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Thermographic Screening of Beef Cattle Metatarsal Growth Plate Lesions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020191. [PMID: 35049813 PMCID: PMC8773219 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Young beef bulls are predisposed to develop diseases of the growing skeleton, especially growth plate lesions. These lesions jeopardize both welfare and production, often leading to anticipated culling and diminished weight gain. However, beef cattle are prey animals and do not exhibit signs of pain and lameness until the disease becomes extensive and severe. Fast methods to screen for growth plate lesions presence could therefore lead to prompt treatment of the affected animals, enhancing recovery and diminishing losses. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential of infrared thermography as a non-invasive tool for rapidly screening beef bulls for the presence of growth plate lesions. Here, 20 Charolais and Limousine beef bulls affected by growth plate lesions were screened using infrared thermography. A difference in maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures was detected between healthy and affected growth plate areas, and a difference in mean and maximum temperatures was detected globally in the affected limbs against healthy ones. Infrared thermography could therefore serve as a reliable tool for screening growth plate lesions in beef bulls, permitting rapid detection at pen level and aiding fast and targeted treatment, thus improving animal welfare and production. Abstract Lameness represents one of the main causes of decreased productive performance and impaired animal welfare in the bovine industry. Young beef bulls are predisposed to develop diseases of the growing skeleton, especially growth plate lesions. Early diagnosis is indispensable for ensuring correct treatment, fast recovery and reduction losses. However, when dealing with beef cattle, this is not always possible. Fast and reliable diagnostic imaging techniques are necessary to improve dealing with lameness in beef animals. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential of thermographic imaging as a non-invasive tool for rapidly screening beef bulls for the presence of growth plate lesions. Here, 20 Charolais and Limousine beef bulls affected by growth plate lesions in one of the rear limbs were selected. IRT was performed on both hind limbs using a digital infrared camera (ThermaCam T420 Model, Flir Systems, Boston, MA, USA), prior to radiographic imaging and clinical examination. The temperature of healthy and affected limbs was measured in two regions: the area correspondent to the growth plate (AR01) and the whole area of the metatarsus (AR02). Growth plate lesions were found to increase the maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures in AR01; and the mean and maximum temperatures in AR02, therefore, indicating the potential of IRT as a reliable, practical tool for screening growth plate lesions in beef bulls.
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Evaluation of Stallion Testicular Cell Types by Flow Cytometry. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 107:103778. [PMID: 34802628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Flow cytometry procedures can be used for evaluation of both spermatogenic efficiency and diagnose disorders of stallion spermatogenesis. Aims of this study were to compare two testicular sample acquisition techniques (needle aspirate-N and tissue wedge-T) and results when using flow cytometry and histology procedures. Testicular cell types were stained with acridine orange, and nine regions (R2 to R10) were identified and enumerated following acquisition by either N or T. Testes were also grouped and analyzed by size and sexual maturity (Small [immature] compared with Large [mature]) and used to determine if flow cytometry procedures could be used to detect differences. For both N and T, percentages of 2n cell types were greater in the Small than Large testes, whereas percentages of 1n cell types in N were greater in the Large than Small testes (P < .05). Testicular cell types in N regions were correlated to similar T regions (r between 0.51 and 0.99; P < .05) in both groups. Flow cytometry and histology scores were correlated in both groups (r between -0.95 and 0.93, P < .05). There were small differences in number of testicular cell types from N and T. With both sample acquisition methods, there was discrimination between the Small and Large testes, therefore, evaluation of testicular cell types using flow cytometry procedures might have clinical applications. Results with comparison of flow cytometry to histology procedures indicate that flow cytometry can be applied clinically to identify changes in testicular cell types of stallions using a needle aspirate.
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Histological Comparison of Testicular Needle Biopsy and En Bloc Samples in Abattoir Calves. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10050918. [PMID: 32466343 PMCID: PMC7278371 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
the aim of this study was to test whether a single testicular needle biopsy could provide histological results comparable to en bloc resection histology and whether one biopsy was sufficient to reflect the histology of an entire pair of testicles. Two methods of sample collection were tested on 32 bull calves aged five to eight months to compare histological parameters of needle biopsy with those of en bloc resection samples. One testicular needle biopsy of the right and three en bloc samples of both testicles were collected and compared for the number of tubular cross sections, tubules with elongated spermatids (ES), outer/inner diameter of tubules, thickness of tubular wall, and number of Sertoli cells (SC). Additionally, animal data were considered. No significant differences were found between the left and right testis or among the individual locations of en bloc samples. However, histologically significant differences (Bonferroni-adjusted significance level: p < 0.05/6 = 0.0083) were found between the needle biopsy and en bloc resection regarding the tubular cross sections per visual field (p < 0.05), the outer (p = 0.01) and inner diameter and the thickness of the tubular wall (both p < 0.01). In the SOX9 immunohistochemical staining, no significant differences (p > 0.05) could be observed for SC numbers between needle biopsy and en bloc samples. In conclusion, results of testicular needle biopsy do not have the same validity as the en bloc resection histology. Furthermore, one biopsy is insufficient to reflect the histology of the entire testicular pair.
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Dascanio J, Roberson J, Pfent C, Nahar VK, Arauz M, Alexander K, Roberts B, Cope DA, Bridger R, Botsko D. The prevalence of ultrasonographic abnormalities and histopathologic lesions is high in testes of yearling tropical hair rams. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019; 60:338-345. [PMID: 30859678 DOI: 10.1111/vru.12728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonography is commonly used to examine testes as part of a breeding soundness examination in sheep, especially, in cases of infertility or when gross testicular abnormalities are present. A descriptive, prospective, prevalence study was conducted to characterize the ultrasonographic, histopathologic, and spermatozoal morphology abnormalities present in a group of yearling tropic hair rams on the island of St. Kitts. Hyperechoic and shadowing abnormalities increased over a 6 month study period. Hyperechoic abnormalities were present in one or both testes in 89% (25/28) of yearling rams and 71% (40/56) of testes at castration. Shadowing abnormalities were present in one or both testes in 46% (13/28) of rams and 34% (19/56) of testes at castration. Shadowing was present more with moderate and severe hyperechoic abnormalities, with few testes in the mild category having any shadowing. As hyperechoic and shadowing abnormalities increased in severity, so did the severity of microscopic lesions including increased interstitial cellularity/fibrosis, interstitial mineralization, seminiferous tubules mineralization (hyperechoic only), and chronic lymphoplasmacytic orchitis. There were no spermatozoal morphologic abnormalities other than an increase in distal cytoplasmic droplets. The study findings detail a pathologic event in this group of yearling rams that has an unknown etiology. Potential causes may include scrotal insulation, trauma, infectious causes, immunity alterations, nutritional imbalances, and ingestion of a toxin. Further studies are required to elucidate the causative agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Dascanio
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Jerry Roberson
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Catherine Pfent
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
| | - Vinayak K Nahar
- Center for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
| | - Maziel Arauz
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Kerry Alexander
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Brian Roberts
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - D Andrew Cope
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Rhett Bridger
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
| | - Dana Botsko
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
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The value of trans-scrotal ultrasonography at bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE): The relationship between testicular parenchymal pixel intensity and semen quality. Theriogenology 2016; 89:169-177. [PMID: 28043348 PMCID: PMC5240811 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE) is commonly undertaken to identify bulls that are potentially unfit for use as breeding sires. Various studies worldwide have found that approximately 20% of the bulls fail their routine prebreeding BBSE and are therefore considered subfertile. Multiple articles describe the use of testicular ultrasound as a noninvasive aid in the identification of specific testicular and epididymal lesions. Two previous studies have hypothesized a correlation between ultrasonographic testicular parenchymal pixel intensity (PI) and semen quality; however to date, no published studies have specifically examined this link. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the relationship between testicular parenchymal PI (measured using trans-scrotal ultrasonography) and semen quality (measured at BBSE), and the usefulness of testicular ultrasonography as an aid in predicting future fertility in bulls, in particular those that are deemed subfertile at the first examination. A total of 162 bulls from 35 farms in the South East of Scotland were submitted to routine BBSE and testicular ultrasonography between March and May 2014, and March and May 2015. Thirty-three animals failed their initial examination (BBSE1) due to poor semen quality, and were re-examined (BBSE2) 6 to 8 weeks later. Computer-aided image analysis and gross visual lesion scoring were performed on all ultrasonograms, and results were compared to semen quality at BBSE1 and BBSE2. The PI measurements were practical and repeatable in a field setting, and although the results of this study did not highlight any biological correlation between semen quality at BBSE1 or BBSE2 and testicular PI, it did identify that gross visual lesion scoring of testicular images is comparable to computer analysis of PI (P < 0.001) in identifying animals suffering from gross testicular fibrosis.
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Pozor MA, Zambrano GL, Runcan EE, Kelleman AA, Macpherson ML. Ultrasonographic and morphological sequelae to repeated testicular biopsies in stallions in relation to the lateral branching of the testicular artery. EQUINE VET EDUC 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Pozor
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; Gainesville Florida USA
| | - G. L. Zambrano
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; Gainesville Florida USA
| | - E. E. Runcan
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; Gainesville Florida USA
| | - A. A. Kelleman
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; Gainesville Florida USA
| | - M. L. Macpherson
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; Gainesville Florida USA
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Waheed MM, Ghoneim IM, Hassieb MM, Alsumait AA. Evaluation of the Breeding Soundness of Male Camels (Camelus dromedarius) via Clinical Examination, Semen Analysis, Ultrasonography and Testicular Biopsy: A Summary of 80 Clinical Cases. Reprod Domest Anim 2014; 49:790-6. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- MM Waheed
- Department of Clinical Studies; College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources; King Faisal University; Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia
- Department of Theriogenology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Cairo University; Giza Egypt
| | - IM Ghoneim
- Department of Clinical Studies; College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources; King Faisal University; Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia
- Department of Theriogenology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Cairo University; Giza Egypt
| | - MM Hassieb
- Department of Pathology; College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources; King Faisal University; Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia
| | - AA Alsumait
- Epidemiology and Zoonotic Disease Department; Public Authority of Agriculture & Fish Resources; Kuwait Kuwait
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Grossbard BP, Loughin CA, Marino DJ, Marino LJ, Sackman J, Umbaugh SE, Solt PS, Afruz J, Leando P, Lesser ML, Akerman M. Medical Infrared Imaging (Thermography) of Type I Thoracolumbar Disk Disease in Chondrodystrophic Dogs. Vet Surg 2014; 43:869-76. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2014.12239.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian P. Grossbard
- Department of Surgery; Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
| | - Catherine A. Loughin
- Department of Surgery; Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
| | - Dominic J. Marino
- Department of Surgery; Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
| | - Leonard J. Marino
- Department of Surgery; Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
| | - Joseph Sackman
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
| | - Scott E. Umbaugh
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- Computer Vision and Image Processing Laboratory; Electrical and Computer Engineering Department; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Edwardsville Illinois
| | - Patrick S. Solt
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- Computer Vision and Image Processing Laboratory; Electrical and Computer Engineering Department; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Edwardsville Illinois
| | - Jakia Afruz
- Computer Vision and Image Processing Laboratory; Electrical and Computer Engineering Department; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Edwardsville Illinois
| | - Peter Leando
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- Meditherm, Inc.; Fort Myers Florida
| | - Martin L. Lesser
- The Canine Chiari Institute at Long Island Veterinary Specialists; Plainview New York
- North Shore-LIJ Health System Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Biostatistics Unit; Manhasset New York
| | - Meredith Akerman
- North Shore-LIJ Health System Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Biostatistics Unit; Manhasset New York
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Polguj M, Sopiński M, Jędrzejewski K, Bolanowski W, Topol M. Angioarchitecture of the bovine tunica albuginea vascular complex – A corrosive and histological study. Res Vet Sci 2011; 91:181-7. [PMID: 21194718 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2010.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Revised: 11/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Gouletsou PG, Galatos AD, Leontides LS, Sideri AI. Impact of Fine- or Large-Needle Aspiration on Canine Testes: Clinical, In Vivo Ultrasonographic and Seminological Assessment. Reprod Domest Anim 2010; 46:712-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01734.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Infernuso T, Loughin CA, Marino DJ, Umbaugh SE, Solt PS. Thermal imaging of normal and cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifles in dogs. Vet Surg 2010; 39:410-7. [PMID: 20459492 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2010.00677.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the capability of thermography for differentiation between normal stifles and those with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs, initially with a full hair coat and 1 hour after clipping the hair coat. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS Labrador Retrievers (n=6) with normal stifle joints (controls) and adult dogs (n=10) with CCL rupture. METHODS Thermography was performed before, and 60 minutes after, clipping the hair coat from the pelvic limb. Stifle images were classified as normal or abnormal, then subclassified as clipped and unclipped hair coat. CCL deficiency was confirmed at surgery and thermographic images subsequently classified as abnormal before analysis with image processing software. RESULTS Using image recognition analysis, differentiation between normal and CCL-deficient stifles in both clipped and unclipped dogs was 85% successful on cranial images, medial, caudal, and lateral images were between 75% and 85% successful. Although there were significant increases in skin temperature after clipping in both groups (P<.0002-.0001), there were no significant temperature differences between normal and CCL-deficient stifles when the entire stifle was examined. CONCLUSION Thermography was successful in differentiating naturally occurring CCL-deficient stifles in dogs, with a success rate of 75-85%. Clipping is not necessary for successful thermographic evaluation of the canine stifle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Thermography may be a useful imaging modality for diagnosis of CCL deficiency in dogs when CCL rupture is suspected but stifle laxity is not evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Infernuso
- Department of Surgery, Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, NY 11803, USA
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Aksoy M, Erdem H, Hatipoğlu F, Lehimcioğlu NC, Akman O, Özkan K. Ultrasonographic Examination of the Scrotal Content in the Rabbit. Reprod Domest Anim 2009; 44:156-60. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.01055.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Givens MD, Riddell KP, Walz PH, Rhoades J, Harland R, Zhang Y, Galik PK, Brodersen BW, Cochran AM, Brock KV, Carson RL, Stringfellow DA. Noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus can persist in testicular tissue after vaccination of peri-pubertal bulls but prevents subsequent infection. Vaccine 2007; 25:867-76. [PMID: 17005300 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2006] [Revised: 09/01/2006] [Accepted: 09/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this research were to evaluate the risk of prolonged testicular infection as a consequence of vaccination of peri-pubertal bulls with a modified-live, noncytopathic strain of BVDV and to assess vaccine efficacy in preventing prolonged testicular infections after a subsequent acute infection. Seronegative, peri-pubertal bulls were vaccinated subcutaneously with an approximate minimum immunizing dose or a 10x standard dose of modified-live, noncytopathic BVDV or were maintained as unvaccinated controls. Forty-nine days after vaccination, all bulls were intranasally inoculated with a noncytopathic field strain of BVDV. Semen and testicular biopsies collected after vaccination and challenge were assayed for BVDV using virus isolation, reverse transcription-nested PCR, or immunohistochemistry and the identity of viral strains was determined by nucleotide sequencing of PCR products. The vaccine strain of BVDV was detected in testicular tissue of vaccinated bulls as long as 134 days after immunization. Prolonged testicular infections with the challenge strain were detected only in unvaccinated bulls as long as 85 days after challenge. Whereas vaccination caused prolonged testicular infection in some bulls, it did prevent subsequent infection of testicular tissue with the challenge strain. This research demonstrates that subcutaneous vaccination of naïve, peri-pubertal bulls with a noncytopathic, modified-live strain of BVDV can result in prolonged viral replication within testicular tissue. The risk for these prolonged testicular infections to cause venereal transmission of BVDV or subfertility is likely to be low but requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Daniel Givens
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States.
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Givens MD, Heath AM, Brock KV, Brodersen BW, Carson RL, Stringfellow DA. Detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in semen obtained after inoculation of seronegative postpubertal bulls. Am J Vet Res 2003; 64:428-34. [PMID: 12693532 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate persistence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in semen after inoculation of postpubertal bulls. ANIMALS Three 2-year-old bulls and five 6-month-old calves. PROCEDURE 3 seronegative 2-year-old bulls were inoculated intranasally with BVDV. Serum and semen samples were obtained at regular intervals until 7 months after inoculation. Serum samples were tested for BVDV by use of virus isolation (VI) and reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) tests. Semen samples were tested for virus by use of VI and RT-nPCR tests. Testicular biopsy specimens were obtained 7 months after inoculation and tested for BVDV by use of immunohistochemical analysis and VI and RT-nPCR tests. Semen samples collected from 1 bull immediately before and 5 and 7 months after inoculation were administered IV to seronegative calves, which were monitored for subsequent viremia and seroconversion. RESULTS Use of VI and RT-nPCR tests detected transient virus in serum of all bulls. The VI test detected BVDV in semen of 2 bulls for < 21 days after inoculation, whereas RT-nPCR assay detected BVDV until 7 months after inoculation. Virus was detected in testicular biopsy specimens of these 2 bulls by use of immunohistochemical analysis and RT-nPCR assay but could only be isolated from the biopsy specimen of 1 bull. Of the calves administered semen IV to detect infectious virus, only the recipient of semen collected 5 months after inoculation of the adult bull was viremic and seroconverted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Bovine viral diarrhea virus can persist in semen of acutely infected bulls for several months after exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Daniel Givens
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA
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Heath AM, Pugh DG, Sartin EA, Navarre B, Purohit RC. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of testicular biopsies in llamas. Theriogenology 2002; 58:1125-30. [PMID: 12240915 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of the reproductive function of Lama glama is generally considered to be a challenging task due to the difficulty of obtaining representative semen samples. One method that has been proposed for evaluation of testicular function in these animals is histologic examination of testicular needle biopsies. This study was undertaken to examine the safety and efficacy of using needle biopsies to assess testicular function in this species. One randomly selected testicle from each of 16 sexually mature llamas was biopsied with a 14-gauge self-firing biopsy instrument. The llamas were evaluated over a 6-week period with thermography for temperature changes of the scrotum. At the end of the 6-week trial, the llamas were castrated and sections of each testis were fixed in Bouin's solution for histologic examination. Immediately prior to castration, an additional biopsy was taken from each testis to compare the tissue obtained via biopsy with sections from the corresponding testis obtained after castration. A qualitative grading scale was used to compare the seminiferous tubules from each testis. No difference was found between the biopsied and the nonbiopsied testes (P = 0.69). The percentage of normal tubules between the biopsied and the nonbiopsied sides also did not differ (P = 0.70). Furthermore, the percentage of normal seminiferous tubules did not differ between the needle biopsy samples and the corresponding tissue samples obtained at castration (P = 0.48). The number of round seminiferous tubules counted in each biopsy section ranged from 3 to 67. There was no significant difference in the thermographic images of the scrotum between the biopsied and the nonbiopsied testes. This study supports testicular biopsies as a safe and useful procedure in the evaluation of testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Heath
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL, USA.
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