Seminal plasma Alters surface Glycoprofile of dromedary camel cryopreserved epididymal spermatozoa.

The high viscosity of Camelidae semen continues to present a major impediment for its application in assisted reproduction technology. The exposure of epididymal spermatozoa (ES) to seminal plasma (SP) may provide an approach to enhance the development of assisted reproductive techniques in these important domestic species. Since the sperm glycocalyx plays a key role in reproduction we aimed to evaluate whether SP exposure modifies the surface glycosylation patterns of cryopreserved dromedary ES. Epididymal sperm was collected through retrograde flushing of the cauda epididymidis that were obtained from orchidectomized mature dromedary bulls. The collected samples were then cryopreserved after dilution with a tris citrate clarified egg yolk extender, with and without the supplementation of 15% SP. Post-thaw carbohydrate surface profiles of both control and SP-treated spermatozoa were analyzed using 15 fluorescent lectins. Morpho-functional properties were also investigated via computer assisted sperm analysis. Lectin-binding analysis of the glycocalyx in control sperm revealed the presence of (1) N-glycans terminating with lactosamine (Con A, PHA-L, and RCA120), in both acrosomal and tail regions. Whilst (2) α2,3-/α2,6-linked sialic acids (MALII, SNA), and O-linked glycans terminating with a single N-acetylgalactosamine residue (Tn antigen) (HPA, SBA) along with galactoseß1,3N-acetylgalactosamine (T antigen) (PNA) were observed in the acrosomal cap. The expression of both N-acetylglucosamine (sWGA and GSA II) and terminalαgalactose (GSA I-B4) residues was also noted in the acrosomal cap region of control sperm. Compared with controls, SP treated samples displayed: 1) the appearance of bisected di-triantennary complex-type N-glycans (PHA-E), terminating with lactosamine, as well as an increase of O-glycans terminating with Tn and T antigens in both the acrosomal and tail regions; 2) an increase in glycans containing α2,6-linked sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine, and αgalactose in the tail region. The cytoplasmic droplets of both control and seminal plasma-treated sperm bound Con A, PHA-E, PHA-L, RCA120, HPA, PNA, sWGA, GSA I-B4, and GSA II. These results indicate that SP treatment affects the glycan composition of the dromedary camel ES glycocalyx. More comprehensive studies are required in order to evaluate the fertilization capacity of SP-treated ES in order to facilitate its application in dromedary camel assisted reproduction technology.

Retrograde flushing collection and freezing of dromedary camel epididymal spermatozoa with seminal plasma.

The objectives of this study were to describe the parameters of dromedary camel epididymal spermatozoa collected by retrograde flushing (RF) technique and to evaluate the freezability of the collected sperm, diluted with and without the supplementation of seminal plasma (SP). Two experiments were conducted: in Experiment 1, ES were recovered within 6-8 h after castration; selected samples were diluted with a Tris-citrate egg-yolk glycerolated buffer and frozen. In Experiment 2, epididymides were stored for 24 h at 4 °C before RF and semen samples were frozen after dilution with a Tris-lactose egg-yolk glycerolated extender with and without 15% SP. In Experiment 1, eight semen samples were obtained from ten epididymides with a mean of 500 × 106 total spermatozoa recovered, per flushed epididymis. Mean post-thaw motility and progressive motility were 75 and 17%, respectively. In Experiment 2, 15 samples were collected, out of the 18 epididymides (mean number of collected spermatozoa: 700 × 106), and 13 of these samples were of excellent quality. Post-thaw parameters were not satisfactory but the supplementation of the freezing medium with 15% SP improved the progressive motility and kinematic parameters of the spermatozoa.

Giant cell tumor of the bone in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao).

A 6-mo-old female scarlet macaw (Ara macao) was presented after a 2-mo period of anorexia and weakness. The bird was reluctant to fly 1 wk before referral due to a painful left wing. Physical examination revealed a firm swelling around the left shoulder. On radiographs, the diaphysis and proximal metaphysis of the left scapula were radiolucent. Computer tomography revealed an osteolytic process, suggestive of a bone tumor, affecting the left scapula. Cytology of a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the mass showed erythrocytes, a proliferation of spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells, and multinucleated giant cells (osteoclasts) suggestive of a giant cell tumor. The left wing, including the scapula, was amputated. The bird showed a fast recovery but died 1 hr later. Findings during the pathological examination were compatible with shock due to blood loss. The shoulder process was characterized as a giant cell tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first complete report of a giant cell tumor of the bone in a bird.

Chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in a blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva aestiva).

A 30-yr-old blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazon aestiva aestiva) was presented to the clinic with a history of sneezing more often during the last 2 mo. Physical examination revealed only a mild nasal discharge. Complete hematologic and plasma biochemical examination showed no abnormalities. Computerized tomography (CT) of the complete bird showed generalized lung alterations consistent with lung fibrosis. Two lung biopsies were taken. The results of the histologic examination of the biopsies confirmed the tentative CT diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis diagnosed by means of a lung biopsy in an avian species. The histologic characteristics are discussed and compared with those of human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in pigeons.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a well-studied syndrome in domestic animals. EPI occurs when severe progressive loss of tubulo-acinar tissue from atrophy or inflammatory destruction results in insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes and clinical signs of malabsorption. However, the literature on EPI in birds is limited. The syndrome has been previously described in several cases where the diagnosis was based on clinical signs due to malabsorption-like light-coloured voluminous faeces, voracious appetite, coprophagia and weight loss, and on the response to treatment with pancreatic enzyme formulas. To enable a more scientific approach to the diagnosis of pancreatic functional disorders in pigeons, reference values of plasma amylase (382 to 556 IU/l), lipase (0 to 5 IU/l), and faecal activities of amylase (13 to 16 IU/l) and trypsin (11 to 14 IU/l) were determined in 24 adult pigeons. A case of EPI in a racing pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is reported, based on the clinical signs and the measurement of faecal amylase and trypsin activity.