Fernanda Jordão Affonso

Addition of Antioxidants Myoinositol, Ferulic Acid, and Melatonin and Their Effects on Sperm Motility, Membrane Integrity, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Cooled Equine Semen

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of myoinositol (MYO), ferulic acid (FA), and melatonin (MEL) in equine cooled semen. Ejaculates were collected and distributed into the following four treatments: MYO, FA, MEL, and control. A skim milk–based extender was used. Samples were cooled at 5°C and evaluated at 0, 4, and 8 hours after storage for motility, plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Motility characteristics were not affected by treatment, except for the amplitude of lateral head displacement, which was higher in MYO (8.3 ± 0.2) compared with the control group (7.8 ± 0.2). No difference was observed among treatments for intact plasma membrane (%). However, the percentage of cells with intact plasma and acrosomal membranes and high mitochondrial potential was greater in the MEL (78.1 ± 2.0) and FA groups (78.8 ± 1.7) compared with the control group (73.8 ± 2.0). The high mitochondrial potential (%) was also greater in groups treated with MEL (80.1 ± 1.9) and FA (81.0 ± 1.5) compared with the control group (76.6 ± 2.0). In addition, percentage of cells with intact acrosome membrane was greater in MEL group (99.7 ± 0.1) compared with all other treatments. ROS production was not affected by treatments. In conclusion, FA and MEL provided the best protection to mitochondria, acrosome, and plasma membranes, suggesting that the addition of these antioxidants to equine semen extender can improve sperm quality. HighlightsFerulic acid and melatonin provided the best protection to all membranes.Melatonin increases the percentage of cells with intact acrosome.No difference was observed among treatments for intact plasma membrane (%).Motility characteristics were not affected, except for the amplitude of lateral head displacement (higher in myoinositol).Reactive oxygen species production was not affected by treatments.

Uterine Vascular Perfusion and Involution During the Postpartum Period in Mares

ABSTRACT In horses, limited data is found regarding the vascular events during uterine involution at the puerperal period. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the morphological aspects (size of uterus and intrauterine fluid content) and the hemodynamics (endometrial and mesometrial vascular perfusion) of the uterus during its postpartum involution process. Ten mares were daily scanned by transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography from the first day postpartum (d1) to the 16th day after first postpartum ovulation (D0 = ovulation). The formerly gravid horn (GH) and formerly nongravid horn (NH) were individually evaluated. A reduction (P < .05) in the uterine diameter was observed during the first 7 days postpartum, and the rate of uterine involution decreased after this period. The involution was completed on d21 and d24 for the NH and GH, respectively. Presence of intrauterine fluid was present in large amounts between d1 and d2 postpartum, followed by a decrease (P < .05) between d4 and d7. No fluid was observed after d16 postpartum or after the third day postovulation (D3). During the early postpartum period, an increase (P < .05) in the endometrial and mesometrial vascularization was detected, respectively, between d1 and d4, and between d1 and d2. The vascular perfusion did not differ after d4 for endometrial tissue, whereas was reduced (P < .05) between d2 and d10 for mesometrium. After the first postpartum ovulation, an increase (P < .05) in vascular perfusion was observed from D0 to D5, followed by a decrease (P < .05) between D5 and D11 and an increase (P < .05) between D11 and D14. The novel vascular perfusion profile here described in the endometrium and mesometrium after ovulation is similar to the uterine vascular profile observed during estrous cycles and early pregnancy, indicating a fast return of the mares uterus to cycling postpartum conditions. HIGHLIGHTSImportant physiological changes involved in the uterine involution were described.Great reduction in the uterine diameter was observed during the first days postpartum.The uterine involution process was completed until 4 weeks postpartum.Uterine vascularity has a transitional increase during first 2 to 4 days postpartum.Uterine vascularity after ovulation is similar to that observed during early pregnancy.