Testicular shape and andrological aspects of young Nellore bulls under extensive farming

Aiming to determine the relationship between the frequency of testicular shape and the andrological aspects in young Nellore bulls, 18,676 animals were assessed. All andrological examinations were performed between the years 2000 and 2008. Animals were classified as able for breeding, able for breeding in natural mating system, unable for breeding and discarded. The testicular shape was classified as long, fairly long, oval-long, spherical-oval, and spherical. The analysis of Pearson correlations was performed for testicular shape with scrotal circumference, testicular volume, progressive motility, sperm vigor, major defects, minor defects and total defects. Testicles with oval shape prevailed (99.61%). It was obseved that 76.34; 66.34; 64.34; 58.33 and 50.00% of the animals were classified as sound for breeding for shapes long, fairly long, oval-long, spherical-oval, and spherical, respectively. Correlations between testicular shape with scrotal circumference, testicular volume, progressive motility, sperm vigor, major, minor and total defects were 0.26; 0.08; 0.00; 0.11; -0.02; 0.02 and -0.01, respectively. Testicular shape had no influence upon the andrological examination results. Testicles of long shape were prevalent within the population

Metabolic profile and body weight of piglets fed with different levels of phosphorus in distinct thermal environments

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de dietas com diferentes concentrações de fósforo disponível sobre o perfil metabólico e o peso corporal de leitões em fase inicial de crescimento, mantidos em ambientes térmicos distintos. Foram utilizados 120 leitões machos castrados, de linhagem comercial e com peso corporal médio de 15 kg. Os tratamentos consistiram de dietas com 0,107, 0,214, 0,321, 0,428 e 0,535% de fósforo disponível, e de dois ambientes: termoneutro e quente. O peso corporal foi determinado no início e no final da fase experimental, e amostras de sangue foram coletadas para a medição de eletrólitos, albumina, proteína total, substâncias nitrogenadas, fosfatase alcalina total e óssea, hormônios tireoidianos, glicose e lactato. Tanto as dietas quanto os ambientes produziram efeito sobre o ganho de peso corporal e sobre os valores de sódio, potássio, cálcio total, magnésio, fósforo, fosfatase alcalina total e óssea, T4 livre e lactato. O aumento nos teores de fósforo na dieta tem efeito positivo sobre o peso corporal, nos ambientes estudados, mas desequilibra as relações sanguíneas cálcio:fósforo. O estresse por calor diminui as concentrações de glicose, fosfatase alcalina total e T4 livre no sangue, e aumenta as de lactato. Parâmetros bioquímicos sanguíneos retratam o estado metabólico dos animais e podem ser usados para avaliação do balanço nutricional e para detecção precoce de alterações metabólicas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of diets with different available phosphorus contents on metabolic profile and on body weight of piglets at baseline, maintained in distinct thermal environments. One hundred and twenty barrow piglets from commercial strain and with an average body weight of 15 kg were used. The treatments consisted of diets with 0.107, 0.214, 0.321, 0.428, and 0.535% available phosphorus, and of two environments: thermoneutral and warm. Body weight was determined at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, and blood samples were taken for measuring electrolytes, albumin, total protein, nitrogenous substances, total and bone alkaline phosphatase, thyroid hormones, glucose, and lactate. Both diets and environments had effect on body weight gain and on the values of sodium, potassium, total calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, total and bone alkaline phosphatase, free T4, and lactate. The increase in phosphorus contents in the diet has a positive effect on body weight in the studied environments, but it unbalances blood calcium:phosphorus relations. Heat stress decreases the levels of glucose, total alkaline phosphatase, and free T4 in the blood, and increases those of lactate. Blood biochemical parameters reflect the metabolic state of the animals and can be used to evaluate nutritional balance and for early detection of metabolic alterations

Perfil eletrolítico e peso corporal em suínos submetidos a dietas com diferentes teores de fósforo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of diets containing different levels of phosphorus on blood electrolytic profile and on body weight gain in pigs. Sixty hybrid pigs were used, all barrows, with initial body weight of 61.07 ± 0.86 kg and about 110 days old. The animals were distributed in a randomized block design, in 5 treatments, with 12 replicates each. The treatments consisted of diets containing 0.135, 0.200, 0.265, 0.330 and 0.395% available phosphorus. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, body weight was determined and blood samples were collected, in the animals without fasting, to measure sodium, potassium, chloride, total magnesium, phosphorus and ionized calcium. A quadratic response in body weight was observed, according to treatments, and for serum phosphorus, total magnesium and ionized calcium in the treatments. Weight gain was higher in animals fed with phosphorus supplementation in levels above 0.135%. The best result occurred with 0.330% P supplementation, however, an increase from 0.200% in the diet caused an elevation in phosphorus serum concentration.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de dietas, com diferentes teores de fósforo, no perfil eletrolítico sanguíneo e no ganho de peso corporal em suínos. Foram utilizados 60 suínos híbridos comerciais, machos castrados, com peso corporal médio inicial de 61,07±0,86 kg, com aproximadamente 110 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com 5 tratamentos e 12 repetições cada um. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de dietas com 0,135, 0,200, 0,265, 0,330 e 0,395% de fósforo disponível. No início e no final do período experimental, foi determinado o peso corporal e foram coletadas amostras de sangue, sem jejum dos animais, para a mensuração de sódio, potássio, cloreto, magnésio total, fósforo e cálcio ionizado. Observou-se resposta quadrática do peso corporal, de acordo com os tratamentos, e das concentrações séricas de fósforo, magnésio total e cálcio iônico em decorrência dos tratamentos. O ganho de peso corporal foi maior nos animais alimentados com suplementação de fósforo em teores acima de 0,135%. O melhor resultado foi obtido com a dieta de 0,330% de fósforo, porém, o aumento a partir de 0,200% na dieta ocasionou elevação na concentração sérica de fósforo

Hidratação enteral em equinos - solução eletrolítica associada ou não à glicose, à maltodextrina e ao sulfato de magnésio: resultados de laboratório

No presente estudo, foram avaliados os efeitos de soluções eletrolíticas administradas via sonda nasoesofágica de pequeno calibre sobre o hematócrito, o volume plasmático e as concentrações plasmáticas de proteínas totais, sódio, potássio, cloreto, magnésio total e cálcio iônico de eqüinos hígidos e desidratados experimentalmente. Foram utilizados quatro equinos adultos, mestiços, dois machos e duas fêmeas. No experimento 1 (E1Des), os animais foram desidratados experimentalmente, enquanto no 2 (E2Hig) foram utilizados equinos hígidos. Os animais foram submetidos a cada um dos seguintes tratamentos: SE - solução eletrolítica isotônica; SEGli - solução eletrolítica isotônica + glicose; SEMalt - solução eletrolítica isotônica + maltodextrina e SEMg - solução eletrolítica isotônica + sulfato de magnésio. A solução eletrolítica foi administrada na dose de 15mL kg-1 h-1, durante 12h via sonda nasoesofágica por fluxo contínuo. Os tratamentos com as soluções eletrolíticas ocasionaram expansão do volume plasmático, ocasionando a redução nos valores das proteínas plasmáticas totais e do hematócrito, enquanto os valores dos eletrólitos avaliados permaneceram na faixa de referência.In the present study, the effects of four different electrolyte solutions on the packed cell volume (PCV), plasma volume and plasma concentrations of total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, total magnesium, and ionized calcium in healthy and experimentally dehydrated horses were evaluated. Four crossbred horses, two males and two females were used. In experiment 1 (E1Des) the animals were experimentally dehydrated, while in the second experiment (E2Hig) healthy equines were used. In both experiments the animals were subjected to the following treatments: SE - isotonic electrolyte solution; SEGlu – glucose-enriched SE; SEMalt – maltodextrine-enriched SE and SEMg - magnesium sulphate-enriched SE. The electrolyte solutions used in all treatments were administered at 15mL kg-1 h-1 during 12h through small-bore nasoesophagus tube by continuous flow. The treatments with the electrolyte solutions resulted in an increase of plasma volume and a decrease in total plasma protein, hematocrit, while the electrolytes remained within the reference values

Combined treatment with oestradiol benzoate, d‐cloprostenol and oxytocin permits cervical dilation and nonsurgical embryo recovery in ewes

This study examined the feasibility of transcervical embryo recovery after the hormonal treatment to induce cervical dilation, following the 7‐day oestrous synchronization protocol in multiparous Santa Inês ewes. A total of 23 cyclic ewes received two doses of 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol by latero‐vulvar route 7 days apart. After the second injection of d‐cloprostenol, the ewes were checked for oestrus (every 12 hr) and then mated by fertile rams throughout the oestrous period. All ewes received 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol (latero‐vulvar) and 1 mg of oestradiol benzoate by either intramuscular (EBim group; n = 12) or intravaginal (EBivg group; n = 11) route 16 hr before embryo flushing. Twenty minutes before the flushing, 50 IU of oxytocin were administered intravenously. The oestrous response (i.e., the percentage of ewes that showed signs of oestrous behaviour after the second d‐cloprostenol injection) was 91.3% (21/23). The proportion of successfully penetrated ewes (81.8% compared with 80.0%), the mean duration of embryo flushing (24.7 ± 2.0 min compared 26.2 ± 1.9 min), the flushing fluid recovery rate (94.8 ± 1.3% compared with 91.0 ± 2.9%) and the average number of structures recovered per ewe (0.5 ± 0.4 compared with 0.8 ± 0.4) did not vary (p > 0.05) between the EBim and EBivg groups. Viable embryos were recovered from 41.2% (7/17) of successfully penetrated ewes. It can be concluded that nonsurgical (i.e., transcervical) embryo collection can be performed in oestrous‐synchronized Santa Inês ewes pretreated with d‐cloprostenol, oxytocin and oestradiol benzoate, with the latter hormone administered by either the intramuscular or intravaginal route

AVALIAÇÃO DE EQUINOS SUBMETIDOS À HIDRATAÇÃO ENTERAL COM SOLUÇÕES ELETROLÍTICAS ISOTÔNICAS CONTENDO DIFERENTES FONTES DE ENERGIA E CÁLCIO

Avaliaram-se comparativamente os efeitos de duas soluções contendo concentrações iguais de cloreto de sódio, cloreto de potássio e magnésio, porém, uma delas contendo cloreto de cálcio e dextrose (SEDex), e a outra propionato de cálcio (SEProp), sobre parâmetros clínicos, proteínas plasmáticas totais, densidade urinária, pH urinário e glicose na urina de equinos (dois machos castrados e duas fêmeas) submetidos à um delineamento crossover 4x2. Os animais foram desidratados experimentalmente com duas aplicações de furosemida na dose de 1mg kg-1, além de jejum hídrico-alimentar de 24 horas, anteriormente aos tratamentos com as soluções, as quais foram administradas por via enteral em fluxo contínuo através de sonda nasogástrica de pequeno diâmetro numa taxa de infusão de 15 mL kg-1 h-1. A desidratação induzida provocou desidratação discreta. As soluções ocasionaram expansão da volemia, diminuiu a densidade urinária e não alterou os parâmetros clínicos dos padrões de referência. Além disso, a SEProp ocasionou glicosúria

USE OF COMBINATION OF FLUORESCENT PROBES TO IDENTIFY SPERM SUBPOPULATIONS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FRESH AND CRYOPRESERVED CANINE SEMEN. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The use of fluorescent markers in the evaluation of sperm morphophysiology allows a better accuracy, compared to the subjective nature of some routine tests in semen qualification. In this study was used the combination of fluorescence probes: propionate iodide, Hoechst 33342 and FITC-PSA in fresh and thawed dog semen, to the identification of the following morphological subpopulations: II (intact plasma and acrosomal membranes), IL (intact plasma membrane and lesioned acrosomal membrane), LI (lesioned plasma membrane and intact acrosomal membrane) and LL (both membranes lesioned). When comparing the results obtained with the results of the tests used conventionally in semen evaluation (sperm motility and vigor, hypoosmotic test and morphological alterations), little correlation was observed. The II population declined from fresh semen to thawed, while LL population increased (p <0.05). The IL population was composed of extremely small numbers of cells but increased (p <0.05) from fresh semen to thawed semen. In the thawed semen the major defects had a positive correlation with the LL population (p <0.01). For the thawed semen, the results of the hypoosmotic test (number of cells that reacted to the medium) correlated positively with population II (p <0.025), that is, different from that observed in fresh semen. Although all tests were able to detect decrease in sperm quality post-thawing (p <0.05). The use of this fluorescent probe association allowed qualification and more accurately quantification of plasma membrane and acrosomal insults mediated by cryopreservation. El uso de marcadores fluorescentes en la evaluación de la morfofisiología espermática permite una mayor precisión, comparada con la naturaleza subjetiva de algunas pruebas de rutina en la valoración del semen. En este estudio se usó la combinación de pruebas fluorescentes: yoduro de propidio; Hoechst 33342 y FITC-PSA en semen fresco y descongelado de perro, para la identificación de las siguientes subpoblaciones morfológicas: II (membranas plasmática y acrosomal intactas), IL (membrana plasmática intacta y membrana acrosomal dañada), LI (membrana plasmática dañada y membrana acrosomal intacta) y LL (ambas membranas dañadas). Cuando se comparan los resultados obtenidos con los resultados de las pruebas usadas convencionalmente en la evaluación seminal (motilidad y vigor espermáticos, prueba hipoosmótica y alteraciones morfológicas), se observó poca correlación. La población II disminuyó desde el semen fresco al descongelado, mientras que la población LL se incrementó (p<0.05). la población IL estuvo compuesta por un número extremadamente pequeño de células, pero incremento (p<0.05) desde el semen fresco al descongelado. En el semen descongelado los defectos mayores tuvieron una correlación positiva con la población LL (p<0.01). En el semen descongelado, los resultados de la prueba hipoosmótica (número de células que reaccionan al medio) se correlacionaron positivamente con la población II (p<0.05). El uso de esta asociación de pruebas fluorescentes permitió la valoración y la cuantificación más precisa de los daños a la membrana plasmática y acrosomal mediados por la criopreservación.