Correlation between Uterine Hemodynamics, Sex Steroid Hormone Concentrations, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Levels in Postpartum Buffaloes

The present investigation aimed to evaluate uterine hemodynamics in six multiparous postpartum buffaloes and their relationship with sex steroid hormone concentrations and enzymatic antioxidant levels. The buffaloes were examined by transrectal Doppler ultrasonography to record the vascular perfusion in uterine arteries of both ipsilateral and contralateral ones. All Doppler indices such as peak (PV) endpoints (EV) of velocity, peak systolic velocity (PSV), blood flow volume (BFV), resistance (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were recorded from 1st to 6th postpartum. The blood samples were collected starting from 1st-week post-calving and every week thereafter following each ultrasound Doppler examination for assay of steroid hormones (progesterone and estradiol) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase, CAT) were measured. PV of the ipsilateral previously gravid arteries showed a linear pattern of significant (P=0.001) decline from the 1st week after parturition till the 6th week. This decline was also associated with a linear decrease in EV from the 1st week till the 6th week after birth. While contralateral PV and EV are not significantly changed throughout weeks after parturition. The levels of SOD and CAT are significantly elevated at 1st week postpartum compared to the 6th week after parturition. In contrast, the GPx levels did not reveal any significant differences during the puerperal period. Estradiol and progesterone declined from 1st to 5th week after parturition. PV of the ipsilateral uterine artery had a significant (P≤0.05) positive correlation with BFV (r=0.49), estradiol 17- α(r=0.98) and progesterone (r=0.85). The same parameter showed a statically (P≤ 0.001) positive correlation with SOD (r=0.87) and CAT (r=0.92). While, Ipsilateral uterine RI showed a significant (P≤0.05) negative correlation with PV(r=-0.85), BFR ((r=-0.62), estradiol 17- α(r=-0.52), and progesterone (r=-0.88), in addition, RI also correlated negatively with both SOD (r=-0.57) and CAT (r=-0.63). Progesterone and estrogen levels are strongly correlated with SOD and CAT. The uterine hemodynamics in buffaloes is affected by the day of the postpartum period. SOD and CAT antioxidants recorded herein, except GPx, increase in the 1st weeks of calving and are affected by the day of the postpartum period

Coat color affects the resilience against heat stress impacts on testicular hemodynamics, reproductive hormones, and semen quality in Baladi goats

Abstract Drastic climatic changes threaten animal productivity and prolificacy, whose adaptability is governed by its pheno- and genotypic traits. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of coat color on the adaptability of goat bucks under heat stress conditions from the perspectives of testicular blood flow (TBF) and biometry, reproductive hormones, and semen quality. Twenty bucks (Capra hircus) bearing different coat colors were selected from a large flock and divided into four equal groups (n = 5 each) as follows: black coat (BC; 100% black), brown coat (BrC; 100% dark brown), white coat (WC; 100% white), white-black coat (WBC; 50–60% white). Bucks were examined for TBF [Doppler ultrasonography and serum nitric oxide (NO)], testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH), seminal plasma oxidative biomarkers [catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA)], and sperm traits percentages [progressive motility (PM), viability (SV), normal morphology (NM), and sperm concentration (SC) once a week for seven consecutive weeks (W1-W7) in the summer season (temperature humidity index = 88.4–92.2). Specifically, at W3-W7, darker bucks (BC and BrC) testicular volume, testicular colored area, T, NO, CAT, TAC, PM, SV, NM, and SC (W7 only) differed significantly (P < 0.05) by decrease than the lighter ones (WC and WBC). Both Doppler indices and serum MDA concentrations were elevated (P < 0.05) at W3-W7 in the BC and BrC bucks compared to WC and WBC groups. In conclusion, bucks with lighter coats were more resistant to the negative effects of HS on TBF, seminal oxidative biomarkers, and semen quality

Incorporation of L-Carnitine in the OvSynch protocol enhances the morphometrical and hemodynamic parameters of the ovarian structures and uterus in ewes under summer climatic conditions

Abstract Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of sheep including the efficiency of estrous synchronization regimens. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of L-Carnitine (LC) administration on the efficacy of the OvSynch protocol in ewes under summer climatic conditions. Ewes were synchronized for estrus using the OvSynch protocol and a dose of LC (20 mg/kg body weight) was intravenously (IV) administered on the same day of PGF2α injection to one group (n = 8; LC group), while other ewes (n = 8; control group) received the same protocol without LC. Ultrasonographic evaluation (including B-mode, color, and pulsed Doppler) was used to assess the morphometrical and hemodynamic parameters of ovarian structures [number, size, and blood flow of follicles (GFs) and corpora lutea (CLs)] and uterus during the estrous phase (Day 0), and on Day 8 post ovulation (luteal phase). Uterine artery blood flow (MUA) was assessed by measuring the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) at both stages. The serum samples were collected to measure the concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using commercial kits. Results revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the colored pixel area of GFs and uterus in the LC group (392.84 ± 31.86 and 712.50 ± 46.88, respectively) compared to the control one (226.25 ± 17.74 and 322 ± 18.78, respectively) during Day 0. Circulating E2 and TAC levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the LC-treated ewes (31.45 ± 1.53 pg/ml and 1.80 ± 0.13 mM/L, respectively) compared to those in the control ewes (21.20 ± 1.30 pg/ml and 0.98 ± 0.09 mM/L, respectively) during Day 0. Moreover, LC improved the colored pixel area of CLs (2038.14 ± 102.94 versus 1098 ± 82.39) and uterus (256.38 ± 39.28 versus 121.75 ± 11.36) and circulating P4 (2.99 ± 0.26 ng/ml versus1.67 ± 0.15 ng/ml) on Day 8. Values of RI of MUA were significantly lower in the LC group compared to the control one on Day 0 and Day 8 (0.48 ± 0.03 versus 0.72 ± 0.03 and 0.58 ± 0.03 versus 0.78 ± 0.02, respectively). In conclusion, LC incorporation in the OvSynch protocol enhanced the morphometrical and hemodynamic parameters of the ovarian structures and the uterus concomitantly with improvements in the TAC, E2, and P4 concentrations in ewes under hot summer conditions

Methanolic pomegranate dried peel extract improves cryopreserved semen quality and antioxidant capacity of rams

Objective: To select the appropriate concentrations of methanolic pomegranate extract supplemented in rams' semen extender for obtaining the best-cryopreserved semen quality. Methods: Tris-based semen extender was supplemented with 0.0, 0.40, 0.48, and 0.56 mg/mL pomegranate peel methanolic extract to extend semen collected from five native rams twice weekly for two months (n=80). Pooled (n=16) post-thaw semen characteristics were determined. Thawed seminal plasma of all supplemented and control groups were used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbic acid, zinc, copper, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: The supplementation of Tris-based semen extender with 0.48 mg/mL semen extender resulted in the highest post-thaw sperm total motility (P0.05), and LDH (P>0.05). Conclusions: Pomegranate peel methanolic extract 0.48 mg/mL supplemented to Tris-based semen extender of rams is the best enrichment in preserving the sperm post-thaw characteristics via improving biochemical profiles and antioxidant capacity

Cytological, hormonal, and ovarian hemodynamic alteration during the normal oestrus and split heat cycles in bitches

Hormonal levels, particularly progesterone (P4), could be used to predict the day of luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which is important not only for optimum ovulation but also for the detection of some abnormalities such as split heat. This study aimed to determine cytological, hormonal, and ovarian vascularity changes in normal cyclic and split heat bitches during proestrus and estrous phases. Pluriparous females (n=40) were categorized into two groups as follows: Group A (n=35; with a normal sequence of oestrus cycle) and Group B (n=5; split heat females with a short duration of proestrus). Doppler and hormonal assessments were performed daily from day 0 until day 15. Compared to Group B, both ovarian arteries (OA) Doppler indices decreased in Group A, with the most significant decline occurring between days 7 and 12. While peak velocity (PSV; cm/sec) was elevated in Group A compared to its value in Group B. In Group A, estradiol (E2) levels were higher (P 0.05) than in Group B, with the most significant increase observed between days 7-12. Group A showed an increase in nitric oxide (NO) from days 8 to 12 with no change in split heat bitches (P<0.05). P4 levels were slightly elevated (P<0.05) until they reached 3.5±0.09 and 8.25±0.22 ng/ml on days 10 and 15, respectively. Nevertheless, bitches showed split heat in Group B, P4 level was low. In Group A, IGF-1 levels were elevated in the proestrus phase until day 9 (155.32±5.26) and in the estrous phase until day 15 (175.56±3.66) compared to other groups. In Group B, the dominance of small intermediate cells and RBCs on all days remained unchanged on all days, in contrast to Group A, where cornified cells began to dominate on day 15. In conclusion, these data suggested that the evaluation of ovarian hemodynamics, in addition to hormonal and cytological assessments, could be critical parameters not only for the optimum ovulation prediction by progesterone assay related to LH but also for the detection of any abnormalities such as split heat or irregular estrous interval

Cytological, hormonal, and ovarian hemodynamic alteration during the normal oestrus and split heat cycles in bitches

Hormonal levels, particularly progesterone (P4), could be used to predict the day of luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which is important not only for optimum ovulation but also for the detection of some abnormalities such as split heat. This study aimed to determine cytological, hormonal, and ovarian vascularity changes in normal cyclic and split heat bitches during proestrus and estrous phases. Pluriparous females (n=40) were categorized into two groups as follows: Group A (n=35; with a normal sequence of oestrus cycle) and Group B (n=5; split heat females with a short duration of proestrus). Doppler and hormonal assessments were performed daily from day 0 until day 15. Compared to Group B, both ovarian arteries (OA) Doppler indices decreased in Group A, with the most significant decline occurring between days 7 and 12. While peak velocity (PSV; cm/sec) was elevated in Group A compared to its value in Group B. In Group A, estradiol (E2) levels were higher (P 0.05) than in Group B, with the most significant increase observed between days 7-12. Group A showed an increase in nitric oxide (NO) from days 8 to 12 with no change in split heat bitches (P&lt;0.05). P4 levels were slightly elevated (P&lt;0.05) until they reached 3.5±0.09 and 8.25±0.22 ng/ml on days 10 and 15, respectively. Nevertheless, bitches showed split heat in Group B, P4 level was low. In Group A, IGF-1 levels were elevated in the proestrus phase until day 9 (155.32±5.26) and in the estrous phase until day 15 (175.56±3.66) compared to other groups. In Group B, the dominance of small intermediate cells and RBCs on all days remained unchanged on all days, in contrast to Group A, where cornified cells began to dominate on day 15. In conclusion, these data suggested that the evaluation of ovarian hemodynamics, in addition to hormonal and cytological assessments, could be critical parameters not only for the optimum ovulation prediction by progesterone assay related to LH but also for the detection of any abnormalities such as split heat or irregular estrous interval