Vadullah Eren

MHC Class II+ (HLA‐DP‐like) Cells in the Cow Reproductive Tract: II. Immunolocalization of MHC Class II+ Cells in Oviduct and Vagina

The aim of this study was to determine and examine the distribution of major frequency MHC II+ cells in the oviduct and vagina of cows during the oestrous and dioestrus phases. Right oviduct (ampulla, isthmus) and vaginal samples taken from a total of twenty seven multiparous cows were used. Tissue samples were processed to obtain both cryostat and paraffin sections. Sections were stained immunocytochemically using StreptABC method using a specific monoclonal antibody to MHC II+ cell population. Intra‐epithelial and subepithelial areas along with lamina propria, muscularis mucosae and serosa of both ampulla and isthmus and intra‐epithelial/subepithelial areas and mucosae of vagina were examined for the presence of MHC II+ cells. The density of immune positive cells was determined using a subjective scoring system. MHC II+ cells were demonstrated in all areas examined in both oestrus and dioestrus. In oestrus, the density of MHC II+ cells decreased in subepithelial areas (in between the epithelial cells and the basal membrane) of isthmus, whereas the density of immune positive cells was increased in muscularis mucosae of isthmus (P < 0.05), lamina propria and muscularis mucosae of ampulla (P < 0.05) as well as in the mucosae of vagina (P ≤ 0.005). This study indicates that the density of MHC II+ cells observed in the oviduct and vagina increases in the majority of areas examined due to the effect of oestrogen.

The effects of supplemental vitamin E on reproductive development of prepubertal Karya male lambs.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on testicular and behavioural development, and histological appearance of testes in Karya male lambs. Thirteen lambs weaned at 2.5 months of age were used in the experiment. Experiment was carried out over a period of 70 days and all lambs were fed ad libitum on concentrate and 100 g/day clover hay per lamb. In addition, the experimental group (n=6) received a supplement of 45 mg/day vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol acetate) per lamb. Testicular measurements and blood testosterone concentrations were recorded every second week. Behavioural tests were carried out four times per animal at three days intervals during the last 12 days of the experiment. After slaughtering, testicular tissue samples of all animals were collected and evaluated for the histological appearances. Except for mount attempts (P<0.05), sexual behaviour and testicular growth characteristics of the lambs were similar. The mounting parameters, testosterone concentrations and testes and epididymides weights were similar between the two groups. However, the mean of mounting weight was found lower (P<0.05) with Vitamin E lambs compared to control (28.78±3.48 vs. 33.98±3.64 kg, respectively). The area of seminiferous tubules was statistically different (P<0.001) between the two groups. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups for most of the reproductive characters. These findings suggest that supplementation of Vitamin E during early prepubertal age of Karya male lambs does not have considerable effects on the reproductive characteristics.

The possibilities of using individual birth weights as weaning criteria in dairy goat farming

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibilities of using individual birth weight of kids as weaning criteria in Saanen and Alpine goats under intensive conditions. A total of 24 does and their 40 kids were divided to weaning groups when the kids reached three (X3) or four times (X4) of their individual birth weights. The experiment design was a 2×2 factorial design with two weaning stages (X3 vs X4) and two breeds (S: Saanen and A: Alpine). The averages of weaning age of the SX3, AX3, SX4 and AX4 kids were determined as 42.75, 42.21, 53.15 and 65.81 days, respectively. The weaning groups and the interaction between weaning and breed had significant effects (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively) on weaning age of the kids. The average daily weight gain before weaning was different in weaning groups (P<0.001). On the contrary, the growth performances of the kids until breeding age were not different between groups. The milk yield characteristics of dams in groups were not different. The results indicated...