Repellent activity of icaridin-impregnated horsecloth against horse flies.

Horseflies are pests that cause discomfort from blood-sucking and disease transmission, and economic losses in the equine industry. This study evaluated the efficacy of horsecloth impregnated with icaridin in reducing horsefly attacks and deterring horseflies. Repellent activities were evaluated under three conditions: treatment 1 (no horsecloth), 2 (horsecloth without icaridin), and 3 (horsecloth impregnated with icaridin), using three native Hokkaido horses (Dosanko) and three mixed-breed horses (Dosanko and Haflinger) in July 2023 at a riding horse club in Hokkaido, Japan.

Possibility of early pregnancy detection in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) based on fecal steroid hormone concentrations.

Early pregnancy detection in alpacas, whose breeding season is limited to the rainy season and has a long gestation period, is important for reproductive management. Conventional detection methods such as ultrasonography cannot be used to detect pregnancy before 30 days after mating. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using fecal steroid hormones as an early detection method in pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas.

Development and evaluation of specific polymerase chain reaction assays for detecting Theileria equi genotypes.

Background: Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis, an economically significant disease that affects horses and other equids worldwide. Based on 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA sequences), T. equi can be classified into five genotypes: A, B, C, D, and E.

PCR detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in apparently healthy horses in Paraguay.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids, including horses. EP has a global distribution and often leads to a significant socioeconomic impact on the equine industry. Infected animals remain as carriers and become a source of infection for tick vectors, thereby posing an immense challenge in the disease management.

Risk factors for equine trypanosomosis and hematological analysis of horses in Paraguay.

Animal trypanosomosis, caused by Trypanozoon trypanosomes (Trypanosoma evansi and T. equiperdum), and Trypanosoma vivax, is endemic to South American countries and has a negative impact on the livestock industry. However, the risk factors for trypanosomosis in Paraguay remain unknown.

First molecular survey of animal trypanosomes in Paraguayan horses.

Despite the epidemic situation of animal trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma equiperdum and Trypanosoma vivax in South American countries, there are no reports for the prevalence of animal trypanosomes in Paraguay. In this study, 408 blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy horses from sixteen departments of Paraguay, for routine medical check-up from August to September 2019, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cross-sectional study was carried out to identify trypanosome prevalence. The prevalence of Trypanozoon (T.

A proinflammatory response of bovine endometrial epithelial cells to active sperm in vitro.

In the cow, cryopreserved semen is inseminated into the uterus, and most of sperm are removed by backflow and phagocytes. Nevertheless, the mechanism responsible for sperm phagocytosis is unclear. Here, we used cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) to investigate the uterine response to sperm and the mechanism that activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs).

Bovine embryo induces an anti-inflammatory response in uterine epithelial cells and immune cells in vitro: possible involvement of interferon tau as an intermediator.

Recent observations suggest that the bovine uterus starts to react to the early embryo immediately after its arrival from the oviduct. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the early developing embryo on the immune-related gene profile in bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) in vitro, and to further examine the impact of conditioned media (CM), either from embryo-BUEC co-culture or embryo culture alone, on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). First, BUECs were co-cultured with morulae (n = 10) for D5-D9 (D0 = IVF), and gene expression in BUECs was analyzed.

Lack of Rev7 function results in development of tubulostromal adenomas in mouse ovary.

Rev7 is a subunit of Polζ, one of the translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerases involved in DNA damage repair. We recently found that Rev7 is also essential for germ cell development in mouse. In the present study, we found the development of ovarian tumors in Rev7 mutant mouse, suggesting the involvement of TLS deficiency in the etiology of ovarian tumor.

Lymphatic involvement in the disappearance of steroidogenic cells from the corpus luteum during luteolysis.

In mammals, the corpus luteum (CL) is an essential endocrine gland for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. If pregnancy is not established, the CL regresses and disappears rapidly from the ovary. A possible explanation for the rapid disappearance of the CL is that luteal cells are transported from the ovary via lymphatic vessels.

Expression of glucocorticoid receptor α and its regulation in the bovine endometrium: possible role in cyclic prostaglandin F2α production.

Cortisol (Cr), the most important glucocorticoid (GC), is well known to suppress uterine prostaglandin F2α (PGF) production. However, the details of the regulatory mechanisms controlling the cyclic changes in endometrial PGF production remain unclear. Here we investigated the expression of the GC receptor (GC-Rα), the actions of cortisol throughout the estrous cycle and the regulatory mechanism of GC-Rα in the bovine endometrium.

Roles of prostaglandin F2alpha and hydrogen peroxide in the regulation of Copper/Zinc superoxide dismutase in bovine corpus luteum and luteal endothelial cells.

Background: Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) induces luteolysis in cow by inducing a rapid reduction in progesterone production (functional luteolysis) followed by tissue degeneration (structural luteolysis). However the mechanisms of action of PGF remain unclear. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in regulating the luteolytic action of PGF.

Roles of cytokines and progesterone in the regulation of the nitric oxide generating system in bovine luteal endothelial cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by luteal endothelial cells (LECs) plays important roles in regulating corpus luteum (CL) function, yet the local mechanism regulating NO generation in bovine CL remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate if tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), interferon γ (IFNG), and/or progesterone (P4) play roles in regulating NO generating system in LECs. Cultured bovine LECs obtained from the CL at the mid-luteal stage (Days 8-12 of the cycle) were treated for 24 hr with TNF (2.

Seasonal changes in luteal progesterone concentration and mRNA expressions of progesterone synthesis-related proteins in the corpus luteum of mares.

Although circulating progesterone (P₄) levels tend to change with the season, little is known about the seasonal changes of P₄ synthesis-related proteins in the corpus luteum (CL) of mares. To examine these changes, seventy-four ovaries containing a CL were collected from Anglo-Norman mares at a local abattoir in Kumamoto, Japan (~N32°), five times during one year. The stages of the CLs were classified as early, mid and regressed by macroscopic observation of the CL and follicles.

Is cortisol a modulator of interferon tau action in the endometrium during early pregnancy in cattle?

Glucocorticoids (GCs) were recently found to be potent modulators of the secretion of uterine prostaglandins (PGs) in ruminants. The aim of the present study was to examine whether GCs may serve as a mediator/modulator of interferon-τ (IFNT) action during early pregnancy in cows. We examined whether IFNT affects cortisol output and expression of GC receptors (NR3C1) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (enzymes responsible for GC conversion: HSD11B1 and HSD11B2) in bovine endometrium.

Effects of cortisol on pregnancy rate and corpus luteum function in heifers: an in vivo study.

To determine whether glucocorticoids affect the function of the bovine corpus luteum (CL) during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, we examined the effects of exogenous cortisol or reduced endogenous cortisol on the secretion of progesterone (P4) and on pregnancy rate. In preliminary experiments, doses of cortisol and metyrapone (an inhibitor of cortisol synthesis) were established (n=33). Cortisol in effective doses of 10 mg blocked tumor necrosis factor-induced prostaglandin F(2α) secretion as measured by its metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in the blood.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor α and Interferon γ on the viability and mRNA expression of TNF receptor type I in endothelial cells from the bovine corpus luteum.

The corpus luteum (CL) is mainly composed of luteal steroidogenic cells (LSCs) and luteal endothelial cells (LECs). Cell death of LSCs and LECs is essential for structural luteolysis. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms regulating cell death in both types of luteal cells.

Role of nitric oxide in the regulation of superoxide dismutase and prostaglandin F(2alpha) production in bovine luteal endothelial cells.

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF) induces a rapid reduction in progesterone production (functional luteolysis) followed by tissue degeneration and cell death (structural luteolysis). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) including nitric oxide (NO) play crucial roles in the luteolytic action of PGF. The local concentration of intraluteal ROS is controlled by superoxide dismutase (SOD), the main enzyme involved in the control of intraluteal ROS.

Expression of VEGF and its receptors in the bovine endometrium throughout the estrous cycle: effects of VEGF on prostaglandin production in endometrial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well known angiogenic factor that has been suggested to play some physiological roles in reproductive organs. To clarify whether VEGF is involved in regulating bovine endometrial function locally, in experiment 1, we determined the expression of VEGF, VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 1 and VEGFR2 throughout the estrous cycle in endometrial tissues. Endometrial tissue was collected at estrus (Day 0), the early I (Days 2-3), early II (Days 5-6), mid (Days 8-12) and late luteal stages (Days 15-17) and the follicular stage (Days 19-21).

Expression and localization of cFLIP, an anti-apoptotic factor, in the bovine corpus luteum.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential mechanisms regulating cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP), an anti-apoptotic factor, in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). Expression of cFLIP mRNA was highest at the developing stage and then decreased significantly during the mid, late and regressed stages (P<0.05).

Is interleukin-1alpha a luteotrophic or luteolytic agent in cattle?

Cytokines are thought to regulate prostaglandin (PG) secretion in the bovine endometrium. However, there is no consensus about the role of interleukin-1alpha (IL1A) on PG secretion. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of IL1A on basal and interferon-tau (IFNT)-regulated PG in vitro secretion, as well its effects on PG secretion, progesterone (P(4)) output, and corpus luteum (CL) in vivo lifespan.

Development of an enzyme immunoassay for urinary pregnanediol-3-glucuronide in a female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

In order to enable monitoring of the reproductive status of the female giant panda after observation of estrus behavior, we developed an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for urinary pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG), a progesterone metabolite, using commercial reagents and examined the changes in the urinary concentration of PdG in a female giant panda that showed pseudopregnancy and suspicious pseudopregnancy in 6 consecutive years. The developed EIA system had good reproducibility (intra- and interassay CVs 6.1% and 16.

Changes in the vasculature of bovine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle and prostaglandin F2alpha-induced luteolysis.

To investigate the possible role of the vasculature in the local regulation of corpus luteum (CL) function, we determined the densities of capillaries and large blood vessels in the center of the bovine CL during the estrous cycle and following prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha-induced luteolysis. The CLs at the early (Days 2-3 post-ovulation), developing (Days 5-7), mid (Days 8-12), late (Days 15-17) and regressed (Days 19-21) stages were collected. In addition, the CLs were collected by transvaginal ovariectomy from 12 cows (Day 10 after ovulation), i.

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) regulates the nitric oxide generating system in bovine luteal endothelial cells.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate whether luteolytic prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF) plays roles in regulating the nitric oxide (NO) generating system in luteal endothelial cells (LECs). Reverse transcriptase PCR, immunoblotting and immunostaining revealed the presence of PGF receptor mRNA (521 bp) and protein (64 kDa) in cultured LECs obtained from the mid-stage corpus luteum. When cultured LECs were exposed to 0.

Effective oxytocin treatment on placental expulsion after foaling in heavy draft mares.

The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of administration of oxytocin (OT) on placental expulsion after foaling. Four foaling mares with the placentas retained for up 1 hr after foaling received OT (50 IU) administration at 1 hr intervals before expulsion of the placenta. The changes in the plasma concentrations of OT and the PGF2alpha metabolite (PGFM) were investigated, and the influence of OT administration was considered.