A rare case of adventitious placentation (diffuse semi-placenta) in a Jersey cow.

Placental abnormalities more frequently occur during pregnancy of somatic cell clones and may lead to pregnancy loss or dystocia. Adventitious placentation, or diffuse semi-placenta, is determined by the development of areas of accessory placentation between the cotyledons due to the abnormal growth of placentomes.After a full-term pregnancy, a 3-year-old Jersey heifer was referred for dystocia which resulted in the delivery of a dead calf. The cause of dystocia was found to be foetal malposition, while the placenta was physiologically expelled after dystocia resolution.Grossly, cotyledons appeared reduced in size and number in one placental horn, while the surface of the other horn was covered with microplacentomes. Numerous villous structures without trophoblastic coating were highlighted after histopathology. The dominant sign was an inflammatory reaction. The findings were consistent with inter-cotyledonal placentitis, which led to adventitial placentation.Diffuse semi-placenta compensates for the inadequate development of placentomes and may occur as a congenital or acquired defect. The outcome depends on its severity: in the worst scenario, pregnancy may not proceed beyond midterm and may be complicated by hydrallantois. In the case under examination, the dimensions of the cotyledons (from 2 to 10 cm) allowed for the natural course of pregnancy.

Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks.

Good sperm production is a notable requirement for subjects intended for reproduction, particularly in endangered species, and it has been demonstrated that in horse stallions, this is correlated to testicular volume. The present study, which involved Martina Franca jacks, aimed to determine whether, also in this endangered breed, there is a correlation between the total sperm number (TSN) and testicular volume. Testes were measured with both ultrasound and a caliper. Testicular volume was calculated using two different formulas: one representing the volume of an ellipsoid and one developed to describe round-shaped testicles. The average sperm concentration was 380.14 ± 254.58 × 106/mL, while the average TSN was 16.34 ± 7.76 × 109. Our findings evidenced a significant correlation (r > 0.75; p < 0.05) only between sperm production and the volume calculated with the formula V (cm3) = 33.57 × H - 56.57 for round-shaped testes. Moreover, significance was evidenced only for data obtained with ultrasound (VTs-us 315.03 ± 25.83 cm3) but not with caliper. In conclusion, testicular volume can be suggestive of good fertility in Martina Franca jacks; thus, this parameter could be considered when selecting breeding animals.

Treatment of a Recurrent Pyometra by Surgical Uterine Drainage in a Main Coon Cat.

Pyometra is a uterine disease typical of the luteal phase of the estrus cycle. For selected patients, such as breeding subjects, ovariohysterectomy is not a valid resolutive option. Medical treatments involving cloprostenol and aglepristone have been developed for the cats, but they can be ineffective in rare cases. Transcervical drainage and flushing have been described for the dogs, as well as for large wild cats. However, to the author's knowledge, there are no report of uterine drainage in cats. The present case describes an alternative treatment of pyometra in a 3-year-old Main Coon previously treated with aglepristone. The patient underwent a laparotomy: the uterus was exposed, and a sterile urinary catheter was inserted into each horn, through the wall of the uterus, to allow the drainage of pathological collection and a subsequent lavage with lukewarm sterile saline. Medical treatment with aglepristone and marbofloxacin was associated. After treatment, no recurrence was reported, and the cat had an uneventful pregnancy. Although it is a unique case report, the results presented are promising, as the technique appears to have provided healing and preserved fertility. Further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in the long-term prevention of recurrence.

Use of Transversus Abdominis Plane and Intercostal Blocks in Bitches Undergoing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In humans and dogs, loco-regional anesthesia is associated with lower peri-operative opioid consumption and less related side effects. The combination of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and intercostal blocks can be used to desensitize the entire abdominal wall in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of TAP and intercostal blocks in bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Twenty client-owned bitches were enrolled in this double-blinded randomized controlled trial. After premedication with dexmedetomidine, methadone and ketamine, the animals were randomized into two groups. Dogs in the TAP group received intercostal blocks from T8 to T10 and a TAP block with ropivacaine. Dogs in the FEN group received a fentanyl bolus and a constant rate infusion for the entire duration of the procedure. Intra-operative cardiovascular stability, post-operative pain scores, rescue opioid requirement, dysphoria during recovery, time to attain sternal recumbency and interest in food at 6 h post-extubation were compared. Bitches in the TAP group received a statistically significant lower amount of rescue fentanyl intra-operatively and methadone post-operatively. Pain scores were lower in the TAP group until 6 h post-extubation. No difference was found for dysphoric recoveries, time to attain sternal recumbency and appetite at 6 h post-extubation. No adverse event was recorded for any of the dogs. The combination of TAP and intercostal blocks can be part of an effective multi-modal analgesic strategy in bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy.

Effectiveness of a Modified Administration Protocol for the Medical Treatment of Feline Pyometra.

Pyometra is a common uterine disease of dogs and cats, typical of the luteal phase. Traditionally, ovariohysterectomy was considered the elective treatment for pyometra, but in some cases, such as breeding subjects or patients with a high anesthesiologic risk, medical treatment is preferred. Aglepristone is a progesterone receptor blocker and its use proved to be effective for the medical treatment of pyometra in bitches and queens. The aim of this work is to report the effectiveness, in the feline species, of a modified aglepristone administration protocol. Five intact queens were referred to veterinary care centers for pyometra. Aglepristone (15 mg/kg) was administered at D0, D2, D5, and D8, as described by Contri and collaborators for dogs. An antibiotic treatment (marbofloxacin, 3 mg/kg) was associated, and uterine conditions were checked with regular ultrasonographic exams. The uterus returned to its normal condition 10 days after starting the treatment and no adverse effects were reported. After treatment, three queens had an uneventful pregnancy. Even if the treated group was restricted and homogeneous, the proposed modified protocol proved to be useful and promising for the medical treatment of pyometra in cats; further studies are planned to verify its effectiveness in the long-term prevention of recurrence.

The Lipidomics of Spermatozoa and Red Blood Cells Membrane Profile of Martina Franca Donkey: Preliminary Evaluation.

Fatty acid-based lipidomic analysis has been widely used to evaluate health status in human medicine as well as in the veterinary field. In equine species, there has been a developing interest in fertility and sperm quality. Fatty acids, being the principal components of the membranes, play an active role in the regulation of the metabolic activities, and their role on spermiogenesis seems to be of great importance for the resulting quality of the sperm and, thus, fertility. With the application of widely used lipidomic techniques, the aim of this study was to evaluate: (a) the fatty acid content of the spermatozoa's membranes of 26 healthy male Martina Franca donkeys and its possible correlation with sperm parameters, and (b) the evaluation of the composition of the red blood cells' membrane. PUFA omega-6 are the principal components (40.38%) of the total PUFA content (47.79%) in both types of cells; however, DPA is the predominant one on the spermatozoa's membrane (27.57%) but is not present in the erythrocyte's membrane. Spermatozoa's motility (%) is positively correlated with stearic acid and EPA, and progressive motility (%), with oleic acid. These findings offer information on the composition of both types of cells' membranes in healthy male MF donkeys and reflect the metabolic transformations of the spermatozoa's membrane during the maturation period, providing a better perception of the role of fatty acids in sperm parameters and fertility.

Cryopreservation of turkey spermatozoa without permeant cryoprotectants.

In avian species, cryopreservation of semen is necessary for developing sperm cryobanks. It is very difficult, however to cryopreserve turkey sperm and have sperm be viable after thawing. Glycerol, the commonly used sperm cryoprotectant in many species, is toxic to sperm of avian species. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the non-permeating dextran was effective for the cryopreservation and maintenance of turkey spermatozoa viability after thawing, avoiding the use of permeating cryoprotectants. Turkey sperm were diluted with a medium supplemented with 11% glycerol or dextran with a 1,000 molecular weight (MW), dextran with a 10,000 MW, or dextran with a 20,000 MW each at a 2%, 5%, or 10% concentration. Sperm kinetic characteristics, membrane and acrosome integrity (AI), and the capacity of spermatozoa to interact with the autologous perivitelline layer were evaluated after equilibration and cryopreservation. Results indicate that with use of glycerol and the 1,000 MW dextran there was lesser sperm viability after both equilibration and cryopreservation, compared with use of the 10,000 or 20,000 MW dextran compounds. There was a greater cryoprotective effect with the 10,000 and 20,000 MW dextran compounds at the 10% concentration with spermatozoa maintaining a greater functionality and capacity to interact with the autologous perivitelline layer. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate turkey spermatozoa could be effectively cryopreserved in extender without the use of glycerol as a penetrating cryoprotectant but with the use of the 10,000 or 20,000 MW dextran compounds at a 10% extender concentration.

Biochemical blood analysis along pregnancy in Martina Franca jennies.

The availability of biochemical blood data specific for the pregnant condition are essential for the correct management of both normal pregnancies and also for the prompt recognition of every abnormality. Because of the lacking knowledge about biochemical blood analysis in the donkey along the entire pregnancy, the study was designed to provide first preliminary data about the values and possible changes of blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine-kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA), uric acid (UA), amylase (AMY), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), triglycerides (TRI), cholesterol (CHOL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), occurring from the beginning of pregnancy until parturition. The study was performed on 10 Martina Franca healthy jennies with normal pregnancy course and giving birth to mature, healthy and viable foals. Blood samples were collected monthly from the 1st to the 6th month of pregnancy, then twice a month from the 6th to the 9th month and afterwards weekly until parturition. The results showed a significant slight increase of glucose and creatinine in the second quarter of pregnancy and a minor decrease of cholesterol near to parturition, while all the other parameters did not significantly change along pregnancy.

The breeding management affects fresh and cryopreserved semen characteristics in Melopsittacus undulatus.

Melopsittacus undulatus is a companion parrot worldwide diffused. Many parrots are considered endangered or vulnerable. The preservation of semen is crucial in endangered species, thus, M. undulatus could be a good model to study sperm characteristics and semen cryopreservation in these other endangered parrots. In this study the effect of the breeding management (males bred in promiscuous aviary or in couple) on sperm characteristics (motility, membrane integrity and morphometry) of fresh and cryopreserved semen was evaluated. The computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) revealed a significant effect of the husbandry method on semen characteristics in budgerigars: male housed in couple with the female in individual cages allowed the higher results in term of both semen quantity and sperm quality. Total and progressive motility were significantly higher in males bred in couple (68.7±8.9% and 54±15.9%, respectively) than in promiscuous aviary (48.3±15.1% and 24.4±12.4%, respectively), such as sperm velocity (average path velocity, straight line velocity, and curvilinear velocity). The type of sperm movement (amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, straightness, and linearity), sperm membrane integrity and morphometry parameters seemed not affected by the husbandry method. The standardization of a CASA procedure for the semen analysis in M. undulatus allow further studies on parrot semen manipulation and cryopreservation, but the method used for the breeding of the male could have a significant effect on the semen quality.