Effects of additional gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2α treatment to an estradiol/progesterone-based embryo transfer protocol for recipient lactating dairy cows

ABSTRACT: This study was designed to evaluate whether the utilization of a second PGF2α treatment at the end of an estradiol/progesterone (E2/P4)-based protocol with or without GnRH at the beginning of the protocol would improve pregnancy rates of lactating Holstein cows assigned to timed embryo transfer. A total of 501 lactating Holstein cows in 5 farms were enrolled in the experiment. Within farm, cows were blocked by parity and, within block, were assigned randomly to (1) insertion of an intravaginal P4 device (controlled internal drug-releasing device; CIDR) and estradiol benzoate on d −11, PGF2α on d −4, CIDR withdrawal and an injection of estradiol cypionate on d −2, and timed embryo transfer on d 7 (1-PGF; n = 164); (2) the same treatments as 1-PGF, but with PGF2α administered on d −4 and −2 (2-PGF; n = 171); and (3) 2-PGF with the addition of a GnRH treatment on d −11 (GnRH+2-PGF; n = 166). Ovaries were scanned by transrectal ultrasonography on d −11, −4, and 7, and blood samples were collected on d −11, −4, 0, and 7 for P4 determination. Treatment comparisons were performed using contrasts. The proportion of cows with a new corpus luteum on d −4 was greater in GnRH+2-PGF cows. Cows in 1-PGF had a greater P4 concentration on d 0 but lesser P4 on d 7 compared with cows in the other groups. Cows assigned to receive 2-PGF (2-PGF and GnRH+2-PGF) had greater estrus expression, and a greater proportion of cows ovulated to estradiol cypionate. No further contrast effects were observed for follicle diameter, double ovulation rate, pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET) on d 32 and 60, or pregnancy loss. As P4 concentration on d −4 increased, P/ET on d 60 tended to increase. Cows with P4 ≥3.66 ng/mL on d −4 had greater P/ET on d 32 and 60 than those with P4 below that threshold. Regardless of treatment, cows with P4 concentration ≥3.66 ng/mL also had a greater pregnancy per synchronized protocol (P/SP) on d 60. Also, a P4 concentration on d −4 (low or high) × follicle diameter (continuous) interaction tendency was observed when evaluating P/ET. Although P/ET did not differ among cows with different follicles sizes with reduced P4 concentration on d −4 (0.21 ng/mL) P4; as P4 concentration on d 0 increased, P/ET linearly decreased. In summary, cows with increased P4 concentrations during growth of the ovulatory follicular wave had improved P/ET. Administering a second PGF2α dose reduced P4 concentration on d 0 and increased ovulatory response to the protocol, but no benefits were observed on P/ET or P/SP

Detecção de resíduos de enrofloxacina por ensaio imunoenzimático e cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas em ovos comerciais de galinha após tratamento

A enrofloxacina é um dos antimicrobianos mais utilizados na avicultura industrial, e a deposição de resíduos em produtos avícolas, como os ovos, são de grande importância para a saúde pública. Na legislação brasileira não existe padronização do período de carência para o seu uso na produção avícola e não há Limite Máximo de Resíduo (LMR) fixado para enrofloxacina em ovos. Neste estudo, foi utilizado o kit de ELISA comercial (Bioo Scientific(r)) e a LC-MS/MS na pesquisa de enrofloxacina em ovos de 30 galinhas tratadas previamente via água de bebida, com 10mg/kg de enrofloxacina, durante cinco dias. Seis ovos foram coletados diariamente e analisados durante o tratamento e após a sua suspensão, durante 15 dias. A deposição de resíduos obteve níveis máximos no quinto dia de tratamento das aves, declinando gradativamente até não ser detectada a partir do nono dia de suspensão do tratamento. Considerando como base o LMR de 100µg/kg fixado pelo Brasil para tecidos comestíveis de aves e pela União Europeia para músculo, gordura e pele, após seis dias de suspensão do tratamento, os níveis de resíduos foram inferiores a esse limite, tendo como médias 37,43µg/kg na LC-MS/MS e 14,731µg/kg no ELISA. Dentro das condições deste estudo, um período de carência de seis dias seria mais adequado para utilização dos ovos para consumo humano. Foram detectados valores de resíduos nos ovos menores no ELISA em relação à LC-MS/MS para a mesma amostra, mas os dois métodos apresentaram concordância estatística entre si. A LC-MS/MS é o teste recomendado pela legislação brasileira para a análise de resíduos em alimentos; entretanto, pelos resultados obtidos, o kit de ELISA utilizado também pode ser aplicado na detecção de resíduos de enrofloxacina em ovos, com as vantagens de rapidez e simplicidade

Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells to treat Achilles tendon injuries

Rupture of the Achilles tendon diminishes quality of life. The gold-standard therapy is a surgical suture, but this presents complications, including wound formation and inflammation. These complications spurred evaluation of the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue. New Zealand rabbits were divided into 6 groups (three treatments with two time points each) evaluated at either 14 or 28 days after surgery: cross section of the Achilles tendon (CSAT); CSAT + Suture; and CSAT + MSC. A comparison between all groups at both time points showed a statistically significant increase in capillaries and in the structural organization of collagen in the healed tendon in the CSAT + Suture and CSAT + MSC groups at the 14-day assessment. Comparison between the two time points within the same group showed a statistically significant decrease in the inflammatory process and an increase in the structural organization of collagen in the CSAT and CSAT + MSC groups. A study of the genomic integrity of the cells suggested a linear correlation between an increase of injuries and culture time. Thus, MSC transplantation is a good alternative for treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures because it may be conducted without surgery and tendon suture and, therefore, has no risk of adverse effects resulting from the surgical wound or inflammation caused by nonabsorbable sutures. Furthermore, this alternative treatment exhibits a better capacity for wound healing and maintaining the original tendon architecture, depending on the arrangement of the collagen fibers, and has important therapeutic potential.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES