Parenteral supplementation of Cu, Zn and Mn enhances boars' sperm quality.

INTRODUCTION: The trace elements concentrations of blood might play a key role in the trace element concentration of seminal plasma, as well as in the improvement of semen volume and sperm morphology in boars. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of supplementation of Cu, Zn and Mn on their concentrations in blood serum and seminal plasma and sperm quality in boars. METHODS: Eighteen boars of the Duroc Jersey breed were selected and their blood and semen (54 ejaculates before supplementation) were extracted. Coinciding with the third sampling and after of blood taken, the boars were supplemented subcutaneously with 37.5 mg of Cu, 75 mg of Zn and 37.5 mg of Mn; 40 days after the supplementation the fourth sampling was taken. Cu and Zn concentrations in blood serum and seminal plasma were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while the sperm pathologies were determined by microscopy and the concentrations of Cu and Zn in blood serum and seminal plasma, and semen pathologies were compared using the t-Student test for paired samples. A simple linear correlation was made between the minerals concentration in seminal plasma with the percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal forms. RESULTS: Although the concentrations of Zn in blood serum did not show differences between sampling periods (P < 0.05), they were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the seminal plasma after supplementation as compared to its levels before supplementation. In addition, the concentrations of Cu and Zn in seminal plasma were increased (P < 0.01), and the total spermatic pathologies were reduced; especially those of the head, neck and intermediate part of the tail (P < 0.001). Besides, macrocephaly, double head and broken acrosome were the most common pathologies (P < 0.05). Moreover, parenteral supplementation of Cu, Zn and Mn was a protective factor to the presentation of ejaculates with abnormal sperm percentages higher than 10% (χ2 = 6.1544; P = 0.0131). The prevalence of abnormal shapes of boars' sperm before supplementation was 0.40; after supplementation the answer was 0.05 and the prevalence ratio was 0.13 with a confidence interval of 95% from 0.01 to 0.94. Moreover, Zn concentrations in blood serum were not correlated with those of the seminal plasma (P > 0.05, r = - 0.0353); however, the concentrations of Cu in both fluids were correlated (P < 0.05, r = 0.2254). In addition, the Zn values in the seminal plasma and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa had a negative and highly significant correlation (P < 0.0001, r = - 0.5628). However, the Cu concentrations in the semen were not significantly correlated with the abnormal sperm forms (P > 0.05, r = 0.0200). CONCLUSION: From the present study it can be concluded that in boars fed with diets that meeting their requirements in trace minerals according to NRC (2012) [1], parenteral supplementation of 37.5 mg of Cu, 75 mg of Zn and 37.5 mg of Mn increased the Zn concentrations in the seminal plasma and reduced the sperm pathologies, which resulted in an increase of the boars' sperm quality.

Uterine Involution in Hosltein cows in the province of Carchi, Ecuador / Involución uterina en vacas Holstein en la provincia El Carchi, Ecuador

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the uterine involution in Holstein cow, under the conditions of production of the bovine dairy cattle in the province El Carchi, Ecuador. Materials and Methods. Sixty cows were selected and the time for uterine involution was determined by the recto-vaginal examination, ultrasonography and the clinical score of the regression of the uterus. The statistical parameters for each variable were determined. The effect of parity and body condition (CC) on complete uterine involution was evaluated by multifactorial ANOVA and the LSD test to compare means. Results. The clinical involution of the uterus, without taking into account the clinical score occurred at 29.86±7.71 days but considering this notation was at 42 ± 0.39 days. The uterine involution took place earlier (p<0.05) in cows with BCS ≥ 3.5 at birth than in those with BCS <3.5. In second calving cows it was at 25.17±1.32 days and it was extended (p<0.05) for the third and fourth calving. The occurrence of the dominant follicle and ovulation occur at 16.63 ± 3.83 and 27.76±7.71 days, respectively. Conclusions. The clinical involution of the uterus occurred in less time when the recto-vaginal examination was considered, compared when it was evaluated taking into account the clinical score. The uterine involution process is influenced by parity and body condition at calving.

Resumen Objetivo. Evaluar la involución uterina en vacas Holstein, en las condiciones de producción de la ganadería bovina lechera en la provincia El Carchi, Ecuador. Materiales y métodos. Se seleccionaron 60 vacas y se determinó el tiempo para la involución uterina mediante la exploración recto-vaginal, ultrasonografía y la puntuación clínica de la regresión del útero. Se determinaron los estadígrafos descriptivos de cada variable. Se evaluó el efecto de la paridad y la condición corporal (CC) sobre la completa involución uterina mediante un ANOVA multifactorial y la prueba LSD para comparar las medias. Resultados. La involución del útero, sin tomar en cuenta la puntuación clínica ocurrió a los 29.86 ± 7.71 días pero considerando esta notación fue a los 42±0.39 días. La involución uterina ocurrió más temprano (p<0.05) en las vacas con CC al parto ≥ que 3.5 que en las que la tenían < de 3.5. En las vacas de segundo parto fue a los 25.17 ± 1.32 días y se prolongó (p<0.05) en el tercero y cuarto parto. La aparición del folículo dominante y la ovulación ocurrieron a los 16.63±3.83 y 27.76±7.71 días, respectivamente. Conclusiones. La involución clínica del útero considerando el examen recto-vaginal ocurrió en menor tiempo que cuando se evaluó considerando la puntuación clínica. El proceso de involución uterina está iinfluenciado por la paridad y la CC al parto.

Effects of copper parenteral supplementation on the weight gain in fattening bulls / Efecto de la suplementación parenteral del cobre sobre la ganancia de peso de toros en ceba

ABSTRACT Objective. In order to evaluate the effect of copper parenteral supplementation on cupremia and weight gain in fattening bulls. Materials and methods. Fifty animals hybrids holstein and zebu were selected, with 18-20 months of age, 210 - 220 kg body weight, clinically healthy and in a system of intensive fattening. Two groups of 25 animals were divided, one control and another supplemented with 50 mg of intravenous Cu every 2 months to complete 3 applications; hemochemical indicators and weight gain were evaluated. The variables were compared using the t-Student test for independent samples and growth curves its parameters were determined. Results. Cu supplementation increased (p<0.001) the cupremia, hemoglobin and hematocrit, and (p<0.01) the average daily gain and the weight of the bulls, with increases in weight between .86 y 9.54 % for the treated group. Final Live weight (446 and 586 kg) and average daily gain (534 and 684 g/d) in control and treated group, respectively, were higher in the supplemented animals with Cu. Conclusions. The parenteral suplementation of 50 mg of Cu increased serum levels of Cu, hemoglobin, hematocrit and live weight gain in fattening bulls.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la suplementación del cobre por vía parenteral sobre la cupremia y ganancia de peso en toros en ceba. Materiales y métodos. Se seleccionaron 50 animales mestizos Holstein x Cebú con 18 a 20 meses de edad, 210-220 kg de peso vivo, clínicamente sanos y en un sistema de ceba intensiva. Se dividieron 2 grupos de 25 animales, uno control y otro suplementado con 50 mg de Cu por vía parenteral cada 2 meses hasta completar 3 aplicaciones; se evaluaron los indicadores hematoquímicos y la ganancia de peso. Las variables se compararon mediante la prueba de t-Student para muestras independientes y se determinaron las curvas de crecimiento y sus parámetos. Resultados. La suplementación con Cu incrementó (p<0.001) la cupremia, la hemoglobina y el hematocrito y (p<0.01) la ganancia media diaria y el peso vivo de los toros, con incrementos del mismo entre el 4.86 y 9.54 %,a favor del grupo tratado. El peso vivo final (446 y 586 kg) y la ganancia media diaria de peso (534 y 684 g/d) en los grupo control y tratado, respectivamente, son superiores en los animales suplementados con Cu. Conclusiones. La suplementación parenteral de 50 mg de Cu por vía parenteral incrementó los niveles séricos de Cu, la hemoglobina, el hematocrito y la ganancia de peso en toros en ceba.

Resultados de la inducción masiva de celo mediante tratamientos hormonales en vacas / results of the massive induction of cestrous by means of hormonal treatments in cows

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de la aplicación de tratmientos hormonales a base de progesteronas (P4) y Gonadotropina Sérica (PMSG) en dos Empresas Ganaderas en la provincia cubana de Villa Clara. Se analizaron registros individuales de reproducción de un total de 5 124 hembras pertenecientes a 13 lecherias con ordeño mecanizado. Se detectó que el 41 por ciento de las hembras habían recibido al menos alguna vez en su vida un tratamiento hormonal (el 40 por ciento de éstas al menos en dos ocasiones). Se observó un creciemiento sistemático ático del número de tratamientos por año en el período estudiado(AU)

Estudio de toxicidad a dosis única oral (dosis límite) del Cieno de Acetileno en ratas Sprague Dawley / Study on toxicity at oral single dose (limit dose) of acetylene mud in Sprague Dawley rats

El cieno de acetileno se ha venido utilizando en los últimos años en diversas aplicaciones biológicas y se han realizado diversas pruebas para valorar su posible poxicidad. El objetivo del presente trabajo es profundizar en los aspectos toxicológicos de este residual