The use of thermography on the slaughter-line for the assessment of pork and raw ham quality

The left and right hams of forty heavy pig carcasses were thermographed to evaluate whether surface temperature differences were related to meat and ham quality. Thermal imaging analysis showed no differences in average surface temperature among classes of pH or of L* colour co-ordinate nor among classes of ham defects such as veining and red skin. However, hams with a lower fat cover displayed a significantly warmer average temperature surface. Infrared thermography seems to be a practical and non-invasive method to detect hamswith a fat cover below the minimum requested to be submitted to the dry-curing process

Biochemical and Fatty Acids Composition of Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Follicular Fluid

Aim of this study was to characterize the biochemical and fatty acids composition of follicular fluid collected from follicles of different sizes and in different phases of ovarian cycle in water buffalo farmed in Italy. Ovaries were collected at slaughterhouse during the breeding season; follicular fluid was aspirated dividing samples in small and large follicles (< 6 mm and > 6 mm respectively) and in luteal and follicular phase. Biochemical analysis and gas-chromatography were performed. Biochemical and fatty acids composition were greatly influenced by both follicular dimension and phase of ovarian cycle. Biochemical composition and its variations were in agreement with previously study conducted in buffalo and other species. This is the first report of the fatty acids composition of buffalo follicular fluid. Twenty-two fatty acids were identified in follicular fluid; nine were saturated fatty acids, six monounsatured fatty acids and seven polyunsatured fatty acids. The most dominant fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidonic acid. All the identified fatty acids concentrations vary at least because of follicle dimension or phase, with the exception of γ-linoleic acid and arachidonic acid which concentrations remain stable in all classes

Use of biochemical and protein profiles of seminal plasma to prediction of semen quality and fertility in stallions

The identification of various substances in seminal plasma has opened the way to study their functionality. It was aimed to identify the electrophoretic protein profile (EPP) and biochemical parameters (BP) of seminal plasma (SP) as predictors of semen quality and fertility in stallion. Forty-six ejaculates from 7 fertile stallions, aged between 6-26 years, were collected from May to July and 117 mares were used to obtain fertility data. For each ejaculate, volume, sperm motility, concentration were determined and seminal plasma samples were collected to perform one-dimensional electrophoresis and biochemical profiling. Following the estrus detection, mares were inseminated with fresh sperm. Pregnancy rates and foal rates were recorded. The concentration of 15-18 kDa molecular weight (MW) proteins has shown a positive correlation with sperm concentration and foal rate. Besides, a strong positive correlation was found between sperm concentration and 23-28 kDa MW proteins (r=0.77). The volume of 19-22 kDa MW proteins was negatively correlated with pregnancy and foal rate. Similarly, the volume of high MW proteins (173-385 kDa) correlated negatively with sperm motility and foal rate. Apart from the protein profile, while Magnesium and Glucose levels were negatively correlated with sperm quality and foal rate, Cholesterol level was a positive indicator of the quality of semen as well as the foaling rate. Moreover, the total protein level was correlated negatively with the sperm concentration whereas triglyceride was correlated positively. In conclusion, EPP and BP of seminal plasma are valuable clinical tools as predictors of fertility and semen quality in the stallion.Fil: Stelletta, C.. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Alberti, S.. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Cil, B.. Ankara University; TurquíaFil: Tekin, K.. Ankara University; TurquíaFil: Tirpan, M. B.. Ankara University; TurquíaFil: Argañaraz, Martin Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Akcay, E.. Ankara University; TurquíaFil: Daskin, A.. Ankara University; Turquí

Breeding Soundness Evaluation in Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Males: A Long Retrospective Study of the Effects of Cystic Masses and Environmental Temperatures on Scrotal Measures

Male alpacas have reproductive peculiarities that can influence the breeding soundness evaluation (BSE). This study was aimed to analyse the frequency of epididymal and testicular cystic lesions in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) retrospectively during different environmental temperatures. A total of 45 subject from 120 males were evaluated with linear probe (10 MHz; MyLab VetONE) between at 5 different alpaca farms in Italy. Semen was collected via artificial vagina and semen parameters were evaluated. Twenty % (9/45) of the males demonstrated the presence of abnormal testicular and epididymal cyst. Those cystic lesions could represent a simple result of drainage defect of the fluid produced (ectasia of the rete testis), congenitally derived from a probable hereditary pattern (2/9) or affecting epididymal structures (3/9). Cystic lesions can increase the scrotal volumetric asymmetry due to the most common mono -lateral lesions (P<0.05). Some diagnostic biochemical parameters such as the seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase was higher in affected males (P<0.05). Besides, environmental temperature can influence scrotal swelling independently by the presence of cystic lesions thus alter the scrotal volume. The ultrasonography can provide more specific information about the presence of epididymal and testicular anomalies influencing the BSE results

Late dioestrus ACTH-injection in sheep does not cause a delayed luteolysis but an oxidative stress condition

This study aimed at investigating if simulated long-term stress during late diestrus has an impact on concentrations of progesterone and some markers of oxidative stress. Oestrous cycles of 30 non-pregnant, non-lactating Sarda ewes were synchronized using intravaginal prog- estin sponges (Chronogest, Intervet) for 14 days, and on the day of sponge removal 300 IU of PMSG was given im. After 14 days, 15 sheep (ACTH group) received twice daily (08.00 and 20.00 h) 0.5 mg of a synthetic ACTH (Synacthen Depot, Novartis) for 5 days, while the other 15 animals received saline and served as control (CTR). Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture every other day until ACTH administration and then daily for further 14 days. Cortisol concentrations was significantly higher in the ACTH group than in the CTR (p < 0.001). No significant differences were evidenced in progesterone concentration or oestrous cycles length (17.4 ± 3.5 vs 17.1 ± 3.4 days for ACTH and CTR groups, respectively). During ACTH administration, glutathione peroxidase activity tended to be lower in the ACTH group (p < 0.099). Total glutathione significantly decreased in the ACTH group (p < 0.01), whereas the oxidized form of glutathione was higher than in the CTR (p < 0.01). Superoxide dismutase activity increased after day 1 of treatment in the ACTH group compared to the CTR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ACTH administration during the late diestrus neither modified progesterone concentrations nor delay luteolysis, whereas a clear alteration of scavenger systems for reactive oxygen species was evidenced (Sup- ported by MIUR [PRIN 2004])