Exploratory study: testicular microlithiasis in cattle from the Costa Chica region

Objective. To determine the presence of microlithiasis in cattle males from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, México and to evaluate seminal quality of males affected with this pathology. Materials and methods. 77 males were evaluated in four municipalities of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Testes of the males were evaluated by ultrasonography, if microlithiasis was found, males were classified according to the number of observed points. In addition, semen samples were obtained by electroejaculation. For these samples, sperm concentration (x106 sperm ml-1) and individual motility (%) were estimated. Microlithiasis results are shown as percentage with respect to the total number of evaluated animals. Seminal traits were analyzed by ANOVA. Means where compared by Tukey test. Results. In the studied population, about 25% of the individuals evaluated showed microlithiasis. From identified cases, about 60% were classified as grade 2 (>5 <25 points). In Brown Swiss males the 3 grades of microlithiasis were identified, while in Gyr males none were identified. Regarding the seminal traits, general average for sperm concentration and individual motility was 992.5 x106 sperms ml-1 and 75.5%, respectively. Male breed did not generate statistical differences in seminal quality traits. Conclusion. The presence of microlithiasis was identified in cattle male from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, however, sperm concentration and individual motility were not affected.O Objective. To determine the presence of microlithiasis in bulls from the Costa Chica, Guerrero, Mexico, and to assess the sperm quality of the bulls affected by this pathology. Methodology. Seventy-seven bulls were assessed in four municipalities of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Bull testicles were subjected to an ultrasonography test and, in the event of microlithiasis, they were classified according to the number of points observed. In addition, semen was collected by electroejaculation. Sperm concentration (x106 sperm mL-1) and individual motility (%) were quantified from the samples. Microlithiasis results are expressed as a percentage of the total number of assessed animals. Seminal characteristics were subjected to an ANOVA and the means were compared using the Tukey test. Results. Approximately 25% of the assessed individuals showed microlithiasis. About 60% of such cases were classified as grade 2 (> 5, < 25 points). Three microlithiasis grades were identified in Brown Swiss bulls, while in Gyr bulls no grade was identified. Regarding seminal characteristics, in average, the overall sperm concentration was 992.5 x106 sperm mL-1 and the overall individual motility was 75.5%. The bull breed variable did not generate statistical differences in the seminal quality variables. Conclusion. The presence of microlithiasis was identified in bulls from the Costa Chica region in Guerrero; however, sperm concentration and individual motility were not affected

Primer reporte de Neospora caninum en el ganado bovino de la Costa Chica de Guerrero, México

Objetive: Determine the seropresevalence of N. caninum in multiparous cows with a history of abortions or those with an intergestation interval greater than one year in the municipalities of Cuajinicuilpa and Ometepec, Guerrero. Design/methodology/approach: blood samples were collected from 13 cows and two dogs in the municipalities of Cuajinicuilpa and eight cows and seven dogs in the municipalities of Ometepec. Detection of antibodies against N. caninum was done with an indirect ELISA kit. Results:  A total of 21 cows and nine dogs were sampled in the two municipalities. In Cuajinicuilapa six cows (28.6%) and 2 dogs (32%) were positive, while in Ometepec, two cows (9.5%) and two dogs (32%) were positive for N. caninum. Most of the positive dogs were in contact with positive cows and had free access to different ranches, making them migratory vectors. Limitations/implications: this is the first published record of this parasite in cattle and dogs in Guerrero and allows explaining the cause of abortion or long intervals between deliveries in apparently healthy cows. Conclusions: Overall, 38% of the sampled cows and 64% of the sampled dogs had antibodies against N. caninum, confirming that this parasite is present in two municipalities of the Guerrero state, Mexico.Objetivo: Determinar la seroprevalencia de Neospora caninum en los municipios de Cuajinicuilpa y Ometepec, en la Costa Chica de Guerrero, en vacas multíparas con historial de abortos o no gestantes por un período mayor a un año. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: se tomaron muestras de sangre de 13 vacas y dos perros en el municipio de Cuajinicuilapa y ocho vacas y siete perros en el municipio de Ometepec. Se empleó el kit para ELISA ID Screen Neospora caninum Indirect para detectar anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum. Resultados: Un total de 21 vacas y nueve perros fueron muestreados en los dos municipios. Se encontraron seis vacas (28.6%) y dos perros (32%) resultaron positivos a N. caninum en el municipio de Cuajinicuilapa. En el caso del municipio de Ometepec dos vacas (9.5%) y 2 perros (32%) presentaron anticuerpos en contra de N. caninum. La mayoría de los perros positivos a N. caninum pertenecían a los trabajadores eventuales de los ranchos, permitiendo que estos animales tuvieran libre acceso a diferentes unidades de producción, convirtiéndose en vectores migratorios. Limitaciones/implicaciones: este es el primer reporte de la presencia de N. caninum en Guerrero, permitiendo explicar, parcialmente, la causa de abortos o largos intervalos entre partos en vacas aparentemente sanas. Conclusión: El 38% del total de vacas muestreadas y 64% de los perros presentaron anticuerpos contra N. caninum, confirmando la presencia de éste parásito en dos municipios del estado de Guerrero, México