Impact of aphasia on communication in couples.

Background: Communication is at the heart of relationships, especially for couples. When language is altered, as it is in aphasia, communication in couples can be affected.

Aims: To explore how members of a couple perceive the impact of aphasia on their communication.

The luteal outcome of anoestrus ewes induced to ovulate by the male effect is not related to the population of ovarian antral follicles before male exposure.

The ovarian status and its relationship with the response to the male effect were studied in Ile-de-France ewes entering anoestrus early (becoming anovulatory on January-February, n=13) or late (becoming anovulatory on March, n=13). The male effect was performed, in each group of ewes, at the beginning of the anoestrus season (March-April), approximately 35 days after ewes became anovulatory. Transrectal ultrasonography of ovaries was done at D-7, D-5, D-3 and D0 (ram introduction day) to examine the number and size of follicles ≥2mm, from D0 to D4 to analyze the ram-induced preovulatory follicles and at D14-D16 to identify luteal structures.

Assessment LOPU-IVF in Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon) and application to Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) a related subspecies threatened with extinction.

In mammals, recovery of oocytes by laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro production (IVP) of embryos represents a promising strategy for both amplification and genetic management of sparse animals from captive endangered wild species. As integrated technique developed mainly for domestic livestock, LOPU-IVP requires several studies to set up protocols for follicular stimulation or optimization of IVP before envisaging successful transposition to wild species. In deer, many endangered subspecies would be potentially concerned by applying such an approach using common subspecies for protocols optimization.

Can caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) be transmitted by in vitro fertilization with experimentally infected sperm?

For each of the five fertilization trials of the experiment, frozen semen was prepared for in vitro capacitation at a concentration of 1 × 10(7) spz/ml and divided into three groups. One group was used as a control, while the two others were inoculated with 100 μl/ml of either culture medium from non-infected cells (placebo group) or cell culture medium containing virus at a concentration of 10(5) TCID(50)/ml (infected group). A total of 789 oocytes were used for IVF.

[In vivo imaging of ram spermatozoa in the ewe genital tract using fibered confocal microscopy].

Sperm transit in the female tract is one of the key factors in the success of fertilization after artificial insemination in sheep species. However, its study is limited by the absence of in vivo imaging methods. The imaging of ram sperm in the female genital tract was made possible using the confocal fibered microscopy and fluorescent stains adapted to spermatozoa.

Anti-Mullerian hormone as a predictive endocrine marker for embryo production in the goat.

Recently, we demonstrated the relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) circulating concentrations, ovarian follicles, and embryo production in cattle. However, they have not yet been established in a species with a seasonal breeding activity. Thus, goats were subjected to repeated in vivo embryo production during the breeding season, at the end of the breeding season, and at the end of the anestrus season.

Sex and PRNP genotype determination in preimplantation caprine embryos.

The objective of this study was to test the accuracy of genotype diagnosis after whole amplification of DNA extracted from biopsies obtained by trimming goat embryos and to evaluate the viability of biopsied embryos after vitrification/warming and transfer. Whole genome amplification (WGA) was performed using Multiple Displacement Amplification (MDA). Sex and prion protein (PRNP) genotypes were determined.

In vivo imaging of in situ motility of fresh and liquid stored ram spermatozoa in the ewe genital tract.

The fertility of ram semen after cervical insemination is substantially reduced by 24 h of storage in liquid form. The effects of liquid storage on the transit of ram spermatozoa in the ewe genital tract was investigated using a new procedure allowing direct observation of the spermatozoa in the genital tract. Ejaculated ram spermatozoa were double labeled with R18 and MitoTracker Green FM, and used to inseminate ewes in estrus either cervically through the vagina or laparoscopically into the base of the uterine horns.

Time of ovulation in nulliparous and multiparous goats.

Fifteen nulliparous and nine multiparous Serrana goats were used, through two successive oestrous cycles, in order to characterize their ovulation time with regard to the number of ovulations after induced and natural oestrus during the breeding season. The onset of oestrus was detected by the amount of vasectomized bucks after oestrus synchronization with prostaglandin, given 10 days apart, and in the following two expected natural oestrus. The preovulatory LH peak was determined from blood samples collected 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after onset of oestrus.

Lack of risk of transmission of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) after an appropriate embryo transfer procedure.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that embryo transfer can be used to produce CAEV-free kids from CAEV-infected biological mothers when appropriate procedure is implemented. Twenty-eight goats that had tested positive for CAEV using PCR on vaginal secretions were used as embryo donors. Embryos with intact-ZP were selected and washed 10 times; they were then frozen and used for transfer into CAEV-free recipient goats.

Effect of coculture with oviduct epithelial cells on viability after transfer of vitrified in vitro produced goat embryos.

This study evaluates the effect of coculture with goat oviduct epithelial cells (GOEC) on the pregnancy rate, embryo survival rate and offspring development after direct transfer of vitrified/thawed caprine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos. Oocytes were recovered from slaughterhouse goat ovaries, matured and inseminated with frozen/thawed capacitated semen, and presumptive zygotes were randomly cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) (n=352) or GOEC (n=314). The percentage of cleaved embryos reaching the blastocyst stage was 28% and 20% in SOF and GOEC, respectively (P<0.

Kisspeptin synchronizes preovulatory surges in cyclical ewes and causes ovulation in seasonally acyclic ewes.

We determined whether kisspeptin could be used to manipulate the gonadotropin axis and ovulation in sheep. First, a series of experiments was performed to determine the gonadotropic responses to different modes and doses of kisspeptin administration during the anestrous season using estradiol-treated ovariectomized ewes. We found that: 1) injections (iv) of doses as low as 6 nmol human C-terminal Kiss1 decapeptide elevate plasma LH and FSH levels, 2) murine C-terminal Kiss1 decapeptide was equipotent to human C-terminal Kiss1 decapeptide in terms of the release of LH or FSH, and 3) constant iv infusion of kisspeptin induced a sustained release of LH and FSH over a number of hours.

Improved vitrification method allowing direct transfer of goat embryos.

The aim of this study was to design a vitrification method suited to field embryo transfer experiments in goat. In a first experiment, a standard vitrification protocol, previously designed for sheep embryos was compared to slow freezing of goat embryos. No significant difference was observed on kidding rate (48% versus 69%, respectively), nor on embryo survival rate (35% versus 45%).

Assessment of luteal function by ultrasonographic appearance and measurement of corpora lutea in goats.

In order to characterize the evolution pattern of the corpora lutea (CL) and to compare luteal function with their ultrasonographic appearance, 37 estrous cycles of Serrana goats (n=22) were studied during breeding season. A daily transrectal ultrasound scanning was performed through two successive estrous cycles. Both solid and fluid-filled CL were observed and measured in both ovaries of each goat.

Follicular dynamics in Serrana goats.

Twenty-two Serrana goats were studied through two successive estrous cycles in order to characterize their follicular dynamics during the breeding season. The ovaries of the goats were scanned daily by real-time ultrasonography and all follicles >or=3mm were measured and classified. The data were classified by the number of follicular waves per goat to test the hypothesis that temporal and morphological differences between the last follicular wave of an ovary, irrespective of ovulation, will affect the selection of the next ovulatory wave.

Comparison of cell proliferation index in equine and caprine embryos using a modified BrdU incorporation assay.

The measurement of cell proliferation and cell viability using 5'bromo-2'deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labelling has been described in several cell types and species. The aim of this study was to adapt this technique to equine embryos and to compare the index of DNA replication (S-phase) between equine and caprine embryos. Seventeen equine embryos were recovered at day 6.

Successful use of oviduct epithelial cell coculture for in vitro production of viable red deer (Cervus elaphus) embryos.

Techniques for in vitro production (IVP) of viable embryos have been thoroughly developed in several domestic species in view to improve breeding efficiency. When applied to wild life, these techniques may also help the maintenance of biodiversity through amplification of sparse animals offspring and facilitation of genetic material exchange. During the successive steps of IVP, i.

Proviral DNA of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is detected in cumulus oophorus cells but not in oocytes from naturally infected goats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether oocytes taken from ovarian follicles in 123 naturally infected goats were carrying the proviral CAEV genome. Examination of DNA isolated from 190 batches of oocytes with intact cumulus cells and 190 batches of oocytes whose cumulus cells had been removed, taken from follicles of the same ovaries, demonstrated that 42/190 batches of oocytes with intact cumulus cells had the proviral CAEV genome, whereas none of the 190 batches of oocytes without cumulus cells were positive for the provirus. To confirm that the proviral genome was present in the cumulus cells and not in the oocyte cells, 586 oocytes from 56 different ovaries, were separated from their cumulus cells.

Morphometry of ovarian structures by transrectal ultrasonography in Serrana goats.

The accuracy of transrectal real-time ultrasonography (RTU) scanning technique to detect ovarian structures (follicles and corpus luteum) of Serrana goats was compared to the data obtained by observation of ovarian sequential slices. This slicing technique (SLI) was considered as reference method. The laparoscopy and laparotomy techniques were also used for corpora lutea identification.

Current status of embryo technologies in sheep and goat.

This review presents an overview of the technical bases of in vivo and in vitro embryo production in sheep and goat. The current limitations of in vivo production, such as variability of response to the hormonal treatment, fertilization failure in females showing a high ovulatory response, and the importance of premature regressed CL in the goat, are described along with possibilities for improvement. The new prospects offered by in vitro embryo production, by repeated ovum pick-up from live females and by juvenile breeding, are presented along with their limiting steps and research priorities.

Four years of induction/synchronization of estrus in dairy goats: effect on the evolution of eCG binding rate in relation with the parameters of reproduction.

Ninety-eight Alpine goats of two herds were followed over 4 years in a program of annual artificial insemination after estrus induction/synchronization, including progestagen administration (vaginal sponge) followed by prostaglandin analog and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) 48 h before sponge removal. Goats were sampled every 4 hours from the 16th to the 56th following sponge removal, for determination of LH surge and tested for estrus by the presence of a buck. Seven days after AI, endoscopic examination of the ovaries was performed to determine the number of corpus lutea.