Use of grayscale histogram to assess testicular changes in ram caused by heat stress

Because it detects discrete changes in tissue density, ultrasound allows an early diagnosis of physiologic changes, especially when dealing with subclinical changes. aimed to evaluate the use of quantitative analysis of the gray scale of ultrasound images of ovine testicles as a method for early diagnosis of testicular changes caused by heat stress. Testicles from ten ovine were insulated and then evaluated regarding echogenicity, echotexture, anatomical measurements, and seminal characteristics. Echogenicity was the first variable to show changes during the insulation period, as well as the first one to show evidence of regeneration of those changes. There was a correlation (p 0.05) in echotexture. Testicular measurements were only altered (p < 0.05) after insulation; however, the structural integrity of the seminiferous tubules was not altered. Echogenicity is an efficient ultrasound parameter for the early diagnosis of a testicular degenerative process as well as for the early diagnosis of its regeneration

Use of grayscale histogram to assess testicular changes in ram caused by heat stress

Because it detects discrete changes in tissue density, ultrasound allows an early diagnosis of physiologic changes, especially when dealing with subclinical changes. aimed to evaluate the use of quantitative analysis of the gray scale of ultrasound images of ovine testicles as a method for early diagnosis of testicular changes caused by heat stress. Testicles from ten ovine were insulated and then evaluated regarding echogenicity, echotexture, anatomical measurements, and seminal characteristics. Echogenicity was the first variable to show changes during the insulation period, as well as the first one to show evidence of regeneration of those changes. There was a correlation (p &lt; 0.05) between echogenicity and sperm vigor, motility, and mass sperm motility, as well as a correlation (p &lt; 0.05) between echotexture and motility. Echogenicity, motility, vigor, and mass sperm motility decreased (p &lt; 0.05) within four days of testicular insulation, and there was no change (p &gt; 0.05) in echotexture. Testicular measurements were only altered (p &lt; 0.05) after insulation; however, the structural integrity of the seminiferous tubules was not altered. Echogenicity is an efficient ultrasound parameter for the early diagnosis of a testicular degenerative process as well as for the early diagnosis of its regeneration.Because it detects discrete changes in tissue density, ultrasound allows an early diagnosis of physiologic changes, especially when dealing with sub-clinical changes. The study aimed to evaluate the use of quantitative analysis of the grayscale of ultrasound images of ovine testicles as a method for early diagnosis of testicular changes caused by heat stress. Testicles from ten rams were insulated and then evaluated regarding echogenicity, echotexture, anatomical measurements, and seminal characteristics. Echogenicity was the first variable to show changes during the insulation period, as well as the first one to show evidence of regeneration of those changes. There was a correlation (p &lt; 0.05) between echogenicity and sperm vigor, sperm motility, and mass sperm motility, as well as a correlation (p &lt; 0.05) between echotexture and motility. Echogenicity, sperm motility, vigor, and mass sperm motility decreased (p &lt; 0.05) within four days of testicular insulation, and there was no change (p &gt; 0.05) in echotexture. Testicular measurements were only altered (p &lt; 0.05) after insulation. Echogenicity is an efficient ultrasound parameter for the early diagnosis of a testicular degenerative process as well as for the early diagnosis of its regeneration

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P &lt; 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Ovarian follicular dynamics in does on anoestrous period after progestagen treatment Dinâmica folicular ovariana em cabras em anestro após tratamento progestágeno

Eighteen Anglonubian (n = 9) and Saanen (n = 9) goats were monitored by ultrasonography to characterize the follicular dynamic after induced estrus by progestagen treatment during seasonal anoestrous. In both breeds, the progesterone level reached values above 1.0 ng.ml-1 at D3 and decreased below this value at D18. Among Anglonubian goats, 33.3, 44.5, and 22.2%, respectively, showed two, three and four follicular waves while among Saanen goats 87.5% showed three and 12.5% showed two follicular waves. In both breeds differences among the days of emergence follicular waves, as well among the days that the biggest follicle of each wave reached maximum diameter were detected (P&gt;0.05). In the goats which presented three waves pattern, the emergence day of first, second and third wave occurred at days 2.0 ± 0.9; 9.3 ± 1.4 e 15.1 ± 0.8 versus 1.0 ± 0.5; 6.7 ± 0.9 e 14.6 ± 1.0 in Anglonubian and Saanen, respectively. In the early-mid luteal phase (D8 to D10) the progesterone concentration was higher in four waves goats than two and three waves goats (P&lt;0.05). The utilization of exogenous progestagen for estrous induction, during seasonal anestrous had no effect on subsequent follicular dynamic pattern in dairy goats. However, the endogenous progesterone levels in the mid luteal phase affect the turnover of dominant follicles, consequently, interfering on the number of follicular waves.Dezoito cabras Anglonubiana (n = 9) e Saanen (n = 9) foram monitoradas por ultra-sonografia com o objetivo de caracterizar a dinâmica folicular após estro induzido com progestágeno durante anestro estacional. Nas duas raças o nível de progesterona alcançou valores acima de 1,0 ng.mL-1, no D3, e declinou abaixo desse valor, no D18. Entre as cabras Anglonubiana, 33,3%; 44,5 e 22,2% apresentaram, respectivamente, duas, três e quatro ondas, enquanto entre as Saanen, 87,5% apresentaram três e 12,5% duas ondas foliculares. Nas duas raças, foram verificadas diferenças entre os dias de emergência das ondas foliculares e entre os dias em que o maior folículo de cada onda atingiu o diâmetro máximo (P&lt;0,05). Nas cabras que apresentaram o padrão de três ondas, o dia de emergência da primeira, segunda e terceira ondas ocorreu nos dias 2,0 ± 0,9; 9,3 ± 1,4 e 15,1 ± 0,8 versus 1,0 ± 0,5; 6,7 ± 0,9 e 14,6 ± 1,0 nas Anglonubiana e Saanen, respectivamente. No inicio da fase luteal média (D8-D10), as cabras de quatro ondas apresentaram concentrações de progesterona superiores às de duas e três ondas (P&lt;0,05). A utilização de progestágeno exógeno para indução de estro, durante o anestro estacional, não interfere no padrão da subseqüente dinâmica folicular em cabras leiteiras. Entretanto, o nível de progesterona endógena na fase luteal média afeta a substituição dos folículos dominantes, interferindo no número de ondas foliculares

In vitro production of small ruminant embryos: Late improvements and further research

Beyond the potential use of in vitro production of embryos (IVP) in breeding schemes, embryos are also required for the establishment of new biotechnologies such as cloning and transgenesis. Additionally, the knowledge of oocyte and embryo physiology acquired through IVP techniques may stimulate the further development of other techniques such as marker assisted and genomic selection of preimplantation embryos, and also benefit assisted procreation in human beings. Efficient in vitro embryo production is currently a major objective for livestock industries, including small ruminants. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles by laparoscopic ovum pick up or in ovaries of slaughtered females, remains an enormous challenge for IVM success, and still limits the rate of embryo development. In addition, the lower quality of the IVP embryos, compared with their in vivo-derived counterparts, translates into poor cryosurvival, which restricts the wider use of this promising technology. Therefore, many studies have been reported in an attempt to determine the most suitable conditions for IVM, IVF, and in vitro development to maximize embryo production rate and quality. This review aims to present the current panorama of IVP production in small ruminants, describing important steps for its success, reporting the recent advances and also the main obstacles identified for its improvement and dissemination

Influence of heparin or the presence of cumulus cells during fertilization on the in vitro production of goat embryos

Considerable research has been focused on in vitro production (IVP) of goat embryos to improve its efficiency. In Experiment 1, the effect of the cumulus cells by comparing slaughterhouse-oocytes denuded on purpose (DOP) prior to IVF to intact COC, and the effect of heparin during IVF were assessed. In Experiment 2, oocytes that were already denuded at collection (DOC), DOP and intact COC were studied. Three treatments used oocytes denuded at collection: DOC oocytes were cultured alone for both IVM and IVF; DOC and COC were cultured together for both IVM and IVF or DOC were IVM alone and then mixed with COC for IVF. In other treatments, COC were allocated to four IVF treatments: Intact COC; COC were denuded prior to IVF; COC were denuded and IVF with added cumulus cells; COC were denuded and IVF mixed with intact COC giving two sub-treatments: Denuded oocytes that were IVF with COC; and COC that were IVF with denuded oocytes. After fertilization, all presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8 days. In Experiment 1, the yield of blastocysts as a proportion of total oocytes was greater (P<0.05) for COC that were IVF in the presence of heparin (54%) than without heparin (42%) or oocytes already denuded at collection that were IVF with or without heparin (41%; 38%; respectively). In Experiment 2, the developmental potential of oocytes denuded at collection was reduced (cleavage and blastocyst rates calculated from total oocytes: 34%; 11%, respectively) as compared to COC (77%; 59%, P<0.05). However, when equal numbers of both were mixed at the start of IVM, the rates were not significantly different to COC alone (68%; 45%), but when both were mixed equally only for IVF, the rates were reduced (57%; 40%, P<0.05). Denuded oocytes co-cultured with cumulus cells were not significantly different to intact COC (76%; 55%). The effect of adding COC during IVF to oocytes denuded after IVM was similar to adding cumulus cells to the same type of oocytes. In conclusion, both the use of heparin and the association of oocytes with cumulus cells, either detached or in intimate contact, during IVM and/or IVF significantly improve IVP of goat embryos. Furthermore, some oocytes that are already denuded at collection will develop satisfactorily to blastocysts when matured and fertilized with intact COC

Formulação de rações para suínos em terminação utilizando valores de digestibilidade ileal verdadeira de aminoácidos

O presente trabalho foi conduzido no Setor de Suinocultura do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), MG, com o propósito de verificar o desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos em terminação submetidos a dietas formuladas com valores de digestibilidade ileal verdadeira de aminoácidos, mesmos níveis de lisina e outros aminoácidos e mesma relação entre lisina e energia metabolizável. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de quatro dietas: 1 - milho e farelo de soja; 2 - milho, farelo de soja, farelo de amendoim e farelo de algodão; 3 - milho, farelo de soja, farinha de carne e ossos e farinha de peixe; 4 - sorgo, farelo de arroz desengordurado e farelo de soja. No ensaio de desempenho, 64 suínos machos castrados híbridos comerciais com peso médio de 61,82 ± 3,10 kg alojados aos pares em baias experimentais, distribuídos num delineamento em blocos ao acaso foram utilizados. As características de carcaça foram avaliadas em um animal de cada parcela, com peso médio de 92,81 + 2,09 kg de acordo com o Método Brasileiro de Classificação de Carcaças (ABCS, 1973). Não foi observado efeito (P>0,05) sobre o consumo, ganho de peso, rendimento de carcaça, espessura de toucinho, percentagem de carne, área de olho de lombo e relação gordura/carne para qualquer dos tratamentos avaliados. Foi observada uma melhor (P<0,05) conversão alimentar para o T1. Conclui-se que o uso de dietas formuladas com valores de digestibilidade ileal verdadeira de aminoácidos para os mesmos níveis de lisina e outros aminoácidos e mesma relação entre lisina e energia metabolizável para suínos em terminação é viável tecnicamente