Can environmental nebulization of lavender essential oil (L. angustifolia) improve welfare and modulate nasal microbiota of growing pigs?

The use of phytoextracts has been proposed as a method to improve animal welfare, also in pigs, by reducing stress and anxiety and improving performances. Lavandula angustifolia (Miller) essential oil (LaEO) is an interesting calming phytoextract that could be administered by inhalation for prolonged periods of time to help pigs coping with on-farm conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of daily inhalation of vaporized LaEO on pigs' welfare and health indicators, and nasal microbiota, trying to understand whether this phytoextract represents a feasible tool to improve animal welfare under intensive farming conditions.

Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study.

Background And Aim: Seasonal changes, especially temperature and photoperiod, are well-known determining factors of swine reproductive capacity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and seasonal variations on boar seminal plasma steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], cortisol [CORT], and testosterone [TEST]) over 1 year.

Materials And Methods: Four commercial hybrid adult boars (Large White × Duroc), aged between 12 and 44 months, were repeatedly evaluated at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna.

Comparative evaluation of the effects of different activating media and temperatures on European eel (Anguilla anguilla) sperm motility assessed by computer assisted sperm analysis.

The European eel is a critically endangered teleost fish with very poor success rate for captive breeding and artificial reproduction. Therefore, to support its conservation, new strategies are needed to ensure fertilization. Objective analysis of sperm motility may be critical as it potentially represents one of the most important reproductive quality parameters.

Quantification of Hair Corticosterone, DHEA and Testosterone as a Potential Tool for Welfare Assessment in Male Laboratory Mice.

Steroids, providing information regarding several biological patterns including stress and sexual behavior, have been investigated in different matrices in laboratory mice. Data regarding hair quantification, indicative of longer timespans when compared to blood and saliva, are lacking. The aim of the work was to analyze the hormonal hair profile of laboratory male mice and to investigate potential relationships with age and housing, as a potential tool for welfare assessment.

Uncovering the Physiological Mechanisms Underlying the Roe Deer () Testicular Cycle: Analyses of Gelatinases and VEGF Patterns and Correlation with Testes Weight and Testosterone.

The roe deer () represents a spontaneous model of testicular inactivation: During winter, bucks show a suspension of spermatogenesis that starts again in spring and peaks during the breeding season (July-August). The underlying mechanisms to the regulation of the cyclic testicular changes are still not fully clear but seem to be imputable to the spermatogenic cell line since other testicular cell populations remain stable without apoptotic phenomena. The aim of the study was to investigate apoptosis, gelatinases (MMP2 and 9), their inhibiting factors (TIMP 1-2), and two isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF121 and 165) with its receptors (VEGFR1-2) in testes collected during pre- and post-rut periods, and to correlate them with testicular weight (TW) and testosterone (TEST).

Progesterone and Cortisol Levels in Blood and Hair of Wild Pregnant Red Deer () Hinds.

The red deer ( L., 1758) is one of the largest deer species in the world. Females are seasonal polyestrous, with negative photoperiod: the increase of the night peak of melatonin determines the secretion of GnRH and, therefore, LH and FSH.

Sperm quality in wild-caught and farmed males of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

Sperm density and performance of wild and farmed male European eels were evaluated to investigate the effect of maintenance in captivity on ejaculate quality. Hormonal stimulation (with human chorionic gonadotropin) lasted for 17 weeks. Different origins of the male European eels partially influenced the quality of the ejaculates.

Effect of the administration of alfaprostol 3 or 6 days after ovulation in jennies: ultrasonographic characteristic of corpora lutea and serum progesterone concentration.

Donkey jenny's corpus luteum (CL) response to PGF2α analogues has not been investigated in depth. Aim of this study was to evaluate the donkey jenny's corpus luteum (CL) ultrasonographic characteristics (diameter, area and vascularized area) by B-Mode, Color Doppler and serum progesterone concentration ([P4]) after treatment with the prostaglandins F2α analogue alfaprostol at day 3 or day 6 after ovulation (groups PG3 and PG6, respectively). [P4] was positively correlated (P < 0.

Hair Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations in Pre- and Post-Rut Roe Deer Bucks: Correlations with Blood Levels and Testicular Morphometric Parameters.

The roe deer is a seasonally breeding species with a reproductive cycle regulated by endogenous rhythms and photoperiod-sensitivity. Sexually mature bucks show hormonal and testicular activation during the reproductive season, with a peak in the rut period, and following gradual involution. Hair is a good matrix for non-invasive endocrinological analyses that provide long-term information without being influenced by the hormones’ pulsating release patterns in blood.

Effect of photoperiod on endocrine profiles and vitellogenin expression in European eels Anguilla anguilla during artificially induced ovarian development.

The aim of this work was to determine the effects of dark and light conditions on the E2, testosterone and thyroid hormones levels and on the gene expression levels (vitellogenin 1, vitellogenin 2, and estradiol receptor one) in European eels (Anguilla anguilla) during ovarian development induced by increasing doses of carp pituitary extracts (CPEs). The subjects were divided into 2 groups: 14-hour light:10-hour dark (Light Group) and 24-hour darkness (Dark Group). All the eels received intramuscular injections with CPE at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) once a week for the first 3 weeks, 20 mg/kg BW fourth-sixth week, 30 mg/kg BW seventh-ninth week, and 40 mg/kg up to the end of the experiment (13th week).

Hair cortisol determination in sows in two consecutive reproductive cycles.

Hair analysis has been proposed as a minimally invasive technique capable of furnishing information regarding the stress response during medium- and long-term periods. Bristle samples were collected from the rump region of sows at three key physiological phases (before delivery - BD; weaning time - WT; pregnancy diagnosis - PD) during consecutive reproductive cycles in order to test swine hair as a reliable matrix of cortisol evaluation. Cortisol was extracted from the bristles and assayed using radioimmunoassay.

Effects of repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspirations performed in anestrous and cyclic mares on P4 and E2 plasma levels and luteal function.

The aim of the present study was to verify how repeated ovum pick-up (OPU), performed in anestrous and cyclic mares, affect ovarian activity, measured by progesterone (P4) and 17ß-estradiol (E2) plasma levels. Ovum pick-up of all visible follicles was performed every 9 to 12 days, and four sessions were carried out during anestrous (A) and breeding season (BS). The number of aspirated follicles per mare at each session was not significantly different between the two periods (BS: 6.

A study on some welfare-related parameters of hDAF transgenic pigs when compared with their conventional close relatives.

Pigs are increasingly used in medical research as transgenic laboratory animals; however, little knowledge is presently available concerning their welfare assessment. The aim of the present study was to investigate some welfare-related parameters of transgenic pigs intended for xenotrasplantation (human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF)) when compared with their conventional (i.e.

Thyroid hormone concentrations in foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome.

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis has specific functions, mostly related to metabolic activities, cell differentiation, and development. To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies about thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS). Hence, the aims of the study are (1) to evaluate plasma TH concentrations (T3 and T4) in healthy foals during the first 7 days of life; (2) to evaluate plasma TH concentration (T3 and T4) in critically ill foals affected by PAS during the first 7 days of hospitalization; and (3) to compare TH concentrations between surviving and nonsurviving critically ill foals.

Embryo quality and transcervical technique are not the limiting factors in donkey embryo transfer outcome.

Embryo transfer (ET) in the donkey resulted in a very low recipient pregnancy rates. The aim of these studies was to investigate if nonsurgical transfer techniques or donkey embryo quality affect donkey recipient pregnancy failure. In Study 1, the impact of transfer technique was investigated by evaluating if cervical catheterization is associated with prostaglandin release and suppression of luteal function and if donkey recipients would become pregnant after nonsurgical transfer of horse embryos.

Carry-over effects of body condition in the early pregnant ewe on peri-partum adipose tissue metabolism.

This study evaluated the carry-over effects of ewe body reserves during early pregnancy on peri-partum adipose tissue metabolism. Forty-nine multiparous ewes were divided in three categories according to their body condition score (BCS) at day 30 of pregnancy (BCS < 3, 2.5-2.

PGF(2α), LH, testosterone, oestrone sulphate, and cortisol plasma concentrations around sexual stimulation in jackass.

Many hormones are involved in the regulation of male reproductive functions, controlling sexual behavior, and influencing sexual arousal, the onset of erection and ejaculation, and the post-ejaculatory detumescence. The aims of this study were to analyze the plasma concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) (PGFM), LH, testosterone (T), oestrone sulphate (OS), and cortisol (C) in relation to sexual stimulation and to evaluate the possible correlations among circulating hormones and between hormones and semen characteristics in the donkey stallion. Thirteen sexually experienced Martina Franca jackass of proven fertility were enrolled and semen was collected through an artificial vagina.

Peripartal plasma concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α, cortisol, progesterone and 17-β-estradiol in Martina Franca jennies.

The transition from intra- to extrauterine environment represents a very delicate phase, in which the successful coordination of maturation is strictly connected with several hormonal changes during the last weeks of gestation and at parturition. While the peripartal endocrinology in the mare has been deeply investigated, the peripartal hormonal changes in the jenny need further evaluation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mean 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) (PGFM), cortisol (C), progesterone (P4), and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels during the peripartal period in this species.

Oxytocin, vasopressin, prostaglandin F(2alpha), luteinizing hormone, testosterone, estrone sulfate, and cortisol plasma concentrations after sexual stimulation in stallions.

This experiment was designed to determine the effects of sexual stimulation on plasma concentrations of oxytocin (OT), vasopressin (VP), 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PG-metabolite), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estrone sulfate (ES), and cortisol (C) in stallions. Semen samples were collected from 14 light horse stallions (Equus caballus) of proven fertility using a Missouri model artificial vagina. Blood samples were collected at 15, 12, 9, 6, and 3 min before estrous mare exposure, at erection, at ejaculation, and at 3, 6, and 9 min after ejaculation.

Administration of sulpiride or domperidone for advancing the first ovulation in deep anestrous mares.

Since results with using sulpiride and domperidone are conflicting and since both have not been tested at the same time, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of these substances for the induction of ovulation in deep anestrous mares in the same experimental conditions and to determine their fertility after artificial insemination (AI) at the induced estrus. Twenty-six non-pregnant, non-lactating standardbred anestrous mares were randomly assigned to three groups and treated daily for 25 days (from February 3rd to February 28th) with either sulpiride (1mg/kg of body weight im SID, n=10), or domperidone (1mg/kg po SID, n=10); 6 animals were used as control. The beginning of the transition period and the first ovulation were hastened in sulpiride (16.

15-Ketodihydro-PGF2alpha and cortisol plasma concentrations in newborn foals after spontaneous or oxytocin-induced parturition.

Hormonal changes during early neonatal life play a major role in the physiological processes underlying the maturation of several organs. Since prostaglandins and cortisol are associated with fetal organ system maturation, the aim of this study was to evaluate 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGM) and cortisol plasma concentrations during the first 21 days after birth in foals born by either spontaneous (24 foals) or low-dose oxytocin (OT)-induced parturition performed after at least 320 gestational days (25 foals) since induction is often considered to be a cause of prematurity. After spontaneous birth, the PGM concentration was significantly (P<0.

Embryo production in superovulated goats treated with insulin before or after mating or by continuous propylene glycol supplementation.

Seventeen adult and cyclic Moxoto goats were synchronized using 60 mg MPA vaginal sponge for 11 days and 50 mug cloprostenol, 48 h before sponge removal, and superovulated with 120 mg pFSH i.m. in decreasing doses at 12 h intervals for three consecutive days.

Energy balance, leptin, NEFA and IGF-I plasma concentrations and resumption of post partum ovarian activity in Swedish Red and White breed cows.

In the purpose to provide further information in respect of the relationship between metabolism and post partum (PP) ovarian activity resumption in dairy cows, the aim of the present study was to characterize the energy balance (EB) and leptin, NEFA and IGF-I plasma levels in Swedish Red and White (SRW) cows with and without ovarian activity re-initiation within 7 weeks PP. The study was conducted on 12 primiparous SRW cows fed the same diet as total mixed ration for ad libitum intake. The EB was calculated weekly from parturition until seven weeks PP.