On-field Gross Morphology Evaluation of Dromedary Camel () Fetal Membranes.

The dromedary camel () fetal membranes, commonly referred to as "the placenta", are epitheliochorial, diffuse, and microcotyledonary, similarly to the mare's placenta. The evaluation of the placenta is an essential component of the neonatal evaluation in the equine species. However, post-partum or post-abortion placental assessment in dromedary camels is unfortunately too frequently neglected and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the dromedary camel species lacks a comprehensive description of the normal placenta's gross morphology.

Short- and Long-Term Storage of Non-Domesticated European Mouflon () Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes Recovered in Field Conditions.

Reproductive biotechnologies can be used as a supporting tool, through gamete conservation and in vitro embryo production, in the preservation of invaluable and irreplaceable animal genetic resources. In the present study, immature mouflon cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected from ovariectomized female ovaries underwent short- or long-term conservation (24 h maintained in Earle's/Hank's (EH) medium or vitrification) under field conditions and afterwards transported to the laboratory where they were cultured for in vitro maturation (IVM) and assessed for oocyte meiotic competence and bioenergetic-oxidative status. Utilization of both storage techniques led to COC morphology preservation, as well as cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic resumption after the IVM procedure.

Collection of epididymal semen in the tomcat (Felix catus) by stereomicroscope-aided retrograde flushing (SARF) improves sample quality.

In small and laboratory animals epididymal spermatozoa can be collected only by the mincing technique however, blood and cell debris contamination may adversely affect the quality of the samples. This study aimed at performing the retrograde flushing technique, for the first time, in the tomcat. In the first experiment attempts to insert a blunted needle into tomcats' ductus deferentes were made and the cannulation time and the success rate were recorded.

The Effect of Cushioned Centrifugation, with and without Enzymatic Reduction of Viscosity, on the Motility Pattern and Kinematic Parameters of Dromedary Camel Bull Spermatozoa.

In order to contribute to the development of semen processing procedures in camelids, the aims of the present study were to evaluate (i) the effect of 35% seminal plasma incubation on dromedary camel epididymal sperm motility and kinematic parameters, (ii) the effects of centrifugation, with cushion fluid and enzymatic reduction of viscosity (Papain + E64) during ejaculate processing, on the motility and kinematic parameters of dromedary camel ejaculates. The incubation with seminal plasma significantly reduced the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa as well as the proportion of medium progressive spermatozoa whilst increasing the percentage of non-progressive spermatozoa. The centrifugation procedure improved the sperms' kinematic parameters, and the highest values were observed for samples centrifugated with cushion fluid.

New Strategies for Conservation of Gentile di Puglia Sheep Breed, an Autochthonous Capital of Millennial Tradition in Southern Italy.

Gentile di Puglia (GdP) is an autochthonous sheep breed of Southern Italy included among ovine breeds threatened by genetic erosion and extinction risk, which have been given attention by local and international institutions, thus emphasizing the need for germplasm conservation actions. In the present study, two assisted reproduction approaches, finalized for GdP conservation, were performed: (1) on-farm reproductive efficiency evaluation, expressed as pregnancy rate (PR), twin pregnancy rate (tPR), and body condition score (BCS), for three consecutive breeding cycles and (2) pre-pubertal lambs' immature cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) retrieval, vitrification, in vitro maturation (IVM), and assessment of meiotic stage and bioenergetic-oxidative status compared with those of other Italian and European commercial breeds. PR and tPR were progressively reduced over time.

Update on canine anorchia: A review.

Abnormalities of the external genitals are an important issue in dog breeding because of the unfavourable qualities and characteristics of breeds, resulting in consistent economic losses. Despite their significance, little scientific attention has been given to these problems. Although there are several reviews on cryptorchidism in dogs, none have described anorchia.

Tissue sealing versus suture ligation in open canine ovariectomy: Surgical times, intraoperative nociceptive response and frequency of complications.

Background: In this study, we compared two different techniques currently used for open canine ovariectomy: traditional method utilising absorbable suture and vessel sealing device (ENSEAL Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical times, intraoperative nociceptive response and the frequency of intraoperative complications in the canine ovariectomy procedure using these two techniques.

Methods: Forty bitches were randomly divided into two groups.

Investigating and Modelling an Engineered Millifluidic In Vitro Oocyte Maturation System Reproducing the Physiological Ovary Environment in the Sheep Model.

In conventional assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), oocytes are in vitro cultured in static conditions. Instead, dynamic systems could better mimic the physiological in vivo environment. In this study, a millifluidic in vitro oocyte maturation (mIVM) system, in a transparent bioreactor integrated with 3D printed supports, was investigated and modeled thanks to computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and oxygen convection-reaction-diffusion (CRD) models.

Local and Regional Anaesthetic Techniques in Canine Ovariectomy: A Review of the Literature and Technique Description.

Canine ovariectomy is an elective surgery with a moderate level of pain. Despite its relative simplicity, it requires surgical pain management. This study aimed to collect all recent information about local and regional anaesthetic/analgesic techniques in a review of the literature describing the technique utilised.

Analgesic comparison between topical irrigation (splash block) versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle in canine ovariectomy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of topical irrigation versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle to provide analgesia in bitches ovariectomy. In the current study were monitored: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate to identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response. These parameters were registered at six times during the surgical procedure: grasping of the ovary (time 1), dissection of the mesosalpinx (time 2), tightening of the first loop ligature (time 3), tightening of the second loop ligature (time 4), transection of the ovarian pedicle (time 5) and release of the ovary (time 6).

The role of bicarbonate in the modulation of capacitation, spontaneous acrosome reaction and motility of equine fresh and frozen spermatozoa.

In this study, we defined the composition of the culture medium that yield a significant percentage of alive and functional equine spermatozoa during enough time before artificial insemination. The effects of sodium bicarbonate were analyzed in fresh and frozen semen in respect to sperm viability, capacitation, spontaneous acrosome reaction and several kinetic parameters such as total motility, progressive motility, VCL, VSL, ALH, BCF, LIN. Moreover, employing Bayk-6844 and Nifedipine, the involvement of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in the modulation of intracellular calcium concentrations was investigated.

The ultrasound-guided funicular block in cats undergoing orchiectomy: ropivacaine injection into the spermatic cord to improve intra and postoperative analgesia.

Background: The orchiectomy in cats is a common surgical procedure with medium level of pain and for this reason requires intra and postoperative analgesia management. The aim of this study was to compare intra and postoperative pain in two groups of cats undergoing orchiectomy. Sixty healthy cats were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30) to receive pre surgery ropivacaine hydrochloride (0.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Testes after Non-Surgical Sterilization of Male Dogs with CaCl in Alcohol.

Sterilization by intratesticular injection of chemical agents is a non-surgical alternative to neutering male companion animals. We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to monitor vascular alterations to testes immediately after the intratesticular injection of CaCL2 in alcohol. We evaluated the CEUS features of normal and damaged testes in 20 dogs after the intratesticular injection of CaCl2.

The effect of splash block on the need for analgesia in dogs subjected to video-assisted ovariectomy.

Objectives: The present study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of splash block using lidocaine to provide additional analgesia during ovariectomy in bitches. To identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response, three clinical parameters were used: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate.

Material And Methods: Forty healthy bitches were randomly assigned to receive 2% lidocaine (L group) topical application (splash block) on both ovaries (2 mg/kg each), or an equal volume of NaCl 0.

Effects of low-dose X-ray medical diagnostics on female gonads: Insights from large animal oocytes and human ovaries as complementary models.

Diagnostic imaging has significantly grown over the last thirty years as indispensable support for diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and monitoring procedures of human diseases. This study explored the effects of low-dose X-ray medical diagnostics exposure on female fertility. To aim this, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) recovered from the ovaries of juvenile sheep and human ovaries were used as complementary models for in vitro studies.

Ultrasound-Guided Funicular Block: Ropivacaine Injection into the Tissue around the Spermatic Cord to Improve Analgesia during Orchiectomy in Dogs.

Orchiectomy is a common surgical procedure performed on small animals, and it requires postoperative pain management despite its relative simplicity. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic stability, intraoperative administration of additional hypnotic and/or analgesic drugs, and postoperative pain scores following the combination of ultrasound-guided injection of ropivacaine hydrochloride into the spermatic cord and infiltration by the same anaesthetic of the incisional prescrotal line (ROP) or general anaesthesia. Dogs in the ROP group showed greater intraoperative hemodynamic stability and lower pain scores than the control group.

Effects of two different management systems on hormonal, behavioral, and semen quality in male dromedary camels.

Effects of two different management systems on male dromedary camel hormones, behaviors, and semen parameters were documented. Camels (n=6) were tested under two management systems: (i) housed in single boxes with 1-h freedom (H23); (ii) exposed to females for 17 h (from 3.30 p.

Use of Spinal Anaesthesia with Anaesthetic Block of Intercostal Nerves Compared to a Continuous Infusion of Sufentanyl to Improve Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Unilateral Mastectomy.

Unilateral mastectomy is a common surgical procedure in feline species and requires postoperative pain management. Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of subarachnoid anaesthesia combined with an intercostal nerve block, in comparison with the use of sufentanyl citrate administered as a constant-rate infusion (CRI). Twenty cats were randomly divided into two groups ( = 10/group) based on the analgesic protocol used: the first received loco-regional anaesthesia with levobupivacaine (LR group), and the second received a CRI of sufentanyl (SUF group).

Seminal plasma Alters surface Glycoprofile of dromedary camel cryopreserved epididymal spermatozoa.

The high viscosity of Camelidae semen continues to present a major impediment for its application in assisted reproduction technology. The exposure of epididymal spermatozoa (ES) to seminal plasma (SP) may provide an approach to enhance the development of assisted reproductive techniques in these important domestic species. Since the sperm glycocalyx plays a key role in reproduction we aimed to evaluate whether SP exposure modifies the surface glycosylation patterns of cryopreserved dromedary ES.

Pre- and Probiotics to Increase the Immune Power of Colostrum in Dogs.

Wide differences in Ig concentration in canine colostrum have been reported. Thus, some litters can be at risk of passive immune transfer failure. Present study evaluated if supplementation with MOS, FOS, and along pregnancy increases colostrum quality.

Retrograde flushing collection and freezing of dromedary camel epididymal spermatozoa with seminal plasma.

The objectives of this study were to describe the parameters of dromedary camel epididymal spermatozoa collected by retrograde flushing (RF) technique and to evaluate the freezability of the collected sperm, diluted with and without the supplementation of seminal plasma (SP). Two experiments were conducted: in Experiment 1, ES were recovered within 6-8 h after castration; selected samples were diluted with a Tris-citrate egg-yolk glycerolated buffer and frozen. In Experiment 2, epididymides were stored for 24 h at 4 °C before RF and semen samples were frozen after dilution with a Tris-lactose egg-yolk glycerolated extender with and without 15% SP.