Post-mortem recovery, in vitro maturation and fertilization of fallow deer (Dama dama, Linnaeus 1758) oocytes collected during reproductive and no reproductive season.

Habitat degradation leads to small and fragmented populations, lower genetic variability and fertility overtime. Assisted reproductive techniques represent important tools to cope with the dramatic loss of biodiversity. Fallow deer (Dama dama), beyond its high commercial value and wide distribution, may represent the most suitable model to study endangered cervids.

Lipid droplet distribution of immature canine oocytes in relation to their size and the reproductive stage.

This study investigated the distribution of lipid droplets (LD) in immature canine oocytes in relation to their size and the reproductive stage. Oocytes were collected from the ovaries of bitches at different estrous stages, divided according to their size (110-120 µm; >120 µm), and stained with Nile Red to detect lipid droplet distribution. At the follicular phase most of the oocytes displayed a diffuse pattern of LD distribution, whereas at anestrus and luteal phase oocytes showed LD mainly in a peripheral/ perinuclear LD distribution.

Amniotic fluid l-ergothioneine concentrations in pregnant sheep after natural mating and transfer of vitrified/thawed in-vitro produced embryos.

L-ergothioneine levels were measured in amniotic fluid of pregnant sheep after natural mating and transfer of vitrified/thawed in-vitro produced embryos. Amniotic fluids were collected between 60 and 65 and 80-85 days of gestation and analysed by an ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC)method with fluorescence detection. L-Ergothioneine concentrations ranged between 0.