北极狐电刺激采精技术的研究

1995～ 1 997年北极狐配种期对 41只雄狐进行 97次电刺激采精试验 ,成功 96次 ,成功率 98 9%。雄狐用安定注射液和盐酸氯胺酮进行复合麻醉。电刺激采精器频率调至 2 0～ 30Hz;通、断电间隔时间 7s;电压由 2V开始 ,进行电刺激 ,每持续 30s后再升高 2V ,直至升到 30～ 32V公狐即可排精。所得到精液品质优良 ,采精后公狐食欲、精神均正常。     

家养林麝电刺激采精及精液品质研究

用电刺激采精法对20头次家养林麝进行电刺激采精及精液品质的分析。结果表明：电刺激射精电压为（4．6±0．5982）V;电刺激至射精的时间为（9．6667±6．3152）min;采精量为（0．369±0．242）mL;pH值为6．475±0．2552;精子密度为（6．935±7．0173）亿／mL;精子活力平均为0．67±0．1081。电刺激采精麻醉保定药品用量,氯胺酮（24．5075±10．0285）mg/kg体重,或陆眠宁（0．0225±0．005）mL/kg体重,均能达到满意的保定效果。     

甘肃高寒牧区藏羊电刺激采精实验

为研究电刺激采精技术能否在甘肃高寒牧区藏系羊繁殖中推广应用,该技术是否对公羊精液品质和采精量有影响,项目课题组在甘肃省天祝县旦马乡进行了牧区藏羊种公羊电刺激采精实验。选择本土选育的欧拉型藏羊种公羊,配种期每日每只采精2次,即：首日（标注为d1）早上采用传统的假阴道采精法采精,下午采用电刺激法采精,次日（标注为d2）早上采用电刺激法采精,下午采用传统的假阴道采精法采精,依次不同采精方法交叉采精,减少误差,连续采精6d,及时检查采精量及精液密度、精子活力等品质。实验结果表明,甘肃天祝牧区藏羊种公羊电刺激采精所得精液量均在0.80 mL～0.96 mL之间,符合藏系羊正常精液量,平均精子活力均在0.80以上,平均精液密度均“中”以上,精液品质符合人工授精精液品质要求,可应用于藏羊繁殖生产实践。     

Effect of semen collection frequency on seasonal variation in sexual behaviour,testosterone, testicular size and semen characteristics of tropical hair rams (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ovis aries</Emphasis>)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of day length on seminal characteristics, testicular size, sexual behaviour and testosterone (T4) concentration in Pelibuey rams subjected to different semen collection frequencies. Eighteen intact males were assigned randomly to one of two semen collection frequencies: in the high rate (HR) treatment, two ejaculations per week were obtained from each ram; one ejaculation every two weeks was collected under the low rate (LR) treatment. All animals were housed individually in contiguous 5 m × 5 m wire mesh pens and evaluated over a 12-month period. At the beginning of the experiment rams were 20 months old and 40–50 kg in weight. All rams ejaculated and produced semen throughout the year. Semen volume, sperm per ejaculation, testicular circumference and testicular volume were significantly (p < 0.05) greater during short days in all rams, regardless of the semen collection frequency, with the exception of sperm concentration, for which no variation was found in HR individuals, and reaction time and T₄ levels, for which no variation was found in LR males. Rams subjected to HR collection were more affected by the short-day photoperiod than rams collected twice per week, exhibiting greater reduction (p < 0.05) in time to achieve their first ejaculation and in sperm per ejaculation, as well as greater increases (p < 0.05) in T₄ concentration than LR rams (14.65 ± 1.22 vs 23.53 ± 5.34 s, (3.37 ± 0.17) × 10⁹ vs (3.52 ± 0.20) × 10⁹ sperm and 8.68 ± 0.44 vs 6.85 ± 0.74 ng/ml, respectively). It was concluded that: (a) the magnitude of the seasonal effects was not sufficient to prevent the rams being used for breeding throughout the year, and (b) seasonal variation within variables was affected differently between semen collection frequencies.     

Semen collection by urethral catheterization and electro-ejaculation with different voltages,and the effect of holding temperature and cooling rate before cryopreservation on semen quality in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)

In the Japanese macaque, semen has been collected by electro-ejaculation (EE), using the higher voltage stimuli compared to other species including genus Macaca. Semen coagulates immediately after ejaculation, which makes difficult to produce high-quality semen for artificial insemination. Recently, semen collection using urethral catheterization (UC) has been reported in carnivore and this technique may allow semen collection without coagulation in a less invasive manner. Further, the temporal preservation temperature and cooling rate of semen during cryopreservation affect post thawing sperm quality. In this study, to improve semen quality and quantity, as well as the animal welfare, semen collection was performed by EE with high (5–15 V) or low (3–6 V) voltage, UC and a combination of the two (EE-UC). It has been suggested that a high voltage is necessary for semen collection, but 10 V stimulation was effective enough and 15 V is for additional sperm collection. Also, liquid semen was collected by EE-UC and this could increase the total number of sperm. Further, to improve the post thawing sperm motility, semen was kept at four temperatures (4, 15, 25 and 37°C) for 60 min, and processed with two cooling procedures (slow cooling before second dilution and fast cooling after second dilution). Holding semen at 25°C and fast cooling after the second dilution maintained progressive motile sperm rate. The present results will contribute to the improvement of semen collection and animal welfare of Japanese macaques.     

Semen quality after vasectomy in the ramQualité du sperme du bélier vasectomiséde]Samenqualität nach vasektomie beim schafbock

Twenty four yearling rams which were trained for use with the artificial vagina were used to study changes in the volume, motility and density of ejaculates collected between 3 h and 6 days after vasectomy. Control rams underwent sham operations. On the day of vasectomy only, there was a decrease in the speed of ejaculation and an increase in sniffing and pawing activity.Ejaculate volume was unaffected by sham operation, but declined by 40–50% to 0.23–0.62 ml after vasectomy (P < 0.05).Irrespective of the timing of semen collections, motility declined to zero by the third ejaculate after vasectomy and density at that point had fallen to less than 0.1 × 10⁹ sperm/ml (less than 7% of pre-vasectomy levels).It is concluded that rams should be ejaculated at least 3 times after vasectomy if semen quality is to be reduced to the low levels normally associated with sterility, and that if rams are required for immediate use this may be achieved on the day of vasectomy.     

藏羊电刺激采精和人工授精技术

由于藏羊特殊的品种特性,高海拔严寒地区养殖适应性好,养殖成本相对其他类型羊较低,但自然交配情况下,空怀率高,繁殖率低。为克服藏种羊胆小易惊,调教不易,采精困难等不利因素,我们采用电刺激法促使种公羊被动排精,很大程度上降低了采精难度,提高了采精数量,在母羊集中发情季节,优秀种公羊个体可授配母羊500只以上,同时引进药物诱导母羊同期发情等技术进行人工授精,大大提升了藏羊繁殖性能,加速了我县藏羊引种改良进程,提高藏羊养殖经济效益。     

Effect of epididymitis on semen quality of rams

To better document the detrimental effect of ram epididymitis (RE) in large range flocks, a study was conducted to determine the correlation of palpable RE lesions and semen quality. Presence of leukocytes in the semen of rams affected with RE also was evaluated and found to correlate positively with RE lesions and inversely with semen quality. Rams with palpable RE lesions usually produced semen of reduced quality; however, some affected rams did produce good quality semen. The mean scrotal circumference varied significantly when rams were analyzed by breed, but not when grouped by RE status or classified by semen quality.     

Effect of an inactivated bluetongue serotype 8 vaccine on semen quality in rams

The aim of this study was to determine whether a single dose of an inactivated bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) vaccine altered semen quality in rams. Twenty sexually mature rams were assigned to three experimental groups: two groups of four animals were vaccinated and a third group of four animals was unvaccinated. The first group included rams with a history of natural BTV-8 infection in 2007 and the second and third groups included BTV-8 na?ve rams. Semen was collected prior to vaccination and for 4months post-vaccination. There were no significant differences in semen quality traits, including motility and concentration of spermatozoa, and percentages of living, normal dead and abnormal dead spermatozoa, between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, or over time (P>0.05). The BTV-8 vaccine tested in this study did not appear to have any adverse effect on semen quality in rams.     

Effect of semen collection in extender solution on the characteristics of goat spermatozoa

The objective of this experiment was to investigate whether the motility parameters and acrosome integrity of goat ejaculated spermatozoa are affected by collecting semen into tubes containing an extender, and thereby determine the significance of reducing contact between seminal plasma and the sperm membrane at ejaculation. Semen were collected from three goats into tubes containing 0, 1 or 10 ml extender, or collected into tubes containing 10 ml extender supplemented with 0.1, 1 or 5% BSA. Sperm motion parameters were evaluated immediately after collection, after washing, and during a 3-h thermal resistance test. Acrosome integrity was assessed using FITC-PNA staining. Semen collection into tubes containing 10 ml extender produced higher sperm motility, progressive motility, and acrosome integrity than that using a smaller volume of extender. Furthermore, collection into 5% BSA-containing extender exhibited higher sperm characteristics and maintained high sperm motility and progressive motility throughout incubation. In conclusion, semen collection into tubes with a large volume of extender, especially extender containing higher concentrations of BSA, improved the quality of ejaculated spermatozoa, strongly suggesting that the in vitro functional characteristics of the spermatozoa were abruptly modified by flash sperm contact with accessory sex gland fluid at ejaculation.     

Pregnancies from imipramine and xylazine-induced ex copula ejaculation in a disabled stallion.

Breeding or semen collection was attempted using: natural cover, manual stimulation, artificial vagina, pharmacologic induction of ejaculation, and electroejaculation. Sperm cells were recovered from the ductus deferens and epididymides post mortem. Only semen collected ex copula by imipramine and xylazine treatment resulted in conceptions (4/5). This is the first report of pregnancies in horses from ex copula semen collection.     

Characterization of semen collected by pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a stallion with seminal vesiculitis

The present study compared the quality of sperm collected by artificial vagina or pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a 10-year-old thoroughbred stallion with seminal vesiculitis. The pharmacological protocol involved intravenous administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) and oxytocin (20 IU) and successfully induced ejaculation in all attempts of semen collection. Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) percentage, and bacterial profiles of fresh and cooled semen (5°C for 24 hr) were evaluated. Semen obtained by the pharmacological method presented reduced seminal volume, decreased PMN percentage and superior sperm motility in cooled samples. Moreover, higher PMAI and lower ROS levels were observed in semen collected by the pharmacological method. Therefore, pharmacologically induced ejaculation is an alternative to obtain semen with minimal contamination and with sperm of superior quality and longevity from stallions with seminal vesiculitis.     

EVALUATION OF PROCEDURES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRUCELLA OVIS INFECTION IN RAMS

Procedures for the diagnosis of Br. ovis infection in rams were evaluated by examining 10 rams artificially infected by preputial inoculation. Observations were undertaken at weekly intervals for 1 year to follow changes in clinical, bacteriological and serological findings. Clinical lesions were detected in 1 ram 3 weeks after inoculation and in all rams by 8 weeks; lesions were undetectable in 3 rams at the completion of the trial. The presence of inflammatory cells in semen samples was the earliest indication of infection being demonstrated in 2 rams at 2 weeks and in all rams by 8 weeks; subsequently 86% of samples were positive. Br. ovis was detected in semen smears from 3 rams at 4 weeks but only once in all rams (at 27 weeks); overall 52% of semen smears were positive from 4 weeks onwards. Br. ovis was cultured from semen of 5 rams after 4 weeks and from all rams at 5 weeks; thereafter 97% of samples were positive. All rams developed significant titres to the CFT between 2 and 9 weeks; thereafter the CFT was a reliable indication of infection in 6 rams, highly suggestive in 3 and unreliable in one. By 8–10 weeks all rams developed significant titres to the IHA which were then maintained in all rams for the remainder of the trial.     

日粮锌水平对辽宁绒山羊种公羊精液品质的影响

为探讨日粮锌水平对辽宁绒山羊种公羊精液品质的影响。本试验选用成年健康、精液品质相近的辽宁绒山羊种公羊20只,随机分为4组,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加20、40和80mg/kg的锌。结果表明:①日粮锌水平对种公羊的精液量、精子密度、精子活力和精子解冻后活力影响显著(P<0.05);②日粮锌水平对种公羊的精液pH值、美蓝褪色时间没有显著影响(P<0.05);③日粮锌水平对种公羊的降低鲜精和冻精畸形率有一定的促进作用(P>0.05)。综合鲜精、冻精品质指标,本试验日粮条件下,日粮锌添加量为40mg/kg辽宁绒山羊种公羊的精液品质最优。     

Stimulation techniques and response characteristics of the M and F waves and H reflex in dogs

The voltage and duration of electrical rectangular pulsed stimuli needed to produce an F wave and a monosynaptic reflex (H wave) and the characteristics of these responses were recorded in clinically normal dogs. Optimal stimulus to produce H waves was 0.1 to 0.2 ms and less than 80 volts. F waves were variable in appearance and were most evident following 0.5 ms and 125 to 150 volt stimulation. F waves had shorter latency than comparable H waves.     

Impact of a natural bluetongue serotype 8 infection on semen quality of Belgian rams in 2007

In 2006, bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 emerged in northern Europe and numerous ruminants were affected in the following year. Infertility in males is one of the consequences of BT, although its severity and duration after natural infection has not been documented. In this report, the impact of BT-8 on clinical signs and semen quality of naturally infected rams is described through a longitudinal study of two Belgian ram populations (n = 12 and n = 24) and a cross sectional study in a further ram population (n = 43).Macroscopic semen characteristics, semen concentration, motility, percentage of living and dead spermatozoa were assessed in 167 semen samples collected on 1–6 occasions from 79 BT-8 infected rams within 5–138 days after onset of clinical disease. These were compared with healthy control animals. Significant changes in all variables were observed after natural BT-8 infection. Total recovery occurred around 85 days after clinical disease in animals undergoing a close follow-up of semen quality. Good correspondence between the results of the longitudinal and cross sectional studies suggests that semen quality of BT-8 affected rams reached normal references values 63–138 days after clinical diagnosis of BT. In addition, semen concentration seems to be a sound epidemiological indicator of ram semen quality.     

Effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on semen characteristics of Yankasa rams.

Twelve Yankasa rams aged between 2 1/2 and 3 years with good semen characteristics were used in this 15-week study. Six rams were infected with Trypanosoma vivax, while six served as controls. The infected rams developed chronic trypanosomosis accompanied by fluctuating pyrexia, lethargy, anaemia, scrotal oedema and cachexia. There was a drastic and progressive deterioration in semen quality in all infected rams manifested by a decrease in volume or cessation of semen production, oligozoospermia, a sharp decrease in progressively motile sperm, elevated numbers of dead (eosinophilic) sperm and 100% morphological abnormalities of sperm in most animals. The rams were all deemed unfit for breeding by 3 weeks post-infection. Uninfected rams were healthy and had good semen characteristics throughout the investigation. The results show that rams infected with T. vivax may become infertile within a short interval due to rapid deterioration of semen characteristics and this trypanosome species may be an important causative agent of infertility in endemic areas.     

Viral RNA load in semen from bluetongue serotype 8-infected rams: relationship with sperm quality

This study investigated if viral RNA was detectable in the semen of rams clinically infected with bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) by RT-qPCR, and to what extent the amount detected may be predictive of sperm quality. Semen samples were collected on six occasions from 93 BTV-8 infected rams involved in two longitudinal (n=12 and 27, respectively) and one cross-sectional (n=54) field study. Semen quality was assessed in terms of mass motility, concentration of spermatozoa, percentage of living and dead spermatozoa as well as cytological features. An overall semen quality score (SQS) was established. Depending upon the studied population, BTV RNA was detected in 75-100% of semen samples at initial testing 25-57 days post-observation (DPO) of clinical signs, and was detectable up to 116 DPO in a proportion of rams undergoing repeated sampling. Semen quality variables were significantly altered following natural BTV-8 infection and correlated with the amount of BTV RNA present. The SQS did not return to normal when virus was no longer detectable, suggesting that clearance of BTV precedes full recovery of sperm quality. In conclusion, viral RNA may be transiently recovered from the semen of BTV-8 affected rams and may serve as an indicator in predicting ram breeding potential following natural infection.     

Objective assessment of sperm motion characteristics of Malpura ram lambs raised under intensive management system in semiarid tropical environment

A study was conducted to evaluate the semen production and sperm motion characteristics of ram lambs by computer-aided semen analysis technique. Eight Malpura rams were raised under intensive management system and were trained for semen collection at a weekly interval from the age of 6 months. Rams were scheduled for semen collection at a weekly interval up to 1 year of age to assess their potential for semen production and objective evaluation of semen quality. The average age of ram lambs at the time of first ejaculation was 219 days ranging from 186 to 245 days. The age of ram lambs significantly (p < 0.05) influenced sperm concentration, sperm velocities, and beat frequency of spermatozoa, which were higher in 9–12-month-old compared to 6–9-month-old ram lambs. However, the effect of age was not significant on semen volume, percent motility, percent rapid, medium or slow motile spermatozoa, percent linearity, percent straightness, amplitude of lateral head displacement, percent elongation, and area of sperm head. The body weight of ram lambs was significantly (p < 0.01) and positively correlated (r = 0.46) with age. The results indicate that Malpura ram lambs of 9–12 months of age raised under the intensive management system in a semiarid tropical environment can produce good quality of semen.