Changes in the mast cell distribution in the canine ovary and uterus throughout the oestrous cycle.

This is the first study describing the relation between the phase of the oestrous cycle and the number of mast cells (MCs) in the canine ovaries and uterine horns. The total number of MCs was counted in cortex ovarii, medulla ovarii, endometrium and myometrium. The number of MCs was compared in all of these areas among the bitches in the early follicular phase, luteal phase and anoestrus. MCs were the most numerous in the early follicular phase and in the luteal phase; however, they were significantly less numerous during anoestrus. Based on the results, it was concluded that the number of MCs in ovaries and uterine horns fluctuates during the oestrous cycle. The results of this study may contribute to clarifying the role of MCs in the reproductive organs of bitches.

A comparison of quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different collection techniques.

The aim of our study was to compare the quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different techniques-urethral catheterization after medetomidine administration (CT), electroejaculation (EE) and epididymal slicing after orchiectomy (EP). A total of 34 adult male cats (Felis catus) were included in the study. In all male cats, the sperm collection was performed under general anaesthesia by three collection methods in the following order: urethral catheterization, electroejaculation and epididymal slicing. The sperm parameters evaluated were as follows: volume, motility, viability, sperm concentration, total sperm count and morphological examination. The highest quality semen parameters were achieved using EE. The comparison of results of the evaluated sperm quality parameters from EE and EP showed significant differences only in one case-the percentage of head abnormalities and lower percentage of head abnormalities were achieved using EE compared to EP: 8.5% (3.0%-21.0%) versus 10.0% (4.0%-22.0%). Semen collected by CT rendered the lowest quality samples when compared to sperm samples collected by EE and EP, especially with respect to the motility and total sperm count which were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Our study showed that sperm samples collected by EE and EP result in better quality of feline ejaculates compared to collection by CT from sperm samples collected from the same male cats. These results demonstrate the necessity of further research of urethral catheterization as a novel technique of semen collection in male cats.