CAUSES AND REMEDIES FOR NON-INFECTIOUS INFERTILITY IN SHEEP AND GOATS

Non-infectious infertility is particularly critical for sire rams/bucks, as seasonal breeders. This seasonal heavy use of males may lead to sexual exhaustion such that the regular semen production, libido, ejaculation, and litter yield can be seriously impaired. In severe cases, the reproductive processes may stop completely. For avoiding infertility risk, management and feeding should firstly be arranged with a flock-based approach. In reproductive management, the issues of using teaser ram/buck, male/female ratio, weekly mating number, exercise, and experience need attention. Also, inbreeding and using old breeders should be avoided. In oestrus synchronisation, necessary precautions against extremely hot/arid climatic conditions should be considered together with a sufficient number of rams/bucks used rotationally. For sustainable sheep/goat breeding, protective-preventive measures are preferred to problem-solving approaches. In enterprises where female breeder welfare is a priority, sustainable individual yield increases. Further, only the comfort level of males used heavily in season allows the expected libido and fertility to occur. In small ruminants, the necessary interest and responsibility in production provide convenience in the ideal solution with the opportunity of early interventions against undesirable fertility problems in breeders. Undoubtedly, it is vital to consider sustainable animal health and welfare for profitable breeding and husbandry in sheep/goats

Protective effects of silymarin on methotrexate-induced damages in rat testes

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of silymarin (SMN), an antioxidant, on methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage in rat testes. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5), SMN (200 mg/kg, orally), and MTX + SMN (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5 and SMN 200 mg/kg orally) groups. At the end of the 6-week trial period, histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and spermatological analyses were performed on testes tissues. Histopathologically, MTX-induced damage, including depletion of germ cell and loos of spermatozoa, was significantly improved with SMN treatment. Immunohistochemically, the immunoreactivity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were detected more intensely in the MTX + SMN group than in the MTX group. Biochemical examinations revealed that SMN supplementation decreased the lipid peroxidation and increased enzymatic antioxidants in the SMN-treated rats. Spermatologically, significant differences were found in the density, motility, dead-to-live sperm ratio, and abnormal sperm rate in the MTX + SMN group compared to the MTX group. In conclusion, SMN seems to have protective effects as an antioxidant against MTX-induced damage in rat testes

Protective effects of silymarin on methotrexate-induced damages in rat testes

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of silymarin (SMN), an antioxidant, on methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage in rat testes. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5), SMN (200 mg/kg, orally), and MTX + SMN (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5 and SMN 200 mg/kg orally) groups. At the end of the 6-week trial period, histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and spermatological analyses were performed on testes tissues. Histopathologically, MTX-induced damage, including depletion of germ cell and loos of spermatozoa, was significantly improved with SMN treatment. Immunohistochemically, the immunoreactivity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were detected more intensely in the MTX + SMN group than in the MTX group. Biochemical examinations revealed that SMN supplementation decreased the lipid peroxidation and increased enzymatic antioxidants in the SMN-treated rats. Spermatologically, significant differences were found in the density, motility, dead-to-live sperm ratio, and abnormal sperm rate in the MTX + SMN group compared to the MTX group. In conclusion, SMN seems to have protective effects as an antioxidant against MTX-induced damage in rat testes

Effects of long-term release GnRH agonist "deslorelin" on testicular HSP expression, accessory sex glands and testicular functions in adult male rats

WOS: 000472985900013PubMed ID: 31158733The objective of the present was to determine the effect of long-term release GnRH agonists "deslorelin" on suppression and restoration of testicular and accessory sex glands functions, and expression of HSP in testes of adult male rats. A group of twenty-eight male rats and fifty-six female rats were kept for eleven months. The male rats were subdivided into treatment (n = 18; deslorelin, an analogue of GnRH, 4.7 mg, S.C; six months) and control (n = 10; untreated), and the adult female rats were introduced with either treatment or control male rats at the 2nd, 6th and 11th months post implant insertion. At 6th month of deslorelin implants insertion, six male rats from treatment and five rats from control group were sacrificed. The remaining (twelve treatment and five control) male rats were sacrificed at 11 months. The testicular dimension were measured monthly in both treatment and control rats. The blood samples were collected for testosterone and HSP70 antibody, whereas, the testes and accessory glands were isolated for histological examination at each sacrificial time. The results showed that testicular dimension were significantly lesser in treatment group until 9 months post treatment. HSP70 protein expression was negligible at 6 months in treatment group but its intensity increased in spermatids 11 months of treatment similar to control group. Significantly lower testosterone concentrations with poor semen quality, and smaller litter size were observed in treatment group. The histological picture of accessory sex glands and seminiferous tubules shown a variable integrity in treatment group than control at 6 months implant insertion. In conclusion, the subcutaneous application of 4.7 mg of the GnRH-analogue deslorelin represents a practicable, like in the female rats, method to suppress testicular, accessory sex glands functions, testicular HSP expression and fertility in male rats. Moreover, the suppressive effects of deslorelin, continued until 11th months after removal of the implant. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Yuzuncu Yil University [2014-HIZ-VF063]This study was supported by Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Yuzuncu Yil University as a Project (2014-HIZ-VF063) and a part of this study was as a poster presented in 49th Annual Conference on Physiology & Pathology of Reproduction and also 41st Joint Conference of Veterinary and Human Reproductive Medicine, p.141, 10th-12th February, Leipzig, Germany, 2016

INVESTIGATION OF THE IMMUNOCASTRATION EFFICACY AND LONGEVITY OF A SINGLE DOSE GNRH VACCINE IN YOUNG MALE RATS

WOS: 000477688700020Conventionally, immunization protocol require an initial priming immunization followed by an antigen boost for adequate immunity and long-term immunization. In this study we were evaluate the immunocastration efficacy and longevity of immunization with a single-dose GnRH vaccine (Repro-Bloc (TM)) in young male rats. Rats in the vaccine group (VAC, n: 35) were treated with GnRH vaccine as single-dose (200 mu l) and the control group (C, n: 15) were also injected with saline solution. Blood samples from all rats were taken monthly for 6 months and at 12th month. GnRH antibody titers, testosterone and leptin levels were determined by commercial RIA kits. Rats at 6th and 12th months were sacrificed for histologic analysis of testes. GnRH antibody levels were found similar in the VAC and C groups (P>0.05) at -1 week. As compared to the C, GnRH antibody levels (pg/ml) of the VAC group at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th months rose continuously and reached the peak level at 5th month, decreased at 6th month and increased again by the 12th month (P0.05). Compared to the unchanged testosterone levels within the process in C group, serum testosterone levels of the VAC group were lower at 2nd month and higher at 3th month, and thereafter lower (P0.05). There were significant differences in the testicle weights, sperm motility, sperm numbers and abnormal sperm rates between VAC and C groups at 6th and 12th months (P0.05). In conclusion, although the vaccine reduced the germinative and endocrine testicular function from 6th months to 12th months with the single-dose GnRH vaccine, the single-dose vaccination did not provide adequate effect in the genital organs in male rats. Further studies are needed to determine an optimal single-dose, longevity of the vaccine and route of administration for complete suppression on the genital organs in different animal species

Gallic acid improves the viability and mitochondrial membrane potential of post-thawed goat buck semen

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gallic acid (GA) on frozen-thawed goat spermatozoa. Four Honamli goat bucks were used at their breeding season, and ejaculates were collected by an electroejaculator. Mixed semen was divided into the following four groups: control (0 mM), low (L; 1 mM), medium (M; 2 mM), and high (H; 4 mM) concentration of GA. All the groups were frozen and thawed in a water bath for spermatological evaluation. The lowest motility was observed in the control group (47.60 +/- 5.70%) (P < 0.05), while the highest viability (62.45 +/- 1.68%), plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (44.81 +/- 4.57%), and high mitochondrial membrane potential (35.96 +/- 2.50%) were observed in the low GA group (P < 0.05). Also, the lowest hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS +) value was found in the high GA group (47.60 +/- 4.82%) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing a low concentration (1 mM) of GA to the Tris-based semen extender had a positive effect on spermatological parameters after freeze-thawing of Honamli goat semen. Further studies should be continued in other species with different doses and combinations using commercial and/or homemade semen extenders

Concentrations of NEFA, beta-HBA, triglycerides, and certain blood metabolites in healthy colored Angora goats during the peripartum period

WOS: 000359122700004The aim of this study was to determine the changes in serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), serum beta-hydroxybutyric acid (beta-HBA), triglycerides, Ca, Na, and other metabolites (bilirubin, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH)) in the blood of grazing, healthy goats at the time of parturition. Blood samples were taken weekly from the jugular vein of 11 goats, starting at week 2 antepartum (ap) until week 9 postpartum (pp). NEFA and beta-HBA concentrations increased from week 2 ap to 2 weeks pp. The increase in NEFA level was not significant; however, the beta-HBA levels were higher (P < 0.05) 2 weeks pp compared to the levels at 2 weeks ap. Triglycerides were recorded at maximum levels (P < 0.05) 2 weeks ap, with the lowest concentrations at 3 weeks pp. Bilirubin levels consistently increased up to 7 weeks pp, followed by a decrease. However, these changes were not significant. Similarly, GLDH activities increased until week 8 pp. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was recorded between the 1st week and 8th week pp. Ca and Na levels were lower during the 1st week pp and increased at 3 weeks pp. The results show that there are characteristic alterations of some metabolic blood parameters in goats around the time of parturition, which may be related to physiological changes