Luteal tissue blood flow and side effects of horse-recommended luteolytic doses of dinoprost and cloprostenol in donkeys.

This study assessed luteolysis and side effects in jennies receiving standard horse-recommended doses of cloprostenol and dinoprost. Sixteen cycles of eight jennies were randomly assigned in a sequential crossover design to receive dinoprost (5 mg, i.m.

Iodixanol supplementation in freezing extender improves the antioxidant capacity of semen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing bovine semen freezing extender with different concentrations of iodixanol on post-thaw sperm characteristics. Six ejaculates of three Nellore bulls were pooled and diluted in commercial extender (BotuBov®) and then divided into 4 groups: control group (without adding iodixanol); groups G1.5, G3, or G6 according to the concentration of iodixanol solution (RedCushion®).

The Temporal Associations of B-Mode and Power-Doppler Ultrasonography, and Ovarian Steroid Changes of the Periovulatory Follicle and Corpus Luteum During Luteogenesis and Luteolysis in Jennies.

This study aimed to determine the associations between B-mode and Power-doppler ultrasonography and ovarian steroids of the periovulatory follicle and respective corpus luteum (CL) during luteogenesis and luteolysis in jennies. Twenty-four periovulatory follicles/estrus of correspondent one inter-ovulatory interval (n = 12 jennies) were assessed in the study. B-mode ultrasonography and teasing were carried out once day until the detection of a periovulatory follicle (≥28 mm, uterine edema, and signs of estrus).

Ability of donkey sperm to tolerate cooling: Effect of extender base and removal of seminal plasma on sperm parameters and fertility rates in mares.

Artificial insemination using cooled-transported semen has marked importance in equine breeding programs around the world, and the high value of mules has generated avid interest in donkey semen biotechnology. However, donkey semen cools poorly in commercially available equine extenders. Therefore, this study aimed to develop approaches to improve the ability of donkey semen to tolerate cooling.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Essential Oils Against Endometritis-Causing Microorganisms in Mares.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EO) from Ocimum basilicum (basil), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) on endometritis-causing microorganisms in mares. Serial concentrations of the EO from 30.00 mg/mL to 0.

Cholesterol-Loaded Cyclodextrin Addition to Skim Milk-Based Extender Enhances Donkey Semen Cooling and Fertility in Horse Mares.

The present study aimed to compare semen parameters and fertility of cooled donkey semen extended in a commercially available skim milk (SKM) based extender and the same extender with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (SKM-CLC). In Experiment 1, thirty-five ejaculates from seven jacks were split in SKM and SKM-CLC, extended at 50 million sperm/mL and stored at 5°C for 48 hours. Total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), percentage of sperm with rapid motility (RAP) were assessed with CASA.

Use of Intravaginal Progesterone-Releasing Device Results in Similar Pregnancy Rates and Losses to Long-Acting Progesterone to Synchronize Acyclic Embryo Recipient Mares.

The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess uterine features and serum progesterone concentrations of acyclic mares synchronized and resynchronized with intravaginal progesterone release device (IPRD), and (2) to compare pregnancy rates and losses of cyclic and acyclic embryo recipient mares treated with different synchronization protocols. In Experiment 1, mares (n = 12) received estradiol for 3 days (E2-3d), and then 24 h after the last injection, an IPRD was inserted and kept in place for 9 days. Three days after IPRD removal, mares were treated with E2-3d, and then a new IPRD was inserted and maintained for three days.

Paradoxical Effect of Quercetin Antioxidant on Goat Sperm Parameters After Cryopreservation.

Background: Some antioxidants have been used in semen extenders to reduce adverse effects caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The study was carried out to assess the effect of quercetin (QC) antioxidant therapy on goat semen submitted to cryopreservation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of quercetin incorporation in different phases of the cryopreservation process of goat spermatozoa.

High or Low Body Fat Deposition in the Presence of a Normal Oral Sugar Test is Not Associated With Postthaw Semen Parameters in Stallions.

This study compared the postthaw semen parameters of stallions with high and low body condition score (BCS) and evaluated associations between body morphometric parameters and postthaw semen parameters. Twenty stallions were split into Low BCS (BCS<7, n = 11) and High BCS (BCS ≥7, n = 9) groups, and underwent a complete morphometric analysis (e.g.

Sodium Caseinate and Cholesterol Improve Bad Cooler Stallion Fertility.

This study aimed to assess the effects of sodium caseinate and cholesterol to extenders used for stallion semen cooling. Two ejaculates from 19 stallions were extended to 50 million/mL in four different extenders and cooled-stored for 24 hours at 5°C. The extender 1 (E1) consisted of a commercially available skim milk-based extender.

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.

Comparative Efficacy of Histrelin Acetate and hCG for Inducing Ovulation in Brazilian Northeastern Jennies (Equus africanus asinus).

The goal of this study was to compare the efficiency of histrelin acetate (GnRH analog) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to hasten ovulation in Brazilian Northeastern jennies (Equus africanus asinus). Thirty cycles of ten jennies were randomly assigned in one of the three groups: G0 (control group), saline; G1, 250 μg of histrelin acetate; G2, 2500 IU of hCG. Jennies were evaluated by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, and had the administration of an ovulation-inducing agent when a follicle measuring between 29 and 32 mm of diameter was diagnosed.

An approach to rescue the fertility of stallions with a high level of hemospermia.

A high amount of blood and not the mere presence of blood in equine semen impacts fertility. The aim of this study was to develop an approach to rescue the fertility of stallions with high hemospermia levels. Semen from 15 stallions was divided into four experimental groups: (a) Control-pure raw semen, (b) WB50-50% (v/v) whole blood added into semen, (c) E1-WB50 extended in a 1:1 (v/v) ratio with milk-based extender and (d) E2-WB50 extended in a 2:1 ratio with milk-based extender.

Periovulatory administration of firocoxib did not alter ovulation rates and mitigated post-breeding inflammatory response in mares.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a therapeutic option for the treatment of inflammation. However, negative effects of non-selective NSAIDs for treatment of mares with endometritis have been described, including delayed uterine clearance and impairment of ovulations. Firocoxib is a specific cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor and has the ability to act in the uterus of mares.

New Treatment for Urethral Rent in Stallions.

The aim of this report is to describe a new methodology to successfully treat stallions diagnosed with urethral rent. Four stallions of ages ranging from 7 to 12 years (median 9) with hemospermia were admitted for clinical evaluation, breeding soundness examination, and urethroscopy for inspection of the urethra and vesicular glands. Once the presence of urethral rent was identified and/or other sources of hemorrhage were excluded, a topical treatment was performed with 4% Policresulen solution (Albocresil).

The ideal holding time for boar semen is 24 h at 17 °C prior to short-cryopreservation protocols.

Boar semen cannot be immediately cryopreserved, it need be hold at 17 °C prior to cryopreservation, holding time has been used to improve cryopreserved boar semen, since holding time allows a prolonged interaction between spermatozoa and seminal plasma components. However, until now only few periods of holding time have been studied, and boar semen had been held at 17 °C for 24 h to facilitate its manufacture. Thus, this experiment aims to study the effect several holding time (0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 28 and 32 h) on boar spermatozoa post-thawed (PT) characteristics.

Proteomic profile of sex-sorted bull sperm evaluated by SWATH-MS analysis.

The identification of distinct proteins present on the membrane of spermatozoa with X and Y chromosomes allows the development of immuno-sexing techniques. The aim of this study, therefore, was to use mass spectrometry to analyze the protein profile of sperm previously categorized using flow cytometry into X or Y-bearing semen pools. Sex-sorted sperm samples (n = 6 X and n = 6 Y) were used.

Evaluation of cooling and freezing systems of bovine semen.

Semen cryopreservation comprises different steps, among them are the cooling and freezing rates which significantly influence the quality of thawed sperm. Different systems with variable freezing rates are used for freezing bull semen in the field, with a consequence of variable success rates. The objective of this study was to compare different systems for freezing bull semen in the field.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on semen cryopreservation of stallions classified as having good or bad semen freezing ability.

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) during cryopreservation of semen obtained from stallions having good and bad semen freezing ability (GFA vs. BFA, respectively). Forty ejaculates (n = 20 stallions) were split into five centrifugation and five freezing extenders containing different concentrations of CoQ10 (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μmols/L).

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.

Uterine clinical findings, fertility rate, leucocyte migration, and COX-2 protein levels in the endometrial tissue of susceptible mares treated with platelet-rich plasma before and after AI.

Persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) results in decreased fertility in horses, thereby causing a significant impact in the horse market. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a modulator of the inflammatory response, has been largely used in veterinary medicine. Here, we investigated the effects of PRP on uterine inflammation, conception rate, endometrial polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration, and COX-2 protein levels in the endometrial tissue.

Pentoxifylline effects on capacitation and fertility of stallion epididymal sperm.

The aims of this study were to determinate whether pentoxifylline (PTX) increases the motion parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed equine epididymal spermatozoa, to evaluate the tyrosine phosphorylation of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm in the presence of PTX and to determine whether the PTX-treatment of stallion epididymal sperm prior to freezing improves the fertility response of mares to a reduced number of spermatozoa per insemination dose. Fifty epididymis were flushed with a skim milk based extender with or without PTX. The pre-treatment with PTX enhanced the sperm motility after being harvested (P<0.

Novel Flow Cytometry Analyses of Boar Sperm Viability: Can the Addition of Whole Sperm-Rich Fraction Seminal Plasma to Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm Affect It?

Boar semen cryopreservation remains a challenge due to the extension of cold shock damage. Thus, many alternatives have emerged to improve the quality of frozen-thawed boar sperm. Although the use of seminal plasma arising from boar sperm-rich fraction (SP-SRF) has shown good efficacy; however, the majority of actual sperm evaluation techniques include a single or dual sperm parameter analysis, which overrates the real sperm viability.

Seminal plasma arising from the whole boar sperm-rich fraction increases the stability of sperm membrane after thawing.

Boar spermatozoa arising from the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction are reported to have a more stable plasma membrane and are more resistant to cold shock and premature acrosome reaction than spermatozoa from the whole ejaculate. Furthermore, seminal plasma (SP) can increase the cryotolerance of boar spermatozoa, and in other domestic species, it has the ability to reverse cryopreservation damage. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of boar SP arising from the whole sperm-rich ejaculate fraction (SP-SRF) on the integrity, stability, and peroxidation of sperm membranes after thawing.

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.