Successful pregnancy following transfer of feline embryos derived from vitrified immature cat oocytes using 'stepwise' cryoprotectant exposure technique.

Oocyte cryopreservation is the desired tool for the 'long-term' storage of female genetic potential especially for endangered/valuable species. This study aims at examining the ability of different cryoprotectant (CPA) and CPA exposure techniques to protect immature feline oocytes against cryoinjury during vitrification. Immature oocytes were submitted to different CPA exposure techniques: 1) 2-step DMSO, 2) 4-step DMSO, 3) 2-step EG, 4) 4-step EG, 5) 2-step EG plus DMSO and 6) 4-step EG plus DMSO.

Maturation competence of swamp buffalo oocytes obtained by ovum pick-up and from slaughterhouse ovaries.

This study was designed with the final goal of improving in vitro embryo production in the Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabensis). Oocytes were collected by ovum pick-up (OPU) from six non-lactating multiparous swamp buffalo twice per week for 10 consecutive sessions followed by once-weekly collection for 10 consecutive sessions without hormone stimulation. In addition, oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries that were classified as follows: ovaries from non-pregnant cows with a visible corpus luteum (NPCL); pregnant cows with a corpus luteum (P); and non-pregnant cows without a corpus luteum (NP).

Improved cryopreservability of stallion sperm using a sorbitol-based freezing extender.

Cryopreservation of stallion semen is often associated with poor post-thaw sperm quality. Sugars are among the important components of a freezing extender and act as non-permeating cryoprotectants. This study aimed to compare the quality of stallion sperm frozen with glucose, fructose or sorbitol-containing freezing extenders.

Molecular evidence of Opisthorchis viverrini in infected bithyniid snails in the Lao People's Democratic Republic by specific hybridization probe-based real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer PCR method.

Naturally occurring bithyniid snails, Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos (Prosobranchia: Bithyniidae), and their intermediate hosts were sampled from Khammouane Province, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the prevalence of the carcinogenic human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, was examined. The presence of O. viverrini cercariae in snails was examined by cercarial shedding test and then confirmed by specific hybridization probe-based real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) PCR method.

Snails and trematode infection after Indian Ocean tsunami in Phang-Nga Province, southern Thailand.

The tsunami and non-tsunami affected areas of Takua Pa District, Phang-Nga Province were investigated for fresh- and brackish-water snails that transmit human parasitic diseases during 2006 and 2007. Among 46 snail species found, 17 species of 8 families were freshwater snails, 28 species of another 7 families were brackish-water snails, and 1 species was a land snail. Of these species, 11 freshwater snails, 4 brackish-water snails and 1 land snail were of medical importance.

Follicular dynamics and oestrous detection in Thai postpartum swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

This study characterized follicular activity and oestrous behaviour from 5 to 9 days post-calving up to the 4th ovulation postpartum (pp) in 16 multiparous (range 2-7 parities) Thai swamp buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 4-12 years and weighing from 432 to 676 kg. Ovarian follicular activity was examined by transrectal ultrasonography (TUS) every morning. Oestrous detection was performed twice daily by direct personal observation of behaviour and for presence of clear cervical mucus discharge and indirectly by video camera recording during 21 h/day.

Y-chromosomal variation confirms independent domestications of swamp and river buffalo.

Y-chromosomal variation in the water buffalo was analysed by sequencing of DBY, ZFY and SRY gene segments. A clear separation of the paternal lineages of the river and swamp types parallels the differences between their maternal lineages and nuclear DNA. Sequence divergence was found to be comparable to the divergence of taurine cattle and zebu, and this divergence predated domestication, confirming that river and swamp buffalo originated from different wild populations.

Effects of thawing temperature and post-thaw dilution on the quality of cat spermatozoa.

The present study aimed to compare cat sperm quality after thawing using two different temperatures (37 and 70 degrees C) and to investigate the effects of post-thaw dilution on the sperm quality and longevity of ejaculated cat spermatozoa. Six ejaculates of each of six male cats were collected using an electroejaculator (total 36 ejaculates). The semen was frozen in 0.

Intertidal snail-trematode communities on the southern Thailand before and after the South Asia tsunami.

Intertidal snail-trematode communities in southern Thailand were examined before and after the South Asia tsunami. Infection rates and species diversity of cercaria in the host snail Cerithidea in tidal zones did not change significantly from one year before to one month after the tsunami. However, the host snails C.

Malacological survey in Phang-Nga Province, southern Thailand, pre- and post-Indian Ocean tsunami.

Three malacological surveys were conducted in the Takua Pa District of Phang-Nga Province, southern Thailand, before and after the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster. Twenty-nine species of fresh- and brackish-water snails were found, in which 10 species of freshwater snails were present, including live Pila polita; 8 species were of medical importance. Two brackish-water snails, Nerita articulata and Littorinopsis scabra, were absent after the tsunami disaster, while brackish-water Cerithidea cingulata and C.

Postpartum ovarian activity and serum estradiol-17beta level in Thai crossbred native mares.

To study the postpartum ovarian activities for investigation of first postpartum oestrus, twenty-five Thai crossbred native mares were monitored after parturition by oestrous detection, transrectal palpation and reproductive ultrasonography. Blood samplings were also taken for estradiol-17beta (E2) analysis. The first ovulation occurred within 20 days postpartum in 92% (23/25) of the mares.

Cervical patency during non-ovulatory and ovulatory estrus cycles in domestic cats.

The cervix functions as a barrier to spermatozoa. Vaginal artificial insemination in cats is, therefore, likely to be successful only at the period of estrus when the cervix is open. This study aimed to define the period of cervical patency in cats in both non-ovulatory and ovulatory estrus cycles.

Freezing of epididymal spermatozoa from dogs after cool storage for 2 or 4 days.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the freezing ability of canine epididymal spermatozoa after cool storage at 5 degrees C for 2 or 4 days. Spermatozoa were collected from the caudae epididymidis from 16 dogs. Total motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated immediately on harvesting, and after 2 and 4 days of storage at 5 degrees C, and at 0 and 2 h post-thaw at 37 degrees C.

Reduction of low back muscular discomfort through an applied ergonomics intervention program.

An applied ergonomics intervention program (AEIP) was conducted with male employees who work in the pressing and storage sections of a metal auto parts factory in eastern Thailand. The objective of this study was to reduce worker muscular discomfort at the low back. The study design was a participatory research approach, with quasi-experimental pretest-posttest, and with a non-equivalent control group.

Health promotion program for the safe use of pesticides in Thai farmers.

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) concerning the safe use of pesticides of Thai farmers in Don Kha subdistrict, Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi Province. Thirty-three voluntary Thai farmers of thirty-three farming families, recruited by convenience sampling, participated in a training program for six months. Data were collected by questionnaire interviews, and KAP on the safe use of pesticides were compared by paired t-test.

Brackish-water mollusks of Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand.

Brackish-water mollusks inhabiting the mangrove areas along the Gulf of Thailand of Surat Thani Province were investigated for distribution, abundance and natural infections. Nine families and 32 species of brackish-water snails were recovered from 14 sampling stations. Species belonging to the genus Ceritidea of the family Potamididae were mainly examined and Cerithidea (Cerithideopsilla) Cingulata, C.

The health of workers in a metal autoparts factory in eastern Thailand.

One hundred and seventy-two male employees working in the pressing and store sections of a metal autoparts factory in eastern Thailand participated in the study. The aim of this study was to survey the health and well-being condition of Thai workers prior to corporation initiatives in applied ergonomics with the workers of the company. A retrospective study of official accident information, and questionnaires regarding general information, health, muscular discomfort, accidents, posture disorders, and subjective feelings of fatigue or discomfort were filled out for the survey.

Seronegative conversion in four Neospora caninum-infected cows, with a low rate of transplacental transmission.

Four Neospora-seropositive pregnant cows (prebreeding indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titers between 1:400 and 1:1600) were confined and observed until parturition. All cows gave birth to normal calves. Selected tissues were tested for NC by histopathology, immunohistochemical (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

An ergonomics intervention program to prevent worker injuries in a metal autoparts factory.

An ergonomics intervention program (EIP) was conducted with male employees working in the pressing and storage sections of a metal autoparts factory in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. The objectives of this study were to assess the causes of injuries in the pressing and storage sections of that factory, and to improve working conditions by reducing worker injuries from accidents and low back muscular discomfort, using an EIR The study design used a participatory research approach which was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest evaluations, with a non-equivalent control group. A total of 172 male participants working in Building A were the target group for assessing causes of injury.

Distribution of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract of the domestic cat in relation to ovulation induced by natural mating.

The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the localization of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract of female domestic cats before (30 min and 3 h after mating) and after ovulation (48 and 96 h after mating), and to evaluate the efficiency of two techniques for studying sperm distribution. Estrus was induced in twenty-four female cats using 100 IU eCG and the females were divided into four groups with six females per group. The same male cat was used for mating with all the females.

Distribution of Pila polita in a southern province of Thailand.

This field study investigated the distribution of the freshwater snails of the family Ampullariidae in 18 provinces of Thailand. The introduced Pomacea canaliculata has wide distribution in the studied provinces. Pila angelica, P.

Transcervical catheterization and cervical patency during the oestrous cycle in domestic cats.

The aims of the present study were to develop a device for vaginal and transcervical catheterization in domestic cats, and to study cervical patency during the various stages of the oestrous cycle. Seventeen queens submitted for routine spaying were included in the study. A vaginal catheter was designed from a urinary catheter for dogs, to fit into the ventral vaginal fornix, and a 3.

Ovarian responses and oocyte recovery in prepubertal swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves after FSH or PMSG treatment.

Stimulation of follicular growth was examined using two different gonadotropin treatments in 10 prepubertal swamp buffalo calves (8 to 12 mo old). Each calf received an ear implant consisting of 3 mg norgestromet and 5 mg estradiol valerate during hormonal treatment. Five calves were additionally administered FSH (24 mg, im) and, 2 mo later, PMSG (3,000 IU).

Survival of beta and gamma races of Neotricula aperta snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mekongi in raw waters.

Beta and gamma races of Neotricula aperta were exposed to naturally raw waters of the Sirindhorn reservoir, Mun River and Mekong River in laboratory conditions and non supplement on food. Snails of two races could withstand well in variable qualities of water within 48 hours. The survival rates of N.

Early embryonic development in Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis ).

A total of 33 nonsurgical embryo collections was carried out to investigate early embryo development in Thai swamp buffalo. Collections were performed on Days 5.5, 6.