The Effect of Glycerol Concentrations on the Post‐thaw In Vitro Characteristics of Cryopreserved Sex‐sorted Boar Spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to optimize protocols for the cryopreservation of sex‐sorted boar spermatozoa. In the experiment 1, we evaluated the effects of a standard boar sperm cryopreservation procedure (3% final glycerol concentration) on the in vitro characteristics of sex‐sorted sperm frozen at low sperm concentrations (20 × 10⁶ sperm/ml; S20 group). Non‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at 1000 × 10⁶ (C1000 group) and 20 × 10⁶ (C20 group) sperm/ml were used as the freezing control groups. In experiment 2, the effects of different final glycerol concentrations (0.16%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%) on post‐thaw quality of the S20 and C20 groups were evaluated. In both experiments, the samples were evaluated prior to freezing (5°C) and at 30, 90 and 150 min after thawing. Experiment 1 indicated that freezing sperm at low concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) the total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) at 90 and 150 min after thawing regardless of whether the sperm were sorted or not. However, the sperm membrane integrity was not affected at any evaluation step. Inexperiment 2, significant effects on the TM and PM because of increased glycerol concentrations in the S20 and C20 groups were observed only at 90 and 150 min after thawing. The samples frozen in 3% glycerol showed lower (p < 0.05) TM and PM values when compared to those frozen in the presence of 0.5% and 1% glycerol. In both experiments, non‐sorted control samples displayed higher percentages of spermatozoa with damaged DNA than sorted spermatozoa. In conclusion, the optimization of cryopreservation conditions by decreasing the glycerol concentrations can improve post‐thaw motility of sex‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at low concentrations.     

Comparison of a novel form of zinc with zinc oxide bolus licensed for prevention of facial eczema,and interaction with copper oxide in sheep

To evaluate a novel elemental zinc bolus compared with a registered positive control zinc oxide bolus and assess serum zinc concentrations following concomitant treatment with a capsule containing copper oxide needles. Forty Romney-cross ewes were randomly allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design study. On Day 0, 20 ewes received novel boluses containing elemental zinc (Investigational Veterinary Product, IVP) while 20 received a zinc oxide bolus (control; CP). Half the animals in each zinc treatment group (n = 10) were treated with a copper oxide needle capsule [Copasure® - Ewe]. Weekly, from Day −7 to 56, all ewes were assessed for signs of photosensitization, and for 10 ewes from each zinc treatment groups, samples were collected for analysis of serum GGT activity, serum zinc concentrations, faecal zinc concentrations and on Days −7 and 56, liver copper concentrations. Multivariable random-effects models assessed the effects of zinc treatment, copper treatment, treatment interactions and time on all analytes. Regression models examined associations between serum and faecal zinc concentrations and GGT activity. Low spore numbers indicated low Pithomyces chartarum challenge. Serum zinc levels were significantly higher in the IVP than in the CP group [p < 0.0001] and varied by time [p < 0.001] and positively associated with faecal zinc concentration [p < 0.001]. Copper treatment did not affect serum zinc [p = 0.82] or faecal zinc [p = 0.92] concentrations. Liver copper concentrations did not differ between zinc treatment groups on Day −7 [p = 0.6] or Day 56 [p = 0.95]. Only the CP/no copper group had no increase in liver copper concentrations.     

Die Reaktionsfähigkeit des Ovars von praepuberalen und geschlechtsreifen Jungsauen auf ein PMS/HCG – Präparat Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Inhalt Jungsauen im Alter von 150 Tagen reagierten zu 90 % mit Brunst und Ovulationen (Ø 10,4 Gelbkörper) auf die einmalige Injektion einer Gonadotropinkombination aus 400 IE/PMS und 200 IE/HCG. Nur 33 % wiederholten die Rausche nach 3–4 Wochen. Hormonbehandelte 180 Tage alte Jungsauen kamen dagegen zu 90 – 100 % in einen Sexualzyklus. Das Uteruswachstum war altersabhängig: nach induzierten Ovulationen mit 150 Tagen wogen die Uteri durchschnittlich 126 g, nach Behandlungen bei 180 Tagen durchschnittlich 425 g. Auch geschlechtsreife, diöstrische Jungsauen reagierten zu 80 – 100 % auf das gleiche Präparat. Injektionen in der frühen und mittleren Lutealphase wurden nach 6 – 12 Tagen mit azyklischen Rauschen und Ovulationen beantwortet. Durchschnittlich 10 Eier wurden ovuliert, etwa die Hälfte der Tiere besaβ Zysten oder Blutfollikel. Behandlungen am 15./17. Zyklustag führten zu ausgeprägten Rauschen am 21./22. Tag und Ovulationen mit erhöhter Ovulations-rate (15,8 Eier). Pathologische Follikelbildungen wurden dann nicht gefunden. Contents (The reactivity of the ovary of prepubertal and sexually mature gilts to PMS/chorionic gonadotrophin hormone preparations). Following a single injection of a hormonal compound consisting of 400 i.u. PMS and 200 i.u. HCG to a 150 days old prepuberal gilts, 90% of them showed oestrus and ovulated (10.6 C.L./animal). Only 35% of these animals repeated oestrus 3 weeks later. When the same hormonal compound was given to 180 days old prepuberal gilts, 90–100% of the gilts repeated their oestrus. The degree of uterine development following this treatment was dependant on age of animals; in the 150 days old group, the av. uterine weight was 126 gm, and in the 180 days group, it increased up to 425 gm. In puberal gilts treatment with the same hormonal compound between day 4–14 of the oestrus cycle resulted in non-cyclic oestrus and ovulations 6–12 days after treatment. The number of ovulation points was 10 on the av., but 50% of the animals showed cysts or blood follicles on their ovaries. Treatment at day 15–17 of the cycle resulted in marked heat symptoms on day 21–22. The number of ovulation points was higher (15,8 on the av.) and pathological follicles were absent in this group.