Control de la reproducción en carnívoros de zoológico

Las mejoras en los programas reproductivos y las condiciones de vida en los zoológicos han ocasionado un exceso de animales en relación a las posibilidades de espacio y mantención. Además, se hace necesario evitar el inbreeding que se produce en grupos poblacionales cerrados y también preservar las interacciones sociales manteniendo agrupados los animales. Todas estas razones han provocado una aumentada necesidad de métodos de control de la reproducción en animales de zoológico. Muchos de los métodos disponibles en la actualidad para el control de la reproducción en carnívoros de zoológico han sido extensamente probados en los domésticos; no obstante, algunos aspectos diferenciales de la fisiología reproductiva como la estacionalidad y las características de ovulación deben ser considerados previo a la aplicación de resultados en especies silvestres. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir brevemente los principales métodos de control de la reproducción (prevención de los ciclos e interrupción de la gestación) existentes en la actualidad en los carnívoros.Improved living conditions and reproduction techniques in captive animals have increased the longevity and fecundity rates, thus contraception has become very important in zoos. Reproduction control is needed to prevent crowding in the available space, inbreeding, and also to allow normal social interactions among groups of animals. Much of what is known of carnivores reproduction control has been studied in detail in the domestic dog and cat; howerer, due to some physiological differences (e.g. seasonality, ovulation characteristics), results from domestic dogs and cats should be taken with caution before applying in wild carnivores. The aim of this review is to briefly describe the main contraceptive methods available for carnivores.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Ejaculation training, seminal alkaline phosphatase and semen preservation through cooling in a milk-based extender in domestic cats

The purpose of this report is to describe (1) the training of domestic cats in ejaculation into an artificial vagina (AV), (2) alkaline phosphatase (AP) concentrations in whole ejaculates, and (3) the in vitro effect of a skimmed-milk plus egg yolk (SM-Y) extender on feline spermatozoa incubated at 4ºC. Five post-pubertal cats were trained to ejaculate into an AV three times a week for 20 mins in the presence of a teaser queen. Fifty AV-obtained ejaculates were macro- and microscopically assessed, and the AP therein measured by optimized colorimetry. Eighty AV-obtained ejaculates were pooled, diluted in SM-Y extender [80% (v/v) skimmed milk, 20% (v/v) egg yolk, and antibiotics], stored at 4°C and evaluated daily for 6 days. All the animals could be trained to ejaculate, although the interval up to the first AV ejaculation varied from 1.5 to 5.5 months (mean 3.9 months). The final performance at collection ranged from excellent to poor and was inversely related to the training period required in all cases. The mean AP concentration in whole ejaculates was 20,645.6 ± 4405U/l, which was not correlated with the concentration of spermatozoa. Most seminal parameters [(%); total (77 ± 2.3) and progressive (62.7 ± 3.4) motility, live sperm (91.8 ± 1.2), intact plasmalemma (83.5 ± 2.6), normal acrosomes (83.5 ± 2.6), pH (6.6 ± 0.0) and osmolarity (mOsm/l; 321 ± 5.2)], though decreasing during storage in the cold, remained within values compatible with in vivo fertilization for 2 days.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

A systematic review of reproductive physiology of jaguars (Panthera onca)

The jaguar (Panthera onca), the largest felid in the Americas, has been classified by IUCN as „near-threatened‟. The purpose of this review was to gather the current knowledge on jaguar reproduction. Information from over forty-five sources has been selected. Jaguars have been classified as polyestrous with generally an inducedovulation, with a moderate incidence of spontaneity. Estrus, estrous cycle and pseudopregnancy lengths varied from 4 to 17, and 22 to 63, and 14 to 67 days, respectively. Ejaculate volume is around 3.9 ml and the spermatogenic cycle takes 57.7 ± 0.07 days. In spite of its low gonadosomatic index, the whole spermatogenic process in jaguars is more efficient than that of the domestic cat. Although minor seasonal variation in most reproductive traits has been found at the studied latitudes, local rains seemed to have an effect. Gestation takes from 91 to 111 days. Females queen one to four immature cubs. As evidenced by the wide range reported for most reproductive parameters further work is still necessary to achieve fundamental knowledge that could facilitate breeding, management and conservation activities.Fil: Ortiz, Gala. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Centro de Fisiologia Reproductiva y Metodos Complementarios de Diagnostico.; ArgentinaFil: Batista, Pablo Rodrigo. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Centro de Fisiologia Reproductiva y Metodos Complementarios de Diagnostico.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Blanco, Paula Graciela. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Centro de Fisiologia Reproductiva y Metodos Complementarios de Diagnostico.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gobello, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Centro de Fisiologia Reproductiva y Metodos Complementarios de Diagnostico.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

In vitro and in vivo assessment of skim milk with and without egg yolk on canine spermatozoa incubated at 4ºC

The aims of this study were to assess and compare the effect of skim milk with (MEY) and without (SMI) egg yolk on canine spermatozoa incubated at 4ºC in vitro and to evaluate the efficacy of MEY in vivo. Also, the effect of semen cooled storage before freezing was also evaluated in vitro. The ejaculates of 10 dogs were collected, pooled, centrifuged, and divided into 4 aliquots and diluted in one of the following 4 diluents: Prostatic fluid (PRO), commercial diluent (COM), SMI, or MEY. Extended samples were stored at 4°C and evaluated daily for 6 days. Percentage of total (P 0.1) bitches from each group became pregnant and whelped normally. MEY extended semen samples were cooled for 2, 24, or 48 h at 4°C, and a second dilution was performed prior to freezing and thawing. Post-thaw total and forward sperm motility decreased with increasing cooled storage (P < 0.05), although no significant differences in total or forward motility, normal acrosomes, positive endosmosis, live spermatozoa, or positive endosmosis were found between 2 and 24 h storage. These in vitro and in vivo results show that MEY can be considered a simple, inexpensive, and efficient diluent for canine semen chilling. Furthermore, MEY could be successfully frozen after 1 day of cooled storage.Fil: Díaz, Jorge Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Corrada, Yanina Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Blanco, Paula Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Gobello, María Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Uma apresentação clínica atípica para o primeiro isolamento do herpesvirus canino 1 na Argentina

Canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) is a Varicellovirus of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, and order Herpesvirales, with a host range restricted to domestic and wild canids (Remond et al., 1996). CaHV-1 was first recognized as the agent responsible for causing a highly fatal hemorrhagic viral disease in newborn puppies in 1965. Apart from being an important disease in newborn puppies, CaHV-1 also affects reproduction of dogs in other ways: the virus may cause vesicular lesions in the vestibulum and vagina of the bitch, as well as on the penis and the preputial mucosa of dogs and may cause embryonic resorption, abortion, and fetal death (Carmichael, 1970).Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Uma apresentação clínica atípica para o primeiro isolamento do herpesvirus canino 1 na Argentina

Canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) is a Varicellovirus of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, and order Herpesvirales, with a host range restricted to domestic and wild canids (Remond et al., 1996). CaHV-1 was first recognized as the agent responsible for causing a highly fatal hemorrhagic viral disease in newborn puppies in 1965. Apart from being an important disease in newborn puppies, CaHV-1 also affects reproduction of dogs in other ways: the virus may cause vesicular lesions in the vestibulum and vagina of the bitch, as well as on the penis and the preputial mucosa of dogs and may cause embryonic resorption, abortion, and fetal death (Carmichael, 1970).Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Hétérogénéité de la prolactine circulante chez la chienne

Different molecular forms of circulating prolactin (PRL) are known to occur in several species. As no such information was available in dogs, we assessed the molecular profile of circulating PRL in bitches. Pooled sera from covertly (CTRL) and overtly pseudopregnant (PSPT) diestrous bitches with high or low (> 10 or -1, respectively) serum PRL (measured by ELISA) were analyzed by Sephadex G-100 and Concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. Four serum PRL fractions were identified and termed big-big, big (> 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) and fragmented ( 10 ou -1 respectivement; dosages effectués par Elisa). Les sérums ont été analysés sur colonne de Séphadex G-100 et par chromatographie d’affinité, sur colonne de Sépharose couplée à de la Concanavaline A. La chromatographie sur G-100 a identifié quatre fractions de PRL, qui ont été appelées big-big, big (PM < 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) et fragmentée (< 20 kDa). Les pourcentages relatifs de ces fractions sont identiques chez les CTRL et les PSPT, quel que soit le taux, élevé ou bas, de PRL sérique (plus haut chez les animaux CTRL). De plus, une proportion importante de PRL sérique (69 à 100 %) est sous fonne glycosylée. En conclusion, la PRL sérique se trouve, chez le chien, sous des tonnes moléculaires multiples, dont l’abondance relative est comparable chez la chienne normale et pseudogestante.Facultad de Ciencias VeterinariasInstituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Hétérogénéité de la prolactine circulante chez la chienne

Different molecular forms of circulating prolactin (PRL) are known to occur in several species. As no such information was available in dogs, we assessed the molecular profile of circulating PRL in bitches. Pooled sera from covertly (CTRL) and overtly pseudopregnant (PSPT) diestrous bitches with high or low (> 10 or -1, respectively) serum PRL (measured by ELISA) were analyzed by Sephadex G-100 and Concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. Four serum PRL fractions were identified and termed big-big, big (> 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) and fragmented ( 10 ou -1 respectivement; dosages effectués par Elisa). Les sérums ont été analysés sur colonne de Séphadex G-100 et par chromatographie d’affinité, sur colonne de Sépharose couplée à de la Concanavaline A. La chromatographie sur G-100 a identifié quatre fractions de PRL, qui ont été appelées big-big, big (PM < 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) et fragmentée (< 20 kDa). Les pourcentages relatifs de ces fractions sont identiques chez les CTRL et les PSPT, quel que soit le taux, élevé ou bas, de PRL sérique (plus haut chez les animaux CTRL). De plus, une proportion importante de PRL sérique (69 à 100 %) est sous fonne glycosylée. En conclusion, la PRL sérique se trouve, chez le chien, sous des tonnes moléculaires multiples, dont l’abondance relative est comparable chez la chienne normale et pseudogestante.Facultad de Ciencias VeterinariasInstituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Feline testicular ultrasonogram differentiates pre vs. postpubertal and normal vs. disrupted spermatogenesis

The aims of this study were: to ultrasonograhically describe and compare testicular parenchyma echogenicity and heterogeneity using digital image analysis in: I) prepubertal (PREP), peripubertal (PERI) and mature (MAT) cats; II) Normal and abnormal mature felids. Secondary, the relationships between histomorphological and ultrasonographic attributes of the testes were also determined. I) Fourteen, PREP, PERI and MAT male cats were ultrasonographically examined and then castrated. II) Seven adult cats were ultrasonographically examined before and after a GnRH antagonist administration and then castrated. All the testes were grossly and histomorphometrically assessed. In the frozen digital images of the longitudinal ultrasound sections, 3 regions of interest (ROI, 1 mm2) were selected. Within each ROI the echogenicity and the heterogeneity of the testicular parenchyma were digitally analyzed. In experiment I, testicular volume (0.15 ± 0.0 vs. 0.49 ± 0.1 vs. 1.65 ± 0.1; P 0.05) decreased in the post GnRH antagonist abnormal testes. For both experiments, testicular volume, seminiferous tubular diameter, percentage of spermatids as the most mature cell type, and luminal/intertubular ratio were highly correlated (P < 0.01) with their echotextural attributes. Computer-assisted image analysis of B mode ultrasonogram appears as a good indicator of pubertal development and mild alterations of spermatogenesis in felids.Fil: D Francisco, Florencia Alina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Lapuente Romero, Camila. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Laboratorio de Nutrición Mineral y Fisiología Reproductiva; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: López Merlo, Mariana Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Centro de Fisiología Reproductiva y Métodos Complementarios de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gobello, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Laboratorio de Nutrición Mineral y Fisiología Reproductiva; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Effect of artificial light in the female domestic cat reproduction: What we know so far?

Domestic felids (Felis catus) have been traditionally categorized as seasonal polyestrous with induced ovulation. Thus, the ability to augment or distribute the number of litters born throughout the year would offer a desirable advantage. Artificial-light regimens have been used to overcome seasonal variations in this species. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie photoperiodicity might enable the development of improved and sustainable breeding schemes. The aim of this article was therefore to summarize the present knowledge on the effect of artificial light on female-cat reproduction. To that end a systematic review of the literature from 1940 to the present was performed. International original articles and scientific abstracts were also included, and at the conclusion we emphasized areas that require further research.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria