Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species

Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla, and the pigmentation, characteristic differential features of each animal species were identified. The cuticle scale pattern was imbricate in all tested animals except in donkey, in which coronal scales were identified. The cuticle scale margin type, shape and the distance in between were characteristic for each animal species. The hair medulla was continuous in most of the tested animal species with the exception of sheep, in which fragmental medulla was detected. The diameter of the hair medulla and the margins differ according to the animal species. Hair shaft pigmentation were not detected in all tested animals with the exception of camel and buffalo, in which granules and streak-like pigmentation were detected. In conclusion, the present study provides a first-step towards preparation of a complete local reference database for animal hair identification that can be used in forensic investigations.Comment: 8 pages, 3 Figure

Comparison between Tris-buffer and INRA-82 extenders on the quality of chilled rabbit spermatozoa

[EN] The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of tris-buffer and INRA-82 extenders on the quality of cooled rabbit spermatozoa. Pooled semen samples were collected from eight New Zealand White rabbit bucks, divided into three groups and diluted 1:5 with three different semen extenders: INRA-82, tris-citrate glucose (TCG) and tris-citrate trehalose (TCT). Following dilution, the samples were stored at 5°C for up to 48 h. Sperm motility was recorded at 24, 36 and 48 h post-cooling. Furthermore, sperm viability, morphology, membrane integrity, acrosome status and DNA integrity were assessed at 24 h post-cooling. We found that progressive motility percentages were significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples diluted in INRA-82 (61.00, 53.50, 44.00% at 24, 36 and 48 h post-cooling, respectively) than those diluted in either TCG (39.25, 32.00, 19.75%) or in TCT (47.25, 40.50, 29.00%). We also reported that sperm viability, percentage of normal spermatozoa, percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosome and DNA integrity after 24 h cooling were significantly higher (P<0.05) in INRA-82 diluted samples compared to TCG and TCT diluted ones. In summary, our results show that dilution of rabbit semen in INRA-82 improved sperm physiological parameters post-cooling compared to those diluted in TCG or TCT. Our findings also suggest that INRA-82 is a promising diluent that can be used effectively to maintain the viability of chilled rabbit semen.Fadl, A.; Ghallab, A.; Abou-Ahmed, M. (2020). Comparison between Tris-buffer and INRA-82 extenders on the quality of chilled rabbit spermatozoa. World Rabbit Science. 28(1):13-18. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.12287OJS1318281Agarwal A., Saleh R.A., Bedaiwy M.A. 2003. Role of reactive oxygen species in the pathophysiology of human reproduction. Fertil. Steril., 79: 829-843. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04948-8Andrabi S.M.H. 2007. Fundamental principles of cryopreservation of Bos taurus and Bos indicus bull spermatozoa. Mini review. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 9: 367-369.Batellier F., Magistrini M., Fauquant J., Palmer E. 1997. Effect of milk fractions on survival of equine spermatozoa. Theriogenol., 48: 391-410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(97)00250-1Batellier F., Vidament M., Fauquant J., Duchamp G., Arnaud G., Yvon J.M., Magistrini M. 2001. Advances in cooled semen technology. Anim. Reprod. Sci.,68: 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(01)00155-5Brun J.M., Theau-Clément M., Bolet G. 2002. The relationship between rabbit semen characteristics and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 70: 139-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(01)00197-XBustamante-Filho I.C., Pederzolli C.D., Sgaravatti A.M., Gregory R.M., Dutra Filho C.S., Jobim M.I.M., Mattos R.C. 2009. Skim milk-egg yolk based semen extender compensates for nonenzymatic antioxidant activity loss during equine semen cryopreservation. Anim. Reprod., 6: 392-399.Carluccio A., Robbe D., De Amicis I., Contri A., Russo F., Paoletti M. 2004. Artificial insemination in rabbits: laboratory and field trial with three different semen extenders. World Rabbit Sci., 12: 65-79. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2004.580Castellini C. 1996. Recent advances in rabbit artificial insemination. In Proc.: 6th World Rabbit Congress,9-12 July, 1996, Toulouse, France. 2: 13-28.Daniel N., Renard J.P. 2010. Artificial insemination in rabbits. Cold Spring Harb Protoc: pdb.prot5358. https://doi.org/10.1101/pdb.prot5358Di Iorio, M. 2014. Cryopreservation of rabbit semen: effectiveness of different permeable and non-permeable cryoprotectants on post-thaw sperm quality and reproductive performances. Thesis, university of Molise, Italy.Di Iorio M., Manchisi A., Rocco M., Chrenek P., Iaffaldano N. 2014. Comparison of different extenders on the preservability of rabbit semen stored at 5°C for 72 hours. It. J. Anim. Sci., 13: 710-714. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.3444El-Kelawy H.M., Tawfeek M.I., El-Gaafary M.N., Ibrahim H. 2012. Viability and fertilizing ability of extended rabbit semen stored at 5°C. In Proc.: 10th World Rabbit Congress, 3-6 September, 2012, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 285-289.El-Sharkawy A.A., Hattab S.A., Ghanema I., El-Garhy M.N., Soliman M.K., El-Badry D.A. 2016. Effect of different semen extenders on post-thawing activity of Arabian stallion spermatozoa. AJVS., 2:178-182. https://doi.org/10.5455/ajvs.241513Evans G., Maxwell W.C. 1987. Salamons' artificial insemination of sheep and goats (No. Ed. 2). Butterworths: Sydney, Australia.Fadl A.M. 2016. Studies on some factors affecting freezability of stallion spermatozoa. M.V.Sc. Thesis, Cairo Univ.Fadl-Aya M., Ghallab A.M., Abou-Ahmed M.M. 2019. Quality assessment of cryopreserved New Zealand white rabbit spermatozoa in INRA-82 extender containing different cryoprotectants. World Rabbit Sci., 27: 77-83. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10892Ghallab A.M., Shahat A.M., Fadl-Aya M., Ayoub M.M., Moawad A.R. 2017. Impacts of supplementation of semen extender with antioxidants on the quality of chilled or cryopreserved Arabian stallion spermatozoa. Cryobiology, 79: 14-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.10.001Ghallab A.M., Abou-Ahmed M.M., Fadl-Aya M., Shahat A.M., El-Badry D.A., Moawad, A.R. 2019. Optimization of the Protocol for Cryopreservation of Arabian Stallion Spermatozoa: Effects of Centrifugation, Semen Extenders and Cryoprotectants. Cryo Letters, 40: 129-138.Gogol P. 1999. Cryopreservation of plasma-deprived rabbit semen. Ann. Anim. Sci., 26: 85-92.Masuda H., Nanasaki S., Chiba Y. 2004. A new extender for preservation of equine spermatozoa at +5°C. J. Equine Sci., 15 : 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.15.1Michael A.J., Alexopoulos C., Pontiki E.A., Hadjipavlou-Litina D.J., Saratsis P., Ververidis H.N., Boscos C.M. 2008. Quality and reactive oxygen species of extended canine semen after vitamin 228 C supplementation. Theriogenology, 70: 827-835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.05.043Mocé E., Vicente J.S. 2009. Rabbit sperm cryopreservation: a review. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 110: 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.08.015Palmer E. 1984. Factors affecting stallion semen survival and fertility.10th Int. Cong. on Anim Reprod and A.I., June 10-14 1984, University of Illinois, USA Vol. III, pp. 3.Partyka A., Niżański W., Ochota M. 2012. Methods of assessment of cryopreserved semen. In: Katkov II (ed) Current Frontiers in Cryobiology. In Tech Open Access Publisher, Rijeka, Croatia. 547-574. https://doi.org/10.5772/33565Roca J., Martínez S., Vázquez J.M., Lucas X., Parrilla I., Martínez E.A. 2000. Viability and fertility of rabbit spermatozoa diluted in Tris-buffer extenders and stored at 15°C. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 64: 103-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00185-8Rosato M.P., Iaffaldano N. 2011. Effect of Chilling Temperature on the Long-Term Survival of Rabbit Spermatozoa held Either in a Tris-Based or a Jellified Extender. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 46: 301-308. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01667.xRosato M.P., Iaffaldano N. 2013. Cryopreservation of rabbit semen: comparing the effects of different cryoprotectants, cryoprotectant-free vitrification, and the use of albumin plus osmoprotectants on sperm survival and fertility after standard vapor freezing and vitrification. Theriogenology, 79: 508-516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.11.008Sariözkan S., Tuncer P.B., Bucak M.N., Ulutaş P.A. 2009. Influence of various antioxidants on microscopicoxidative stress indicators and fertilizing ability of frozenthawed bull semen. Acta. Vet. Brno., 78: 463-469. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200978030463Storey B.T. 1997. Biochemistry of the induction and prevention of lipoperoxidative damage inhuman spermatozoa. Mol. Hum. Reprod., 3: 203-213. https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr/3.3.203Vidament M. 2005. French field results (1985-2005) on factors affecting fertility of frozen stallion semen. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 89: 115-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.07.003Vidament M., Ecot P., Noue P., Bourgeois C., Magistrini M., Palmer E. 2000. Centrifugation and addition of glycerol at 22 8C instead of 4 8C improve post-thaw motility and fertility of stallion spermatozoa. Theriogenolology, 54: 907-920. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(00)00401-5Zhu Z., Fan X., Pan Y., Lu Y., Zeng W. 2017. Trehalose improves rabbit sperm quality during cryopreservation. Cryobiology, 75: 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.02.00

Diagnostic importance of platelet parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to a tertiary care hospital in southwest region, Saudi Arabia

AbstractObjectiveIdentifying risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is important for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Abnormal platelet parameters, mainly platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are thought to be among these risk factors. In this study, the associations between PC, MPV and PDW and ACS were investigated in patients admitted to the tertiary care hospital in the south west region of Saudi Arabia.Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort of 212 patients with the diagnosis of ACS admitted to Aseer Central Hospital during the period extending from February 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 were included. The control group consisted of 49 matched subjects who were admitted for chest pain investigation and subsequently found to be non-cardiac chest pain after performing relevant investigations. Blood samples were taken at the time of admission for platelet parameters. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS software and P-values were considered significant if <0.05.ResultsA total of 212 patients with acute coronary syndrome (80 patients with MI and 132 patients with UA) and 49 matched controls were studied. The PC was not statistically different among the three groups (283.3±94.8×109L−1 for MI cases, 262±60.8×109L−1 for UA cases and 275.8±58.9×109L−1 for controls). The MPV was significantly larger in MI cases compared to controls (8.99±1.5fl vs. 8.38±0.51fl, respectively, P<0.009), similarly, the MPV was significantly larger in UA cases compared to controls (9.23±1.19fl vs. 8.38±0.51fl, respectively, P<0.001). The PDW was significantly higher in MI cases compared to controls (15.88±1.5fl vs. 11.96±1.8fl, respectively, P<0.001), similarly, the PDW as also significantly larger in UA cases compared to controls (18.1±18fl vs. 11.96±1.8fl, respectively, P<0.019).ConclusionPlatelet parameters mainly MPV and PDW are readily available and relatively simple and inexpensive laboratory tests which we detected to be significantly raised in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome compared with controls

Quality assessment of cryopreserved New Zealand white rabbit spermatozoa in INRA-82 extender containing different cryoprotectants

[EN] The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of INRA-82 semen extender with different cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulphoxide; DMSO vs. dimethyl formamide; DMF) on the quality of white New Zealand rabbit buck spermatozoa. We also investigated the possible association between the synergistic action of DMSO and DMF and their relation with INRA-82 extender composition. Semen was collected and pooled from 8 adult rabbit bucks. Pooled semen samples were diluted 1:1 with INRA-82 extender supplemented with DMSO 8%, DMF 8% or a combination of DMSO 4% and DMF 4%. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved in 0.25 plastic straws. After thawing, progressive motility, sperm viability, sperm abnormalities, membrane integrity, acrosome status, viability index and DNA integrity were evaluated. The results showed that dilution of rabbit buck semen in INRA-82 supplemented with DMSO and DMF (4% each) before freezing significantly (P<0.05) improved sperm motility (42.00%), percentage of live spermatozoa (45.30%), proportions of spermatozoa with intact acrosome (59.75%) and percentage of spermatozoa with non-fragmented DNA (86.04%), compared to those diluted in INRA-82 supplemented either with DMSO 8% (+9, +10, +5 and +7 percentage points, respectively) or with DMF 8% alone (+18 +18, +12 and +9 percentage points, respectively). In conclusion, dilution of rabbit buck semen before freezing with INRA-82 extender supplemented with a combination of DMSO 4% and DMF 4% improved quality of frozen-thawed New Zealand White rabbit spermatozoa. Furthermore, our results also suggest that supplementation of INRA-82 with DMSO or with DMF alone at higher concentrations deteriorates the sperm quality.Fadl, AM.; Ghallab, AM.; Abou-Ahmed, MM. (2019). Quality assessment of cryopreserved New Zealand white rabbit spermatozoa in INRA-82 extender containing different cryoprotectants. World Rabbit Science. 27(2):77-83. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10892SWORD7783272Alvarenga M.A., Papa F.O., Landim-Alvarenga F.C., Medeiros A.S. 2005. Amides as cryoprotectants for freezing stallion semen: A review. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 89: 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.07.001Ashwood-Smith M.J. 1987. Mechanisms of cryoprotectant action. In: Bowler, K., Fuller, B.J., Temperature and Animal Cells. Biologists, Cambridge, UK., 41: 395-406.Bezerra F.S.B., Castelo T.S., Alves H.M., Oliveira I.R.S., Lima G.L., Peixoto G.C.X., Bezerra A.S.D., Silva A.R. 2011. Objective assessment of the cryoprotective effects of dimethyl formamide for freezing goat semen. Cryobiology, 63: 263-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.09.136Chalah T., Seigneurin F., Blesbois E., Brillard J.P. 1999. In vitro comparison of fowl sperm viability in ejaculates frozen by three different techniques and relationship with subsequent fertility in vivo. Cryobiology, 39: 185-191. https://doi.org/10.1006/cryo.1999.2201Chan P.J., Corselli J.U., Jacobson J.D., Patton W.C., King A. 1999. Spermac stain analysis of human sperm acrosomes. Fertil. Steril., 72: 124-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(99)00201-0Courtens J.L. 1995. La congélation de la semence de lapin. Cuniculture, 123: 101-102.Cristanelli M.J., Amann R.P., Squires E.L., Pickett B.W. 1985. Effects of egg yolk and glycerol level in lactose-EDTA-egg yolk extender and of freezing rate on the motility of frozenthawed stallion spermatozoa. Theriogenology, 23: 25-38.https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691X(85)90166-9Curry M.R., Redding B.J., Watson P.F. 1995. Determination of water permeability coefficient and its activation energy for rabbit spermatozoa. Cryobiology, 32: 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1006/cryo.1995.1016Darin-Bennett, A., White, I.G. 1977. Influence of the cholesterol content of mammalian spermatozoa on susceptibility to cold-shock. Cryobiology. 14: 466-470. https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-2240(77)90008-6Di Iorio M., Rosato M.P., Iaffaldano N. 2012. Effects of semen frozen with DMA and DMSO as cryoprotectants on rabbit reproductive performances. International PhD Workshop on "Welfare, Biotechnology and Quality of Animal Production", Zielonka, (Poland), 5th-8th September, p.3.Domingo P., Olaciregui M., González N., De Blas I., Gil L. 2018. Effects of seminal plasma and different cryoprotectants on rabbit sperm preservation at 16°C. Exp. Anim., 67: 413-420. https://doi.org/10.1538/expanim.17-0152Evans G., Maxwell W.C. 1987. Salamons' artificial insemination of sheep and goats (No. Ed. 2). Butterworths. Fadl A.M. 2016. Studies on some factors affecting freezability of stallion spermatozoa. M.V.Sc. Thesis, Cairo Univ.Gao D.Y., Mazur P., Critser J.K. 1997. Fundamental cryobiology of mammalian spermatozoa. In: Karow AM, Critser JK (eds) Reproductive tissue banking. Academic press, San Diego. 263-327. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012399770-8/50007-1Gogol P. 1999. Cryopreservation of plasma-deprived rabbit semen. Ann. Anim. Sci., 26: 85-92.Graham J.K., Mocé E. 2005. Fertility evaluation of frozen/thawed semen. Theriogenology, 64: 492-504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.006Hanada A., Nagase. 1980. Cryoprotective effects of some amides on rabbit spermatozoa. J.Reprod. Fertil., 60: 247-252. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0600247Hall S.E, Negus C, Johinke D, Bathgate R. 2017. Adjusting cryodiluent composition for improved post-thaw quality of rabbit spermatozoa. PLoS ONE, 12: e0175965. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175965Holt W.V. 2000. Fundamental aspects of sperm cryobiology: the importance of species and individual differences. Theriogenology, 53: 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(99)00239-3Kashiwazaki N., Okuda Y., Seita Y., Hisamatsu S., Sonoki S., Shino M., Masaoka T., Inomata T. 2006. Comparison of glycerol, lactamide, acetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectants of Japanese white rabbit spermatozoa. J. Reprod. Dev., 52: 511-516. https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.18008Long J.A. 2006. Avian semen cryopreservation: what are the biological challenges? Poult. Sci., 85: 232-236. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/85.2.232Medeiros A.S.L., Gomes G.M., Carmo M.T., Papa F.O., Alvarenga M.A. 2002. Cryopreservation of stallion sperm using different amides. Theriogenology, 58: 273-276.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00898-1Mesa A., Henao G. 2012. Effect of cholesterol and dimethylformamide on the cryosurvival of Colombian creole stallion sperm. Revista Medicina Veterinaria Zootecnia Cordoba, 17: 2908-2915. https://doi.org/10.21897/rmvz.260Milovanov V.K. 1962. Biology of reproduction and artificial insemination of farm animals. Selihozizdat, Moscow.Mocé E., Vicente J.S. 2009. Rabbit sperm cryopreservation: a review. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 110: 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.08.015Mota Filho A.C., Teles C.H., Juca R.P., Cardoso J.F., Uchoa D.C., Campello C.C., Silva L.D. 2011. Dimethyl formamide as acryoprotectant for canine semen diluted and frozen in ACP- 106C. Theriogenology, 76: 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.05.010Olaciregui, M., Gil, L., Montón, A., Luño, V., Jerez, R.A., Martí, J.I. 2014. Cryopreservation of epididymal stallion sperm. Cryobiology 68: 91-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2013.12.009Partyka A., Niżański W., Ochota M. 2012. Methods of assessment of cryopreserved semen. In: Katkov II (ed) Current Frontiers in Cryobiology. In Tech Open Access Publisher, Rijeka, Croatia. pp 547-574. https://doi.org/10.5772/33565Pukazhenthi, B.S., Johnson, A., Guthrie, H.D., Songsasen, N., Padilla, L.R., Wolfe, B.A., Coutinho da Silva, M., Alvarenga, M.A., Wildt, D.E. 2014. Improved sperm cryosurvival in diluents containing amides versus glycerol in the Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii). Cryobiology 68: 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2014.01.013Sarıözkan S., Tuncer P.B., Bucak M.N., Ulutaş P.A. 2009. Influence of various antioxidants on microscopicoxidative stress indicators and fertilizing ability of frozenthawed bull semen. Acta Vet. Brno.,78: 463-469. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200978030463Squires E.L., Keith S.L., Graham J.K. 2004. Evaluation of alternative cryoprotectants for preserving stallion spermatozoa. Theriogenology, 62: 1056-1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.12.024Vidament M., Ecot P., Noue P., Bourgeois C., Magistrini M., Palmer E. 2000. Centrifugation and addition of glycerol at 22°C instead of 4°C improve post-thaw motility and fertility of stallion spermatozoa. Theriogenology, 54: 907-920.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(00)00401-5Viudes de Castro M.P., Vicente J.S. 1996. A simple method for freezing rabbit semen with successful results on fertility and prolificity. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 44: 195-201.https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(96)01550-3Watson P.F. 2000. The causes of reduced fertility with cryopreserved semen. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 60: 481-492.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00099-

A digital twin of liver predicts regeneration after drug-induced damage at the level of cell type orchestration

This communication presents a mathematical mechanism-based model of the regenerating liver after drug-induced pericentral lobule damage resolving tissue microarchitecture. The consequence of alternative hypotheses about the interplay of different cell types on regeneration were simulated. Regeneration dynamics has been quantified by the size of the damage-induced dead cell area, the hepatocyte density and the spatial-temporal profile of the different cell types. We use deviations of observed trajectories from simulated system to identify branching points, at which the systems behavior cannot be explained by the underlying set of hypotheses anymore. Our procedure reflects a successful strategy for generating a fully digital liver-twin that, among others, permits to test perturbations from the molecular up to the tissue scale. The model simulations are complementing current knowledge on liver regeneration by identifying gaps in mechanistic relationships and guiding the system towards the most informative (lacking) parameters that can be experimentally addressed