Ioan Groza

Dairy cows welfare quality in tie-stall housing system with or without access to exercise

BackgroundTie-stall housing of dairy cows is used extensively worldwide, despite of the welfare concerns regarding the restriction of voluntary movement and limitation of expression of the cows’ natural behaviour. The aim of this study was to compare the welfare quality of dairy cows kept in two types of tie-stall housing systems: with regular outdoor exercise and without access to exercise. In addition, the study investigated the relationship between different welfare measures of dairy cows kept in tie-stalls.Methods3,192 lactating cows were assessed using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for cattle in 80 commercial dairy farms, half of the farms providing outdoor access for the animals to exercise. The descriptive statistical indicators were determined for the assessed measures and for the welfare criteria and principle scores. The data obtained in the two housing types were compared and the correlation coefficients were calculated between the different welfare measures.ResultsThe significant differences found between the two housing systems for the majority of the animal based measures indicate the positive effect of exercise on the welfare of tethered cows. Many of the animal welfare parameters correlated with each other. For the farms allowing the cows’ turnout in a paddock, pasture or both, the mean scores for the welfare criteria and principles were higher than for the farms with permanent tethering of the cows, except the criteria absence of prolonged hunger and expression of social behaviours. The lowest scores were obtained for the criterion positive emotional state, in both housing systems. With regard to the overall classification, none of the farms were considered excellent. In the not classified category were only farms with all-year-round tethering of the animals and in the enhanced category only farms where the cows had outdoor access.ConclusionsThe welfare quality of the investigated dairy cows was significantly better in the tie-stall farms which allow exercise for cows (paddocks, pasture or both) than in those which do not. In the light of our results we consider that dairy cattle welfare is not necessarily poor in tie-stall housing systems, its quality depending on the management practices.

Evaluation of the potential of human mesenchymal stem cell engrafted after in utero transplantation in murine model

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human placenta (hPMSc) is an important alternative source of adult stem cells. These cells with multilinear capacity represent a biological material important for regenerative medicine. In this study, we established a mouse model for in utero transplantation of hPMCs to investigate if these cells would affect long-term, organ-specific engraftment. Murine model results can be extrapolated in human medicine in the treatment of various diseases.

Canine Amniotic Membrane Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells- Potential Sources for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract Canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be defined with self renew potential and specific differentiation capacity. Amiotic membrane represent an important source of MSCs, which can be harvested by minimally invasive methods. The aim of our study was to evaluate the growth characteristics of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells. The placenta samples were collected after cesarean section from healthy mixed breed dogs. MSCs isolation was performed using enzymatic method. Isolated cells were cultured in propagation medium: Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F12 (DMEM/F12, Gibco) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic (Sigma-Aldrich). The medium was changed after 4 days. The cell doubling number, cell proliferation capacity, cell doubling time, daily duplication rate and clonogenic efficacy were evaluated. Our study demonstrate the self renew potential of canine amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells, and can represent a potential source of stem cells for canine regenerative medicine.

Advanced Techniques of Bovine Semen Analysis

The aim of the study was to assess bull semen fertility parameters using the classical techniques of sperm quality evaluation (density, motility, viability, and morphology, evaluated by light microscopy, in addition to concentration, evaluated via the hemocytometer and microspermatocrit), as well as advanced techniques, like computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry. Results obtained for classical techniques were comparable to those obtained by automated methods, without significant differences between parameters. The classical methods were inexpensive but required more time and attention, while the operator’s experience was a key element for accurate assessment of sperm parameters. The advanced techniques were fast and objective, but required expensive equipment and dedicated personnel, with proper training in the field. Therefore, classical techniques are suitable for clinics where occasional evaluation of bulls’ fertility parameters is performed, while the advanced methods should be implemented in semen companies, as well as in fertility clinics and research laboratories.

Evaluation of the gametotoxic effect of nandrolone decanoate on the gametogenic function of male rabbit

Abstract The research was conducted on a number of 24 sexually mature male rabbits of common breed, divided into two numerically equal groups. The subjects from the experimental group were given 20 mg/kg nandrolone decanoate, intramuscularly, twice a week for four consecutive weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment. At the end of the experiment the testes were harvested through bilateral orchiectomy and processed for carrying out histopathological investigations. Testicular fragments were fixated in Stieve’s mixture for 24 hours, dehydrated with alcohol, clarified with butyl alcohol and included in paraffin. Serial sections of 5 μ thickness were stained by Massons trichrome method modified by Goldner. The testes taken from the control animals showed no detectable changes in optical microscopy. In the case of the animals belonging to experimental lots, there were alterations revealed evidenced by vacuolar dystrophy in the spermatocytes and spermatids, apoptosis, the edema of sperm head, spermatids syncytialization and cell necrosis followed by the disintegration of the seminal cell line with the formation of cellular debris in the seminiferous tubules lumen. These changes have affected part of the seminal cell line from the adluminal compartment (primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoids), but not those from the basal compartment (type A1 and B spermatogonia), which proved to be resistant in the conditions of 30 days exposure, at a dose of 20 mg/kg. In this context spermatogenesis is affected only for the period of drug action, but the risk of nandrolone decanoate transmission to humans through animal origin food consumption remains, with negative consequences on the spermatogenesis. Rezumat Având în vedere faptul că hormonii steroidieni au capacitatea de a modifica atât exprimarea informaţiei genetice codată la nivel genic cât şi nivelul fertilităţii la masculi, lucrarea de faţă şi-a propus testarea efectului nortestosteronului decanoat asupra celulelor spermatogene la iepuroi. Materialul biologic utilizat a fost reprezentat de către 24 iepuroi maturi sexual, împărţiţi în două loturi a câte 12 subiecţi fiecare, un lot experimental la care s-a administrat intramuscular 20 mg/kgc nortestosteron decanoat, de două ori pe săptămână, timp de 4 săptămâni şi un lot martor. La sfârşitul experimentului animalele aparţinând celor două loturi au fost supuse operaţiei de orhidectomie bilaterală iar testiculele au fost fixate în amestec Stieve, incluse în parafină şi secţiuni în grosime de 5 μm au fost colorate prin metoda Tricrom Goldner. Examinarea secţiunilor histologice provenite de la lotul martor a evidenţiat faptul că epiteliul tubilor seminiferi prezenta aspecte normale, fără a fi semnalate leziuni, nici măcar discrete. În cazul preparatelor histologice provenite de la lotul experimental au fost consemnate o serie de modificări cu preponderenţă la nivelul celulelor (spermatocite primare şi secundare, spermatide şi spermatozoizi) situate în compartimentul „adluminal” al tubilor seminiferi. Severitatea şi gradul de extindere al leziunilor a variat semnificativ de la un tub seminifer la altul şi chiar de la o porţiune la alta a aceluiaşi tub seminifer. Aceste modificări au constat în apariţia de celule în apoptoză precum şi numeroşi corpi apoptotici, degenerescenţă balonizantă a spermatocitelor şi spermatidelor, sinciţializarea spermatidelor, necroze însoţite de dezorganizare zonală moderată a epiteliului seminifer. În câteva zone au fost evidenţiate un număr mic de celule afectate (spermatogoniile) şi în compartimentul „bazal”. Dacă leziunile din compartimentul „adluminal” sunt reversibile, cele din compartimentul „bazal” sunt ireversibile deoarece afectează celulele „de rezervă” ale liniei spermatogenetice, compromiţând într-o oarecare măsură fertilitatea mascului. Aspectele evidenţiate ridică semne de întrebare asupra oprtunităţii utilizării nortestosteronului decanoat în terapie sau stimularea producţiei animale deoarece afectează funcţia spermatogenetică la masculi existând totodată riscul transferului lor la om prin consumul de alimente de origine animală.

Researches Concerning the Stimulation of Local and General Immune Factors in the Management and Control of the Puerperal Period in Dairy Cows

The natural therapy in puerperal disorders comes as a necessity for farmers, due to the high economic losses suffered when antibiotics are used for this purpose. The new phytotherapy with Plantistim and EucaComp allows the stimulation of the local and general immune factors while helping to obtain a physiological puerperal period in dairy cows. The cows taken into consideration for this research were clinical healthy at the beginning of the puerperal period. Three batches were formed: batch I - five cows that were treated with EucaComp suspension, batch II - five cows that were treated with Plantistim suspension and batch III was the control group. For an accurate results blood samples and uterine secretions were colected from all the cows. This samples were collected in order to determine various metabolic and immunologic parameters: glycemia, proteins, albumins, cholesterol, GOT, GPT, Ig G, lysozyme, lymphoblastic transformation, phagocytic index. The immunologic parameters that were determined show the local and general immunomodulatory effect of both natural products, justifying the high healing percentage following the treatment. We recommend the use of both these natural products for the management and control of this delicate period of the reproductive system of dairy cows.