Publications by authors named "A Van Soom"
Sperm collection and cryopreservation are key technologies for assisted reproduction, with post-mortem sperm collection being the main tool to prevent the decline of endangered species. The present study describes post-mortem sperm collection and two cryopreservation protocols in beauty snakes (Elaphe taeniura), as a model for Colubridae. The vasa deferentia of 18 snakes were collected post-mortem and incubated for 30 min at room temperature to retrieve sperm by float up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn a previous study we found that the levels of the novel microRNAs (miRNAs) bta-novel-miR-117 bta-novel-miR-234 and bta-novel-miR-417 (P < 0.001) are significantly up-regulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the culture medium of degenerating embryos compared to blastocysts. Because the functions of these novel miRNAs are still unknown, we investigated their regulatory roles during bovine blastocyst development by adding their mimics and inhibitors to the culture medium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious studies in the horse highlight the potential benefit of prolonged in vitro maturation (IVM) (34 h) compared to short IVM (24 h) with or without prior oocyte holding, but little is known about the optimal IVM duration within this interval. To determine the effect of oocyte holding and duration of IVM ranged between 28 and 34 h on nuclear maturation, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and pregnancy rates, a retrospective study was performed in an equine clinical OPU-ICSI setting. The study included data of 2114 aspirated oocytes from 201 OPU-ICSI sessions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * The study analyzed 3,090 ejaculates from 1,040 dogs of 157 breeds, revealing that most dogs were between 1 and 9 years old during collection, and a significant portion of the sperm samples remained unused or only partially used.
- * Findings indicate a shift in breeding practices, with cryopreserved sperm primarily used for international shipping and 21.8% for local artificial insemination, highlighting the importance of this technique for preserving canine genetics. *
Article Synopsis
- - The study explored bacterial presence in the womb of dogs and cats using various methods like gene sequencing and culture analysis, with samples taken from pregnant animals undergoing surgery.
- - Bacterial sequences were found in all fetal samples, but contamination from controls highlighted the complexity of understanding bacterial diversity and composition in these low-biomass samples.
- - Key findings revealed Moraxella spp. and Burkholderia cepacia in canine and feline placentas, respectively, but the presence of bacterial DNA doesn't imply a functioning fetal microbiome, suggesting that this DNA likely comes from the mother rather than a resident fetus.