Update on treatment of vesiculitis in bulls

Effectiveness of intraglandular allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell administration for treating chronic vesicular adenitis in bulls

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the application of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) bilaterally and intraglandularly in the vesicular glands of bulls affected by seminal vesiculitis. Twelve bulls that presented chronic vesiculitis with two or more recurrences were selected at Semen Collection and Processing Centres, based on the presence of pus in the semen, leukocytes on the motility and vigour evaluation slide, reactive to the California Mastitis Test - CMT (one cross or more) and the presence of leukocytes on a slide stained by Diff Quik staining with more than 5 polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) per field. Ultrasound examination of the vesicular glands was performed, and the clinical signs were definitive for the diagnosis. The proposed method of the intraglandular injection of MSCs involved application through the ischiorectal fossa with a long needle measuring 30-35 cm and a guide measuring 25-30 cm in length directly into the affected vesicular glands. The MSCs were cultured and frozen in the Bio Cell Cellular Therapy® laboratory (Brasilia, Brazil) and prepared by washing and centrifugation for intraglandular injection on the day of application. In total, 3x106 MSCs were injected into each vesicular gland. Data were evaluated for normality of residuals using the Shapiro-Wilk test. When the normality of the test was significant (P < 0.05), the data were transformed or outliers were removed and reevaluated. The "T-Test" was applied to identify statistical differences between variables before and after treatment. The probability of P ≤ 0.05 was considered a significant difference. Data were presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (S.E.M.). Improvements were observed in the initial percent motility from 60.09 ± 4.8 to 69.89 ± 4.6 (P < 0.05), as well as in the post-thawing percent motility from 26.26 ± 6.77 to 42.5 ± 5 0.99 (P < 0.05). The number of doses produced increased significantly after treatment with MSCs, from 95.61 ± 23.31 units to 337.84 ± 67.75 units (P < 0.05) per ejaculate. The number of leukocytes observed per field decreased from 5.83 ± 0.48 to zero, demonstrating the recovery of the inflamed vesicular glands. Based on the results presented, it was concluded that the application of 3x106 MSCs in the vesicular glands of bulls with vesiculitis is safe and efficient, as it improved several parameters evaluated in this research, mainly the production of semen doses per ejaculate.

Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid in plasma and seminal plasma in beef bulls

The objective of this study was to compare the plasma (PL) and seminal plasma (SP) pharmacokinetic profile of ceftiofur (CEFT) and desuroylceftiofur acetamide (DFCA) after administration of CEFT crystalline-free acid (CCFA) by SC route in two sites of the ear in beef bulls. Four clinically healthy Hereford bulls received a comprehensive physical exam and subsequently a breeding-soundness examination, CBC, and chemistry profile panel. All bulls were diagnosed healthy and satisfactory potential breeders. In one group (n = 2), a single dose of CCFA was administered SC route at the base of the ear (BOE) at a dose of 6.6 mg/kg of body weight. The second group (n = 2) was also administered by SC route in the middle third of the posterior aspect of the ear (MTE). The concentrations of CEFT and DFCA in PL and SP were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Blood and semen samples were collected before the administration of CCFA and at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h after injection. No levels of CEFT were detected in PL and only in 20 of the 40 SP samples (P = 0.0001). The mean level of CEFT in SP was 0.11 % in comparison with the DFCA level. DFCA was found in all PL and SP samples. Therefore, DFCA was chosen to be utilized in the study of the pharmacokinetics parameters both in PL and SP. There were no differences in the mean PL levels of DFCA for the two sites of SC administration between the BOE (102.9 ± 78.9 ng/mL; X ± SD) and to MTE (116.1 ± 70.2 ng/mL; P = 0.58). The mean SP levels of DFCA after administration in the BOE was 857 ± 747 ng/mL, and for the MTE was 549 ± 488 ng/mL without differences between both sites (P = 0.15). The mean level of DFCA in PL was 109.5 ± 74.0 ng/mL, which was lower than the mean SP levels of 695 ± 103 ng/mL (P = 0.001). Moreover, the PL peak DFCA concentration (Cmax) was 229 ± 46 ng/mL at 36.0 ± 29.4 h (Tmax) post-administration. The SP Cmax was 1851 ± 533 ng/mL at 30.0 ± 28.6 h (Tmax) post-administration. The Cmax between PL and SP were distinctive (P = 0.004) without any differences in Tmax between PL and SP (P = 0.60). The terminal half-life for PL DFCA (47.4 ± 29.3 h) was not different than in SP (53.1 ± 23.6 h; P = 0.77). The PL area under the curve concentration time from the first to the last sample (AUC0-last) was 18,984 ± 4841 ng/mL/h, which was significatively smaller compared with 125,677 ± 59,445 ng/mL/h for SP AUC0-last (P = 0.04). The PL mean residence time from the first to the last sample (MRT0-last) was 69.7 ± 15.1 h, and it was similar than for SP of 66.5 ± 7.7 h (P = 0.69). From the present investigation, based in its pharmacokinetic features, it was concluded that CCFA should be an appropriate antibiotic that could be used for the treatment of bull genital infections when its indication is properly outlined. To study the pharmacokinetics of CCFA in SP, DFCA metabolite was appropriated.

Seminal Vesiculitis in Three Pet Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus )

To date, descriptions of pathologic conditions of the seminal vesicle in rabbits are scarce and limited to the laboratory animals in experimental conditions. The present article describes three cases of strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia associated with seminal vesiculitis in pet rabbits. Three non-neutered male pet rabbits aged 3.6, 1.5, and 2.1 yrs were presented with strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Seminal vesiculitis was diagnosed based on clinical signs and ultrasonography findings. Vesiculectomy was performed in two cases that presented strangury refractory to medical treatment, and diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. In the third case, the patient received medical treatment, and a sequela in the form of lithiasis of the seminal vesicle was detected 3 yrs later. Plain radiographs were nearly unremarkable, and results from complete blood analysis and urinalysis were not specific in all three cases. Contrast radiography was performed in one case, showing a dilated seminal vesicle. Ultrasound and surgical biopsy seem to be the most sensitive techniques in the diagnosis of this pathology. Seminal vesiculitis must be included in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic strangury in male pet rabbits.

Management of Male Reproductive Tract Injuries and Disease

Medical and surgical management can be used to restore a bull that has suffered a reproductive tract malady. The economic cost of treatment weighed against the bull's replacement value as well as prognosis for recovery is of prime consideration. In turn, early recognition of a treatable condition and immediate initiation of action are factors that impact both treatment cost and prognosis in many cases. Common problems are penile hair rings, fibropapillomas, vesicular adenitis, penile hematoma, and traumatic injury to the prepuce. Less frequent problems are injuries that lead to denervation of the penis, penile shunts, and penile deviation.

Suspected seminal vesiculitis in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

A 32-year-old male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) underwent routine transrectal stimulation for semen collection as part of an artificial insemination program. The procedure consisted of a preinsemination semen collection followed by two consecutive days of semen collections for artificial insemination. The second day's sample contained large numbers of inflammatory cells, intracellular bacteria, and phagocytized sperm. Semen was submitted for culture and sensitivity. Culture revealed Acinetobacter lwoffii, Staphylococcus intermedius, Kocuria roseus, and an unidentified gram-positive organism. Empirical antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim sulfa was initiated and then changed to enrofloxacin based on sensitivity panel results for a total of 28 days of treatment. Diagnostic semen collections were performed during treatment and 2 wk posttreatment to determine the success of therapy. Posttreatment collections revealed resolution of the inflammation. The origin of the infection was suspected to be the seminal vesicles.