[Posttraumatic stress disorder and emergency cesarean delivery: Incidence and risk factors]. / Stress post traumatique et césarienne en extrême urgence : incidence et facteurs de risque.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is declared in 3 to 6 % of postpartum women (PP) and up to 18.5 % in cases of complications of pregnancy or childbirth. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of PTSD after a red code cesarean section and to identify the risk factors among the prenatal vulnerability factors, the birth alert factors and the maintenance factors in PP. METHOD: A phone or computerized questionnaire including an Questionnaire de stress immédiat and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 was offered to patients who had a red code cesarean section between 05/12/2015 and 02/28/2021 at the University South Hospital of Reunion Island. RESULTS: Among the 555 cesarean sections selected, 329 parturients responded. The prevalence of PTSD was 20.1 % and was stable over time. The 2 risk factors found were the negative experience of childbirth and the proven traumatic experience. Prenatal vunerability factors were not found to be statistically significant. Almost 3 in 4 women had not been informed of the risk of cesarean section and more than 1 in 2 women did not have an explanation in PP. CONCLUSION: Red code cesarean sections cause PTSD in 1 in 5 women. This lasting disorder can last up to 6 years after childbirth. This indicates the seriousness of this disorder and the need to prevent it. The risk of developing it is 4 times greater in the event of a traumatic experience proven in the Questionnaire de stress immédiat. Offering this questionnaire in the maternity could be an important element of secondary prevention. The role of health personnel remains essential.

Influences of dietary supplementation with Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on stallion sperm production and on preservation of sperm quality during storage at 5 °C.

Stallion semen is damaged by oxidative stress during cooling and transport. Semen processing and extenders have been tested to improve the fertilizing capacity of semen and to preserve semen during transport. Dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants has been proposed to prevent oxidative damages. In this study, for the first time, the effect of dietary supplementation with Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on the characteristics of fresh and chilled stallion semen was evaluated. Maca is a traditional Andean crop used as a nutraceutical for the fertility-enhancing properties that are linked with antioxidant activity. The diet of five stallions was supplemented with 20 g of Maca powder daily for a total of 60 days. A control group of five stallions received the same diet without Maca. Semen was collected once before the administration of Maca (D0), twice during the administration at 30 and 60 days (D30 and D60), and finally twice at 30 and 60 days after the end of the administration (D90 and D120). Ejaculates were processed for cooled shipping at 5 °C and evaluated in the laboratory for total and progressive motility, acrosome integrity, and lipid peroxidation after collection and after 24, 48, and 72 h of storage. Dietary supplementation with Maca improved sperm concentration (from 213 ± 80.4 to 447 ± 73.1 × 106 spz/mL) and total sperm count (from 10,880 ± 4377 to 24,783 ± 4419 × 106 spz). The beneficial effects of Maca supplementation on motility and acrosome integrity in the raw semen were detected from the end of treatment with Maca (D60) until the end of the study (D120). Furthermore, during cooling storage, total motility, progressive motility, and acrosome integrity declined more slowly in the Maca-treated group than in the control group. Lipid peroxidation did not change during cooling storage in either group and did not show a significant difference between the two groups. In this study, the dietary supplementation with Maca increased sperm production and stabilized semen quality during chilled storage.

[Single-port versus mini-laparoscopy in benign adnexal surgery: Results of a not randomized pilot study]. / Cœlioscopie monotrocart versus micro-cœlioscopie dans la chirurgie annexielle bénigne : résultats d'une étude pilote non randomisée.

OBJECTIVE: Carry out a preliminary study comparing postoperative pain and intraoperative and postoperative complications between micro-laparoscopy and laparoscopic monotrocart non-oncological adnexal surgery. METHODS: All patients should benefit from a benign adnexal surgery were included prospectively from February to May 2014. The insufflation pressure, infiltration of trocar holes with a local anesthetic, postoperative analgesics were prescribed standardized. Operative and postoperative complications, type and length of hospital stay as well as EVA and analgesic consumption were recorded. RESULTS: Nine patients were included in monotrocart group versus 7 in the micro-laparoscopy group. There were no differences in operative and postoperative complications, the type and length of hospital stay, as well as cosmetics satisfaction. However, there was a significant difference in the VAS to D2 (2.15 vs. 4.08, P=0.04) and analgesic consumption at D0 (P=0.04), D1 (P=0.04), D2 (P=0.02) and D3 (P=0.01), for the benefit of micro-laparoscopy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite an enrollment of patients low, micro-laparoscopy appears to have a significant advantage over the monotrocart laparoscopy for postoperative pain in benign adnexal surgery.

A new translocation t(1p;18) in an Italian Mediterranean river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n = 50) bull: cytogenetic, fertility and inheritance studies.

In recent years increasing attention has been paid to the cytogenetic control of Italian Mediterranean river buffalo (BBU) bulls authorized as sires which are registered in the stud book. Chromosome abnormalities described in this species are mainly numerical and affecting sex chromosomes. During routine cytogenetic analyses performed on young Italian Mediterranean river buffalo bulls in the progeny test, 1 animal was found to be carrier of a never before reported translocation t(1p;18) originated by fission of BBU1 and subsequent centric fusion of BBU1p with BBU18 as demonstrated by both R-banding and FISH-mapping techniques using specific molecular markers of BBU1p (DEFB1) and BBU18 (GPI). According to sperm analyses the semen characteristics were in physiological ranges, but the calf crop percentage was only 48.77% instead of 70-80%. Cytogenetic analyses performed on 50 offspring (36 females and 14 males) showed that 15 of them (30%) were carriers of the same translocation.

X-Y aneuploidy rate in sperm of two "minor" breeds of cattle (Bos taurus) by using dual color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

The present study reports on the frequency of X-Y aneuploidy in the sperm population of two minor cattle breeds reared in Italy, namely Modicana and Agerolese, which are listed in the "Anagraphic Register of autochthonous cattle populations with limited distribution". More than 50 000 sperm nuclei from 11 subjects (5 and 6, respectively for each breed) have been analyzed by the fluorescent in situ hybridization with the Xcen and Y-chromosome specific painting probes. The fraction of X- and Y-bearing sperm was close to the 1:1 ratio in the Modicana breed, whereas in the Agerolese the Y-fraction was significantly higher (P < 0.002) compared to the X-counterpart. The mean rates of X-Y aneuploidy were 0.510 and 0.466%, respectively, in the two breeds; no significant differences were found among individual bulls within each breed. Average frequencies of disomic and diploid sperm were 0.425 and 0.085% in the former and 0.380 and 0.086% in the latter. In both breeds, (a) disomy was significantly more frequent than diploidy (P < 0.01), (b) YY disomy was significantly (P < 0.001) more frequent than XY or XX; (c) MI errors (XY disomy) were significantly (P < 0.01) less represented than MII (XX + YY disomy). Compared to the dairy (Italian Friesian and Brown) and meat (Podolian and Maremmana) breeds previously analyzed, the "minor" breeds investigated in the present study showed a significantly (P < 0.002) higher rate of X-Y aneuploidy (0.486 vs. 0.159 and 0.190%, respectively). Considering all the breeds analyzed -so far- and assuming no significant interchromosomal effect, the baseline level of aneuploidy in the sperm population of the species Bos taurus was estimated as 5.19%. Establishing the baseline level of aneuploidy in the sperm population of the various livestock species/breeds engaged in animal production could reveal useful for monitoring future trends of their reproductive health, especially in relation to management errors and/or environmental hazards.

Molecular and cytogenetic studies in a case of XX SRY-negative sex reversal in an Arabian horse.

An 18-month-old Arabian foal characterized by a stallion-like appearance was submitted for cytogenetic and molecular genetics examinations due to abnormalities of external genitalia and the presence of ovotestis-like structures in the abdominal cavity. By RB-banding the animal showed the normal female equine karyotype (2n = 64,XX). Molecular analysis revealed the absence of the SRY and ZFY genes and the presence of ZFX, a typical female equine condition. The entire RSPO1 coding region was examined to exclude its involvement. Although a SNP was found in exon 3, it was not responsible for an amino acid substitution.

Similar rates of chromosomal aberrant secondary oocytes in two indigenous cattle (Bos taurus) breeds as determined by dual-color FISH.

In vitro-matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes with corresponding first polar bodies (I pb) from two indigenous cattle (Bos taurus) breeds have been investigated to provide specific data upon the incidence of aneuploidy. A total of 165 and 140 in vitro-matured MII oocytes of the Podolian (PO) and Maremmana (MA) breeds, respectively, were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using Xcen and five chromosome-specific painting probes. Oocytes with unreduced chromosome number were 13.3% and 6.4% in the two breeds, respectively, averaging 10.2%. In the PO, out of 100 MII oocytes + I pb analyzed, two oocytes were nullisomic for chromosome 5 (2.0%) and one disomic for the same chromosome (1.0%). In the MA, out of 100 MII oocytes + I pb, one oocyte was found nullisomic for chromosome 5 (1.0%) and one was disomic for the X chromosome (1.0%). Out of 200 MII oocytes + I pb, the mean rate of aneuploidy (nullisomy + disomy) for the two chromosomes scored was 2.5%, of which 1.5% was due to nullisomy and 1.0% due to disomy. By averaging these data with those previously reported on dairy cattle, the overall incidence of aneuploidy in cattle, as a species, was 2.25%, of which 1.25% was due to nullisomy and 1.0% due to disomy. The results so far achieved indicate similar rates of aneuploidy among the four cattle breeds investigated. Interspecific comparison between cattle (Xcen-5 probes) and pig (Sus scrofa domestica) (1-10 probes) also reveal similar rates. Further studies are needed that use more probes to investigate the interchromosomal effect. Establishing a baseline level of aneuploidy for each species/breed could also be useful for improving the in vitro production of embryos destined to the embryo transfer industry as well as for monitoring future trends of the reproductive health of domestic animals in relation to management errors and/or environmental hazards.

Incidence of X-Y aneuploidy in sperm of two indigenous cattle breeds by using dual color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

The present study reports on the incidence of X-Y aneuploidy in the sperm population of two indigenous cattle breeds reared in Italy for beef purposes, the Podolian and Maremmana. Totally, more than 50 000 sperm nuclei from 10 subjects (5 from each breed) have been fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyzed by using Xcen- and Y-chromosome-specific painting probes. In both breeds, the fraction of Y-bearing sperm was significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared with the X-counterpart. The rates of X-Y aneuploidy were 0.180% and 0.200%, respectively, in the Podolian and Maremmana. No significant interindividual differences were found. Average frequencies of disomic and diploid sperm were 0.149% and 0.031% in the former and 0.098% and 0.102% in the latter. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among the XX-XY and YY-disomy classes in both breeds, while diploidy classes were uniformly represented. In the Podolian breed, disomies were more frequent than diploidies (P < 0.05), whereas in the Maremmana they showed similar frequencies. In both breeds disomies arising from errors in meiosis I (X-Y disomies) were more represented than those arising in meiosis II (XX and YY), while this difference was not detected for diploidies. The present study provides specific information on the incidence of X-Y sperm aneuploidy in two indigenous breeds of cattle, in order to establish a breed-specific 'aneuploidy data-base' that could be used as reference for genetic improvement and future monitoring of the reproductive health of the breed.

A rare case of centric fission and fusion in a river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n = 50) cow with reduced fertility.

A 5-year-old river buffalo cow underwent cytogenetic investigation since it had only one male offspring, apparently with normal body constitution, which died one month after birth. The female carrier had normal body conformation and internal sex adducts, as revealed by rectal palpation performed by a specialist veterinary practitioner. The cow was found to carry a complex and rare chromosome abnormality. Indeed, a centric fission of one river buffalo (BBU) chromosome 1 with a subsequent (or simultaneous) centric fusion of BBU1p with BBU23 was revealed by both RBA-banding and specific molecular markers of BBU1p (DEFB1) and BBU23 (ACTA2). CBA-banding revealed a pale, very small C-band in the der1 (BBU1q) and a prominent C-band on the new biarmed chromosome originated by rob(1p;23). Both telomeric probes and AgNOR staining confirmed the Robertsonian translocation (rob), both FITC-signals and the NORs (BBU23) being telomerically located. Furthermore, telomeric signals on der1 (BBU1q) indicate that these 2 chromosomal events may be the result of a reciprocal translocation which occurred between BBU1 and BBU23.

Frequency of aneuploidy in in vitro-matured MII oocytes and corresponding first polar bodies in two dairy cattle (Bos taurus) breeds as determined by dual-color fluorescent in situ hybridization.

The current study was undertaken to investigate the aneuploidy rates in in vitro-matured meiosis II (MII) oocytes and corresponding first polar bodies in two dairy cattle (Bos taurus) breeds by using dual-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A total of 159 and 144 in vitro-matured MII oocytes of the Italian Friesian and Italian Brown breeds, respectively, were obtained according to the standard methods and analyzed by FISH using "Xcen" and "5" chromosome-specific painting probes, produced by chromosome microdissection and Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primer- Polymerase Chain Reaction (DOP-PCR). Oocytes with unreduced chromosome number were 10.1% and 16.7% in the two breeds, respectively. To avoid bias due to possible artifacts, the aneuploidy rates were determined by analyzing only oocytes with the corresponding polar bodies. In the Italian Friesian, 100 of 143 (69.9%) secondary MII oocytes showed clear MII plates with corresponding first polar bodies and were scored for aneuploidy detection; one oocyte was "nullisomic" for chromosome X (1.0%) and one "disomic" for chromosome 5 (1.0%). In the Italian Brown, 100 of 120 (83.3%) MII oocytes with corresponding first polar bodies were analyzed; one oocyte was nullisomic (1.0%) and one was disomic (1.0%), both for chromosome 5. Totally, 303 oocytes were analyzed, 40 of which showed an unreduced chromosome complement (13.2%); of 200 MII oocytes with the corresponding first polar bodies, the aneuploidy rate (nullisomy+disomy) for the two chromosomes scored was 2%. Assuming that each chromosome is equally involved in aneuploidy, it results that in cattle oocytes matured in vitro, at least 30% of the oocytes (1x30 haploid chromosomes) should be aneuploid. Premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) was also observed in 2% of the oocytes in the Italian Friesian breed involving chromosome 5 and in 1% of the Italian Brown breed involving the X chromosome. Estimation of the "baseline" level of aneuploidy in the in vitro-matured oocytes of the various domestic animal species and breeds is, to our opinion, a useful reference for improving the in vitro production of embryos as well as for monitoring future trends of the reproductive health of the species/breeds engaged in zootechnical productions, especially in relation to management errors and environmental hazards.

X-Y sperm aneuploidy in 2 cattle (Bos taurus) breeds as determined by dual color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

The present study was undertaken to investigate aneuploidy rates in the sperm populations of 2 cattle (Bos taurus) breeds by using dual color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with Xcen and Y chromosome-specific painting probes, obtained by chromosome microdissection and DOP-PCR. Frozen semen from 10 Italian Friesian and 10 Italian Brown testing bulls was used for the investigation. For each bull, more than 5,000 sperm were analyzed, for a total of 52,586 and 51,342 sperm cells for the 2 breeds, respectively. The present study revealed - in both breeds - a preponderance of the Y-bearing sperm compared to the X-bearing sperm. Within each breed, a statistically significant variation in the various classes of aneuploidy (XX, YY and XY) was found: differences were found in the Friesian breed among the 3 diploidy classes, and in the Brown breed, among the 3 disomy classes (p < 0.05) as well as among the 3 diploidy classes (p < 0.01). However, the 2 breeds did not differ significantly in the overall mean rates of X-Y aneuploidy (disomy + diploidy) which amounts to 0.162% in the Italian Friesian and 0.142% in the Italian Brown. When meiosis I (MI) and II (MII) errors were compared, statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the disomy classes and in both breeds, whereas the differences between diploidy classes were not significant. Compared to humans, a lower level of aneuploidy has been found in the domestic species analyzed so far. The present study contributes to the establishment of a baseline level of aneuploidy in the sperm populations of 2 cattle breeds which could be used for monitoring future trends of reproductive health, especially in relation to environmental changes and mutagens.

The 450-band resolution G- and R-banded standard karyotype of the donkey (Equus asinus, 2n = 62).

Donkey chromosomes were earlier characterized separately by C-, G- and R-banding techniques. However, direct comparisons between G- and R-banding patterns have still not been carried out in this species. The present study reports this comparison at the 450-band level by using replication G- and R-banding patterns. Two sets of synchronized lymphocyte cultures were set up to obtain early (GBA+CBA-banding) and late (RBA-banding) BrdU incorporation. Slides were stained with acridine orange and observed under a fluorescence microscope. Reverse GBA+CBA- and RBA-banded karyotypes at the 450-band level were constructed. To verify G- and R-banding patterns in some acrocentric chromosomes, sequential GBA+CBA/Ag-NORs and RBA/Ag-NORs were also performed. The results of CBA-banding patterns obtained in 12 animals from 2 breeds showed a pronounced polymorphism of heterochromatin, especially in EAS1q-prox. Ideogrammatic representations of G- and R-banded karyotypes were constructed using only one common G- and R-banding nomenclature. In the present study both G- and R-banding patterns and relative ideograms are presented as standard karyotype for this species at the 450-band level.

Chromosome instability in Mediterranean Italian buffaloes affected by limb malformation (transversal hemimelia).

For several years, a genetic disease called transversal hemimelia (TH), also known as congenital amputation, has been spreading in Mediterranean Italian buffalo. TH is characterized by the lack of limb distal structures, normally developing proximally to the malformed limb and being amputated at different points distally. A sample of 13 animals affected by TH was examined using the chromosome aberration (CA) test to better characterize chromosome instability already emerging in a preliminary study where we found a significantly higher difference (P < 0.001) in the mean rate of sister chromatid exchange/cell (8.80 +/- 3.19) performed in 10 malformed animals, when compared with the control (6.61 +/- 2.73). The percentage of aneuploid cells was higher in animals with TH (12.76) than in control animals (7.85). Mean gaps are greater in cells of animals with TH (6.62 +/- 2.38) than those found in the control (2.86 +/- 1.01) and similar results were obtained in chromatid breaks (0.13 +/- 0.31 and 0.07 +/- 0.06, respectively), chromosome breaks (0.11 +/- 0.27 and 0.06 +/- 0.13, respectively) and CAs excluding gaps (0.24 +/- 0.47 and 0.13 +/- 0.18, respectively). All these differences are statistically highly significant (P < 0.001).

Analysis of STAT5A/AvaI gene polymorphism in four Italian cattle breeds.

The STAT5A/AvaI polymorphism was investigated with PCR-RFLP in a sample of 339 cattle belonging to four breeds: Italian Friesian, Jersey, Italian Brown, and Podolica reared in south Italy. All three possible genotypes for the C/T polymorphism were identified. In these breeds, PCR-RFLP showed the predominance of the TT genotype in Italian Brown and Jersey cows; in Podolica and Italian Friesian CT is the most frequent genotype. The frequency of the T allele ranged from 0.55 to 0.81 in the analyzed populations. The distribution of genotypic and allelic frequencies at this locus was significantly different among the four populations based on a chi2 test (P < 0.001), suggesting that the molecular characteristics of the STAT5A gene could be significantly affected by the breed selection. Gene heterozygosity, gene homozygosity, effective allele number, fixation index, and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated. The observed heterozygosity, as well as the Ne and PIC values, indicates high genetic variability in the Podolica breed. Podolica could be considered an interesting reservoir of genetic diversity for a species under high selective pressure elsewhere.

Sex chromosome abnormalities and sterility in river buffalo.

Thirteen male river buffaloes, 119 females with reproductive problems (which had reached reproductive age but had failed to become pregnant in the presence of bulls) and two male co-twins underwent both clinical and cytogenetic investigation. Clinical analyses performed by veterinary practitioners revealed normal body conformation and external genitalia for most females. However, some subjects showed some slight male traits such as large base horn circumference, prominent withers and tight pelvis. Rectal palpation revealed damage to internal sex adducts varying between atrophy of Mullerian ducts to complete lack of internal sex adducts (with closed vagina). All bulls had normal karyotypes at high resolution banding, while 25 animals (23 females and 2 male co-twins) (20.7%) with reproductive problems were found to carry the following sex chromosome abnormalities: X monosomy (2 females); X trisomy (1 female); sex reversal syndrome (2 females); and free-martinism (18 females and 2 males). All female carriers were sterile.

Clinical, cytogenetic and molecular evaluation in a dog with bilateral cryptorchidism and hypospadias.

The aim of this study was to estimate prognostic factors in a Dalmatian dog with bilateral cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses revealed a normal karyotype (2n = 78,XY) and the presence of SRY, INSL3 and RXFP2 genes with a normal DNA sequence for SRY and RXFP2, while the INSL3 sequence differed slightly from the normal one due to a heterozygous nucleotide change involving amino acid 22 of the INSL3 dog precursor protein. Levels of plasmatic testosterone were only 0.01 ng/ml, while FSH and LH serum levels were not detectable. After the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test, the serum testosterone level was 0.01 ng/ml. Therefore, the phenotypic aetiology of this subject can not be well-defined because cryptorchidism and hypospadias were frequent clinical features with high genetic heterogeneity.

Chromosomal expression and localization of aphidicolin-induced fragile sites in the standard karyotype of river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The present study reports on the chromosomal expression and localization of aphidicolin-induced fragile sites in the standard karyotype of river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n = 50) with the aim of establishing a 'fragile site map' of the species. Totally, 400 aphidicolin-induced breakages were analyzed from eight young and clinically healthy animals, four males and four females; these breakages were localized in 106 RBG-negative chromosome bands or at the band-interband regions. The number of breakages per chromosome did not vary statistically 'among' the animals investigated but the differences among individual chromosomes were highly significant thus indicating that the chromosomal distribution of the breakages is not random and appears only partially related to chromosome length. Fragile sites were statistically determined as those chromosomal bands showing three or more breakages. In the river buffalo karyotype, 51 fragile sites were detected and localized on the standardized ideogram of the species. The most fragile bands were as follows: 9q213 with 24 breakages out of 400; 19q21 with 16, 17q21 and inacXq24 with 15, 15q23 with 13 and 13q23 with 12 breaks, respectively. Previous gene mapping analysis in this species has revealed that the closest loci to these fragile sites contain genes such as RASA1 and CAST (9q214), NPR3 and C9 (19q19), PLP and BTK (Xq24-q25), OarCP09 (15q24), and EDNRB (13q22) whose mutations are responsible for severe phenotypic malformations and immunodeficiency in humans as well as in mice and meat quality in pigs. Further cytogenetic and molecular studies are needed to fully exploit the biological significance of the fragile sites in karyotype evolution of domestic animals and their relationships with productive and reproductive efficiency of livestock.

Increased SCE levels in Mediterranean Italian buffaloes affected by limb malformation (transversal hemimelia).

In recent years some buffalo farms in Campania have reported the birth of calves with limb malformation, especially with transversal hemimelia. We investigated 20 Mediterranean Italian buffaloes (8 males and 12 females) from one day to six months of age, of which 10 were affected by transversal hemimelia (group 1) and 10 were healthy controls (group 2). The following clinical and radiological patterns were observed in the malformed animals: hind limbs amputated, the right amputated off the second tarsus bones and the left amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus, and the right thoracic limb hypoplasic (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus (2 females and 1 male); left hind limb amputated off the third tarsus bones (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the tibia (1 female and 1 male); left hind limb amputated off the distal epiphysis metatarsus (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the first phalanx (1 male); right hind limb amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus (1 male). In their malformed limbs all the animals presented more or less developed outlines of claws. The mean rate of SCE/cell in animals with transversal hemimelia was 8.80 +/- 3.19, that of the controls 6.61 +/- 2.73. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

XX/XY chimerism in cattle: clinical and cytogenetic studies.

The freemartin condition represents the most frequent form of intersexuality found in cattle, and occasionally in other species. Freemartinism arises when vascular connections occur between placentae of developing heterosexual twin foetuses, XX/XY chimerism develops, and ultimately there is masculinisation of the female tubular reproductive tract to varying degrees. The aim of this work was to report the clinical and cytogenetic studies performed in 28 cattle co-twins, 24 of which were cytogenetically chimeric (2n = 60, XX/XY), raised in the region of Campania (southern Italy). Clinical findings of the 16 freemartin females examined varied greatly, from a more female phenotype (normal body conformation with the presence of a blind-ending vagina and primordial ovarian and uterus structures) to a nearly male phenotype (body conformations with male traits and presence of primordial prepuce, penis and testicles). The 8 freemartin males, in spite of the presence of XX cells, had a normal body conformation and external genitalia and some of them were fertile. In addition to cytogenetic diagnosis we also verified chromosome fragility by testing for chromosome aberration (CA: aneuploidy, gaps, chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and fragments) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE). Freemartins showed a higher percentage of aneuploid cells and significant statistical differences in mean values of gaps, chromatid breaks and chromosome breaks when compared with control animals. To our knowledge, this is the first time that chromosome instability has been evaluated by analyses of CA and SCE in freemartin cattle.

Chromosome fragility in cattle with chronic enzootic haematuria.

Chronic enzootic haematuria (CEH) is a severe syndrome due to prolonged ingestion of toxic principles of bracken fern, such as quercetin and ptaquiloside. Little information is available on chromosomal instability of cattle with access to bracken fern and suffering from CEH. In the present study, 45 cattle, aged from 7 to 12 years and pastured in the south of Italy, were cytogenetically investigated for the first time in search of both chromosomal aberrations (aneuploidy, gaps, chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and fragments) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). Of these animals, 30 (group 1) had access to bracken fern and showed signs of CEH, and 15 (group 2; control) did not. Percentage of abnormal cells (aneuploidy, chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and fragments) was higher in animals affected by CEH (34.7%, group 1) than that (24.3%) reached in the control (group 2). The same results were achieved when including gaps. Indeed, the mean number of cells with structural aberrations excluding gaps (chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and fragments) per cell was higher (P<0.001) in animals affected by CEH (0.16+/-0.36) than that (0.09+/-0.29) found in the control. Chromosome fragility in cells of animals affected by CEH was also confirmed when applying the SCE test: statistically higher levels (P<0.001) of SCEs were observed in animals with CEH (7.35+/-3.59 SCE/cell, group 1) than those in the control (5.40+/-2.68 SCE/cell).