Slobodanka Vakanjac

Morphological Characteristics and Expression of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in the Canine Endometrium During the Estrus Cycle, Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia and Pyometra

Abstract The estrus cycle of bitches is divided into four phases: proestrus, estrus, diestrus and anestrus, during which different morphological changes, and also cyclic changes of estrogen and progesterone receptors are present. Several pathological changes can be differentiated on the endometrium, but one of these is the most important - cystic endometrial hyperplasia, which frequently develops into pyometra. The aim of the present study was to describe morphological characteristics, and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors on the endometrium of mixedbreed bitches during the different phases of the estrus cycle, cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra. The uterus and ovaries of 36 mixed breed bitches in different phases of the estrus cycle and also with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and chronic purulent endometritis - pyometra were examined macroscopically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically for estrogen receptors (ΕR) and progesterone receptors (PR). During proestrus uterine cells showed a weak reaction for both estrogen and progesterone receptors, but during estrus a large number of uterine cells showed a strong reaction on estrogen receptors and moderate reaction on progesterone receptors. On the contrary, during diestrus the scores for the estrogen receptors decreased, while the progesterone receptors level increased - uterine cells expressed strong reaction for progesterone receptors, and moderate reaction for estrogen receptors. Uterine cells in cystic endometrial hyperplasia expressed a strong reaction for estrogen receptors, and moderate reaction for progesterone receptors, but on the other hand the uterine cells in the uterus with pyometra expressed a moderate to strong reaction for progesterone receptors, and a weak reaction for estrogen receptors. In further investigations it would be interesting to perform quantitative analysis for both estrogen and progesterone receptors during different phases of the estrus cycle and also in the uterus with cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra.

Analysis of reproductive parameters after intrauterine insemination of sows with semen stored for different time periods

Introduction. Artificial insemination of sows with cooled semen has become a routine practice in the swine industry and has almost completely ruled out natural mating. The storage time of the cooled semen and preservation of its qualitative parameters are of the upmost importance and depend partly on the semen extender used. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of cooled semen during storage in a thermobox with a commercial extender by assessment of sperm motility, cytomorphology, and assessment of reproductive parameters in sows after intrauterine insemination. Materials and Methods. The semen was preserved with Duragen® (Magapor, Spain) extender and stored at 17±1°C. A total of 110 sows were included in the study and randomly divided into four groups: K1 (n=25) , K2 (n=25), K3 (n=30), and K4 (n=30). The sows were inseminated twice with semen (>1x107/ml spermatozoa) which had been stored for 1 day (S1), 3 days (S3), 5 days (S5), or 7 days (S7). Pregnancy was diagnosed by imaging ultrasound.Results and Conclusions. The best results were obtained when the sows were inseminated with semen stored for one day. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the number and vitality of newborn piglets when semen stored for 3 or 5 days was used. Intrauterine insemination resulted in a satisfactory number of farrowings and piglets despite the fact that a relatively low number of spermatozoa was determined in each dose used. The use of semen with a higher dilution rate and its intrauterine application ensured a larger number of obtained doses from one ejaculate and indicates this would lead to a more profitable use of boars.

Infectious abortions in swine

Abortions in pigs can be caused by infectious or non-infectious factors About 38% of all diagnosed abortions in pigs were caused by infectious agents. Consequences of infection can be early embryonal deaths or abortions which occur after the 40th day following conception. Causes of abortions include different species of viruses (parvoviruses, enteroviruses pseudorabies viruses, PRRS) or bacteria (Brucella, Leptospira, and others). A precise diagnosis is imperative for therapy and prevention of abortions in pigs, and it is necessary to apply measures to prevent reproductive disorders in pigs.