An investigation into uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire versus German Saddleback)

Litter size in modern so called hyperprolific pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) breeds such as of crossbred Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire (LY/YL) sows increased remarkably over recent years, however, commonly associated with reduced piglet birth weight and higher within litter birth weight variability likely due to a limited uterine capacity. Since investigation into this issue is patchy, the aim of this study was to investigate uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy, that is crossbred Danish genetic (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire; DG; n = 14) and purebred German Saddleback (GS) sows (n = 12). Parameters recorded were litter size, piglet birth weight and vitality, placental weight and surface area as well as placental vascularization. Litters of DG were on average larger than of GS (p < .001). Piglets of DG weighed on average less than GS (p < .001) and were less vital (p < .001–.142). Increasing litter size was associated with reduced piglet birth weight and increased within litter birth weight variability in GS, but not in DG. DG had on average a lower placental weight (p < .001) and smaller placentae (p < .001) than GS, but the placenta was on average more efficient than of GS (based on the quotient of piglet and corresponding placental weight; p < .001). Vascularization of placentae was on average not or only slightly different between breeds (p < .05 – .982). Remarkably, however, vascularization of the lateral and apical chorionic epithelium of the chorionic ridges as the immediate foetal/maternal interface was on average slightly higher in DG than GS (p < .05–.111). Results thus demonstrate that uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics is higher in DG than GS sows.     

Effect of Prolactin Isolated from Human Amniotic Fluid on Cultured Bovine Cells of the Reproductive Tract and Splenocytes

Contents: Prolactin (PRL) was isolated from human amniotic fluid and than fractionated on Concanavalin A-Sepharose (ConA-S). Two fractions were tested for the ³H-thymidine incorporation in the DNA of bovine granulosa, oviductal and stromal cells as well as splenocytes. All cell types reacted to PRL I or PRL II in a dose dependent manner. In general the effect of PRL I was greater than PRL II, and low concentrations of both enhanced the cell proliferation more than higher doses. The incorporating effect of ³H-thymidine under the influence of PRL I was higher in stromal cells and splenocytes than in granulosa and oviductal cells. PRL II did not have such a stimulating effect, even the presence of 14 ng/ml resulted in a decrease of ³H-thymidine incorporation in granulosa cells. The reason of this different intensity of tested PRL variants may depend on the molecular heterogeneity. The results indicate that PRL forms possess a cel type-specific effect on the proliferation of cells of the bovine female reproductive tract and splenocytes.     

The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis

Equine endometriosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a major cause of equine infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of histomorphological grading for biopsy-like samples compared to entire uterine wall samples, to examine the association between the degree of endometriosis with animal age, and to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis and the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometrium. Histomorphological lesions in 35 uterine samples were examined while comparing biopsy-like samples and entire-wall samples. Seventeen uterine samples were stained with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. The morphologic evaluation results of the biopsy-like tissue and entire-wall samples were significantly correlated. Endometriosis in older mares (>12 years of age) was more severe than in young mares (2~4 years of age), confirming the positive correlation between animal age and disease severity, while inflammation was poorly related to the degree of endometriosis. MMP-2 and MMP-14 were detected in stromal cells, while MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were both found in stromal and glandular epithelial cells. There were no significant differences in MMPs expression between the two groups (young vs. old mares). Additional studies on the activity of MMPs could further define the role of these enzymes in equine endometriosis.     

脂多糖对体外培养奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞子宫容受性因子表达的影响

试验旨在通过脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞构建子宫内膜炎体外感染模型,研究子宫内膜炎对奶牛子宫容受性因子大分子转膜黏蛋白-糖蛋白1（MUC-1）、高度保守的分泌型WNT家族亚型糖蛋白（Wnt-7a）、β受体1（IFNAR1）、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白相对表达量的影响,进而阐明子宫内膜炎引起奶牛屡配不孕和繁殖率低下的机制。采用组织块法分离培养奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞,免疫荧光方法鉴定细胞纯度,不同浓度LPS刺激子宫内膜上皮细胞,在不同时间点用CCK8测定细胞存活率,ELISA检测炎性因子白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、IL-6、IL-8的分泌变化,实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting分别检测子宫内膜感染模型中子宫容受性因子MUC-1、Wnt-7a、IFNAR1、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白的表达变化。结果显示,通过组织块法纯化获得的奶牛子宫上皮细胞数量较多,经免疫荧光角蛋白染色证实纯度较高。采用CCK8测定细胞存活率发现,与对照组相比,浓度为0、5、10、50μg/mL的LPS作用6、12、24、48 h后,细胞活力无显著变化（P>0.05）;浓度为100μg/mL的LPS作用24 h时,细胞存活率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,细胞培养上清中的IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8含量均显著高于对照组及低浓度组（P<0.05）,引起细胞的炎症反应。与对照组相比,模型组MUC-1 mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量均极显著增加（P<0.01）;Wnt-7a mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量均极显著下降（P<0.01）;Integrin αvβ3、IFNAR1和IFNAR2 mRNA相对表达量均极显著下降（P<0.01）,蛋白相对表达量均显著下降（P<0.05）。结果表明,浓度为100μg/mL的LPS作用24 h可成功构建子宫内膜炎体外感染模型,子宫内膜炎对奶牛子宫容受性因子MUC-1、Wnt-7a、IFNAR1、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白表达的影响可能是引起奶牛屡配不孕和繁殖率低下的重要原因。     

A simple pharmacokinetic model linking plasma progesterone concentrations with the hormone released from bovine intravaginal inserts

On the basis of pharmacokinetic modeling, this study provides some insights into predicting in vivo plasma progesterone concentrations when using bovine intravaginal inserts for systemic progesterone delivery. More significantly, this contribution is the first attempt to build a simple pharmacokinetic model that links plasma progesterone concentrations with the hormone released from bovine intravaginal inserts. After evaluating three rival pharmacokinetic models and considering some phenomena involved in the intravaginal administration of progesterone, a primary pharmacokinetic model having a good data fitting capability with only two adjustable parameters is proposed to the above mentioned task. Kinetic parameters are given for lactating Holstein dairy cows with two levels of daily milk yields; and non-pregnant, non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cattle. Model predictions indicate the occurrence of a preferential distribution of the intravaginally administered progesterone dose through a first uterine pass effect.     

规模化奶牛场繁育管理与关键产科病防治

在大型的集约化奶牛场,奶牛的正常配种和关键产科疾病的防治,是影响奶牛场经济效益的关键。作者根据在现代化奶牛场多年的工作经验,设计“奶牛繁殖性能监控表”,记录和掌握产后母牛及犊牛的个体状况,并根据此表记录的信息制定牛群产后不同阶段的具体任务。文章指出,产后20～30天之内,对产后母牛进行全覆盖子宫药物灌注,使奶牛在产后60天内出现第一次发情;产后100天以内出现第二次发情再配种。一次配种,成功率在70%以上,半年以上不孕牛控制在10%以下。配种一头母牛平均消耗精液1.8～2支,使全年成年母牛的总受胎率保证完成92.5%以上。此套奶牛产后监控管理措施的实施,可减轻授精员的工作量,有效提高奶牛的利用效率,减少牛群产科疾病的发生。     

Significance of the Epithelial Crypts at the Bovine Utero-Tubal Junction in the Pre-Ovulatory Phase of Sperm Regulation

Because Polyspermie fertilisation is a pathological condition in mammals, arising from an excess of spermatozoa at the site of initial sperm-egg contact and leading to early death of the embryo, consideration has been given to the manner whereby the utero-tubal junction may contribute to a reduction in the numbers of spermatozoa entering the Fallopian tubes. This seems especially important in cattle since the utero–tubal junction does not exhibit swollen polypoid processes that might act physically to reduce the number of spermatozoa entering the isthmus from the uterus. In tissues prepared from animals close to the time of Ovulation, large numbers of simple glands were visible in the uterine surface and throughout the region of the utero-tubal junction and its ridges extending into the isthmus. The glands appeared as crypts, slits or craters. On the basis of a figure of 500 glands situated close to the utero-tubal junction and some 2–10 spermatozoa located within each gland, these conservative estimates suggest a temporary arrest of 1–5×10³ spermatozoa, thereby contributing to the steeply diminishing sperm gradient before the site of fertilisation. There would thus appear to be a vital physical role for the simple glands and clefts that predominate in this region, functioning importantly in the pre–ovulatory interval to pave the way for normal mono– spermic fertilisation. More subtle forms of sperm regulation by glycoprotein molecules are also considered.     

应用超声多普勒检测仪对乳牛早期怀孕诊断试验

本试验采用SCDⅡ型兽用超声多普勒检测仪对483头乳牛进行了早期怀孕诊断,并与直肠检查法相比较,其符合率高。最早检出宫血音、胎心音、胎血音的时间分别为16天、50天、59天。宫血音诊断与直肠检查诊断的符合率在配种后16—30天、31—50天分别为92.93%（184/198）、97.91%（141/144）,在配种后51—79天及未怀孕的母牛均为100%（116/116及36/36）。胎血音在配种后59—65天、70—85天的符合率分别为48.15%（13/27）、90.35%（25/27）。试验证明,检测到宫血音的时间比胎心音、胎血音早30—40天左右,与直肠检查结果相比较其符合率也较高。因此,乳牛的早期怀孕诊断可用宫血音作为判定怀孕的主要依据。     

Pharmacokinetics and distribution of ampicillin in plasma,milk and uterine fluid of female buffaloes

A pharmacokinetic study of ampicillin (6 mg/kg intravenous) revealed that the peak concentrations of 17.81±1.25, 5.64±2.24 and 1.09±0.10 g/ml of the drug were attained at 15 min, 30 min and 2 h in plasma, milk and uterine fluid respectively. A therapeutic concentration of 0.1 g/ml was maintained from 15 min–8 h, 15 min–6 h and 30 min–6 h in plasma, milk and uterine fluid. Hence, the drug may be used effectively in mammary gland and uterine infections apart from its use in other systemic infections.