Periovulatory anticoagulant therapy enhances embryo recovery rates in superovulated mares.

Although protocols for superovulation have been described in horses, this technique has been discouraged due to the low embryo recovery rates in superovulated mares. The reason for these poor results is poorly understood, but the formation of a blood clot in the ovulation fossa following ovulations has been hypothesized. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the safety and effect of periovulatory anticoagulant therapy on embryo recovery of superovulated mares.

Post-cooling sperm processing can rescue sperm quality of cooled-stored stallion semen.

Poor sperm quality in cooled-shipped semen has been related to subpar fertility in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the ability of post-cooling sperm processing to improve sperm parameters of cooled-stored stallion semen for artificial insemination. For all experiments, ejaculates were collected, processed, and diluted in skimmed milk-based (SM) medium and stored at 5 °C/24h.

Fractionated semen collection as a tool to rescue fertility in stallions with seminal vesiculitis.

Treatments for seminal vesiculitis have poor outcomes in stallions; thus, the development of alternative strategies is warranted. This study aimed to evaluate fractionated semen collection as a method to restore the fertility of stallions diagnosed with seminal vesiculitis. Eighteen ejaculates from six stallions (three ejaculates/stallion) diagnosed with seminal vesiculitis were harvested in fractions, as follows: Fraction A (FA), the first two jets; Fraction B (FB), the third and fourth jets; and Fraction C (FC), the fifth and remaining jets of the ejaculate.

Sodium caseinate improves longevity and fertility of frozen bull semen.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sodium caseinate added into freezing extender on the sperm parameters of cryopreserved bull semen and in vitro and in vivo fertility. One ejaculate of 30 bulls was used and processed using Botu-Bov (Botupharma, Botucatu, Brazil) with the addition of 20% egg yolk (EY) or 15% egg yolk with 2% sodium caseinate (EY + SC), subsequently submitted to freezing. Semen from both groups were evaluated immediately after thawing (T0) and after thermic stress at 37 °C for 90 min (T90), for sperm kinetics, by CASA method, and plasma membrane integrity (PMI), superoxide (O) concentration and high mitochondrial potential (HMP) by flow cytometry.

Synchronization of cyclic and acyclic embryo recipient mares with donor mares.

This study compared hormone treatments given to mares during anestrus, spring transition, and different stages of the estrous cycle, by assessing uterine features and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET). Embryo recipient mares (n = 160) were equally arranged as follows: G1-spontaneous ovulation (control), G2-anestrus, G3-spring transition, G4-early estrus, G5-estrus, G6-diestrus, G7-early diestrus treated with a dose of dinoprost, and G8-early diestrus treated with two doses of dinoprost. At treatment initiation (Day-4), G2-7 were given dinoprost and estradiol-17β, thereafter, estradiol-17β was repeated on Days-3,-2, and -1.

Effect of seminal plasma removal before cryopreservation of bovine semen obtained by electroejaculation on semen quality and in vitro fertility.

Cryopreservation of bull semen is a common biotechnology procedure in cattle breeding. However, when the ejaculate is obtained by electroejaculation, wide variation is observed in the sperm/seminal plasma (SP) ratio that can affect the freezability of semen in this species. The removal of SP may improve the quality of frozen bull semen.

Bovine endometrial cells: a source of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells.

Endometrial mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (eMSCs) are multipotent cells known to modulate the immune system and have clinical application for human and animal health. This makes these bovines cells attractive for dual use as cellular therapy and experimental model. The aim of this study was to isolate, evaluate the differentiation potential, immunophenotypic and immunocytochemistry characteristics, chromosomal stability, cloning efficiency, and cryopreservation response of bovine eMSCs collected in two phases of the estrous cycle.

Assessment of sperm DNA in patients submitted the assisted reproduction technology procedures.

Objective: This study aimed to produce data on sperm quality while maintaining the integrity of sperm DNA samples taken from patients submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures at our center, and determine whether increased levels of histones were associated with sperm DNA damage and decreased fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates. Such findings might shed light on the physiology and outcomes of pregnancy.

Methods: Semen samples from 27 patients divided into two groups were analyzed.

Inflammatory response in chronic degenerative endometritis mares treated with platelet-rich plasma.

Degenerative changes of the endometrium are directly related to age and fertility in mares. Chronic degenerative endometritis (CDE) is correlated with uterine fluid retention and reduced ability to clear uterine inflammation. Recent research in the areas of equine surgery and sports medicine has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment acts as an immunomodulator of the inflammatory response.