Pregnancy Rates in Repeat-breeder Heifers Following Multiple Artificial Inseminations during Spontaneous Oestrus

Hormonal asynchronies during oestrus, related to the presence of suprabasal plasma-progesterone (P4) concentrations and a delayed ovulation, interfere with the fertility of repeat-breeder heifers (RBH). Since tubal dysfunction can occur in connection with hormonal asynchronies and constrained availability of fertile spermatozoa at the time of ovulation, the present study tested the hypothesis that frequent sperm deposition from onset of oestrus to ovulation may improve pregnancy rates in RBH. Five RBH and five virgin heifers (VH; controls) were repeatedly artificially inseminated (AI) at 6 h intervals from onset of oestrus to spontaneous ovulation. Hormone analyses revealed suprabasal P4 concentrations and a delay in the occurrence of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge, but a normal cortisol profile in RBH. Compared with controls, RBH presented longer interval from onset of oestrus to ovulation, and therefore, received more AIs. Pregnancy rates in RBH reached control levels (60%; NS), indicating that the hypothesis might be correct. Pregnancy rates in VH were below the expected range, presumably attributed to a deleterious influence of the frequent handling. The study suggests that pregnancy rates can be improved in RBH by frequent AI in relation to spontaneous ovulation. However, this practice of repeated manipulations, while seeming not to show adverse effects, lacks practicality for routine use

Mating modifies the expression of crucial oxidative-reductive transcripts in the pig oviductal sperm reservoir: is the female ensuring sperm survival?

BackgroundMating induces large changes in the female genital tract, warranting female homeostasis and immune preparation for pregnancy, including the preservation of crucial oxidative status among its pathways. Being highly susceptible to oxidative stress, sperm survival and preserved function depend on the seminal plasma, a protection that is removed during sperm handling but also after mating when spermatozoa enter the oviduct. Therefore, it is pertinent to consider that the female sperm reservoir takes up this protection, providing a suitable environment for sperm viability. These aspects have not been explored despite the increasing strategies in modulating the female status through diet control and nutritional supplementation.AimsTo test the hypothesis that mating modifies the expression of crucial oxidative-reductive transcripts across the entire pig female genital tract (cervix to infundibulum) and, particularly in the sperm reservoir at the utero-tubal junction, before ovulation, a period dominated by estrogen stimulation of ovarian as well as of seminal origin.MethodsThe differential expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors and of 59 oxidative-reductive transcripts were studied using a species-specific microarray platform, in specific segments of the peri-ovulatory sow reproductive tract in response to mating.ResultsMating induced changes along the entire tract, with a conspicuous downregulation of both ER and PR and an upregulation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutaredoxin (GLRX3), and peroxiredoxin 1 and 3 (PRDX1, PRDX3), among other NADH Dehydrogenase Ubiquinone Flavoproteins, in the distal uterus segment. These changes perhaps helped prevent oxidative stress in the area adjacent to the sperm reservoir at the utero-tubal junction. Concomitantly, there were a downregulation of catalase (CAT) and NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) oxidoreductases 1 beta subcomplex, subunit 1 (NDUFB1) in the utero-tubal junction alongside an overall downregulation of CAT, SOD1, and PRDX3 in the ampullar and infundibulum segments.ConclusionsNatural mating is an inducer of changes in the expression of female genes commanding antioxidant enzymes relevant for sperm survival during sperm transport, under predominant estrogen influence through the bloodstream and semen. The findings could contribute to the design of new therapeutics for the female to improve oxidative-reductive balance

Extracellular vesicles would be involved in the release and delivery of seminal TGF-β isoforms in pigs

© 2023 Padilla, Barranco, Martínez-Hernández, Parra, Parrilla, Pastor, Rodriguez-Martinez, Lucas and Roca. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This document is the Published version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1102049Introduction: pig seminal plasma (SP) is rich in active forms of all three isoforms (1-3) of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), a chemokine modulatory of the immune environment in the female genital tract once semen is delivered during mating or artificial insemination (AI). The present study aimed to examine how TGF-βs are secreted by the epithelium of the male reproductive tract and how they are transported in semen, emphasizing the interplay with seminal extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Methods: Source of TGF-βs was examined by immunohistochemistry in testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands, by immunocytochemistry in ejaculated spermatozoa, and by Luminex xMAP® technology in SP and sEVs retrieved from healthy, fertile male pigs used as breeders in AI programs. Results: All three TGF-β isoforms were expressed in all reproductive tissues explored and would be released into ductal lumen either in soluble form or associated with sEVs. Ejaculated spermatozoa expressed all three TGF-β isoforms, both inside and outside, probably the outer one associated with membrane-bound sEVs. The results confirmed that pig SP contains all three TGF-β isoforms and demonstrated that a substantial portion of them is associated with sEVs. Discussion: Seminal EVs would be involved in the cellular secretion of the active forms of seminal TGF-β isoforms and in their safe transport from the male to the female reproductive tract

Disquinesia ciliar primaria en un bichon Frisé macho de un año de edad

Se describe el caso clínico de un Bichon Frisé macho de un año de edad, con signos respiratorios desde los dos meses de vida. El motivo de la consulta fue la presentación de un cuadro de tos crónica productiva de dos meses de duración y posibles episodios recurrentes de rinosinusitis. El perro había sido tratado anteriormente con antibióticos obteniéndose una respuesta parcial. La historia clínica, el examen radiográfico, ecocardiográfico y de ECG ayudaron a destacar otros problemas respiratorios y cardíacos para llegar a la sospecha de una disquinesia ciliar primaria. Se procedió al examen ultraestructural con el microscopio electrónico de trasmisión de cilios de la mucosa nasal y de los flagelos de los espermatozoides. La muestra de la mucosa nasal quedó invalidada por la presencia de eritrocitos pero se pudo llegar al diagnóstico a través de las alteraciones características encontradas en los brazos de dineína y en los microtúbulos de los flagelos de los espermatozoides. El tratamiento de esta enfermedad hereditaria es de por vida se basa en el control de las infecciones respiratorias recidivantes con una antibioterapia específica mediante cultivos previos del exudado nasal o lavado traqueal. El pronóstico es reservado y depende del control de estas infecciones secundarias. Aunque esta enfermedad suele conllevar una infertilidad o subfertilidad del macho, el animal debe retirarse de la reproducción. Palabras clave: Disquinesia ciliar primaria; Examen ultraestrctural; Espermatozoides

Estimación de la función de demanda por telefonía local para Monterrey y su área metropolitana (Demand function estimation for local telephone service in Monterrey)

Resumen. In this study we estimate a model to explain the consumption demand for local telephone service in Monterrey. In this paper we provide a theoretical framework of the variables that affect the demand function. The main problem for the estimation is that we have different telephone services from the same supplier. We consider data of one year from 2006 to 2007, and we estimate a multivariate linear model. We also estimate the variable “income level” using 12 socioeconomic variables. The results indicate that it is not necessary to include in the model the seasonality factor. The variables of the model are statistically significant, and we also find that the expected signs of the variable are based on the economic theory. The income level was the variable with more impact in the demand. Abstract. . En este estudio buscamos encontrar un modelo de estimación de la demanda de telefonía local para Monterrey con variables que expliquen mejor el consumo de los usuarios. La dificultad de esta estimación se debe a que existen muchos servicios telefónicos diferentes de un mismo proveedor y por consecuencia muchas tarifas. En el artículo se hace una revisión de la literatura sobre las principales variables que afectan la demanda. En nuestro estudio consideramos los datos de un año entre 2006-2007. El modelo que estimamos es multivariante con una estructura lineal ya que era el que mejor se ajustaba. La variable “nivel de vida” se estimó a partir de 12 variables socioeconómicas de las características de la población. Los resultados indican que no es necesario incluir la estacionalidad. Otro resultado indica que todas las variables son estadísticamente significativas y se cumple con los signos esperados en base a la teoría económica, siendo la variable de nivel de vida la que mayor efecto tiene sobre las llamadas salientes

Metallic elements in foliar material and fruits of three tree species as bioindicators

This study aimed to determine the presence of metal elements in fruits and leaves of three tree species as bioindicators in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Ninety fruit and 90 leaf samples (30 per tree species) were collected at five sites (agricultural, suburban, commercial and services, urban, and mining), using the site and the presence of P. laevigata, S. molle, and A. farnesiana as references. Total concentrations of 13 metal elements were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The species were significantly affected by Co, As, and Pb (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Considering the land use and the species, the contents determined in the leaves and fruits of the three species had sufficient and phytotoxic contents of Al, Cd, Co, Ni, Mn, Ti, and Cr, and excessive ranges with the possible phytotoxic effect of As, Cu, Pb, Zn, V, and Fe. The A. farnesiana had the highest concentrations of 12 heavy metals analyzed (HM). The variation in total metal concentrations between leaves and fruits ranged from 84.70 to 99.06%, with V, As, and Cr being prominent. The functionality of these tree species as phytoremediators and bioindicators is reviewed to evaluate environmental impacts on land use. Highlights Tree species represent a potential bioindicator for studying environmental pollutants due to their ability to accumulate heavy metals. The variation in total metal concentrations between leaves and fruits ranged from 84.70 to 99.06% The contents determined in the leaves and fruits of the three species trees had sufficient and phytotoxic HM contents. The tree species have phytoremediators capacity to evaluate environmental impacts and environmental contamination of land use.This study aimed to determine the presence of metal elements in fruits and leaves of three tree species as bioindicators in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Ninety fruit and 90 leaf samples (30 per tree species) were collected at five sites (agricultural, suburban, commercial and services, urban, and mining), using the site and the presence of P. laevigata, S. molle, and A. farnesiana as references. Total concentrations of 13 metal elements were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The species were significantly affected by Co, As, and Pb (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Considering the land use and the species, the contents determined in the leaves and fruits of the three species had sufficient and phytotoxic contents of Al, Cd, Co, Ni, Mn, Ti, and Cr, and excessive ranges with the possible phytotoxic effect of As, Cu, Pb, Zn, V, and Fe. The A. farnesiana had the highest concentrations of 12 heavy metals analyzed (HM). The variation in total metal concentrations between leaves and fruits ranged from 84.70 to 99.06%, with V, As, and Cr being prominent. The functionality of these tree species as phytoremediators and bioindicators is reviewed to evaluate environmental impacts on land use. Highlights Tree species represent a potential bioindicator for studying environmental pollutants due to their ability to accumulate heavy metals. The variation in total metal concentrations between leaves and fruits ranged from 84.70 to 99.06% The contents determined in the leaves and fruits of the three species trees had sufficient and phytotoxic HM contents. The tree species have phytoremediators capacity to evaluate environmental impacts and environmental contamination of land use