Efficacy of reproductive biotechnologies applied in out-of-season turcana sheep

This paper aimed at testing the efficacy of a well-known method of estrus induction and synchronization in out of season ewes of Turcana breed, kept under extensive conditions. We also aimed at comparatively evaluate the efficacy of natural cover versus artificial insemination with freshly collected and diluted semen. The study was carried out on a batch of 20 ewes in which out-of season estrus was induced using progestagens and PMSG. Subsequently, two groups of ten ewes each were formed and the females were subjected to natural breeding (group1, n=10) or artificial insemination with freshly collected and diluted semen (group 2, n=10). Fifty days later, pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography was performed. All sheep (100%) showed heat signs and were marked by the teaser ram following the estrus induction protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis and parturition supervision showed a fertility percentage of 80% and prolificacy of 137.5% for group 1, while in group 2, fertility was 60% and prolificacy 116.6%

Motility parameters of equine epididymal spermatozoa after 24 hours intra-epididymal exposure to lidocaine using two commercial extenders

Epididymal spermatozoa is the last source for gamete rescue in case of emergency castration or sudden death of a valuable stallion, thus an ideal harvesting and preservation technique should be employed. Routinely, 2% lidocaine intraparenchymatous administration is used to provide analgesia prior to castration, but studies on the effect of lidocaine on epididymal spermatozoa motility parameters are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lidocaine on equine epididymal spermatozoa, after 24 hours intraepididymal cool storage using two commercial extenders. We hypothesized that intraepididymal prolonged exposure to lidocaine, might affect motility parameters of epididymal stallion spermatozoa and that different extenders might have an impact. Sperm was collected from 20 epididymides of routinely castrated 3 year old KWPN stallions. 4 stallions received 10 ml 2% lidocaine intraparenchymatous 10 minutes prior to castration and 6 stallions were not medicated. Testicles were transported to an equipped facility and cooled stored for 24 hours. From each sample an aliquot was diluted in a commercial egg yolk based extender, and another in a commercial extender containing defined milk proteins. Motility parameters were registered 30 minutes after dilution, computer assisted. There were no statistical differences between motility parameters of spermatozoa exposed to lidocaine and spermatozoa not exposed, however progressive motility and linearity significantly differed among the two extenders

Using contrast computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of some canine male genitalia disorders

The ultrasound examination is a powerful tool in diagnosing canine male genital disorders, but presents some shortcomings in the exact localization of some intraabdominal masses and their vascularization. Some disorders, such as abdominal sertolinomas, atrophic testicle, persistent Müllerian ducts (PMDS) or testicle cord torsions, can be difficult to diagnose and pinpoint if the obvious symptoms (for example feminization, alopecia and skin hyperpigmentation) are not present. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of contrast computed tomography (CT) techniques compared to the ultrasound exam (US), in diagnosing some male reproductive disorders. The study was conducted on 7 male canine patients, pure breed, with the age between 3 months and 7 years old. After the patients were presented at the clinic an ultrasound in B-Mode and Doppler was performed using a Mindray DC3 Vet equipment. The CT contrast agent was Visipaque (iodixanol, 320 mgI/mL, producer Nycomed Amersham) using automated injection after the patient was general anesthetized, the dose being automated adjusted by the device. The results are inconclusive; the retained testicle ca be easily observed but the uterine artery as well as the reminiscent uterine horns are too small to visualize. The disadvantage of the CT is besides the radiation; the patient needs to be under general anesthesia. In conclusion, in some cases, such as cryptordism, sertolinomas, lymphnode metastasis or intraabdminal masses, the CT is very efficient in pinpointing the exact location, but in other cases such as PMDS the contrast CT is not recommended, but the US is