Influence of Cysteamine on In Vitro Maturation, In Vitro and In Vivo Fertilization of Equine Oocytes

The effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes collected by transvaginal ultrasound guided follicular aspiration was assessed. Oocytes were matured in vitro with (cysteamine group) or without (control group) cysteamine. The nuclear stage after DNA Hoechst staining, penetration rates after two different in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques (IVF media with ionophore and Hepes buffer with heparin) and the embryo yield following oocyte intra-oviductal transfer were used as a criterion for assessing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, respectively. Contrary to the data described in other domestic species, there was no effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear maturation, IVF or in vivo embryonic development under our conditions. Ovum pick up yields (52%) and maturation rates (control group: 47% and cysteamine group: 55%) were similar to those previously reported. From 57 oocytes transferred to the oviduct in each group, the number of embryos collected was 10 (17%) in the control group and five in the cysteamine group (9%). Those two percentages were not statistically different (p > 0.05). No effect of IVF technique was seen on the success rate (6%) in each group.     

The Effect of Post-Ovulatory Artificial Insemination on Sow Reproductive Performance

In order to increase reproductive performance, sows are usually inseminated several times during oestrus. In practice, this results in a significant number of sows receiving one or more post‐ovulatory inseminations. This study was carried out to determine the percentage of sows that receive one or more post‐ovulatory inseminations and the effect of such treatment on reproductive performance. The results were analysed from a total of 1298 sows on two farms. It was observed that more than 70% of the sows received at least one post‐ovulatory insemination and approximately 20% received two or more. There was no observed effect on the rate of return to oestrus, farrowing rate or litter size (p > 0.05).     

山豆根多糖对猪圆环病毒2型感染小鼠体内外炎性因子分泌水平的影响

旨在探究山豆根多糖对猪圆环病毒2型（porcine circovirus 2,PCV2）感染小鼠体内外炎性因子分泌水平的影响。通过PCV2感染小鼠脾淋巴细胞建立体外炎症模型,用不同浓度（100、200、400 μg/mL）的山豆根多糖作用细胞,采用ELISA法测定细胞分泌IL-1β、IL-8、MCP-1水平和细胞内COX-1活性;利用PCV2体内感染昆明种小鼠建立氧化胁迫模型后,腹腔注射低、中、高浓度[100、200、400 mg/（kg·BW）]的山豆根多糖,应用ELISA法测定小鼠脾脏、肺脏组织和血清中炎性因子IL-1β、IL-8、MCP-1分泌水平和COX-1活性。结果显示,与PCV2感染模型细胞相比,经不同浓度山豆根多糖处理的小鼠脾淋巴细胞中炎性因子IL-1β、IL-8、MCP-1水平和细胞内COX-1活性均不同程度降低,其中,400 μg/mL的山豆根多糖作用最佳（P<0.01）;利用不同浓度的山豆根多糖腹腔注射PCV2感染小鼠后,均能抑制PCV2感染小鼠的脾脏、肺脏组织和血清中炎性因子IL-1β、IL-8、MCP-1分泌水平和COX-1的活性,其中,高浓度[400 mg/（kg·BW）]的山豆根多糖作用最佳（P<0.01）。综上提示,山豆根多糖能够抑制PCV2感染小鼠炎性因子分泌,从而发挥抗炎作用。     

半胱氨酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、体外受精及GSH水平的影响

体外受精技术也称胚胎生产技术（invitro production,IVP）,包括卵母细胞的体外成熟、精子的获能、卵子的体外受精和受精卵的体外培养等几个连续的过程。半胱氨酸是GSH的前体物质,在牛体外胚胎生产过程中疏基复合物能增加细胞内GSH的合成,在受精和胚胎的开始阶段保持高浓度GSH可以增加发育率。试验的目的是评价半胱氨酸对猪卵母细胞的成熟率、受精率及成熟培养时期卵母细胞内GSH水平的影响,现报道如下。     

Effect of Lycopene on Cytoplasmic Maturation of Porcine Oocytes In Vitro

The aim of the present study was to improve cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes by the addition of lycopene into in vitro maturation (IVM) media. We designed six experimental groups; IVM medium was supplemented with 10 IU/ml FSH, FSH and 10 IU/ml human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), or FSH and 7 μm lycopene in the first half of the IVM culture (0–22 h) followed by further culture (22–44 h) with or without hCG. The addition of lycopene into IVM media delayed the interruption of communication between an oocyte and the cumulus cells. Although meiotic competence was similar among the six groups, the glutathione level of matured oocytes was significantly higher in the lycopene‐supplemented group (9.89 pmol per oocyte) than that in other groups (7.25 and 7.81 pmol per oocyte). Fertilization rate was significantly improved in lycopene‐supplemented groups (58.3%) more than that in the group supplemented with FSH only (43.1%), whereas there were no differences in developmental competence among the groups (blastocyst rate: 20.1–29.5%). These results indicate that insufficient cytoplasmic maturation during conventional IVM resulted by disconnection of the gap junction between an oocyte and the cumulus cells in the early phase during IVM culture. We concluded that lycopene induced a prolonged sustainment of gap junctional communication between an oocyte and the cumulus cells during porcine IVM culture, which was an effective cytoplasmic maturation of porcine IVM oocytes.     

托氟沙星纳米乳的体内外抗菌作用研究

为考察托氟沙星纳米乳的体外抑菌活性及体内药效作用,用CLSI推荐的微量肉汤稀释法测定托氟沙星纳米乳的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC),并与盐酸左氧氟沙星进行比较;以鼠伤寒沙门菌人工感染的雏鸡为研究对象,测定不同浓度托氟沙星纳米乳的体内药效作用。体外抑菌试验表明,托氟沙星纳米乳对无乳链球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、多杀巴氏杆菌、大肠埃希菌、痢疾志贺菌、鼠伤寒沙门菌、甲型副伤寒沙门菌的MIC为0.25μg/mL~2.00μg/mL,其抑菌活性是托氟沙星原药的2倍~4倍,盐酸左氧氟沙星的2倍~8倍;MBC为0.25μg/mL~4.00μg/mL,其抗菌活性是托氟沙星原药的2倍~8倍,盐酸左氧氟沙星的2倍~8倍。体内药效试验结果表明,低剂量(40mg/L)和中剂量(60mg/L)的托氟沙星纳米乳可显著降低鼠伤寒沙门菌感染雏鸡的死亡率和体重损失。托氟沙星纳米乳以纳米乳作为药物载体,增强了托氟沙星对临床常见细菌的体内外抵抗作用,提高了托氟沙星的临床应用价值。     

家畜防御素体内组织表达及体外表达研究进展

防御素是广泛分布于动物、植物、昆虫体内的一类富含半胱氨酸的阳离子内源性抗菌肽,在动物免疫调节及植物自身防御方面扮演着重要的角色。对防御素的概念、类型、结构特征、作用机理进行了综述,总结了防御素在牛、马、羊、猪、鹿、骆驼等家畜体内组织表达及体外表达研究进展,并对防御素在未来生物制药和畜牧饲料生产方面的应用前景进行了展望。     

In Vivo and In Vitro Sperm Interaction with Oviductal Epithelial Cells of Llama

Sperm reservoirs in South American Camelids would be crucial for successful fertilization. Since ovulation occurs approximately 36 h after mating, the maintenance of the sperm viability in the oviduct waiting for the ovum is a critical reproductive event. Our study aimed at determining whether the isthmus or the utero tubal junction (UTJ) could function as a sperm reservoir in llama by means of in vivo and in vitro experiments. For the in vivo experiments, the oviducts of adult females with a dominant follicle bigger than 7 mm were examined for the presence of sperm at 6, 18, 24, 28 and 35 h after mating. The results using scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed ultrastructural differences between isthmus and UTJ with respect to (1) predominance of secretory cells in the UTJ and ciliated cells in the isthmus epithelium and (2) cytoplasmic bulbous projection of the secretory cells in the UTJ. Sperm adhered by a mucus‐like substance were seen only in the UTJ at 6, 18, 24 and 28 h post‐mating. Lack of sperm adhered to oviductal mucosa was observed around ovulation (35 h). In vitro experiments demonstrated higher ability of UTJ epithelial cell explants with respect to isthmus explants to bind sperm in a co‐cultured system. The anatomical features and the presence of a sperm bonding agent in the UTJ together with the in vitro differential binding of sperm to UTJ explants strongly suggest that both may be feasible mechanisms that facilitate sperm storage in this oviductal region in llama.     

In Vitro Sperm Penetration Speed and its Relationship with In Vivo Bull Fertility

The in vitro tests utilized to evaluate sperm quality represent an interesting and important approach to evaluate ejaculated fecundant capacity. In the present work, the oocyte-penetrating ability of sperm from two bulls with low and two with high in vivo fertility rate was investigated. Sperm-quality parameters, such as sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, acrosome and total sperm anomalies, proximal cytoplasmic drops and live : dead sperm ratio were assessed and batches of sperm homologues in these parameters were selected. In expt 1, a sperm : oocyte ratio of 3000 was used and the oocytes were fixed 5, 10, 15 and 18 h post-insemination (hpi). In expt 2, the sperm : oocyte ratio was reduced to 1000 and the eggs were fixed at 8 and 10 hpi. The results, analysed by chi-square test, showed significant differences (p <0.001) among bulls at 15 hpi in expt 1 and 8 hpi in expt 2; nevertheless, no accordance was found between sperm penetration rate and in vivo fertility. At 18 hpi, the low-fertility bulls exceeded the two high-fertility bulls, supporting previous reports that suggest an opposite correlation between in vivo and in vitro fertility rate at low doses of heparin. Furthermore, a more efficient zona binding ability of one high-fertility bull was pointed out in expt 2 after the reduction of sperm : oocyte ratio, as it reached the highest percentage of penetration when compared with all the others.     

促卵泡素与促黄体素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

本试验探讨了促性腺激素(FSH、LH)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,最终找到了其合理的使用剂量。在成熟液中添加LH浓度分别为1、5、10 IU/mL时,与没有添加FSH与LH的对照组(15.9%)相比,成熟率有显著提高,成熟率分别为49.1%、30.0%、36.3%。LH浓度为1 IU/mL的实验组成熟率最高,显著高于对照组(p<0.05);然后以成熟液中只添加1 IU/mLLH为对照组,试验组分别添加1、5、10 IU/mLFSH。试验结果表明:添加FSH浓度为5和10 IU/ml时其成熟率分别为40.1%、27.6%,低于对照组(49.0%)。添加FSH浓度为1 IU/mL时其成熟率(49.1%)高于对照组(49.0%),但差异不显著(p>0.05)。两组试验同时得出,随着LH与FSH添加浓度的增加,成熟率呈下降趋势。通过本试验结果得出,在体外成熟培养猪卵母细胞时,各添加1 IU/mL LH与FSH时,得到最佳的成熟效果。     

促卵泡素与促黄体素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

本试验探讨了促性腺激素（FSH、LH）对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,最终找到了其合理的使用剂量。在成熟液中添加LH浓度分别为1、5、10IU／mL时,与没有添加FSH与LH的对照组（15．9％）相比,成熟率有显著提高,成熟率分别为49．1％、30．0％、36．3％。LH浓度为1IU,mL的实验组成熟率最高,显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）;然后以成熟液中只添加1IU/mLLH为对照组,试验组分别添加1、5、10IU/mLPSH。试验结果表明：添加FSH浓度为5和10IU/ml时其成熟率分别为40．1％、27．6％,低于对照组（49．0％）。添加FSH浓度为1IU／mL时其成熟率（49．1％）高于对照组（49．0％）,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）。两组试验同时得出,随着LH与FSH添加浓度的增加,成熟率呈下降趋势。通过本试验结果得出,在体外成熟培养猪卵母细胞时,各添加1IU／mL LH与FSH时,得到最佳的成熟效果。     

Effect of Porcine and Ovine FSH on Nuclear Maturation of Pig Oocytes In Vitro

The effect of porcine or ovine FSH on the maturation rate of porcine oocytes and on the time course of meiotic progression was studied. Groups of 20 grade‐A cumulus oocyte complexes, aspirated from slaughterhouse cycling‐gilt ovaries, were cultured in vitro in 400 μl of Modified Parker's Medium supplemented with oestrous cow serum and porcine FSH (Folltropin®‐V, 0.50 mg/ml) or ovine FSH (Ovagen^TM, 0.44 iu/ml), in four‐well dishes under mineral oil, at 38.5°C, 5% CO₂ in humidified air. At the end of each 3‐h interval, from 3 to 42 h of culture, the nuclear status of oocytes was assessed microscopically (1000×), after fixation (methanol/acetic acid: 3/1) and orcein (2%) staining. Oocytes were classified as (i) immature (IMM), i.e. oocytes at germinal vesicle stage, germinal vesicle break down and prophase I, (ii) metaphase I (MI) and (iii) metaphase II (MII), i.e. oocytes at anaphase I, telophase I and metaphase II. Data were analysed using regression analysis, chi‐square and t‐test. Nuclear status was assessed in 1610 oocytes (porcine FSH: 787, ovine FSH: 823). Most of the oocytes were at MI from 24 to 33 h (porcine FSH 60.27%, ovine FSH 42.80%, p < 0.001) and at MII from 36 to 42 h (porcine FSH 80.38%, ovine FSH 67.45%, p < 0.01) of culture. Significantly higher maturation rate was observed in porcine FSH than in ovine FSH treated oocytes (86.69 ± 12.97%, 71.34 ± 9.86%, mean ± SD, p < 0.05), after 42 h of culture. In conclusion, under the specific culture conditions, porcine FSH seems to support pig oocyte maturation better than ovine FSH.     

壮观霉素对体外鸡毒支原体的抑菌试验和对鸡体内鸡毒支原体病的治疗试验

1　材料与方法1 .1　试验药物　壮观霉素为水溶性粉剂 ,批号940 71 2 ,由中国医学科学院医药生物技术研究所北抗药厂生产。对照药物壮观霉素 ,水溶性粉剂 ,由比利时生产 ,批号 573KS,由中国医学科学院医药生物技术研究所提供。1 .2　鸡毒支原体菌种　 R株、S6株 ,均由中国兽医药品监察所保存。1 .3　试验鸡　 9日龄北京白鸡 ,试验前经血清学检测 ,该鸡为鸡毒支原体血清学阴性反应。1 .4　鸡毒支原体血清平板凝集抗原　由中国兽医药品监察所生产 ,批号为 930 1。1 .5　抑菌试验　试验前将试验药壮观霉素用蒸馏水配成一定浓度的溶液过滤除菌…     

Influence of the Cumulus and Gonadotropins on the Metabolic Profile of Porcine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the cumulus and gonadotropins on the metabolic profile of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. Immature COCs were assigned to morphological classes A₁ (with a dense cumulus), A₂ (with a translucent cumulus), B₁ (with the corona radiata), B₂ (with only some remaining cumulus cells) and matured with or without gonadotropins. Glycolysis and ammonia production were higher in the A class COCs; gonadotropins increased both, especially in the A₁ COCs (p < 0.05). The A class COCs had the highest initial protein contents and at the end of in vitro maturation. Furthermore, hormonal stimulation induced a similar increase in protein contents of both A classes (p < 0.05). The neutral lipid content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were similar in the immature oocytes of the COCs of all classes. A reduction was seen in both these variables when maturation proceeded either in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. The cumulus type surrounding the oocyte is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids by the COC during in vitro maturation under gonadotropic stimulation. Oocyte lipolytic activity and ROS production appear to be independent of the surrounding cumulus and the presence of gonadotropins.     

3种中药单体成分对猪孤雌激活胚胎体外发育效果的影响

为了建立良好的猪胚胎体外培养体系,以体外成熟培养的卵母细胞为材料,研究中药单体成分川芎嗪（Lig）、小檗碱（BR）和淫羊藿苷（Ica）对猪孤雌激活胚胎体外培养效果的影响。以NCSU-23基础培养液为对照组,采用同一种孤雌激活方案,在培养液NCSU-23中分别添加中药单体成分川芎嗪、小檗碱和淫羊藿苷的小、中、大剂量（Lig1、Lig2、Lig3;BR1、 BR2、BR3;Ica1、Ica2、Ica3）为3个试验组,比较了各组猪孤雌激活早期胚胎的发育效果,从而进行中药单体成分最佳浓度的筛选。结果显示：①孤雌激活胚胎体外发育至48 h的卵裂率和第7天的囊胚发育率, Lig1组与对照组和Lig2组之间差异显著（P< 0.05）,与Lig3组差异极显著（P<0.01）。②BR2组的卵裂率与对照组和BR3组之间差异显著（P<0.05）,与BR1组无显著差异（P>0.05）。第7天囊胚发育率BR2组显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）,其他各组之间无显著差异（P>0.05）。③Ica2组胚胎发育至48 h的卵裂率和第7天的囊胚发育率均显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）,而其他各组之间无显著差异（P>0.05）。由此可见,在NCSU-23基础液中添加3种中药单体成分最佳浓度均能显著提高猪孤雌胚体外发育效果。     

Comparative IFN-τ Secretion after Hatching by Bovine Blastocysts Derived Ex Vivo and Completely Produced In Vitro

The interferon-tau (IFN-tau) secretion levels after hatching by bovine blastocysts derived from in vitro maturated oocytes (Group A) and from in vivo (Group B) were investigated considering embryo quality. Only very homogeneous blastocysts of excellent or good quality were considered from day 7 of culture (Group A) and day 7 after artificial insemination with frozen-thawed from the same bull used for in vitro fertilization (Group B). All embryos were individually cultured into a 50 microl droplet of synthetic oviduct fluid medium with 10% fetal calf serum. After 24-h culture both Group A (n=44) and B (n=40) secreted <54 pm IFN-tau. After 48-, 72-, 96- and 120-h culture, Group A daily secreted 143 +/- 24 pm IFN-tau (n=19) vs 85 +/- 12 pm IFN-tau (n=21) for Group B (p < 0.01), 491 +/- 128 pm IFN-tau (n=29) vs 216 +/- 37 pm IFN-tau (n=23) (NS), 499 +/- 135 pm IFN-tau (n=26) vs 353 +/- 93 pm IFN-tau (n=21) (NS), 559 +/- 136 pm IFN-tau (n=22) vs 333 +/- 75 pm IFN-tau (n=20) (NS), respectively. Taken all together during 5 days, Group A produced per embryo 1690 +/- 290 pm IFN-tau (n=22) vs 982 +/- 182 pm IFN-tau (n=20) for Group B (p < 0.05). For all culture time there were sizable percentages of embryos that did not produce concentrations of IFN-tau above a certain cut-off level, and as such were not used to compute the means. In respect of the embryo quality whatever the groups after days 7-12 of culture, IFN-tau secretions were 1815 +/- 453 pm (n=10) for the embryos of excellent quality vs 1356 +/- 200 pm (n=28) for those of good quality (NS) and 360 +/- 188 pm (n=4) (p < 0.05) for embryos of fair quality. A positive relationship between IFN-tau production and in vitro development of quality I embryos was observed, whatever the embryos origins and, the embryos completely produced in vitro secreted more IFN-tau than the embryos produced in vivo.