Comparison between ultrasonographic and caliper measurements of testicular volume in the dog.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two methods used to clinically estimate testicular volume in the dog. Caliper and ultrasonographic measurements of testicular dimensions (length, width and height) of both testes were performed on 21 adult Beagles. Either measurement was taken in vivo over the scrotal skin and again in vitro after castration, excluding or including, when possible, the epididymis.

Survival of rapidly frozen hatched mouse blastocysts.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of rapid freezing on the in vitro and in vivo survival of zona-pellucida-free hatched mouse blastocysts. Hatched blastocysts were rapidly frozen in a freezing medium containing either ethylene glycol (EG) or glycerol (G) in 1.5 M or 3 M concentration.

Evaluation of spermatological parameters in ochratoxin A--challenged boars.

Exposure to certain mycotoxins has been proved to contribute to fertility problems in pigs. Although ochratoxin A (OA) is one of the most common naturally occurring mycotoxins, there is little data concerning the possible effects of this toxin on sperm quality of boars. After a 4-week control period, animals were given 20 microg OA per os daily for 6 weeks, followed by a 9-week withdrawal period.

Analysis of serum and seminal plasma after feeding ochratoxin A with breeding boars.

The aim of the experiment was to investigate whether or not ochratoxin A (OA) can be detected in seminal plasma after feeding the toxin in five and 10 times of the human tolerable daily intake with breeding boars and how toxin profiles of serum and seminal plasma correspond to each other. In addition to that, the effect of the toxin challenge on motility and longevity of boar semen was also evaluated. OA from samples was analyzed by microplate ELISA.

Changes in the electric resistance of the vaginal mucus in oestrous sows.

Changes in the electric resistance of the vaginal mucus were monitored in a large pig herd at 4-h intervals with a heat detector (Hauptner, Federal Republic of Germany) in multiparous sows (n = 16; litter size = 11.4 +/- 2.9) that showed a positive standing test and conceived.