Eugenol as anesthetic for Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae).

Anesthetics are commonly used in fish for surgery and to facilitate capture, handling and transport in aquaculture and experimental procedures. In research, the selection of the anesthetic depends on its properties and on the recovery time. Eugenol has been pointed out as an effective anesthetic for fish, alternative to traditional drugs. Although Cnesterodon decemmaculatus is widely used as a model in ecological bioassays, no anesthetic protocol has been reported for this species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the induction time (i.e. time to reach anesthetic stage VI) and recovery time in individuals of C. decemmaculatus subjected to eugenol at a fixed concentration, according to sex and pregnancy status. Forty-one fish were divided into three groups: males, pregnant females and non-pregnant females. They were measured for total length, standard length and weight, and the condition factor (K) was calculated. No significant differences in induction and recovery times were found for sex, pregnancy status and K between groups. Results are a contribution toward the development protocol of a standard anesthetic protocol for C. decemmaculatus.

Monitoring of Body Condition in Dairy Cows to Assess Disease Risk at the Individual and Herd Level.

A retrospective longitudinal study assessing the explanatory and predictive capacity of body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows on disease risk at the individual and herd level was carried out. Data from two commercial grazing herds from the Argentinean Pampa were gathered (Herd A = 2100 and herd B = 2600 milking cows per year) for 4 years. Logistic models were used to assess the association of BCS indicators with the odds for anestrus at the cow and herd level. Population attributable fraction (AFP) was estimated to assess the anestrus rate due to BCS indicators. We found that anestrus risk decreased in cows calving with BCS ≥ 3 and losing ≤ 0.5 (OR: 0.07-0.41), and that anestrus rate decreased in cohorts with a high frequency of cows with proper BCS (OR: 0.22-0.45). Despite aggregated data having a good explanatory power, their predictive capacity for anestrus rate at the herd level is poor (AUC: 0.574-0.679). The AFP varied along the study in both herds and tended to decrease every time the anestrous rate peaked. We conclude that threshold-based models with BCS indicators as predictors are useful to understand disease risk (e.g., anestrus), but conversely, they are useless to predict such multicausal disease events at the herd level.

Comparison of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone versus Estrogen-Based Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination Protocols in Grazing Bos taurus Suckled Beef Cows.

Fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols for beef cattle in South America are primarily based on estradiol esters and intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices (IVPD). The objective of this study was to determine the optimal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based protocol as an alternative to the use of estrogen-based protocols in grazing Bos taurus suckling beef cows. All cows received an IVPD on the day of protocol initiation and prostaglandin F2α (PG) plus equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) treatments at the time of IVPD removal. In Experiment 1, cows (n = 235) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (i) 7-day estradiol = 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) at IVPD insertion on Day 9 and 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP) at IVPD removal on Day 2; (ii) 7-day GnRH = 10 µg of GnRH at IVPD insertion on Day 10, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI; (iii) 7 & 7 estradiol = PG at IVPD insertion on Day 16, EB on Day 9 and ECP at IVPD removal on Day 2; (iv) 7 & 7 GnRH = PG at IVPD insertion on Day 17, GnRH on Day 10, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI. In Experiment 2, cows (n = 462) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (i) 6-day estradiol = EB at IVPD insertion on Day 9, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI; (ii) 7-day estradiol; (iii) 7-day GnRH; (iv) 7 & 7 GnRH. In Experiment 1, plasma progesterone concentrations and percentage of cows with a corpus luteum (CL) at IVPD removal, and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) were greater for cows subjected to GnRH-based protocols compared with cows subjected to estrogen-based protocols (p < 0.01). In Experiment 2, cows subjected to the 7 & 7 GnRH protocol had the greatest P/AI (p < 0.01). In summary, GnRH-based FTAI protocols resulted in similar or greater P/AI compared to estrogen-based FTAI protocols in grazing postpartum Bos taurus suckled beef cows. The greatest P/AI was attained with the 7 & 7 GnRH protocol.

A simplified scoring system for the diagnosis of diarrhea and respiratory diseases in dairy calves.

Objective: To compare the capacity of a simplified calf health scoring chart (SIM score) with the University of Wisconsin's calf health scoring chart (WIN score) for the diagnosis of calf diarrhea and calf respiratory disease (RD). Animals and procedures: Holstein calves (N = 222) were clinically evaluated for diarrhea and RD diagnosis using the WIN and SIM scores. The WIN score was based on fecal consistency for diagnosis of diarrhea (0 = feces of normal consistency to 3 = watery feces; score ≥ 2 = positive diagnosis); and on nasal discharge, ocular discharge, coughing, ear position, and rectal temperature for diagnosis of RD (each clinical sign receives a score of 0 to 3; aggregate score ≥ 5 = positive diagnosis). The SIM score was based on a hide cleanliness score for diagnosis of diarrhea [0 = negative (calf was clean) and 1 = positive (tail head region, thighs, and/or legs were soiled)]; and on nasal discharge, ocular discharge, coughing, and ear position for diagnosis of RD (rectal temperature measurement was not required and each clinical sign had 2 levels of severity; aggregate score ≥ 5 = positive diagnosis). Results: In the RD diagnosis, the SIM score had a sensitivity of 88.24%, a specificity of 95.01%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.56%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.13%. In the diarrhea diagnosis, the SIM score had a sensitivity of 94.62%, a specificity of 49.64%, a PPV of 18.22%, and an NPV of 98.73%. Conclusion: Compared with the WIN score, the SIM score is a reliable test for diagnosing RD but not for diagnosing diarrhea.

Un système de notation simplifié pour le diagnostic de la diarrhée et des maladies respiratoires chez les veaux laitiers. Objectif: Comparer la capacité d'un tableau de notation simplifié de la santé du veau (score SIM) avec le tableau de notation de la santé du veau (score WIN) de l'University of Wisconsin pour le diagnostic de la diarrhée du veau et de la maladie respiratoire du veau (RD). Animaux et procédures: Des veaux Holstein (N = 222) ont été évalués cliniquement pour le diagnostic de diarrhée et de RD à l'aide des scores WIN et SIM. Le score WIN était basé sur la consistance fécale pour le diagnostic de diarrhée (0 = fèces de consistance normale à 3 = fèces aqueuses; score ≥ 2 = diagnostic positif ); et sur l'écoulement nasal, l'écoulement oculaire, la toux, la position des oreilles et la température rectale pour le diagnostic de RD (chaque signe clinique reçoit un score de 0 à 3; score global ≥ 5 = diagnostic positif ). Le score SIM était basé sur un score de propreté de la peau pour le diagnostic de diarrhée [0 = négatif (le mollet était propre) et 1 = positif (la région de la tête de la queue, les cuisses et/ou les pattes étaient souillées); et sur l'écoulement nasal, l'écoulement oculaire, la toux et la position des oreilles pour le diagnostic de RD (la mesure de la température rectale n'était pas requise et chaque signe clinique avait 2 niveaux de gravité; score global ≥ 5 = diagnostic positif ). Résultats: Dans le diagnostic de RD, le score SIM avait une sensibilité de 88,24 %, une spécificité de 95,01 %, une valeur prédictive positive (VPP) de 55,56 % et une valeur prédictive négative (VPN) de 99,13 %. Dans le diagnostic de diarrhée, le score SIM avait une sensibilité de 94,62 %, une spécificité de 49,64 %, une VPP de 18,22 % et une VPN de 98,73 %. Conclusion: Comparé au score WIN, le score SIM est un test fiable pour diagnostiquer le RD mais pas pour diagnostiquer la diarrhée.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Immunocontraception of male domestic cats using GnRH vaccine Improvac.

The domestic cat is a highly prolific species; thus, reproductive control is crucial to reducing feral cat overpopulation. This study aimed to assess the effect of a commercially-available GnRH vaccine for swine on suppressing sperm production in male cats. Twelve sexually mature tomcats were randomly divided into two groups. Treated cats (n = 9) received a GnRH vaccine (Improvac, Zoetis Belgium SA, 0.5 mL sc) twice 4 wk apart, and the control group (CON, n = 3) saline solution (0.5 mL sc). Reproductive parameters and blood samples were recorded every 2 wk, from 6 wk before vaccination until 24 wk after the first dose. Day 0 of the study was defined as the day of primary immunization with either the vaccine or saline solution. Serum testosterone concentrations of treated cats dropped to basal levels 6 wk after D0, while CON cats maintained serum testosterone concentrations between normal ranges during the study period. No differences were observed in pretreatment and CON seminal samples. However, a progressive decrease in seminal quality was observed in treated cats from wk 8 until the end of the study. By wk 24, sperm concentration and total sperm count decreased by 90%, motility decreased by 70%, and viability decreased by 60%. Moreover, testicular volume was reduced by 49%, and penile spines showed almost complete atrophy by the end of the study. Although treated cats showed a decrease in the hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration, values were within the reference range for domestic cats. No differences were observed in the other hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated. Our results agree with previous immunocontraception studies in cats, showing that Improvac vaccination effectively reduced sperm quality, testicular volume, and serum testosterone concentration. Further studies should be carried out to define the Improvac long-term effect.

Effectiveness of rAd26-rAd5, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBIBP-CorV vaccines for risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and death due to COVID-19 in people older than 60 years in Argentina: a test-negative, case-control, and retrospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: In January, 2021, a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 was initiated with the rAd26-rAd5, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBIBP-CorV vaccines in Argentina. The objective of this study was to estimate vaccine effectiveness at reducing risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 deaths in people older than 60 years. METHODS: In this test-negative, case-control, and retrospective longitudinal study done in Argentina, we evaluated the effectiveness of three vaccines (rAd26-rAd5, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBIBP-CorV) on SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk of death in people with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19, using data from the National Surveillance System (SNVS 2.0). All individuals aged 60 years or older reported to SNVS 2.0 as being suspected to have COVID-19 who had disease status confirmed with RT-PCR were included in the study. Unvaccinated individuals could participate in any of the analyses. People with suspected COVID-19 who developed symptoms before the start of the implementation of the vaccination programme for their age group or district were excluded from the study. The odds ratio of SARS-CoV-2 infection was evaluated by logistic regression and the risk of death in individuals with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 was evaluated by proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for possible confounders: age at the time of the symptom onset date, sex, district of residence, epidemiological week corresponding to the symptom onset date, and history of COVID-19. The estimation of vaccine effectiveness to prevent death due to COVID-19 was done indirectly by combining infection and death estimates. In addition, we evaluated the effect of the first dose of viral vector vaccines across time. FINDINGS: From Jan 31, to Sept 14, 2021, 1 282 928 individuals were included, of whom 687 167 (53·6%) were in the rAd26-rAd5 analysis, 358 431 (27·6%) in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 analysis, and 237 330 (18·5%) in the BBIBP-CorV analysis. Vaccine effectiveness after two doses was high for all three vaccines, adjusted odds ratio 0·36 (95% CI 0·35-0·37) for rAd26-rAd5, 0·32 (0·31-0·33) for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and 0·56 (0·55-0·58) for BBIBP-CorV. After two doses, the effect on deaths was higher than that on risk of infection: adjusted hazard ratio 0·19 (95% CI 0·18-0·21) for rAd26-rAd5, 0·20 (0·18-0·22) for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and 0·27 (0·25-0·29) for BBIBP-CorV. The indirectly estimated effectiveness on deaths was 93·1% (95% CI 92·6-93·5) for rAd26-rAd5, 93·7% (93·2-94·3) for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and 85·0% (84·0-86·0) for BBIBP-CorV following two doses. First dose effect of viral vector vaccines remained stable over time. INTERPRETATION: The vaccines used in Argentina showed effectiveness in reducing infection and death by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. FUNDING: None.

Lameness in Early Lactation Is Associated with Lower Productive and Reproductive Performance in a Herd of Supplemented Grazing Dairy Cows.

The main aim of this study was to assess the associations between the timing of lameness clinical case occurrence in lactation with productive and reproductive performances in grazing Holstein cows. A cohort study was carried out on a dataset with records from a commercial dairy herd (Buenos Aires, Argentina) for cows that calved and were dried off from January 2010 through June 2017. The first recorded event of lameness per lactation was considered for the study. Criteria for lactation inclusion included not having uterine diseases, mastitis, or anovulatory cysts during the studied risk period (i.e., up to 200 DIM). Therefore, a total of 7156 out of 20,086 lactations were included in the statistical analysis. The association between lameness case occurrence in lactation (cows not lame (LG0) vs. lame cows between parturition and first service (LG1) vs. lame cows between first service and first pregnancy (LG2)) with productive (i.e., accumulated milk yield to 150 DIM (MILK150) and 300 DIM (MILK305)) and reproductive performances (hazard of insemination and pregnancy) was analyzed with linear regression models and proportional hazard regression models, respectively. Lame cows produced 161 and 183 kg less MILK150 and MILK305 than non-lame herd mates, respectively. Moreover, LG1 cows produced 216 kg less MILK150 and 200 kg less MILK305 than LG0 cows, and LG2 cows also produced 58 kg less MILK150 and 158 kg less MILK305 than LG0 cows. The LG1 cows had a lower hazard of service than LG0 cows (HR = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.39-0.47). Furthermore, LG1 cows had a lower hazard of pregnancy than LG0 cows (HR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.46-0.59) and took longer to get pregnant than LG0 cows (median [95%CI], 139 [132-144] vs. 101 [99-103]). Moreover, LG2 cows had a much lower hazard of pregnancy than LG0 cows (HR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.05-0.12) and much longer calving to first pregnancy interval than LG0 cows (188 [183-196] vs. 101 [99-103]). In conclusion, cows that become lame in early lactation produce less milk and have lower hazards of insemination and pregnancy than herd mates that are healthy or become lame later in lactation. In addition, cows that become lame immediately after the voluntarily waiting period have the poorest reproductive performance (i.e., they have the lowest hazard of pregnancy and the longest calving to pregnancy interval).

Factores de riesgo asociados a la mortalidad en personas con COVID-19: Estudio de supervivencia en Argentina, 2020 / Risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19: Survival Analysis in Argentina, 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar posibles factores de riesgo asociados a la mortalidad por COVID-19 y estimar la variabilidad de la fuerza de la asociación según grupo etario, en Argentina en 2020. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo. Se presentaron las frecuencias para las variables analizadas y se aplicó un análisis de supervivencia calculando los cocientes de riesgos diarios de fallecer en los primeros 30 días luego del inicio de síntomas (HR, IC95%). Se incluyeron como predictores categóricos la edad <60 años, el sexo, ausencia de comorbilidades, asma, hipertensión arterial (HTA), diabetes, enfermedad oncológica previa (EOP), enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), insuficiencia cardíaca, enfermedad renal (ER), obesidad (OB) y tuberculosis estratificando por grupo etario. RESULTADOS: La comorbilidad más frecuente en fallecidos fue HTA. Los HR más bajos se observaron en personas <60 años (0,086; IC95%: 0,083-0,090) y sin comorbilidades (0,287; IC95%: 0,271-0,303). Los HR más elevados se observaron en personas con ER (2,05; IC95%: 1,94-2,16), insuficiencia cardíaca (1,66; IC95%: 1,59-1,73), EOP (1,65; IC95%: 1,57-1,74) y OB (1,53; IC95%: 1,46-1,6). En personas <60 años, las que mostraron una mayor asociación con la mortalidad fueron EOP y ER; en >80 años fueron ER, OB y sexo masculino. DISCUSIÓN: A medida que aumentó la edad, la magnitud de asociación entre las comorbilidades analizadas y el riesgo de fallecer fue menor. Dado que asma y HTA en >60 años no resultaron ser factores de riesgo en la presente investigación, se requiere profundizar su estudio.

Endometrial expression of key genes related to fertility in repeat breeder and non-repeat breeder cows.

The aim of the present study was to compare the endometrial gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), nodal growth differentiation factor (NODAL), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) in repeat breeder cows (RBC) and non-RBC during diestrus. Endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush technique and stored in RNA stabilizing solution at -20°C until RT-qPCR analysis. Differences in endometrial mRNA expression of selected genes were assessed by ANOVA and simple (r) and the partial correlations (rp) among selected genes were performed. Results demonstrated that mRNA expression of EGFR and NODAL were higher in RBC than in non-RBC (3 and 25-fold change, p < .01 and p < .01, respectively), while the mRNA expression of PTGS2 was lower (1.56-fold change, p < .01). Although there were no differences detected in the mRNA expression of ESR1 and PGR, there was a positive correlation between the expression of ESR1 and EGFR (0.84, p < .05) and a negative correlation between PGR and PTGS2 (-0.49, p < .05). In conclusion, the difference on the endometrial mRNA expression of the genes included in the study between RBC and non-RBC indicates a deregulation of important mechanisms that are vital to establish a successful pregnancy. Thus, the present study provides useful insight as a base for future studies to elucidate the causes of RBC.

Relationship between semen quality and seminal plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerols and proteins in the domestic cat.

OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between specific seminal plasma components - cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerols (TAG) and total protein (PROT) concentrations - and semen quality in cats. A further aim was to determine the relationship between specific seminal protein bands and semen quality. METHODS: Thirteen toms, 2-5 years of age, were included. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation every 4 weeks. Fifty-eight ejaculates were assessed for motility, velocity, volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. Samples were divided into two groups: good semen quality (GSQ) and poor semen quality (PSQ). After evaluation, seminal plasma was separated from the sperm by centrifugation and stored at -20°C. CHOL, TAG and PROT concentrations were then assessed and seminal plasma protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). RESULTS: Seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations, motility, velocity, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly higher in GSQ cats compared with PSQ cats (P <0.01). Moreover, seminal plasma SDS-PAGE analysis showed an identifiable extra band exclusively in the GSQ group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Data obtained in this study showed that seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations and specific protein bands could be used to improve semen evaluation in toms. In this sense, the 14 kDa protein band could be a valuable marker for semen quality in the cat and should be further investigated. However, more studies are necessary to determine its relationship with fertility.

Factores de riesgos asociados a la mortalidad de personas con diagnóstico de COVID-19 en AMBA notificadas al SNVS20 / Risk factors associated with the mortality of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in AMBA notified to the SNVS20

OBJETIVO Determinar los factores de riesgo (FR) asociados a la mortalidad por COVID-19 en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires y comparar los resultados en dos cohortes de acuerdo al año de inicio de síntomas. MÉTODOS Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo analizando por separado cada cohorte (2020 y 2021). Se presentaron las frecuencias para las variables analizadas y se realizó un análisis de supervivencia, obteniendo los riesgos diarios de fallecer (HR) en los primeros 30 días luego del inicio de síntomas, incluyendo como predictores categóricos a la edad <60, sexo, ausencia de comorbilidades (AC), asma, hipertensión arterial (HTA), diabetes (DBT), enfermedad oncológica previa (EOP), EPOC, insuficiencia cardíaca (IC), enfermedad renal (ER), obesidad (OB) y tuberculosis (TBC). El mismo análisis se realizó estratificando por grupo etario. RESULTADOS Las comorbilidades con mayor frecuencia en ambas cohortes fueron HTA, DBT, Asma, y OB. Para el total de los registros analizados, los menores HR ajustados estadísticamente significativos se observaron para <60 años (HR 2020= 0,08;HR 2021= 0,123) y sin comorbilidades (HR 2020= 0,29;HR 2021= 0,43). Los mayores HR ajustados se encontraron para personas con ER (HR 2020= 2,0;HR 2021= 2,2), IC (HR 2020= 1,8;HR 2021= 1,6), EOP (HR 2020=1,7;HR 2021= 1,9) y OB (HR 2020= 1,3;HR 2021= 2,4). DISCUSIÓN Las comorbilidades ER, OB, IC, EOP, EPOC, DBT y sexo masculino fueron FR asociados a la mortalidad por COVID-19, mientras que Edad <60 y AC fueron factores de protección. No se observó que asma sea un FR para morir por COVID-19 ni HTA en > 60 años. En edades más jóvenes la magnitud de asociación entre las comorbilidades analizadas y el riesgo de fallecer fue mayor. La letalidad en 2021 fue menor probablemente por la vacunación, sin embargo, en ambas cohortes la mayor parte de las comorbilidades mantuvieron la dirección de su asociación con el riesgo de fallecer.

Late embryonic losses in supplemented grazing lactating dairy cows: Risk factors and reproductive performance.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for late embryonic loss (LEL) in supplemented grazing dairy cows. Additional objectives were to assess the incidence of LEL and its association with the reproductive performance of cows. A data set containing productive, reproductive, and health records of 13,551 lactations was used. A retrospective case-control study involving 631 cows with LEL (cases) and 2,524 controls (4 controls per case within each study year) was run. A case of LEL was defined when the embryo had no heartbeat or there was evidence of detached membranes or floating structures including embryo remnants by ultrasonography (US) at 28 to 42 d post-artificial insemination (AI), whereas a non-case was defined as a cow diagnosed with positive pregnancy by US 28 to 42 d post-AI and reconfirmed as pregnant 90 ± 7 d post-AI. Four controls per case were randomly selected from the non-cases with a temporal matching criterion (±3 d around the date of the fecundating AI of the case). Multivariable logistic models were offered with the following predictors: year of LEL (2011 through 2015), season of LEL (summer vs. fall vs. winter vs. spring), parity (1 vs. 2 vs. ≥3), uterine disease (UD), non-uterine disease (NUD), body condition score at parturition, body condition score at 28 to 42 d post-AI (BCS-LEL), days in milk (DIM), and daily milk yield (MY). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 and a tendency was set at P ≤ 0.10. We found that 4.7, 22, and 23% of cows had LEL, UD, and NUD, respectively. Cases tended to have higher daily MY than controls (32.5 vs. 31.8 kg); also, cases had much longer calving to pregnancy interval (226 vs. 118 d), lower hazard of pregnancy [hazard ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.35-0.43], and higher odds for non-pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) = 2.89, 95% CI = 2.37-3.54] than controls. We found that the odds for LEL increased with parity number (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.99-3.08 for parity ≥3) and with BCS-LEL <2.50 (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.33-2.47). Conversely, the odds for LEL decreased with BCS-LEL >3.00 (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.53-0.91). The odds for LEL increased with UD (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01-1.49), NUD (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01-1.54), DIM (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.00-1.05), and daily MY (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.04-1.25) in univariable models only. Finally, the odds for LEL were not associated with year, season, DIM, and body condition score at parturition. In conclusion, LEL is associated with extended calving to pregnancy interval, and among its risk factors are parity number and BCS-LEL.

Reestablishment of sperm quality after long-term deslorelin suppression in tomcats.

The aim of the study was to determine the time after treatment with a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant until Tomcat spermatogenesis activity was restored, and seminal parameters reached pre-implant values. Tomcats (n = 6) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Three cats (n = 3) received a deslorelin implant (4.7 mG; Suprelorin®, Virbac, France) in the interscapular subcutaneous region whereas three (n = 3) received no implant and served as control group. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation every 4 wk from 3 mo before treatment (pretreatment samples) until reestablishment of pre-treatment sperm quality, 32 mo post-implant insertion (PI). Each semen sample was assessed for motility, velocity, concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. After semen collection, testicular volume and presence/absence of penile spines were recorded. Additionally, blood samples were taken to measure testosterone concentration. An increase in sperm concentration and total sperm count was present 1 mo PI despite of an abrupt decrease in serum testosterone concentrations after 2-4 weeks. This initial stimulatory effect was followed by a decrease in seminal parameters, reduction of testicular volume and disappearance of penile spines 2 mo PI. A single Suprelorin® 4.7 mg implant suppressed sperm production for 22-25 months. No clinically side effect was observed during the study period. All toms returned to their initial seminal quality 23-28 months after treatment. Therefore, we conclude that Suprelorin® 4.7 mg is a safe option for reversible reproduction control during long periods in tomcats.