Advancement of Ovulation in the Sow Related to Seminal Plasma Application before Insemination

Contents: The relationship between seminal plasma constitutents in the boar ejaculate and ovulation time was investigated in German landrace gilts in a total of 182 heat periods. The animals were inseminated in the first two trials (I = 34 gilts; II = 60 gilts) once at spontaneous heat with seminal plasma free liquid semen after a pretreatment with either 60 ml seminal plasma or dilution medium. In a third experiment (III) 22 gilts were treated in 4 subsequent heat intervals with 120 ml seminal plasma, oestrogen solution or physiological saline at the beginning of standing heat without any application of spermatozoa to investigate the possibility of induction of ovulation. In the inseminated gilts embryos were recovered surgically 3 to 5 days after AI. Fertilization rate and embryo quality were recorded. The time of ovum activation was calculated in a retrospective manner using the corresponding age values of Hunter (1974) for embryo development. Considering a six hour lapse after ovulation for complete activation of all eggs, the probable ovulation time was determined and used for calculation of the interval between insemination and ovulation. In two experimental groups ovulation was determined by trans cutaneous sonography of the ovaries in the standing gilt. This method revealed a seminal plasma dependent advancement of ovulation time ranging between 5 and 14.4 hours. A seminal plasma dependent prostaglandin release in the endometrium is believed to be the main factor in stimulation of the ovulation process .     

Freezability and Fertility Results with Uncentrifuged Stallion Semen

The first (1 to 3) sperm-rich fractions of the ejaculate were collected from 4 stallions using an open-ended vagina. The volume of the collected fractions was 12 ± 8 ml with a density of 475 ± 200 million spermatozoa/ml. Before freezing, the semen was diluted with a skim-milk based extender 1:1 to 1: 8 (volume of semen: volume of extender), depending on the initial sperm concentration to achieve a final concentration of 100 million/ml. The total number of spermatozoa in an insemination dose ranged from 0.7 to 1 billion spermatozoa. Within 12 h after ovulation, 48 mares were inseminated in 70 cycles. The total single-cycle pregnancy rate at day 21 was 24%, but varied from 10% to 33% per cycle among the stallions.     

Carcinoma of an accessory genital gland in a 23‐year‐old Camargue gelding

This report describes the case management, histopathological and post mortem findings in a 23‐year‐old gelding with a peri‐rectal mass. The mass was debulked surgically and submitted samples revealed it to be a poorly differentiated carcinoma. In the post operative period the horse developed signs of abdominal pain and dysuria and was subjected to euthanasia. Post mortem examination revealed a large infiltrative mass located between the rectum and urethra, consistent with a carcinoma of an accessory genital gland, most likely the seminal vesicle.     

Retracted: Effects of multiple collections on spermatozoa quality of Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus: motility,density and seminal plasma composition

In this study, we investigated the effects of multiple collections of sperm on the endangered Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, in terms of a number of sperm functional parameters (percentage of motile spermatozoa, total time period of motility and sperm concentration) as well as on the ionic composition, protein concentration and osmolality of seminal plasma. Semen samples were collected from 12 induced male fish in three experimental groups that had been injected intramuscularly with LHRH‐A₂, at dosages of 5 μg/kg body weight, at a number of time regimes: at 12 h, 17 h and 24 h after spawning induction (1); at 24, 29 and 34 h after spawning induction (2); and at 36, 41 and 46 h after spawning induction (3). The percentage of motile spermatozoa and the period of sperm motility decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after the second and third collections. The concentration of spermatozoa decreased after the third collection, but this decline was not significant. No significant effect of multiple collections on protein concentration and ionic content (with exception of the Cl^? ion) of seminal plasma was observed. In all experimental groups, a moderate impact of sequential collection on the osmolality (p < 0.05) of seminal plasma was observed. This study provides new data on the effects of multiple collections on spermatological characteristics in the Persian sturgeon. Our results confirm that sequential stripping after the third collections has a negative effect on a number of functional parameters associated with sperm.     

人工养殖施氏鲟和小体鲟精浆微量元素分析

采用原子吸收分光光度法测定了施氏鲟(Acipenserschrenckii)和小体鲟(Acipenserruthenus)的精浆中7种微量元素(K、Na、Mg、Zn、Cu、Fe、Mn)的含量。施氏鲟分别取自宜昌和荆州,小体鲟取自宜昌。分析结果显示,不同种类和产地的鲟精浆中微量元素含量有差异,其中2条不同产地施氏鲟精浆Zn含量有显著性差异(P<0.05);施氏鲟和小体鲟精浆Na、K含量与我国主要淡水养殖鱼类有很大差异,在2种鲟精浆中Na与K浓度之比为10～14。     

精浆对猪精子冷冻效果影响的研究

为优化猪精子冷冻技术,提高解冻后精子的活力和受精能力,本试验分别以含精浆浓度为10%、20%和30%的冷冻保护剂处理精子,以冷冻前、解冻后精子活力和质膜完整性,解冻后精子进行体外受精(IVF)的卵裂率和囊胚率等作为检测指标,同时以含有卵黄的Tris-柠檬酸－葡萄糖(Tris-citric acid-glucose,TCG)冷冻基础液作为对照研究精浆对猪冷冻精子的保护作用。结果显示,在含有10%精浆浓度的稀释液中,冷冻前质膜完整性,解冻后精子活率、质膜完整性、IVF囊胚率相对于对照组均显著提高(P<0.05);当含有10%精浆的冷冻精液解冻后用于人工授精时,与配母猪妊娠率、窝产仔数、窝产活仔数等仍显著低于鲜精授精组(P<0.05)。上述结果表明,含10%精浆的冷冻保护剂能提高精子的冷冻后活力和IVF胚胎发育率,但用于人工授精配种与鲜精相比还有一定差距。     

Sperm characteristics of chub Leuciscus cephalus (L.) collected in artificial condition after Ovopel and Ovaprim treatment

The effect of two commercial preparations containing different GnRH analogues with dopamine antagonists on quantitative and qualitative parameters of semen from chub Leuciscus cephalus L. collected in artificial conditions were examined. Semen was collected after the application of [(D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹ NEt)‐mGnRH + metoclopramide] (Ovopel, n = 9), [(D‐Arg⁶, Pro⁹ Net)‐sGnR + domperidone] (Ovaprim, n = 9) and from the control group (0.9% NaCl, n = 9). Afterwards, semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm production and semen pH were determined. Osmolality and pH of seminal plasma were also determined. Using the Computer‐assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), selected sperm parameters such as sperm motility (MOT %), progressively motile sperm (PRG, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm s^?1), straight‐line velocity (VSL, μm s^?1), movement linearity (LIN, %), wobbling index (WOB, %), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm) and beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz) were analysed. While Ovopel can also be used to stimulate chub spermation, the application of Ovaprim was much more effective for obtaining higher amounts of semen.     

Serum testosterone,sperm quality,cytological, physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of the prostatic fraction of dogs with prostatomegaly

Prostatomegaly is a common finding in older non‐neutered dogs. This study compared the serum testosterone, sperm quality and characteristics of the prostatic fraction between healthy dogs and dogs with prostatomegaly. Blood samples of ten dogs (five dogs from each group) were taken for serum testosterone measurement. Sperm motility, vigour, concentration, viability, membrane functionality and morphology were analysed in sperm‐rich fraction. Osmolality, pH, cell types, and albumin, haemoglobin, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and chloride were analysed in prostatic fraction. Dogs with prostatomegaly have the lowest sperm motility, vigour, concentration and functional membrane. Dogs with prostatomegaly have the highest glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. Glucose was the only constituent positively correlated with serum testosterone and prostate volume. It can be concluded that dogs with prostatomegaly have poorer sperm quality, and glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in prostatic fraction can be used as prostatomegaly biomarkers.     

A comparative study of the effects of intramuscular administration of gonadorelin,mating and intrauterine infusion of either raw seminal plasma or seminal plasma purified β‐NGF on luteal development in llamas

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the intramuscular administration of 50 μg of gonadorelin acetate versus natural mating, intrauterine infusion (i.u.) of a physiological relevant dose of either raw llama seminal plasma (SP) or purified beta‐nerve growth factor from seminal origin (spβ‐NGF) on ovulation rate and corpus luteum (CL) development and function in llamas. Females with a follicle (≥8 mm) were assigned to groups: (i) i.m. administration of 50 μg of gonadorelin acetate (GnRH; positive control; n = 4); (ii) single mating (mating; n = 6); (iii) i.u. infusion of 4 ml of llama SP (SP; n = 4); or (iv) i.u. infusion of 10 mg of spβ‐NGF contained in 4 ml of PBS (phosphate‐buffered saline) (spβ‐NGF; n = 6). Ovaries were examined by power Doppler ultrasonography at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr after treatment to determine preovulatory follicle vascularization area (VA), and additionally every 12 hr until Day 2 (Day of treatment = Day 0) to determine ovulation. Afterwards, ovaries were examined every other day until Day 8 to evaluate CL diameter and VA. Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 to determine plasma progesterone (P4) concentration. Ovulation rate did not differ (p = .7) among groups, but treatment affected (p < .0001) preovulatory follicle VA. Neither treatment administration nor treatment by time interaction affected (p ≥ .4) CL diameter, VA and plasma P4 concentration. Mating tended (p = .08) to increase CL VA when compared to the seminal plasma group by Day 8. Intrauterine administration of seminal plasma or spβ‐NGF does not increase CL size and function when compared to i.m. GnRH treatment, suggesting that the administration route of spβ‐NGF influences its luteotrophic effect in llamas.