Oxidative state in the estrus cycle of the buffaloes: a preliminary study

The oxidative status, the relationship between oxidizing agents (free radicals) and antioxidant system, is able to influence the correct performance of the estrus cycle. The aim of the experimentation was to define a first range of physiological values of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP), found during the phases of the buffalo estrus cycle. In this study, blood samples were taken from 30 buffaloes in various phases of the estrus cycle (estrus, diestrus, anestrus), on which serum determinations, by a photometer, of BAP and ROS have been carried out. The highest ROS values were detected during estrus and this is due to the primary role they play in determining ovulation. The highest levels of BAP have been found in diestrus, when they perform protective action against oxidative damage in the ovaries and uterus

Follicular development in pregnant cows after the administration of equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG): a new insight

The follicular development in the cow occurs in a wave-like pattern, and it takes place also during pregnancy. In the cow, Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) is used for superovulation, but a decrease in total fertility has been reported, likely because of its immunogenic properties in species other than equine. In this regard, immune response has been implicated in follicular growth, ovulation, and placental development. So, aims of our study are to test the safety of eCG administered during pregnancy and characterize the ovarian activity, the quality of oocytes, the hormonal status, and interleukin levels in eCG-treated pregnant cows

Effects of Mefepronic Acid (2-Phenoxy-2-Methyl Propionic Acid) on Hepatic Metabolism and Reproductive Parameters in Postpartum Dairy Cows.

This study investigates the effects of mefepronic acid (MA), a PPAR-α agonist, on hepatic metabolic functions and reproduction of postpartum dairy cows. Sixty Friesian cows were divided into Group A (administered 5g of MA IM, within 24 hrs after calving, on the 3rd and 5th day postpartum) and Group B (control). All the cows were blood sampled within 24 hrs of calving (Day 0), on Day 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 postpartum. On plasma, metabolic and biochemical parameters were determined. Liver biopsies were performed on Day 0, 15 and 30 for the evaluation of hepatic lipid and glycogen content. Reproductive parameters were also evaluated. In Group A, blood HDL, glucose and cholesterol increased till the end of the study, in accordance with the histological results. PPAR-α immunopositive cells increased in liver slices of Group A, too. Reproductive parameters improved in Group A. This study highlights the beneficial effects of mefepronic acid on the hepatic metabolism and reproductive parameters of post-partum dairy cows

Silicon photonics in Pirelli

Silicon is the dominant material in the microelectronic industry and silicon photonics is rapidly gaining importance as a technological platform for a wide range of applications in telecom, and optical interconnect. It allows the implementation of many photonic functions through the use of wafer-scale technologies normally used for advanced CMOS-processing. In this paper some of the most important issues toward a practical implementation of Silicon photonics into an industrial device will be addressed: low loss waveguides, polarization handling, tunability, hitless switching. A tunable Add-Drop multiplexer has been chosen as a case Study of a fully integrated device

CYSTIC OVARIAN FOLLICLES AND THYROID ACTIVITY IN THE DAIRY COW

Thyroid activity affects the functionality of the reproductive axis and thyroid dysfunction has been associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and polycystic ovarian syndrome, in human medicine. This study investigates serum17- < beta> estradiol, progesterone, thyrotropic and thyroid hormone levels, in cyclic dairy cows on heat (Group H) and in dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts (Group FC). Both 17- < beta> estradiol and progesterone serum concentrations were statistically higher in cystic than in cyclic cows (estradiol: 8.51 ± 1.91 vs 6.32 ± 1 pg/mL) (progesterone: 0.49 ± 0.17 vs 0.13 ± 0.03 ng/mL), whereas TSH and fT4 serum concentrations were statistically lower in cows with cystic ovarian follicles (COF), compared to cyclic ones (TSH: 2.48 ± 1.31 vs 3.56 ± 1.03 ng/mL) (fT4: 5,86 ± 1.69 vs 8.63 ± 1.08). fT3 serum levels were similar, in both cystic and cyclic subjects (2.94 ± 0.65 vs 3.02 ± 0.9, respectively). Standing on these results, a look to the functioning of thyrotropic axis should be given in dairy cows with COF, just like it is routinely performed in human gynaecology, in case of ovarian diseases. If severe hypothyroidism should be found, a hormone replacement therapy could be attempted in cystic cows refractory to “ordinary” therapies

Alpha-fetoprotein in animal reproduction.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a serum glycoprotein with structural and physico-chemical properties similar to albumin. However, the exact physiological functions of AFP remain unknown; those known to date include markers to pathological conditions including neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, antioxidant effects, growth regulator in different cells and in cancer, immune response modulator, and carrier for fatty acids and oestrogens. This review aimed to present an overview of the different functions of AFP, particularly its role in the sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus, because its ability to bind oestrogens prevents their passage to the brain, where they inhibit the surge centre development. AFP and anti-Mullerian hormone are known to be involved in the development of freemartins, or genetically female foetuses masculinised in the presence of a male co-twin

Evaluation of serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-12 during pregnancy in bitches

Complex cytokine networks play an important role in a wide range of pregnancy-related processes. During physiological pregnancy, the balance of T helper lymphocytes Th1 and Th2 is strongly shifted toward Th2, which has a protective role in the feto–maternal interaction. The aim of the present study is to establish the serum concentrations, ranges, and trends of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, and inflammatory IL-12A, during three phases of gestation in the bitch (20–30, 31–40, and 41–57 days of gestation). Our results indicate that, in early gestation, IL-4 and -10 serum concentrations are elevated and might depend on progesterone that could act as a potent inhibitor of Th1 responses inducing, conversely, the production of Th2-type cytokines (i.e., IL-10 and IL-4). On the other hand, between 30 and 40 days of gestation, the concentrations of the antiinflammatory ILs decrease probably because of high concentrations of prolactin, which is endowed with immunostimulatory properties on different immune cell types. In the third phase of gestation (41–57 days), an increase in IL-10 occurs, which might depend on high levels of 17b-estradiol that, during pregnancy, interfere with the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate T lymphocytes, acting as an anti-inflammatory factor. Conversely, the low and persistent concentrations of inflammatory IL-12A, throughout pregnancy, compared with anti-inflammatory ILs, might depend on the characteristic cytokine products of Thl and Th2 cells that are known to be mutually inhibitory. The monitoring of immunological status via the levels of cytokines during pregnancy in the bitch, could represent a diagnostic tool to predict and/or prevent pregnancy abnormality, as demonstrated in wome