Growth rate, scrotal circumference, sperm characteristics, and sexual behavior of mixed-breed goat bucks fed three leguminous trees

Aim of study: To investigate the effect of feeding foliage of leguminous trees on growth rate, semen characteristics, and sexual behavior of bucks. Area of study: Northeastern Mexico (23°44' N, 99°8' W). Material and methods: Twenty-two young goat bucks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: 33% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis), 33%; Acacia farnesiana; Leucaena leucocephala; or Prosopis laevigata foliage (n=4 for alfalfa; n=6 for the rest of groups). Main results: Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between bucks fed alfalfa, A. farnesiana, or L. leucocephala (120 ± 26, 134 ± 37, and 103 ± 29 g/d, respectively), but ADG of bucks offered P. laevigata was the lowest (72 ± 8 g; p<0.05). Bucks fed alfalfa had the highest feed efficiency (6.59 ± 1.25 kg of feed consumed/kg of gain; p<0.05) and bucks offered leguminous trees had the lowest (average 9.85 ± 2.3). Bucks offered alfalfa, and A. farnesiana had increased (p<0.05) scrotal circumference (26.6 ± 0.4 and 25.8 ± 1.5 cm) than bucks fed L. leucocephala, or P. laevigata (24.3 ± 1.2 and 24.1 ± 2.0 cm). Mean ejaculate volume was two-fold higher in alfalfa-fed bucks than all other dietary treatments. Sexual behavior did not differ among bucks fed the different legumes. Research highlights: Foliage of both A. farnesiana and L. leucocephala could totally replace alfalfa hay for rearing growing goat bucks in confinement without affecting daily weight gain, most semen characteristics, and copulation ability. P. laevigata reduced body weight and reproductive function

Use of Propylene-Glycol as a Cosolvent for GnRH in Synchronization of Estrus and Ovulation in Sheep

The foreseen shortage of eCG for estrus synchronization in sheep makes necessary the development of alternative protocols. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the reproductive response of sheep in breeding season to the administration of GnRH using propylene-glycol as a cosolvent and the subcutaneous route for slowing and extending the release of GnRH, as well as the most adequate timing for such administration. In the present study, protocols based on a short-term CIDR treatment and a single subcutaneous dose of GnRH in propylene-glycol at 36 h after CIDR removal induced a similar ovarian response to protocols based on administration of eCG at CIDR removal or intramuscular GnRH in distilled water at 56 h after. In such protocol, 80% of the animals developed estrus in a narrow timing (75% between 36 and 48 h after CIDR removal), and all of them also ovulated in a narrow window (87.5% between 72 and 76 h after CIDR removal, with 62.5% between 72 and 76 h) and showed a similar ovulation rate and plasma progesterone concentrations at the induced estrous cycle. Hence, administration of GnRH in propylene-glycol may constitute an alternative to traditional protocols based on the administration of eCG

Targeted glutamate supply boosts insulin concentrations, ovarian activity, and ovulation rate in yearling goats during the anestrous season

The neuroendocrine regulation of the seasonal reproductive axis requires the integration of internal and external signals to ensure synchronized physiological and behavioral responses. Seasonal reproductive changes contribute to intermittent production, which poses challenges for optimizing goat product yields. Consequently, a significant objective in seasonal reproduction research is to attain continuous reproduction and enhance profitability in goat farming. Glutamate plays a crucial role as a modulator in several reproductive and metabolic processes. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of exogenous glutamate administration on serum insulin concentration and ovarian function during the out-of-season period in yearling goats. During the anestrous season, animals were randomly located in individual pens to form two experimental groups: (1) glutamate (n = 10, live weight (LW) = 29.1 ± 1.02 kg, body condition score (BCS) = 3.4 ± 0.2 units) and (2) control (n = 10; LW = 29.2 ± 1.07 kg, BCS = 3.5 ± 0.2), with no differences (p < 0.05) regarding LW and BCS. Then, goats were estrus-synchronized, and blood sampling was carried out for insulin quantification. Ovaries were ultrasonographically scanned to assess ovulation rate (OR), number of antral follicles (AFs), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AF). The research outcomes support our working hypothesis. Certainly, our study confirms that those yearling goats treated with exogenous glutamate displayed the largest (p < 0.05) insulin concentrations across time as well as an augmented (p < 0.05) out-of-season ovarian activity

The impact of extensive grazing in the behavior of soluble sugars in Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C.Johnst. trees

Objective: To evaluate the impact of extensive grazing in the accumulation of soluble sugars in Prosopis laevigata trees, whose leaves and fruits are directly consumed by cattle. Design/Methodology/Approach: The ejido Emiliano Zapata in Durango was the study area. Stem and root samples were collected from a stand of extensive grazing and a stand without cattle. The sampling was carried out in three growth stages: March (flowering), June (fruition), and October (leaf fall). The samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and were lyophilized. Afterwards, they were ground and 10 mg of dry matter were weighted in microtubes. The total soluble sugars (TSS) concentration was determined following the Van Handel methodology, using a spectrophotometer at 625 nm. The statistical analysis was carried out using an ANOVA and the Tukey’s test. Results: In March, the grazing area had lower TSS concentrations during regrowth than the area without grazing, both at root and stem levels. Study Limitations/Implications: The intensity of grazing and the pasture rotation should be regulated to favor carbohydrate accumulation in trees, which is required for the formation of the meristematic tissues. Finding/Conclusions: Extensive grazing has an impact on the synthesis and accumulation of TSS in mesquite trees. Therefore, the consumption of branches, leaves, and fruits decreases TSS concentrations in the stem and the root

Impact of clinical phenotypes on management and outcomes in European atrial fibrillation patients: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry

Background: Epidemiological studies in atrial fibrillation (AF) illustrate that clinical complexity increase the risk of major adverse outcomes. We aimed to describe European AF patients\u2019 clinical phenotypes and analyse the differential clinical course. Methods: We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Ward\u2019s Method and Squared Euclidean Distance using 22 clinical binary variables, identifying the optimal number of clusters. We investigated differences in clinical management, use of healthcare resources and outcomes in a cohort of European AF patients from a Europe-wide observational registry. Results: A total of 9363 were available for this analysis. We identified three clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 3634; 38.8%) characterized by older patients and prevalent non-cardiac comorbidities; Cluster 2 (n = 2774; 29.6%) characterized by younger patients with low prevalence of comorbidities; Cluster 3 (n = 2955;31.6%) characterized by patients\u2019 prevalent cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities. Over a mean follow-up of 22.5 months, Cluster 3 had the highest rate of cardiovascular events, all-cause death, and the composite outcome (combining the previous two) compared to Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 (all P &lt;.001). An adjusted Cox regression showed that compared to Cluster 2, Cluster 3 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27\u20133.62; HR 3.42, 95%CI 2.72\u20134.31; HR 2.79, 95%CI 2.32\u20133.35), and Cluster 1 (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.48\u20132.38; HR 2.50, 95%CI 1.98\u20133.15; HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.74\u20132.51) reported a higher risk for the three outcomes respectively. Conclusions: In European AF patients, three main clusters were identified, differentiated by differential presence of comorbidities. Both non-cardiac and cardiac comorbidities clusters were found to be associated with an increased risk of major adverse outcomes

Effect of heat stress and body condition score on the occurrence of puerperal disorders in Holstein cows

Aim of the study: To evaluate the association between temperature-humidity index (THI) and body condition score (BCS) at calving and retained placenta (RP), puerperal metritis, clinical ketosis, and mastitis in Holstein cows in a hot environment Area of study: Northeastern Mexico. Material and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study (n= 12,102 lactations from January 2017 to December 2021) using univariate logistic regressions. The outcome variables were periparturient diseases, and the predictor variables were BCS and thermal stress at calving. Main results: Cows calving with a THI > 82 were 30% more likely (prevalence 16.8% vs 13.7%; p 82 had significantly increased chances of having metritis than cows calving with THI 82 were 1.8 times more likely to have clinical ketosis (7.6% vs 4.4%; p < 0.01) than cows calving with THI < 82 units. Cows with BCS at calving ≥ 3.5 had half the risk of having RP (prevalence 10.4 vs 19.1%, p < 0.01) than cows with BCS < 3.5. Likewise, the risk of metritis decreased (p < 0.01) with BCS ≥3.5 at calving (prevalence 10.9 vs 17.4%). Research highlights: Heat stress at calving was associated with an increased risk for RP, puerperal metritis, and clinical ketosis compared to cows undergoing mild or no heat stress at parturition. Also, cows with BCS ≥ 3.5 were less likely to present RP and metritis, but high body fatness was associated with an increased risk for clinical ketosis

Effects of heat stress on reproductive efficiency of high yielding Holstein cows in a hot-arid environment

Background: high environmental temperature coupled with high humidity can result in reproductive failure in dairy cattle, with a drastic reduction in reproductive efficiency of dairy herds. Objective: to study the effect of high environmental temperature on reproduction performance of Holstein cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) throughout lactation in an arid environment. Methods: reproductive variables (n=18,037 services) from a large dairy herd were evaluated with respect to the maximum temperaturehumidity index (THI) prior to breeding, on the breeding day, and after breeding. The GENMOD procedure of SAS was used to assess the effect of THI and month of breeding on pregnancy by artificial insemination (P/AI). Results: increased THI from ≤ 70 to ≥ 95 units was associated with a decrease in P/AI from 47% to 26%. P/AI for cows inseminated on extremely hot days (THI= 85 to 90) preceded by cooler temperatures was six percent points higher than cows subjected to high temperatures before breeding. P/AI was higher (p38 ºC most of the year, and 230 mm mean annual rainfall), heat stress shortly before or after breeding severely compromises the breeding success of high yielding Holstein cows

Glutamate Supply Reactivates Ovarian Function while Increases Serum Insulin and Triiodothyronine Concentrations in Criollo x Saanen-Alpine Yearlings’ Goats during the Anestrous Season

The possible effect of glutamate supplementation upon ovarian reactivation and serum concentrations of insulin (INS) and triiodothyronine (T3) in anestrous yearling goats was evaluated. Goats (n = 32, 12 mo., 26&deg; North, 1117 m) with a similar live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) were blood sampled twice per week for two weeks (2 &times; 1 week &times; 2 weeks) to confirm the anestrus status (&lt;1 ng P4/mL; RIA). Thereafter, goats were randomly assigned to either 1) Glutamate (GLUT; n = 16, LW = 27.1 &plusmn; 1.09 kg, 3.5 &plusmn; 0.18 units, IV-supplemented with 7 mg of glutamate kg&minus;1 LW), or 2) Control (CONT; n = 16; LW = 29.2 &plusmn; 1.09 kg; BCS = 3.5 &plusmn; 0.18, IV saline). During the treatment period, 16 goats (eight/group) were blood sampled twice per week for six weeks. Such serum samples (2 &times; 1 week &times; 6 weeks) were quantified by their P4 content to evaluate the ovarian-luteal activity, whereas a sample subset (1 &times; 1 week &times; 6 weeks) was used to quantify their INS &amp; T3 content to evaluate their metabolic status. Neither LW (28.19 kg; p &gt; 0.05) nor BCS (3.51 units; p &gt; 0.05) differed between treatments. Goats depicting ovarian reactivation favored the GLUT group (50 vs. 12.5%; p &lt; 0.05). Neither INS (1.72 &plusmn; 0.15 ng mL&minus;1) nor T3 (2.32 &plusmn; 0.11 ng mL&minus;1) differed between treatments, yet a treatment x time interaction regarding INS &amp; T3 concentration across time favored (p &lt; 0.05) the GLUT group. The results unveil exogenous glutamate as an interesting modulator not only of ovarian reactivation, but of metabolic hormone synthesis