Maria Elena Falomo

Clinical use of deslorelin for the control of reproduction in the bitch.

This study was conducted to evaluate clinical efficacy of deslorelin for inhibiting reproduction in the bitch. Ten adult healthy bitches or bitches with mammary neoplasia for which owners were requesting suppression of cyclicity without performing gonadectomy were administered a 4.7- or a 9.4-mg deslorelin implant subcutaneously. The first implant of deslorelin was administered in anoestrus (n = 5) or in dioestrus (n = 5). Treatment was repeated every 5 months for as long as necessary based on the clinical situation of the dog and owners desires. Some of the bitches implanted in anoestrus came in heat within 4-15 days after treatment, while none of the bitches implanted in dioestrus showed heat during treatment. Suppression of reproductive cyclicity was successfully achieved in 6/10 bitches for 1-4 years. No behavioural and local/general side-effects were observed in any of the treated bitches. The 4.7-mg deslorelin implant may work well for suppression of cyclicity provided that it is administered in dioestrus and at intervals of 4.5 months. A 9.4-mg implant may be more suitable for this use although its efficacy may also be shorter than 12 months. Owner compliance is an important limiting factor.

The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis.

Equine endometriosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a major cause of equine infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of histomorphological grading for biopsy-like samples compared to entire uterine wall samples, to examine the association between the degree of endometriosis with animal age, and to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis and the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometrium. Histomorphological lesions in 35 uterine samples were examined while comparing biopsy-like samples and entire-wall samples. Seventeen uterine samples were stained with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. The morphologic evaluation results of the biopsy-like tissue and entire-wall samples were significantly correlated. Endometriosis in older mares (>12 years of age) was more severe than in young mares (2~4 years of age), confirming the positive correlation between animal age and disease severity, while inflammation was poorly related to the degree of endometriosis. MMP-2 and MMP-14 were detected in stromal cells, while MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were both found in stromal and glandular epithelial cells. There were no significant differences in MMPs expression between the two groups (young vs. old mares). Additional studies on the activity of MMPs could further define the role of these enzymes in equine endometriosis.

Positive effect of ethylene glycol on the refreezing of stallion semen.

Success of first breeding is a major concern for goat breeders, since failure to fertilize does increases unproductive time and breeding costs. Fertility rates after artificial insemination of young goats are highly variable and rather low. Breeders generally breed does that are older than 5 months and weight more than 32 kg. However, sexual precocity is highly variable between does. Up to now, there is no known biomarker for sexual precocity. A better characterization of the pubertal stage of maturity could help optimizing time for first breeding. Our objective was to analyze the serum metabolome of doe kids, just before the first breeding, in order to characterize the pubertal stage of maturity and identify biomarkers of sexual precocity. Weekly blood sampling was performed on twenty 6-to 7-month-old does born in February for 5 weeks before their first contact with bucks in September. Progesterone assays and metabolome analysis using 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy were performed on the serum samples. No spontaneous ovulatory cycle was observed before breeding based on progesterone assays. All does had reached the pubertal stage of maturity at breeding since all got pregnant. Metabolome analysis allowed the identification of 109 spectral bins in sera. Between week 1 and 5 preceding buck introduction, 32 buckets showed significant variations (t-test, p < 0.05): i.e. inosine, formate, lactate and creatinine decreased, while threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine and trimethylamine oxide significantly increased. Metabolites with significant variations between the 5 considered weeks could be biomarkers of sexual precocity; studies are in progress to identify them.

Collection, storage and freezability of equine epididymal spermatozoa

Abstract The recovery of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis may be the last chance to obtain genetic material from stallions undergone to castration. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficiency of cryopreservation and the use of two different extenders for equine epididymal spermatozoa. Testicles obtained from castration were divided into two groups: cauda epididymis processed immediately after orchiectomy and cauda epididymis processed after 24 h storage in saline solution at 4 °C of the testis. The epididymal spermatozoa were collected through manual slicing of the cauda epididymis of each testicle. In addition, spermatozoa obtained from different processed testes were diluted alternatively with either modified Palmer or EGG TECH® extenders to produce frozen straws. Motility parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed material were analysed by means of the computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). The recorded CASA data were analysed with a mixed linear model. Motility parameters in fresh semen yielded better results than in frozen semen (p = 0.008), but no difference (p > 0.05) was observed between spermatozoa collected immediately after castration or after 24 h of storage; in frozen-thawed samples, EGG TECH® tended to improve the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa in epididymal frozen-thawed semen (p = 0.08) compared with modified Palmer. We conclude that the processing of epididymal spermatozoa can occur up to 24 h after stallion castration and both common extenders used are suitable for preserving this material.

Role of coenzyme Q and vitamin E on stallion semen motility evaluated both in frozen and cooled-stored semen

Abstract Several studies reveal that coenzyme Q (CoQ) and vitamin E (Vit. E) act against oxidative deterioration, and that CoQ restores the active and antioxidant form of Vit. E. These two antioxidants, acting against lipid peroxidation, seem to be able to improve motility parameters of spermatozoa. The objective of this study is to evaluate the addition of CoQ and Vit. E to semen extender for equine spermatozoa in order to evaluate possible effects on semen motility. First, immediately after collection, semen samples were diluted with 1mM of CoQ and 1mM of CoQ plus 1mM of Vit. E and prepared for frozen storage in liquid nitrogen. After thawing (37 °C/30 s), samples were maintained at 37 °C and subjected to analysis after 0, 2 and 4 h for motility parameters with CASA (Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis) method. In a second experiment, after the collection, semen samples were diluted with 1mM of CoQ, in presence or absence of seminal plasma where Vit. E is normally present, and prepared for cooled storage at 4 °C. The effects on motility parameters were determined with CASA at 0, 24, 31 and 48 h after collection. During the analysis, samples were kept at 4 °C. The CASA variables were examined with a mixed linear model. No improvement (p > .05) in motility parameters results from the addition of CoQ and Vit. E in frozen or cooled-stored equine semen when compared to control group.