Canine behaviour type index in experimental Units trial

We ran the present research in canine behaviour over 18 months, on the premises of Experimental infrastructure of Horia Cernescu Research Unit, under behaviour study project of animal lodging Research contract no. 4833 / September, 4, 2014. The study considered a 360 dogs group, data being extracted from our (March, 31, 2015 to July, 31, 2017) pet databases. The research is structured based on Canine Behaviour Type Index (CTBI) 12 types canine behaviour, considering three psychological interactive factors further itemized into (1) Environmental (either Organized or Spontaneous); (2) Social (Alpha, Beta, or Gamma); (3) Motivation (either Medium or High), i.e. 12 possible outcomes. The breed type (χ2=818.59, at p < 0.000), age (F=9.31, at p < 0.001) and period of staying (F=3.185, at p ≤ 0.001) appear to be associated with CBTI. The older dogs resulted more like Dreamer (SBM) and Aristocrat (SAM) behaviour types, while younger more like Adventurer (SBH) and Rebel (SAH). Our study results cannot sustain gender association hypothesis based on CBTI profiles (χ2=17.31, at p = 0.099), suggesting, nevertheless, that CBTI is a useful tool in canine behaviour research, in matters of pets’ owners – research financed by private funds, win-win case

Application of infrared Thermography in rabbit orthopaedic models

The rectal or internal temperature (BT) is a reference method for body temperature. BT and ear temperature (BTear) were recorded in rabbit orthopaedic experimental model - White New Zeeland rabbits (N = 14), for a six day post-surgery period. Ear (BTear) temperature measured with infrared thermography (IRT) camera was compared with rectal body temperature (BT) measured with digital thermometer. Each BTear and BT methods were studied by analysis of variance and for BT classes such as: hypothermia (BTh≥ than 38,5оC), normothermia (BTn) and hyperthermia or fever (BTf ≥ 40,0 оC). Mean differences, linear regression and Pearson correlation were analysed. BTear was positively correlated with rectal temperature (BT); r=+0.579 at p <0.001. The regression equation model was statistically acceptable (p<0.001) and value of internal body temperature can be estimated on ITR measurements by relation: BT (оC) = 25.498 + BTear x 0.361 with R2=0.336. This study demonstrates that IRT technology, a passive and non-contact technology can be effectively used for estimating BT changes in rabbits

Retrospective analysis on somatic cells count trend in Staphylococcus aureus cows' mastitis

cells count (SCC) of two successive samplings. The analysis was performed to identify the associations between SCC trend with retrospective and transversal milk quality indicators, and mastitis. From a BIOAMR database, 28 cows with a posteriori diagnosed mastitis with Staphylococcus aureus (4/28 cases were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – MRSA) were sampled. The trend of SCC was Spearman's rho correlated with previous lactose (rs = +0.785, p=0.03), pH (rs = +0.662 at p=0.019), and current SCC measurements (rs = +0.781, at p=0.000). Increasing trend of SCC was retrospectively associated with lactose content (Z = -2.152 at p = 0.031), pH (Z = -2.152 at p = 0.031) SCC at first measurement (Z = - 1.764 at p = 0.078) and currently associated with SCC (Z = -3.316 at p = 0.001), fat content (Z = -1.88 at p = 0.060) and fat/protein ratio (Z = -1.717 at p = 0.086). The 28 samples of the study did not revealed strong association between SCC trend and type of Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.186 by Mann-Whitney test), even if MRSA had a higher increasing trend of SCC in comparison whit S. aureus (non-MRSA) infections (1403.5 vs. 288.2 thousands somatic cells). By preliminary results the trend of somatic cells could be an indicator in detection of mastitis but more case studies are necessary

Antioxidant effect of vitamin C on porcine oocytes maturated in vitro

Cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress during in vitro culture systems. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of vitamin C addition in in vitro culture media on porcine oocytes maturation rate based on morphological changes. Porcine COC’s were matured according to their morphological class (class I, II and III) in two groups: control (M) and supplemented with vitamin C (0.5 mM, C) in TCM 199 HEPES (M2520) modification media with hormones (0.88UI/ml FSH, F8174) at 38.50C in 5% CO2 humidified air atmosphere for 44h. The rates of oocytes with cumulus cells expansion were higher with addition of vitamin C as compared to control group, with 7.83% (C1), 70.59% (C2) and 6.04% (C3). It could be concluded from this preliminary study that addition of vitamin C in in vitro maturation medium has a beneficial effect on porcine oocytes especially in C2 group

Boar freeze-dried semen evaluation using Spermac staining

Sperm freeze-drying is a new and alternative method to preserve male gametes in refrigeration or at room temperature. In order to protect sperm integrity special protection is required. The aim of our research was to examine the effect of vitamin C and rosmarinic acid on the spermatozoa integrity after freeze-drying the probes. We analyzed the acrosome reaction and the morphological aspects of boar spermatozoa form three different breed (Pietrain, Large White and Landrace) after rehydration. We observed that the highest percent of spermatozoa with intact acrosome and the least spermatozoa anomalies were in samples were rosmarinic acid was added. As preliminary results we could state that adding antioxidants protects spermatozoa from oxidative stress

Generating bovine embryos through ICSI

Through ICSI, competition between sperms and also sperm-oocyte interaction are avoided thus ICSI proving reliable when sperm is not suitable for IVF. In bovine, the limiting step is represented by low rate of sperm head decondensation subsequent ICSI. Intracytoplasmatic sperm injection allows avoiding many critical moments that may occur during normal or in vitro fertilization. Oocytes were obtained from ovaries from slaughtered cows. These were transported in 0.9% NaCl solution in isothermal bags at a temperature of 25-30 ° C. The ovaries were brought from the slaughterhouse within 2 hours. Harvesting of the oocytes was made through the aspiration method. After maturation, oocytes were fertilized using sperm that was prepared using Percoll method and then treated with TritonX. The volume of the TritonX solution that accompanies the sperma and which remains in the oocyte is extremely important given that by its action, TritonX removes the acrosome, thus releasing a rich enzyme content and facilitating the dehydration of the male pronucleus. Even though the number of 2 nucleus, 2 cells or 4 cells oocytes is inferior to the data found in the literature, compared to the results achieved last year in the assisted reproduction laboratory within CLC-HC Timisoara, it marks significant progress. At the 2 cells stage, there were several oocytes from group 1 (24.39% vs. 12.5%), while at the 4 cells stage there were 14.63% oocytes from group 1 and 25% group 2. The use of TritonX solution for sperm treatment as well as shortening the duration of ICSI execution allowed us to get encouraging results. The results obtained are inferior to those presented in the literature but are far superior to those we obtained last year when the ICSI technique was assembled. Achieving the two- and four-cell embryonic stages justifies us thinking that we are mastering the ICSI technique

Boar freeze-dried semen in medium with antioxidants evaluated based on DNA integrity after a long-time preservation

Sperm freeze-drying is considered an alternative method to preserve male gametes in refrigeration or at room temperature condition. In order to preserve sperm integrity special protection is required. The aim of our research was to examine the effect of vitamin C (0.5 mM ) and rosmarinic acid (105 μM) on the DNA spermatozoa integrity after freeze-drying and 36 months of preservation at refrigerator temperature. Our results indicates that more than 90% of DNA boar spermatozoa integrity is not affected by long-time preservation with small differences between experimental groups: with +0.59% higher DNA integrity in AR group from Duroc boar, with +2.83% higher DNA integrity in AR group from Landrace boar and with no differences regarding DNA integrity in group supplemented with vitamin C. The main conclusion of these preliminary results is that DNA integrity of boar freeze-dried semen is not affected by longtime preservation and it can be used further for intracytoplasmatic sperm injection technique