Doppler indices of the equine fetal carotid artery throughout gestation.

Assessment of pregnancy viability in the equine patient is currently based on gestational profiles of limited prognostic value. In recent years Doppler technology has been applied to uterine and umbilical arteries of pregnant mares to monitor fetal responsive haemodynamics, suggestive of compromise. To date, uterine artery Doppler indices failed to provide sufficient evidence of pregnancy viability and the umbilical cord of the equine fetus is inconsistently visualized past 250 days gestation.

Melittin peptide kills Trypanosoma cruzi parasites by inducing different cell death pathways.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are components of the innate immune response that represent desirable alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals, as they have a fast mode of action, a low likelihood of resistance development and can act in conjunction with existing drug regimens. AMPs exhibit strong inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, metazoans and other parasites, such as the protozoan Leishmania. Melittin is a naturally occurring AMP, which comprises 40-50% of the dry weight of Apis mellifera venom.

Objective assessment of the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide for freezing goat semen.

The aim of this work was to assess the cryoprotective effects of dimethylformamide (DMF) for freezing goat semen, using an objective analysis by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Twenty-one ejaculates (seven per animal) were collected from three stud bucks with the aid of an artificial vagina and immediately evaluated for gross and microscopic characteristics. The semen was diluted in two steps with a Tris-egg yolk extender containing 6% glycerol or 6% DMF, frozen in 0.