Effect of pre-synchronisation with progestogen and eCG on reproductive activity in synchronised ewes during anoestrous season.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-synchronisation on the occurrence of the oestrus and pregnancy rate after fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) in synchronised ewes during the anoestrous season. Kivircik ewes (n = 84) were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups with (PRE; n = 42) or without (SYN; n = 42) pre-synchronisation. In the SYN group, the ewes were subjected to a 7-d short-term protocol (P4 insertion-6d-PGF2α-1d-P4 removal + eCG). In the PRE group, the same short-term protocol as in the SYN group was applied with 7 days apart for a pre-synchronised synchronisation protocol. A cervical FTAI was performed with fresh semen at 54 h after sponge removal. At the beginning of the synchronisation protocol, the oestrous response (66.7% vs. 0.0%) and cyclicity rates (64.3% vs. 14.3%) based on progesterone (P4) were higher in the PRE group compared to those in the SYN group, respectively (P < 0.01). However, the oestrous response after synchronisation was lower within 96 h (57.1% vs. 95.2%; P < 0.01) in the PRE group compared to that in the SYN group. Although the pregnancy rate after the FTAI was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the PRE group (14.3%) than the SYN group (35.7%), the overall pregnancy rate after natural mating was not different (95.2%) between the groups. In conclusion, the pre-synchronisation decreased the oestrous response leading to a lower pregnancy rate after the FTAI in the synchronised ewes during the anoestrous season. Thus, attention should be paid to two consecutive administrations of eCG in a pre-synchronisation and synchronisation protocol in ewes.

First molecular survey of piroplasm species in cattle from Kyrgyzstan.

Bovine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan hemoparasites of the genera Theileria and Babesia. This study was carried out to assess the presence and frequency of piroplasm parasites in apparently healthy cattle in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 454 blood samples were collected from animals of various ages in eight villages located in the Chu valley and around the Lake Issyk Kul. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers specific targeting members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. The results revealed the presence of three piroplasm species (Theileria orientalis, Babesia major, Theileria annulata). Theileria orientalis was the most prevalent species (32.8%; CI 28.5-37.3). Babesia major was the only species of Babesia found in any of the samples (1.3%; CI 0.5-2.8). The co-existence of Theileria annulata and T. orientalis was detected in nine animals (1.9%; CI 0.9-3.7). BLAST search revealed that the Theileria sequences shared 100% identity with the recently reported sequences for T. buffeli and T. annulata. The sequence of B. major was also 100% identical to an existing B. major sequence. This molecular survey provides important epidemiological data for control of bovine piroplasmosis caused by T. orientalis, B. major, and T. annulata in Kyrgyzstan.

Partial protective effects of melatonin on cadmium-induced changes in hematological characteristics in rats.

We investigated the effects of melatonin (Mlt) on hematological characteristics to determine the percentage of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive lymphocytes in rats chronically exposed to cadmium (Cd). We used four groups of male rats: control (C), melatonin (Mlt), cadmium (Cd) and Cd + Mlt (CdMlt). Blood samples were obtained to assess the erythrocytes (RBC), leukocytes (WBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as well as alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive lymphocytes. We found that the number of WBC increased in the Cd group compared to the other three experimental groups. Low MCV and MCHC values caused by Cd were ameliorated by Mlt treatment in the CdMlt group. We found no significant change in the RBC, HGB, MCH, PLT and HCT values among the experimental groups. Mlt treatment also increased the percentage of ANAE positive lymphocytes. Mlt partially protects some hematological characteristics in cases of chronic Cd toxicity.

The protective effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on some antioxidant and cytokine levels in the rat hippocampus as well as synaptophysin (SYP) immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex of the cadmium (Cd) exposed rats. Thirty-two male albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into four equal groups as control (C; n = 8), Cd (n = 8), COS (n = 8), and Cd + COS (CdCOS; n = 8). The rats in the Cd and CdCOS groups received Cd chloride (CdCl2) (2 mg/kg/d) orally by gastric gavage three times a week for 4 weeks. Besides, COS (200 mg/kg/d) was administered to COS and CdCOS groups five times a week for 4 weeks. Then, they were decapitated and hippocampal/cerebral cortex tissue samples were taken for measurement of GSH levels, CAT and SOD activities, MDA values, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels as well as SYP immunoreactivity. Although tissue GSH levels were determined the lowest in the Cd group, these values were attenuated with COS treatment in the CdCOS group (p < .01). In addition, TNF-α levels were alleviated by COS treatment in the CdCOS group when compared to Cd (p < .01). SYP-positive cells were investigated in the cerebral cortex and found mild in the CdCOS group. COS exhibits potential protective effects on Cd-induced neurotoxicity in rats.