Bovine salpingitis: Histopathology, bacteriology, cytology and transcriptomic approaches and its impact on the oocyte competence.

The present study was performed to examine the histopathology, cytology, bacteriology and expression pattern of a targeted set of genes of cytokines in the oviduct of cows with inflammation (Experiment 1). In addition, the effects of oviductal fluid from cows with salpingitis on the oocyte maturation and fertilization in vitro were examined (Experiment 2). The most frequent bacterial co-infection was Escherichia coli and Fusobacterium necrophorum, which was always associated with severe histopathologic salpingitis. Out of 15 cows with histologically healthy uterus, only one cow (6.7%) displayed the histologic signs of mild salpingitis, whereas from 50 cows with endometritis, 48 cows (96%) showed histologically different grades of salpingitis. The mRNA expression of IL1ß, CD14, IL8 and CASP3 was significantly different among all groups of salpingitis (P < 0.05) with the highest level of mRNA expression in the sever grade of salpingitis. Results of experiment 2 showed a significant decline in the oocytes with peripheral free mitochondria and fertilization rate in the salpingitis group than the no- salpingitis group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that histologically detected salpingitis is in most cases associated with histologic and cytologic endometritis. The pattern of the gene expression of chemokines and cytokines was altered in association with different grades of salpingitis. Further, we observed a decline in the peripherally located mitochondria and lower fertilization rate in oocytes following addition of oviductal fluid collected from the cows with sapingitis to the maturation media.

Intrauterine infusion of blood serum of dromedary camel improves the uterine health and fertility in high producing dairy cows with subclinical endometritis.

The blood serum of dromedary camels contains a unique type of antibodies with a high potency to neutralize toxins and to identify and inactivate some bacterial pathogens. The present study was designed to examine changes in the endometrial histology of cows with no subclinical endometritis (SE) (experiment 1) and changes in the uterine cytology and endometrial mRNA expression of COX2, IL-1ß, IL-8, and iNOS following intrauterine administration of DCBS in cows with SE as compared to different common treatments (experiment 2). In addition, the effects of the intrauterine administration of DCBS were examined on the pregnancy rate in dairy cows with SE (experiment 3). DCBS did not induce any histological reactions in the bovine endometrium. The mean ( ± SE) percentage of PMNs after intrauterine infusion of Pen-Strep, DCBS and double DCBS in cows with SE differed as compared to cows treated with PGF2α and no treated cows with SE (1.47 ± 0.87; 1.43 ± 1.08 and 1.31 ± 0.23 vs 3.00 ± 0.43 and 3.5 ± 0.75, P < 0.05, respectively) in experiment 2. The mRNA expression of COX2, IL-1ß, and iNOS was reduced (P < 0.05) after treatment with Pen-Strep, DCBS and double DCBS as compared with no treated-cows with SE. The pregnancy rate after the first AI was tended to be higher (49.2 vs 39.0%), while the overall pregnancy rate was greater (P < 0.05) in cows with SE when treated with DCBS as compared to the Pen-Strep group (76.9 vs 61.0%) in experiment 3. In conclusion, serum of dromedary camel, as a non-antibiotic preparation, can improve the uterine health and fertility when used for the treatment of bovine SE.

Chemical sterilization with intratesticular administration of zinc gluconate in adult dogs: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Chemical sterilization with zinc gluconate is being developed due to its permanent contraceptive effect in prepubertal dogs. In this study, five healthy adult dogs were selected randomly. Semen samples were collected and analyzed before the study to confirm normal testicular function. Under general anesthesia, pH neutralized zinc gluconate was injected directly into their testes. Testes diameter, ultrasonographic appearance, changes in the percentage of white blood cells, and testosterone concentration were monitored twice a week before and 1 month after the injection. At the end of the study, the dogs were castrated and their testes were removed for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: The general health of all dogs was normal after the injection. The appearance of testicular swelling was limited within 2 days of treatment. The average diameter of left and right testes was 2.48 and 2.03 cm before the injection and reached to diameter 2.12 and 2.15 cm, respectively, at the end of the study. Serum testosterone concentration was 4.2 ng/ml at the start and 4 ng/ml at the end of the study. The percentage of white blood cells at the start and end of the study were within normal ranges reported for dogs. Histopathological analyses indicate a degeneration of germ cells in seminiferous tubules, but Leydig cells retained their structure. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, It is inferred that the injection of pH neutralized zinc gluconate into the adult dogs' testes resulted in the loss of sperm-producing tissue without affecting the production of testosterone and the general health of adult dogs.

CONTEXTE: La stérilisation chimique par le gluconate de zinc a été développée en raison de son effet contraceptif permanent chez le chien prépubère. Dans la présente étude cinq chiens adultes en bonne santé ont été sélectionnés au hasard. Le sperme a été recueilli et analysé avant l'étude de façon à s'assurer d'une fonction testiculaire exocrine normale. Une solution de gluconate de zinc à pH neutre a été directement injectée dans les testicules sous anesthésie générale. Le diamètre des testicules et leur aspect échographique, les modifications des pourcentages de cellules blanches sanguines et la concentration sérique de testostérone ont été enregistrés deux fois une semaine avant l'injection et un mois après l'injection. Les chiens ont été castrés à la fin de l'étude et leurs testicules conservés pour analyse histopathologique. RÉSULTATS: L'état de santé général de tous les chiens fut normal après l'injection. Les testicules présentèrent un aspect gonflé qui resta limité aux deux premiers jours du traitement. Le diamètre moyen des testicules droit et gauche fut respectivement de 2,48 et 2,03 cm avant l'injection, et de 2,12 et 2,15 cm à la fin de l'étude. La concentration sérique de la testostérone fut de 4,2 ng/ml au début et de 4 ng/ml à la fin de l'étude. Le pourcentage de cellules blanches sanguines fut dans les fourchettes de la normale pour les chiens au début et à la fin de l'étude. L'analyse histopathologique a montré une dégénérescence des cellules germinales dans les tubes séminifères, mais la structure des cellules de Leydig était conservée. CONCLUSIONS: On peut par conséquent en déduire que l'injection de gluconate de zinc à pH neutre dans les testicules de chiens adultes entraine une perte du tissu à l'origine des spermatozoïdes sans affecter la production de testostérone et l'état général de santé des chiens adultes.