Ultrasonographic evaluation of umbilical structures in Holstein calves: A comparison between healthy calves and calves affected by umbilical disorders

The aim of this study was to evaluate, during the first 4 wk of life, the involution of umbilical structures in clinically healthy calves and in calves affected by umbilical disorders, in both B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography. The present study was carried out on 63 Holstein Friesian calves, divided into 3 different groups: group H (clinically healthy, n = 17), group A, (affected by omphaloarteritis, n = 24), and group V (affected by omphalophlebitis, n = 22). B-mode ultrasonography was performed at weekly intervals, using a portable device (LOGIQ Book XP, GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK) and a linear multifrequency 7 to 10 MHz probe. In addition to the ultrasound examinations, the umbilicus of the calves was also evaluated using a color Doppler. The extra-abdominal as well as the intra-abdominal hemodynamics within the umbilical structures were evaluated using 3 different ranges of speed-flow detections (23, 14, and 7 cm/s). In healthy calves, as the age increased, the umbilical structures decreased in size and their ultrasonographic identification became more difficult. Conversely, in affected calves the umbilical structures did not show the same progressive reduction of external diameters and areas, but had an irregular trend of regression. Also the color Doppler ultrasonography showed a significant difference in frequency and percentage of speed-flow in the early days of examination between the 3 groups, with the most reliable results detected from the umbilical arteries. In our experimental study, omphaloarteritis could be detected at the d 1 color Doppler exam, with a 100% specificity and a 100% positive predictive value.

Different expression of Defensin-B gene in the endometrium of mares of different age during the breeding season

Background

Despite being one of the major causes of infertility in mares, the mechanisms responsible for equine endometrosis are still unclear and controversial. In the last few years, many investigations focused on local immune response modulation. Since it is generally accepted that endometrial fibrosis increases with age, we hypothesize that older mares could show altered local immune modulation, initiating a pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling cascade of events that could lead to endometrosis. The aim of this study, indeed, is to evaluate and describe the local gene expression of genes involved in acute inflammatory response and fibrosis (COL1A1, COL3A1, TNFA, MMP9, IL6, TGFB1 and TGFBR1), together with others associated to immune modulation (DEFB4B, IDO1 and FOXP3), in uterine specimens from mares of different age.

Results

Twenty-five Standardbred mares were involved in the study with age ranging from 7 to 19 years (mean 10.40 ± 4.42). They were divided by age into two groups: G1 (n = 15, less than 10 years old) and G2 (N = 10, greater than 11 years old). Specimens from the uterus’ right horn-body junction were collected and processed for histology evaluation and RT-qPCR assay.Gene expression of DEFB4B, MMP9 and TNFA was higher in younger mares, suggesting a balance in immune modulation and tissue remodeling. Interleukin-6 and COL3A1 gene expressions were greater in older animals, probably indicating inflammatory pathways activation and fibrosis increase. Although no differences in fibrosis and inflammation distribution could be found with histological examination among G1 and G2, our results suggest a possible involvement of DEF4BB in regulating the local immune response in younger mare’s uterus (G1); age may contribute to the dis-regulation of DEFB4B transcription and, indirectly, influence the extracellular matrix homeostasis. Transcription of IDO1 and FOXP3 genes, instead, does not seem to be age related, or to be involved in local immune-response and tissue remodeling functions.

Conclusions

Further investigations are needed in order to clarify the interactions between the expression of DEFB4B, IL6, TNFA, COL3A1 and MMP9 and other local signals of immune-modulation and tissue remodeling, in mares in a prospective study design.

Can practice of Dancesport as physical activity be associated with the concept of "successful aging"?

AIM

Regular and structured physical activity is known to be effective in preventing and/or reducing the physical and mental decline associated with aging. Indeed, such usefulness of physical activity has been associated with the concept of "successful aging". The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible physical and cognitive effects deriving from the practice of Dancesport in comparison with the participation in adapted physical activity (APA) programs and sedentarity.

METHODS

A total of 150 healthy older adults were enrolled, consisting of three groups: 1) Dancesport (non-competitive Latin American and Standard dancers); 2) APA (subjects practicing a multicomponent training program adapted to elderly); 3) control (sedentary subjects). All participants were assessed with cognitive computerized tests and underwent motor tests (Tinetti Test [TT] and Sit and Reach [SR] Test), and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate leisure cognitive activities and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire to assess quality of life.

RESULTS

Subjects practicing Dancesport and APA performed significantly better in all proposed tests than sedentary subjects. In particular, dancers reported better scores in both cognitive and motor tests as well as in SF-12 compared to APA.

CONCLUSION

Given its peculiar characteristics, Dancesport represents a feasible, attractive and alternative physical activity to preserve cognitive and physical functions during aging. Increased self-esteem, social contact and psychophysical wellness significantly ameliorate the quality of life during aging.

Can baseball improve balance in blind subjects?

AIM

Baseball, one of the most popular sports in the world, is a fast-moving sport that requires various motor abilities. Baseball is played also by blind subjects that participate in many other sports. In this study, we evaluated the role of the Italian modified version of baseball for blind subjects on balance.

METHODS

This modified version of baseball maintains the fast-moving characteristic ensuring the athlete safety. Forty total blind subjects were enrolled: 20 baseball athletes and 20 sedentary participants, as control. The balance was evaluated using the Fukuda Test and Tinetti Test, both in silence and in noise.

RESULTS

This baseball game may help to improve the balance ability in blind subjects. The balance was significantly improved in blind athletes as compared with blind sedentary subjects.

CONCLUSION

Given the peculiar characteristics of play, this modified version of baseball seems effective in improving various motor skills that, once transferred into daily activities, may significantly ameliorate the quality of life of blind subjects.

Breeding soundness examination of Chianina, Marchigiana, and Romagnola yearling bulls in performance tests over a 10-year period

The objectives of the present study were (i) to establish the mean value of scrotal circumference (SC), sperm motility, concentration and morphology at 13+/-1 months of age for Chianina, Marchigiana, and Romagnola breeds and (ii) to assign Italian beef bulls at the end of a growth performance test to a potential breeder category by applying the guidelines of the Society for Theriogenology in 1993 (SFT93). Of 1,315 bulls, 869 were not given the breeding soundness examination for the following reasons: not passing the growth performance test (n=445), no training for semen collection (n=404), and presence of genital abnormalities (n=20). Testicular length and diameter and SC exhibited a logarithmic trend over time, with an R(2) value of 0.963, 0.979, and 0.978 (P<0.001), respectively. The SC of Romagnola (33.82+/-2.47 cm) was higher than those of Chianina (33.28+/-2.65 cm, P<0.001) and Marchigiana (33.05+/-2.20 cm, P<0.001). Sperm concentration in Romagnola (875.89+/-416.13x10(6)cells/mL) was higher than those in Chianina (751.63+/-444.45 x 10(6)cells/mL, P<0.05) and Marchigiana (862.57+/-421.87 x 10(6) cells/mL). Progressive sperm motility was 61.30+/-11.24%, 62.18+/-11.17%, and 58.48+/-14.40% in Romagnola, Marchigiana, and Chianina, respectively. Total spermatozoal abnormalities were higher in Chianina (23.35+/-15.41%). Sperm concentration was positively related to testicular length (P<0.01), diameter (P<0.001), and SC (P<0.001). Satisfactory breeders presented high sperm motility compared with deferred and unsatisfactory ones, whereas unsatisfactory breeders had a higher number of abnormal spermatozoa. By applying the SFT93 guidelines, we showed that 74.72%, 78.01%, and 80.16% of Chianina, Marchigiana, and Romagnola bulls, respectively, have been classified as satisfactory potential breeders.

Decrease in glutathione (GSH) content in bovine sperm after cryopreservation: Comparison between two extenders

Growing evidence suggests that among the causes which deteriorate qualitative and functional characteristics of semen after freezing and thawing, there are those linked to oxidative stress and decrease detoxification of antioxidants present in the cells and seminal plasma. Overall, cryopreservation reduces the spermatozoal GSH content. In the present study we assessed the motility, capacitation status, ability to undergo acrosome reaction and levels of GSH in bovine spermatozoa after freezing and thawing, and compared the effects of the egg yolk tris-citrate and a commercial extenders (Bioxcell). Six semen samples were collected from each of five bulls and frozen and thawed in the two extenders. The level of total GSH of bovine spermatozoa detected in the raw semen ranged from 246.5 to 776.2 pmoles/mg of protein. The Bioxcell extender was superior in preserving GSH content (647.2+/-300.1 versus 223.6+/-154.0 pmoles/mL; P<0.05), motility levels (44.3+/-4.8 versus 41.8+/-4.0%; P<0.05), non-capacitated state (68.3+/-13.6 versus 61.3+/-17%; P<0.05) and a lower proportion of acrosome reacted spermatozoa post thaw (3.8+/-2.1 versus 6.3+/-3.1%; P<0.001) compared to egg yolk tris-citrate extender. These findings could be partially ascribed to the high GSH level contained in the commercial extender which seem able to alleviate oxidative damages to spermatozoa surviving freezing thawing procedures. Further researches are required in order to validate in vivo these results.

The effect of Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides LC of bovine origin on in vitro fertilizing ability of bull spermatozoa and embryo development

Several Mycoplasma species may adversely affect bovine spermatozoa viability and embryo development. Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides large-colony (LC) has been isolated from naturally aborted bovine fetuses and from bull semen. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether M. mycoides ssp. mycoides LC contaminated bovine ejaculates could (i) impair in vitro fertilizing ability of bull spermatozoa, (ii) impair embryo development, and (iii) evaluate potential spread by reproductive technologies. In the present study, spermatozoa of 10 fertile bulls were contaminated with M. mycoides ssp. mycoides LC, at a final concentration of 1.5 million CFU/ml and incubated for 60 min before evaluating spermatozoa motility and acrosome reaction inducibility with calcium ionophore. In addition, in vitro contaminated semen of a bull previously shown to have a good in vitro fertilizing ability, was used in an IVF procedure. Embryo development stage on Day-7 of culture was evaluated. Spermatozoa and embryos at morula and blastocyst stages were routinely processed for transmission electron microscopy observation. Both mean total and progressive motility decreased (P < 0.01 ) upon spermatozoa incubation with Mycoplasma. One-hour incubation with calcium ionophore increased the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, although Mycoplasma contamination reduced calcium ionophore treatment efficacy (P < 0.05). Ultrastructurally, Mycoplasma microorganisms appeared as moderately electron-dense sphere-shaped particles, adhering to cell membranes. Sperm mid-piece sections showed numeric aberrations of the central singlets such as nine + zero or nine + one of the axonemal complex. Further morphological abnormalities included partial or total absence of dinein arms and radial fibers, with lack of the bridge and the central ring in 35.00 +/- 4.20% of contaminated cells, whereas these abnormalities were not observed in uninfected ones. The IVF trials showed that two-four cell blocks were higher (P < 0.05) in the infected group. Ultrastructure of Day-7 contaminated embryos showed Mycoplasma particles adhering and infiltrating the outer layer of the zona pellucida. Our investigations suggest that M. mycoides ssp. mycoides LC contaminating the bovine ejaculate induced adverse effects on in vitro spermatozoa-fertilizing ability and embryonic development. Some satisfactory quality transferable embryos could be produced in contaminated IVF systems. This could imply a potential transmission of this microorganism through reproductive technologies.

Seminal carnitine and acetylcarnitine content and carnitine acetyltransferase activity in young Maremmano stallions

The reproductive characteristics and seminal carnitine and acetylcarnitine content as well as carnitine acetyltransferase activity of young Maremmano stallions (n=25) are reported. The stallions were subjected to semen collection in November and January; in each trial two ejaculates were collected 1h apart. The total motile morphologically normal spermatozoa (TMMNS) and the progressively motile spermatozoa at collection and during storage at +4 degrees C were evaluated. Seminal L-carnitine (LC), acetylcarnitine (AC), pyruvate and lactate were measured using spectrophotometric methods, whereas carnitine acetyltransferase activity was measured by radioenzymatic methods. Since there were no major significant differences in seminal and biochemical characteristics between the November and January trials, data were also pooled for the first and second ejaculates. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed between the first and second ejaculates for sperm count (0.249+/-0.025 versus 0.133+/-0.014x10(9)/ml), total number spermatozoa by ejaculate (12.81+/-1.23 versus 6.36+/-0.77x10(9)), progressively motile spermatozoa (48.6+/-3.0 versus 52.6+/-3.0%) and TMMNS (3.35+/-0.50 versus 2.02+/-0.37x10(9)). In the raw semen the LC and AC were significantly higher in the first ejaculate than in the second (P<0.001), whereas, pyruvate and pyruvate/lactate ratio were higher in the second ejaculate (P<0.05). Seminal plasma AC and LC concentrations resulted higher in the first ejaculate (P<0.001). The pyruvate/lactate ratio was higher in the second ejaculate (P<0.05). Both raw semen and seminal plasma LC and AC concentrations were positively correlated with spermatozoa concentration (P<0.01); in raw semen AC was also correlated to TMMNS (P<0.01). Lactate levels of raw semen was correlated to progressively motile spermatozoa after storage (P<0.01). In the second ejaculate, significant correlations were also observed among AC/LC ratio in raw semen and progressively motile spermatozoa after 48 and 72h of refrigeration. Furthermore, AC levels were correlated to lactate concentration. The positive correlation between LC, AC and spermatozoa concentration, and between AC and TMMNS indicated carnitine as potential semen quality marker. Moreover, the correlation between AC/LC ratio and progressive spermatozoa motility after refrigeration, suggests that carnitine may contribute towards improving the maintenance of spermatozoa viability during in vitro storage.

Immunohistochemical localization of endometrial oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the cow

The presence and distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors have been investigated by means of immunohistochemical procedures in the uterus of two groups of cows: the first group underwent superovulatory hormonal treatment while the second group was used as a control group. After the immunohistochemical study no differences regarding the presence and distribution of hormone receptors seemed to be apparent between the two groups, so it was concluded that the topographical distribution and staining intensity of hormone receptors seem to be unaffected by hormonal superovulatory treatment.

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC identification by PCR in sperm of seminal vesiculitis-affected bulls

In this study, by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis for the detection and identification of Mycoplasma, we investigated mycoplasmas contaminating the semen of yearling bulls affected by seminal vesiculitis. The bulls presented neither subclinical nor clinical contagious bovine pleuropneumonia signs and the complement fixation test for specific antibodies was negative. Furthermore, we have investigated mycoplasmas isolated from semen of healthy breeding bulls of several breeds and origins, which routinely underwent breeding soundness examinations and presented no clinical signs of seminal vesiculitis. We were able to demonstrate mycoplasma infection in all tested samples by i) growth on mycoplasma-specific media and ii) a PCR-based method using a mycoplasma-specific MGSO/GPO1 primer set to amplify the 16S fragment rDNA. In addition, the identification of Mycoplasma species was made by PCR using the MSC1/MSC2 primer set that specifically amplifies M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC or the MM450/MM451 primer set followed by AsnI digestion analysis in order to identify M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC. The data presented herein clearly show that M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC infection was associated with seminal vesiculitis while M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC was only found in bull semen from healthy control animals. Our findings confirm that the M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC is shed in the sperm making the ejaculate a valuable biological sample for the isolation of these bacteria from serologically negative animals. Although the pathogenic role of M. bovigenitalium in bull seminal vesiculitis has been established, our clinical findings, semen characteristics, microbiological and bacterial genomic analysis strongly suggest that M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC may contribute to induce vesicular adenitis in the bull.

Lectin-staining pattern in extratesticular rete testis and ductuli efferentes of prepubertal and adult horses

This study was undertaken to determine the lectin affinity of the extratesticular rete testis and ductuli efferentes epithelial cells in adult and prepubertal horses, using ten different lectin horseradish peroxidase conjugates: Con-A, LCA, WGA, GSA-II, SBA, PNA, RCA-I, DBA, UEA-I, and LTA. In some cases, treatments with sialidase and KOH preceded the lectin staining. In sexually mature and immature horses the results showed the presence of different kinds of sialoglycoconjugates with the terminal sialic acid linked to D-GalNAc and beta-D-Gal residues in the rete testis. In the apical surface and cytoplasm of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes of the adult horse, glycoconjugates with alpha-D-Man and/or alpha-D-Glc, GlcNAc, D-GalNac and beta-D-Gal residues were evidenced, whereas in the prepubertal horse only the apical surface of the ductuli efferentes epithelial cells resulted reactive toward some lectins. The differences observed in the presence of glycoconjugates between adult and prepubertal horse ductuli efferentes, suggest a hormonal control of the function of these tracts of the post-testicular ducts.

Detection of glycoconjugates in the ductus epididymis of the prepubertal and adult horse by lectin histochemistry

This paper describes an approach for studying the structure of glycoconjugates found in the principal cells lining the epididymal duct in adult and prepubertal horses, using ten different lectin horseradish conjugates: Con-A, LCA, WGA, GSA-II, SBA, PNA, RCA-I, DBA, UEA-I, and LTA. Saponification and sialidase procedures, followed by lectin binding, were employed to visualize the distribution and to reveal the sequence of sialoglycoconjugates in ductus epididymis. In the adult horse the results demonstrated variations in the content and distribution of glycosidic residues of glycoconjugates in different epididymal regions (caput, corpus, cauda) and vas deferens, suggesting that each epididymal segment has a specific function. In particular, staining of the Golgi-zone in the principal cells lining corpus epididymis was interpreted as evidence for synthesis and secretion of glycoconjugates and sialoglycoconjugates. In the prepubertal horse, only the glycocalyx of the epithelial cells lining the epididymal duct showed reactivity toward the different lectins used, suggesting hormonal regulation of the epididymis activity. Additional, the heterogeneity of the lectin staining pattern of the adult horse epididymis reported in this investigation also suggests the existence of different functional segments along the epididymal duct.

Evaluation of a competitive enzyme immunoassay in screening for syphilis

A competitive immunoenzymatic method has been developed and evaluated for the serological screening of syphilis. The method detects both anti-Treponema Pallidum IgG and IgM. The kit, commercially known as "Syphilis Screen", is produced by DIESSE Diagnostica Senese (Siena, Italy); all the required reagents are included and are ready for use. The test is performed on undiluted serum and a single incubation step is necessary. The method can be easily automated, and the results do not require a subjective interpretation. A good correlation was found with the Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA) technique: only 14 out of 2350 samples tested (2090 non reactive and 260 reactive) were found to be in disagreement. This test can be considered an alternative to the TPHA method in screening for syphilis.

Histochemical localization of prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity for PGF-2 alpha in some bovine tissues

Prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity is histochemically detected in various bovine tissues (kidney, liver, lung, parotid and naso-labial glands) using as substrate prostaglandin F-2 alpha. Kidney, liver and lung showed the highest intensity of the reaction, but parotid and naso-labial glands also displayed enzymatic activity at the level of the ductal cells.