Augusto Carluccio

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection of in vitro matured oocytes of domestic cats with frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa.

The ability to mature and fertilize oocytes of endangered species may allow us to sustain genetic and global biodiversity. The first objective of this study was to compare the effect of two different culture media and two different incubation times on in vitro maturation (IVM) of domestic cat oocytes. The second objective was to determine the developmental competence of in vitro matured cat oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with cat spermatozoa. Oocytes recovered from ovaries of ovariectomized cats were cultured either in TCM 199 medium or in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF), both of which were supplemented with cysteamine, BSA, FSH, LH. Nuclear maturation was assessed after 24 h and 40 h of incubation. Results of IVM showed that the percentage of oocytes reaching MII after 24 h and 40 h of incubation were significantly higher (P<0.001) after culture with SOF (88/110, 80% and 159/192, 82.8%) than TCM 199 (86/129, 66.7% and 58/90, 64.4%). Oocytes (n = 231) matured in vitro in SOF for 24 h were fertilized by ICSI with frozen-thawed epididymal cat spermatozoa. After ICSI, one group of oocytes (n = 129) was activated with ethanol, and a second group (n = 102) was not activated. The developmental competence of all ICSI oocytes was examined after 7 days of in vitro culture. After 28 h of culture, the cleavage frequency of ICSI-activated oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of IC

Evaluations of Testicular Biopsy by Tru-cut in the Stallion

Testicular biopsy is one of the supplementary examinations performed in the course of andrological testing. In veterinary medicine, it is seldom used in low-fertility or sterility testing, or in the investigation of suspected cancer. Biopsies are discouraged in horses in particular, since they may result in testicular sclerosis and atrophy (Galina, 1971; Smith, 1974; Marusi and Corradi, 1989; Varner, 1991; Del Vento et al ., 1992; Threlfall and Lopate, 1993; Roser, 2000). In humans (Foresta and Varotto, 1992; Foresta et al ., 1992; Kessaris et al ., 1995; Harrington et al., 1996) good results are currently being reported with the use of tru-cut needles (needle assemblies with an inner recess that cuts and traps the tissue sample). These can be used to remove a fragment of parenchymal tissue with minimal invasiveness. Our aim was to study the use of this instrument in stallions; to assess the adequacy of the biopsy sample in relation to the size of the needle and sample retrieval mechanism used (either springloaded or manual); and to analyse the suitability for histology of the specimen. We were also interested in the short- and long-term outcomes of the procedure.

Comparative study on Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations in new-born horse foals, donkey foals and calves

During the postnatal period, the most important growth regulator is represented by the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Horses, donkeys, and cattle are monotocous species with considerable gestational lengths. The birth of a live, viable newborn at the end of a healthy pregnancy, and the survival of the single newborn, represent essential prerequisites for a successful reproductive success. Therefore, the full knowledge about neonatal biology of these species is mandatory. The aim of this study was to investigate the IGF-I plasma profiles in the neonates of these three species during the first 14 days of life. Six horse foals, 6 donkey foals and 6 calves, healthy and mature, were enrolled, and blood samples collected at 30 minutes, 3, 12, 24 hours, and 3, 7, 10, 14 days after birth. IGF-I plasma concentrations were analysed by RIA. Horse foals showed higher (p<0.05) IGF-I plasma concentrations at 10 and 14 days of age in comparison to the values observed at 24 hours of age, while higher (p<0.05) IGF-I plasma concentrations were detected at 14 days of age in comparison to all the previous sampling times. Donkey foals showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) value at 10 days compared to the first 24 hours. Calves showed the highest value at 30 minutes, followed by a significant (p<0.05) decrease at 3 hours and a further significant (p<0.05) decrease at 7 days of age. Comparing the profiles of the three species, no differences between horse and donkey foals were observed, while calves showed significant (p<0.05) lower levels compared to donkeys at 7,10 and 14 days and to horse foals at 14 days. This study confirm the important role of IGF-I in the early postnatal life in these three species, but also underlines the need of additional species-specific studies for a better understanding of the possible different role played by IGF-I in the different species neonatal physiology. Correspondence to: Veronesi Maria Cristina, Associate Professor, Clinical Veterinary Surgery and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Italy, Tel: 02503 18149; E-mail:maria.veronesi@unimi.it