Reproductive characteristics of bulls from two breed compositions and their correlations with infrared thermography.

The objective was to evaluate reproductive characteristics of crossbred Girolando (Gyr x Holstein) bulls from two breed compositions and correlate these results with infrared thermography data. Evaluations were performed considering sperm motility, vigor and morphology; scrotal circumference; body morphology and temperament. Infrared thermography was performed to determine surface temperatures of ocular and scrotal areas. Thermoregulation capacity was assessed by differences between air and rectal temperatures, air and maximum temperatures in ocular and scrotal areas, and dorsal and ventral lines of the scrotum. Data analysis was performed using a linear mixed model (breed composition as fixed effect and year of evaluation as random effect). Spearman correlation coefficient was used to associate thermography and reproductive data. Girolando 3/4 Holstein bulls had higher (P ≤ 0.001) scrotal circumference and higher average body morphology and temperament, whereas 5/8 Holstein bulls had a higher (P < 0.001) percentage of major-type and total sperm defects. Girolando 3/4 Holstein bulls had scrotal temperatures 0.8 °C higher (P < 0.001) and 5/8 Holstein bulls had 9.8% and 10.6% higher differences on "rectal - scrotal area" and "ocular area - scrotal area" temperatures, respectively. Ocular area temperatures had negative correlations (P ≤ 0.1) with sperm motility and vigor, and positive correlations (P < 0.001) with minor-type and total sperm defects. Ventral line scrotal temperatures had positive correlations (P < 0.001) with minor-type and total sperm defects. Girolando 3/4 Holstein bulls were found to be superior to 5/8 Holstein bulls for reproductive characteristics. Under non-stressing climatic conditions, semen characteristics of Girolando bulls were more influenced by breed composition than by the capacity for scrotal thermoregulation. Correlations between semen quality and scrotal temperatures can aid in the identification of bulls for breeding, particularly when a large number of animals are in the tests.

Effects of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin on Ovulatory and Luteal Characteristics of Mares Submitted to an P4-Based Protocol of Ovulation Induction With hCG.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at the end of progesterone (P4) treatment on follicular and luteal characteristics during transition period (TP) and reproductive breeding season (RP). A total of 13 crossbred mares were distributed in two experimental groups in the spring and summer (n = 26). The animals received intravaginal P4 (1.9 g) releasing device from D0 to D10. On removal of P4 device, the mares received 400 IU of eCG (eCG group) or saline solution (control group). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 1.750 IU) was administered (DhCG) as soon as ovulatory follicle (OF) ≥35 mm was detected. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed from D0 until 15 days after ovulation. Blood samples were collected on D0, D5, D10, DhCG, 9 days after ovulation (CL9D), and 13 days after ovulation (CL13D). P4 and estradiol concentrations were assessed by chemiluminescence. Data were compared by Tukey test at P < .05. Ovulation rate was similar (P = .096) between seasons (RP = 100%; TP = 70%) but occurred earlier (P = .015) in RP (34.8 ± 10.1 hours) compared with TP (42.0 ± 10.4 hours). Interactions between season and treatment were observed for OF diameter (mm) (RP/control = 36.2 ± 1.8ab; RP/eCG = 32.9 ± 2.8 b; TP/control = 32.2 ± 1.2 b; TP/eCG = 37.2 ± 1.9a; P = .004) and for corpus luteum (CL) diameter (mm) on CL13D (RP/control = 25.4 ± 3.5a; RP/eCG = 22.5 ± 1.8ab; TP/control = 21.6 ± 4.9 b; TP/eCG = 27.4 ± 4.3a; P = .023), although no differences were observed for serum P4 on CL13D (RP/control = 6.0 ± 3.1 ng/mL; RP/eCG = 5.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL; TP/control = 3.6 ± 2.7 ng/mL; TP/eCG = 5.1 ± 2.3 ng/mL; P = .429) or for day of structural CL regression (RP/control = 12.8 ± 1.9; RP/eCG = 12.1 ± 1.1; TP/control = 11.0 ± 1.7; TP/eCG = 13.2 ± 2.0; P = .102). The application of eCG at the moment of P4 implant removal seemed to increase the capacity of luteal maintenance during spring TP. However, eCG treatment was worthless during the breeding season.

Effect of Using Two Cryopreservation Methods on Viability and Fertility of Frozen Stallion Sperm.

Studies involving different methods and techniques of cryopreservation and its interactions with the conception rates in artificial insemination (AI) programs are reported in the literature. This study evaluated the sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity, and fertility rates of mares inseminated with cryopreserved stallion semen subjected to different freezing methods. For this, four ejaculates from five stallions were collected and frozen in conventional (Styrofoam box) or automated system in Mini-Digitcool ZH 400. Seminal samples were evaluated after thawing for sperm motion parameters by CASA and plasma membrane integrity by epifluorescence microscopy. For the fertility trial, a cross-over model was performed using 100 cycles of 50 mares, which were inseminated by one the two freezing methods. No differences were observed for sperm motion parameters and plasma membrane integrity between groups (P > .05). The pregnancy rate using the conventional method was 56% (28/50) and did not differ (P = .5406) from the pregnancy rate (64%, 32/50) obtained using the automatized method. The use of semen from fertile stallions may not illustrate small differences in the two freezing methods evaluated. Conventional and automated freezing systems did not differ in the quality and viability of fertile stallion semen and conception rates, indicating that the two methodologies can be safely used in AI programs.

Strategies to improve the fertility of fresh and frozen donkey semen.

Fertility rates of donkey semen in jennies are lower compared to mares. The aims of this study were to evaluate different sperm cryopreservation methods and insemination strategies to improve the fertility of donkey semen in jennies. Three experiments were performed: (1) the comparison of two freezing methods of donkey semen (conventional method and automated method); (2) the determination of a suitable insemination dose of fresh donkey semen for jennies and mares; and (3) the influence of the semen deposition site on fertility of jennies inseminated with frozen donkey semen. For experiment 1, no differences were observed in total motility, angular velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and plasma membrane integrity between samples frozen with the conventional (Styrofoam box) and the automated method (TK 4000C). However, the automated method provided higher values of progressive motility and rapid cells in frozen-thawed samples in comparison with the conventional method (P < 0.05). For experiment 2, mares were bred using 500 × 10(6) fresh sperm (M); and jennies using 1 × 10(9) (J1) or 500 × 10(6) fresh sperm (J5). Pregnancy rates in M, J1, and J5 were 93% (14/15), 73% (11/15), and 40% (6/15), respectively. When using different insemination doses, 500 × 10(6) or 1 × 10(9) sperm, no significant difference was observed in pregnancy rates of mares (M, 14/15) and jennies (J1, 11/15). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the two insemination doses in jennies. However, with an insemination dose of 500 × 10(6) fresh sperm, the pregnancy rates were significantly higher in mares (M, 14/15) than in jennies (J5, 6/15; P < 0.05). For experiment 3, the inseminations were carried out in the uterine body (UB) or in the uterine horn of jennies with frozen-thawed donkey semen. No pregnancies were achieved with inseminations performed in the UB (0/12). The pregnancy rate for uterine horn group was 28.26% (13/46) and thus significantly higher than the UB group (0%; 0/12; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the automated method showed higher values on progressive motility and rapid cells parameters compared to the conventional method and can be used as an alternative for freezing donkey semen. The increase in the number of sperm cells per insemination dose using fresh donkey semen improved the fertility rates in jennies. The deep horn inseminations using frozen-thawed donkey semen increased the pregnancy rate in jennies, and the multiple inseminations may be an option to improve the fertility rates of donkey semen in jennies.

Influência da monofenilbutazona associada ou não ao omeprazol sobre o sistema digestório e renal de pôneis hígidos / Influence of mofebutazone associated or not to omeprazole on the digestive and renal tracts of healthy ponies

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram averiguar se a monofenilbutazona causa efeitos colaterais no trato digestório e lesões renais em pôneis hígidos e verificar a capacidade do omeprazol em inibir a gênese de úlceras gástricas. O experimento foi executado em duas etapas. Na primeira foram utilizados seis pôneis, sendo três deles tratados diariamente por via intravenosa (IV) com as doses de 3, 4,5 ou 6mg kg-1 de monofenilbutazona durante 12 dias. Os demais, além de antiinflamatório, também receberam 3mg kg-1 de omeprazol. Já na segunda etapa foram incluídos quatro pôneis hígidos, sendo dois tratados com doses diárias de 4,5mg kg-1 de monofenilbutazona durante 12 dias e os demais com 5mL de NaCl a 0,9 por cento, por via IV. Todos os pôneis foram submetidos à gastroscopia antes e após cada etapa experimental. Adicionalmente, na primeira etapa, foram realizadas urinálise e determinação dos valores de variáveis hematológicas (hematócrito e proteína plasmática total) e bioquímicas (creatinina, albumina, Ca+2 e P+3). Na primeira etapa, apenas os dois pôneis tratados com 6mg kg-1 de monofenilbutazona apresentaram úlceras na região aglandular, ao longo da margo plicatus. Na segunda etapa, dois animais também apresentaram úlceras gástricas, sendo que um deles havia recebido apenas NaCl a 0,9 por cento. A ocorrência das úlceras não foi influenciada (P>0,05) pela administração e pela dose da monofenilbutazona, nem pela presença do omeprazol. O efeito da monofenilbutazona sobre as variáveis hematológicas e bioquímicas foi inexpressivo (P+3) ou ausente (hematócrito, proteína plasmática total, creatinina, albumina, Ca+2) (P>0,05). Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que: a ocorrência de úlceras na região aglandular de pôneis hígidos não sofre a influência da aplicação e da dose de monofenilbutazona, quando administrada durante 12 dias; úlceras em grau 4 na região aglandular de pôneis não necessariamente estão acompanhadas de sintomatologia clínica...

This research aimed to investigate whether mofebutazone causes gastrointestinal and renal side effects in healthy ponies as well as to verify the capacity of omeprazole to inhibit the genesis of gastric ulcers. The experiment was carried out in two phases. In the first, six ponies were used, with three of them being treated daily with different doses (3, 4.5 and 6mg kg-1) of intravenous (IV) mofebutazone for 12 days. The other ponies were given 3mg kg-1 of omeprazole in addition to the anti-inflammatory drug. In the second phase, four ponies were included, with two of them being treated daily with 4.5mg kg-1 of mofebutazone for 12 days and the two remainders with 5mL of IV NaCl at 0.9 percent. All ponies underwent gastroscopy before and after each experimental phase. Additionally, in the first phase, urine, hematological (hematocrit, and total plasma protein) and biochemical (creatinine, albumin, Ca+2 and P+3) analysis were determined. In the first phase, only the two ponies treated with 6mg kg-1 of mofebutazone presented ulcers in the aglandular region along the margo plicatus. In the second phase, two animals also presented gastric ulcers, with one having received only NaCl at 0.9 percent solution. Ulcers occurrence was neither influenced (P>0.05) by the administration and dose of mofebutazone, nor by the presence of omeprazole. Mofebutazone effect on the hematological and biochemical variables was unremarkable (P+3) or absent (hematocrit, total plasma protein, creatinine, albumin, Ca+2) (P>0.05). Based on these results the following conclusions could be drawn: the occurrence of gastric ulcers in the aglandular region of healthy ponies was not influenced by application and dose of mofebutazone when administered for 12 days; grade four ulcers in the aglandular region of ponies may not be accompanied by clinical signs; healthy ponies tolerate application of up to 6mg kg-1 of IV mofebutazone for 12 days without the occurrence of renal...

Pênfigo foliáceo em um eqüino / Pemphigus foliaceus in a horse

Pênfigo foliáceo é uma rara afecção cutânea auto-imune que acomete várias espécies. Relata-se o caso de uma égua de quatro anos de idade, sem raça definida, apresentando áreas de alopecia, exsudação e crostas localizadas na face, região peitoral e membros pélvicos, além de prurido. Os exames laboratoriais para pesquisa de ácaros, bactérias e estruturas fúngicas foram negativos. O exame histopatológico revelou uma dermatite pustular intra-epidérmica com acantólise subcorneal, assim como dermatite perivascular superficial, com infiltração de eosinófilos, sendo o quadro compatível com pênfigo foliáceo.

Pemphigus foliaceus is an uncommon autoimmune skin disorder affecting various species. A case of a 4-year-old mare of undefined breed, displaying alopecic areas, exsudation and crusty lesions on the face, breast region, and hindlimbs as well as pruritus, is reported. Laboratory exams for mite, bacteria and fungal structures were negative. Histopathological exam revealed an intra dermal pustule dermatitis with acantholysis, as well as superficial perisvascular dermatitis with infiltration of eosinophyles, conditions compatible with pemphigus foliaceus.