing intrauterine insemination, using chilled semen stored for less than 3 days or frozen semen within 24 hr of exhibiting a peak serum estradiol (E2) level of 100 pg/mL or higher or on the day with a serum E2 level of approximately 100 pg/mL, measured with a simple measuring device. We concluded that the determining the optimal timing of intrauterine insemination by measuring serum E2 levels is a simpler and more useful method compared with the conventional approach.
Assuntos
Golfinho Nariz-de-Garrafa , Estradiol , Inseminação Artificial , Preservação do Sêmen , Animais , Golfinho Nariz-de-Garrafa/fisiologia , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Inseminação Artificial/métodos , Feminino , Gravidez , Masculino , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária , Preservação do Sêmen/métodos , Estradiol/sangue , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Canine prostate cancer (cPCa) is a malignant neoplasm with no effective therapy. The BRAF V595E mutation, corresponding to the human BRAF V600E mutation, is found frequently in cPCa. Activating BRAF mutations are recognized as oncogenic drivers, and blockade of MAPK/ERK phosphorylation may be an effective therapeutic target against BRAF-mutated tumours. The aim of this study was to establish a novel cPCa cell line and to clarify the antitumor effects of MEK inhibitors on cPCa in vitro and in vivo. We established the novel CHP-2 cPCa cell line that was derived from the prostatic tissue of a cPCa patient. Sequencing of the canine BRAF gene in two cPCa cell lines revealed the presence of the BRAF V595E mutation. MEK inhibitors (trametinib, cobimetinib and mirdametinib) strongly suppressed cell proliferation in vitro, and trametinib showed the highest efficacy against cPCa cells with minimal cytotoxicity to non-cancer COPK cells. Furthermore, we orally administered 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg trametinib to CHP-2 xenografted mice and examined its antitumor effects in vivo. Trametinib reduced tumour volume, decreased phosphorylated ERK levels, and lowered Ki-67 expression in xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. Although no clear adverse events were observed with administration, trametinib-treated xenografts showed osteogenesis that was independent of dosage. Our results indicate that trametinib induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting ERK activation, resulting in cPCa tumour regression in a dose-dependent manner. MEK inhibitors, in addition to BRAF inhibitors, may be a targeted agent option for cPCa with the BRAF V595E mutation.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão , Neoplasias da Próstata , Masculino , Humanos , Animais , Cães , Camundongos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Doenças do Cão/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças do Cão/genética , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases , Quinases de Proteína Quinase Ativadas por Mitógeno , Neoplasias da Próstata/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Próstata/veterinária , MutaçãoRESUMO
In this study, cauda epididymal sperm were collected from Amur leopard cats with various causes of death as well as Tsushima leopard cats that underwent castration surgery, and sperm quality was compared with that in domestic cats. A sufficient number of sperm similar to those in domestic cats could be collected from the cauda epididymis of Amur leopard cats. However, in old leopard cats, no or very few cauda epididymal sperm were recovered, although there were no differences in sperm motility and sperm abnormality. There were no significant differences in sperm quality immediately after collection and after freezing-thawing of cauda epididymal sperm compared with corresponding estimates in domestic cats.
Assuntos
Epididimo , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Gatos , Masculino , Animais , Congelamento , Sêmen , EspermatozoidesRESUMO
Tolerance towards fetal alloantigens in the maternal immune system is essential for maintaining pregnancy. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells characterized by their ability to suppress immune activity and maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance. However, the mechanisms underlying MDSC induction have not been elucidated. Herein, we investigated the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines and its induction mechanism. By analyzing the concentration of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines, elevation of MDSCs has been observed during pregnancy. In addition, MDSCs from pregnant canines inhibit T cell activation. These results suggest that the elevated MDSCs in canine pregnancy may contribute to reduces maternal immune activity. To clarify the cause of MDSCs elevation in canine pregnancy, we analyzed the relationship between pregnancy-related hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and relaxin) and MDSCs. Serum relaxin levels, but not estradiol and progesterone, were correlated with the ratio of monocyte MDSCs. Additionally, relaxin induced monocytic MDSCs as well as inhibited T cell activation in vitro. Therefore, relaxin contributes to the elevation of monocytic MDSCs in the peripheral blood of pregnant canines. Our findings highlight the novel role of relaxin in pregnancy and contribute to a better understanding of maternal-fetal immune tolerance.
Assuntos
Células Supressoras Mieloides , Relaxina , Gravidez , Feminino , Animais , Cães , Monócitos , Progesterona , Células Mieloides , EstradiolRESUMO
Oxidative stress owing to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), is a major contributor to male infertility. We investigated the effects of the reduced form of CoQ10 (ubiquinol) supplementation on semen quality in dogs with poor semen quality. Three dogs received 100 mg of ubiquinol orally once daily for 12 weeks. Semen quality, serum testosterone, and seminal plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were examined at 2-week intervals from 2 weeks before ubiquinol supplementation to 4 weeks after the treatment. Ubiquinol improved sperm motility, reduced morphologically abnormal sperm, and increased seminal plasma SOD activity; however, it had no effect on testosterone level, semen volume, and sperm number. Ubiquinol supplementation could be used as a non-endocrine therapy for infertile dogs.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Análise do Sêmen , Animais , Suplementos Nutricionais , Cães , Masculino , Sêmen , Análise do Sêmen/veterinária , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Espermatozoides , Ubiquinona/análogos & derivadosRESUMO
A 14-year and 8-month-old intact male Amur tiger presented with an enlarged left testis, measuring 5.7 × 5.5 × 4.5 cm. The cut surface was mottled dark red to reddish brown in color. Microscopically, the enlarged left testis comprised round or polygonal neoplastic cells arranged in a diffuse sheet pattern. These neoplastic cells had a hyperchromatic nucleus and an abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, these neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, melan-A, inhibin-α, and S100 and negative for desmin and WT-1. Based on these morphological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a Leydig cell tumor.
Assuntos
Tumor de Células de Leydig/veterinária , Neoplasias Testiculares/veterinária , Tigres , Animais , Tumor de Células de Leydig/diagnóstico , Tumor de Células de Leydig/patologia , Masculino , Neoplasias Testiculares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Testiculares/patologia , Testículo/patologiaRESUMO
Two dogs with low plasma testosterone (T) levels and poor semen quality were administered one tablet of 12.5 mg clomiphene citrate orally per day at 2-day intervals for 4 weeks. Plasma T levels, total sperm count, and sperm motility in both dogs temporarily increased between 3 and 6 weeks after the start of treatment. These results indicate that poor semen quality in dogs with low plasma T level can be improved by oral administration of clomiphene citrate.
Assuntos
Clomifeno/uso terapêutico , Cães , Análise do Sêmen/veterinária , Sêmen/efeitos dos fármacos , Testosterona/sangue , Animais , Clomifeno/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Sêmen/fisiologia , Contagem de Espermatozoides/veterinária , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/fisiologiaRESUMO
We designed and synthesized vitamin D analogues with an electrophile as covalent modifiers for the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Novel vitamin D analogues 1-4 have an electrophilic enone group at the side chain for conjugate addition to His301 or His393 in the VDR. All compounds showed specific VDR-binding potency and agonistic activity. Covalent bond formations of 1-4 with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of VDR were evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. All compounds were shown to covalently bind to the VDR-LBD, and the abundance of VDR-LBD corresponding conjugate adducts of 1-4 increased with incubation time. Enone compounds 1 and 2 showed higher reactivity than the ene-ynone 3 and dienone 4 compounds. Furthermore, we successfully obtained cocrystals of VDR-LBD with analogues 1-4. X-ray crystallographic analysis showed a covalent bond with His301 in VDR-LBD. We successfully synthesized vitamin D analogues that form a covalent bond with VDR-LBD.
Assuntos
Desenho de Fármacos , Histidina , Receptores de Calcitriol/química , Receptores de Calcitriol/metabolismo , Humanos , Ligantes , Modelos Moleculares , Ligação Proteica , Domínios ProteicosRESUMO
Canine prostate cancer (cPCa) is an untreatable malignant neoplasm resulting in local tissue invasion and distant metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of miRs that are altered in cPCa tissue. The expression levels of 277 mature miRs in prostatic tissue (n=5, respectively) were compared between the non-tumor and tumor groups using real-time PCR. Five miRs (miR-18a, 95, 221, 222 and 330) were up-regulated, but 14 miRs (miR-127, 148a, 205, 299, 329b, 335, 376a, 376c, 379, 380, 381, 411, 487b and 495) were down-regulated specifically in cPCa (P<0.05). These miRs have potential use as early diagnosis markers for cPCa and in miR-based therapy.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , Neoplasias da Próstata/veterinária , RNA Neoplásico/genética , Animais , Cães , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Masculino , MicroRNAs/biossíntese , Neoplasias da Próstata/genética , RNA Neoplásico/biossíntese , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/veterináriaRESUMO
Equine and human chorionic gonadotropins were administered to two female Amur leopard cats to induce estrus and ovulation during non-breeding season. Fresh semen collected from male cats was surgically inseminated into the uterine horn of the females. In one animal, two fetal sacs without heartbeats were observed on abdominal ultrasonography 31 days after insemination, which indicated that embryo death had occurred. In the other animal, fetal heartbeats were detected in two fetal sacs 29 days after insemination, which confirmed as pregnancy. This animal delivered two newborns 68 days after insemination; the one of the kittens was assumed to be stillbirth, and the other grew normally. In this study, we successfully obtained a kitten from an Amur leopard cat by artificial breeding for the first time in Japan.
Assuntos
Felidae/fisiologia , Fertilização/fisiologia , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Animais , Gonadotropina Coriônica/administração & dosagem , Feminino , Inseminação Artificial/métodos , Masculino , Indução da Ovulação/veterinária , Gravidez , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal , Útero/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
Canine embryos (8-cell to blastocyst stages) frozen-thawed using the slow-freezing method with glycerol (four recipients) or dimethyl sulfoxide (three recipients) as a cryoprotectant and vitrified-warmed using the Cryotop method (five recipients) were surgically transferred into the unilateral uterine horn of recipient bitches. As a result, the morphology of embryos frozen-thawed using the slow-freezing method was judged to be normal, but no conception occurred in any of the recipient bitches. Two of the five bitches that received transferred embryos (morula to early blastocyst stages) vitrified-warmed using the Cryotop method became pregnant and produced normal pups (1/9 embryos, 11.1% and 1/6 embryos, 17.0%). It was concluded that the Cryotop method was more appropriate for canine embryo cryopreservation than the slow-freezing method, which is used for the cryopreservation of embryos of other mammalian species.
Assuntos
Transferência Embrionária/veterinária , Animais , Criopreservação/veterinária , Crioprotetores , Cães , Transferência Embrionária/métodos , Feminino , Gravidez , TempoRESUMO
We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electroejaculation method and investigated the semen qualities for about four years. In addition, the influence of the season on the spermatogenic function of the Amur leopard cat was investigated with regard to the semen qualities, testicular volume and serum testosterone level. As a result, we could collect semen with good sperm qualities that would be useable for artificial insemination. Some seasonality was noted in the testicular volume and serum testosterone level. We clarified that the semen qualities were favorable before and during the female breeding season compared with those after the breeding season.
Assuntos
Felidae , Sêmen , Animais , Animais de Zoológico , Ejaculação , Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Masculino , Técnicas de Reprodução Assistida/veterinária , Análise do Sêmen/veterináriaRESUMO
Four dogs with poor semen quality, low seminal plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and low blood plasma testosterone (T) levels were orally administered one vitamin E tablet containing 50 mg α-tocopheryl acetate per dog daily for 4 weeks. The mean values of semen quality were temporarily improved after the start of vitamin E treatment and the values of 4, and 5 weeks after that were significantly different from those before the treatment (P<0.05-0.001). The mean blood plasma T and seminal plasma SOD activity values slightly increased in the 4 dogs after the treatment. The results of the present study indicate that poor semen quality in dogs with low seminal plasma SOD can be improved by vitamin E treatment.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Cães , Análise do Sêmen/veterinária , Sêmen/enzimologia , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismo , Vitamina E/farmacologia , Animais , Antioxidantes/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Vitamina E/administração & dosagemRESUMO
Canine epididymal sperm was collected from the cauda epididymis using 2 different methods (flushing and mincing) to compare the qualities (the percentage of progressively motile, viable, morphologically abnormal, immature and intact acrosomes) before and after freezing and thawing. No significant difference was noted in the quality of the cauda epididymal sperm immediately after collection and after freezing-thawing between the collection methods, although the mean levels of sperm quality with the flushing method were slightly better than that of the mincing method. The flushing method is simple and free of blood contamination, although the vas deferens was too small to be perfused in only 1 dog, and our results suggest that the flushing method is preferable to the mincing method for collecting sperm from the canine cauda epididymis.
Assuntos
Criopreservação/veterinária , Cães/fisiologia , Epididimo/citologia , Epididimo/fisiologia , Análise do Sêmen/veterinária , Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Animais , Masculino , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária , Manejo de Espécimes , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
PURPOSE: Ejaculation in the male dog consists of three fractions. Observation of behavior and measurement of heart rate (HR), and plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (Ad) concentrations were researched sequentially, and a fundamental examination of the features of sympathetic nerve activity during copulatory behavior induced by the hand method in the male dog was undertaken. METHODS: We investigated the breeding capability of male dogs. HR, plasma NA level and plasma Ad levels were measured during ejaculation induced by the hand method. RESULTS: HR was 125.8 ± 6.0 beats/min at rest, and peaked during mounting at 195.2 ± 8.2 beats/min. Moreover, HR at 3 min after the first fraction decreased to values similar to those at rest. Plasma NA and Ad concentrations during copulatory behavior induced by the hand method did not differ significantly from those at rest. However, although there was no significant difference, plasma NA concentration during ejaculation of the third fraction peaked at about 1.8 times the baseline value. CONCLUSIONS: In the male dog, excitation of sympathetic nerves of long duration during erection of the penis and ejaculation is questionable. However, inhibition of sympathetic nerves and activation of parasympathetic nerves is thought to occur during erection of the penis and ejaculation.
RESUMO
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in flushings from oviducts and uterine horns of 8 anestrous, 5 estrous and 7 diestrous bitches was measured. SOD activity in oviductal fluid in estrous bitches was significantly higher than that in anestrous and diestrous bitches (P<0.01). SOD activity in uterine fluid of diestrous bitches was, however, significantly higher than that in anestrous and estrous bitches (P<0.01). Additionally, sperm collected from normal dogs were incubated in MEM and in MEM containing SOD (SOD-MEM) for 24 hr. The percentages of sperm with viability, motility and hyperactivation in SOD-MEM were higher than those in MEM. SOD produced in oviduct and uterus may be able to maintain or improve sperm quality and fertility in the dog.
Assuntos
Líquido Extracelular/enzimologia , Oviductos/enzimologia , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismo , Útero/enzimologia , Animais , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cães , Ciclo Estral/metabolismo , Feminino , Masculino , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Superóxido Dismutase/farmacologiaRESUMO
The objective of the present study was to determine an optimum temperature and extender for short-term transport of canine ejaculated semen. There was no significant difference in the qualities of semen diluted with two kinds of extender, egg yolk Tris-citrate fructose (EYT-FC) or glucose (EYT-GC) extender, between the 2, 8 or 12 and the 4°C control groups during storage for up to 48 hr, while the 16-24°C groups showed decreased sperm motility during storage for 48 hr. However, the 2°C group showed slightly lower sperm motility and slightly higher sperm abnormality than the 4°C group. Therefore, we concluded that semen qualities can be maintained for up to 48 hr when canine semen samples are extended with EYT-FC or EYT-GC and stored at a temperature in the range of 4-12°C.
Assuntos
Preservação do Sêmen/métodos , Sêmen/citologia , Temperatura , Animais , Ácido Cítrico , Cães , Gema de Ovo , Frutose , Glucose , Masculino , Análise do Sêmen/métodos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
In healthy male dogs, peripheral plasma testosterone (T), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and seminal plasma PGE2 levels were measured before, during and after ejaculation, and semen quality was examined after oral administration of PGE2. Plasma T and PGE2 levels did not change during these periods, but the seminal plasma PGE2 level of combined the first and second fractions was significantly higher than those at 0-5 and 5-10 min after the start of ejaculation of the third fraction. Semen volume but not quality increased after PGE2 administration. In conclusion, large amounts of PGE2 are released from the prostate gland during the early part of ejaculation, and PGE2 plays an essential role in secretion of seminal plasma.
Assuntos
Dinoprostona/análise , Ejaculação/fisiologia , Sêmen/química , Animais , Dinoprostona/metabolismo , Dinoprostona/farmacologia , Cães , Masculino , Próstata/metabolismo , Sêmen/efeitos dos fármacos , Análise do Sêmen/veterinária , Testosterona/análiseRESUMO
PURPOSE: We are currently developing a neurosurgical robotic system that facilitates access to residual tumors and improves brain tumor removal surgical outcomes. The system combines conventional and robotic surgery allowing for a quick conversion between the procedures. This concept requires a new master console that can be positioned at the surgical bedside and be sterilized. METHODS: The master console was developed using new technologies, such as a parallel mechanism and pneumatic sensors. The parallel mechanism is a purely passive 5-DOF (degrees of freedom) joystick based on the author's haptic research. The parallel mechanism enables motion input of conventional brain tumor removal surgery with a compact, intuitive interface that can be used in a conventional surgical environment. In addition, the pneumatic sensors implemented on the mechanism provide an intuitive interface and electrically isolate the tool parts from the mechanism so they can be easily sterilized. RESULTS: The 5-DOF parallel mechanism is compact (17 cm width, 19cm depth, and 15cm height), provides a 505,050 mm and 90° workspace and is highly backdrivable (0.27N of resistance force representing the surgical motion). The evaluation tests revealed that the pneumatic sensors can properly measure the suction strength, grasping force, and hand contact. In addition, an installability test showed that the master console can be used in a conventional surgical environment. CONCLUSION: The proposed master console design was shown to be feasible for operative neurosurgery based on comprehensive testing. This master console is currently being tested for master-slave control with a surgical robotic system.
Assuntos
Procedimentos Neurocirúrgicos/métodos , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito , Robótica/instrumentação , Técnicas Estereotáxicas/instrumentação , Interface Usuário-Computador , Desenho de Equipamento , Humanos , Software , Cirurgia Assistida por ComputadorRESUMO
A Beagle dog (3 years old) that ejaculated high percentages (mean ± SE: 29.1 ± 1.2%) of sperm with a knobbed acrosome abnormality and a low number of sperm and that also had a low plasma testosterone (T) level was given 10 subcutaneous injections of 1 µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-A) at 3-day intervals. The plasma T level and number of sperm increased 12-14 weeks after the first injection. Although the percentages of sperm with knobbed acrosome abnormality did not change after the GnRH-A therapy, the number of sperm and percentage of actively motile sperm increased after the therapy, and a bitch gave birth to 5 healthy puppies after intravaginal artificial insemination with fresh semen collected 14 weeks after the first injection.