Ciliary transport, gamete interaction, and effects of the early embryo in the oviduct: ex vivo analyses using a new digital videomicroscopic system in the cow

Using a digital videomicroscopic analysis system in the bovine, we showed that the mechanisms of transport caused by ciliary beating are distinctly different in ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct. The average particle transport speed (PTS) in the oviduct (mean, 133 microm/sec) does not differ in the cycle (metestrus) and during pregnancy after implantation, but it is locally modulated at the site of the embryo. Using videomicroscopy, we were able to document that after entering the ampulla, the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) is not transported by ciliary beating down the oviduct, but firmly attaches to the ampullar epithelium. This attachment is mediated by the cumulus cells. However, when a COC is degenerated, it is floating in the oviductal lumen. As soon as a vital COC is in the ampulla, the sperm bound in the sperm reservoir of the ampullar isthmic junction leave the reservoir and hurry to the oocyte. When a sperm has penetrated the zona pellucida, the COC detaches and continues its migration. Quantitative measurements showed that the early embryo is able to locally downregulate PTS during its migration down the oviduct. It locally changes the pattern of vascularization and induces the formation of secretory cells. Our studies imply that the oviductal epithelium is able to select vital oocytes. The early embryo is able to induce the formation of secretory cells, modify vascularization, and downregulate speed of transport, thus creating the prerequisite for the first embryo-maternal communication in the oviduct.

Kinetics of meiotic progression, M-phase promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activities during in vitro maturation of porcine and bovine oocytes: species specific differences in the length of the meiotic stages

The kinetics of nuclear maturation, M-phase promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activities during in vitro maturation of porcine and bovine oocytes were examined. A further objective was to determine the duration of the meiotic stages during the maturation process. Porcine and bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in TCM 199 supplemented with 20% (v/v) heat inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS), 0.05microg/ml gentamycin, 0.02mg/ml insulin, 2.5microg/ml FSH and 5microg/ml LH. COCs were removed from the culture media in hourly intervals starting immediately after recovery from the follicle until 24 (bovine) or 48h (porcine) of culture. Oocytes were either fixed to evaluate the maturation status or the activity of MPF, assessed by its histone H1 kinase activity, and MAP kinase were determined by a radioactive assay simultaneously. In oocytes of both species, the MPF activity oscillated during the culture period with two maxima corresponding with the two metaphases: between 27-32 and after 46h (porcine) and between 6-9 and after 22h (bovine). There was a temporary decline in activity after 33-38 (porcine) and after 19h (bovine), which corresponded with anaphase I and telophase I. MAP kinase activity increased during the whole culture period and reached maximum levels after 47 (porcine) and after 22h (bovine). In porcine oocytes, the MAP kinase was activated before GVBD and MPF activation. In bovine oocytes, MPF and MAP kinase were activated at approximately the same time as the GVBD (8-9h of incubation). In average porcine, oocytes remain 23.4h in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage (13h in GV I, 5.7h in GV II, 3.2h in GV III and 1.5h in GV IV), 0.9h in diakinese, 9.6h in the metaphase I, 2.8h in anaphase I and 1.9h in telophase I of the first meiotic division. In bovine oocytes, the temporal distribution of the meiotic stages were 8.5h for the GV stage, 1.2h for diakinese, 8.3h for metaphase I, 1.6h for anaphase I and 1.9h for telophase I. These results indicate that the duration of the meiotic stages differs between the species and that MAP kinase is activated before MPF and GVBD in porcine oocytes.

Treponema infection associated with genital ulceration in wild baboons

The authors describe genital alterations and detailed histologic findings in baboons naturally infected with Treponema pallidum. The disease causes moderate to severe genital ulcerations in a population of olive baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) at Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. In a field survey in 2007, 63 individuals of all age classes, both sexes, and different grades of infection were chemically immobilized and sampled. Histology and molecular biological tests were used to detect and identify the organism responsible: a strain similar to T pallidum ssp pertenue, the cause of yaws in humans. Although treponemal infections are not a new phenomenon in nonhuman primates, the infection described here appears to be strictly associated with the anogenital region and results in tissue alterations matching those found in human syphilis infections (caused by T pallidum ssp pallidum), despite the causative pathogen's greater genetic similarity to human yaws-causing strains.

Polysialic acid is present in mammalian semen as a post-translational modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM and the polysialyltransferase ST8SiaII

Fertilization in animals is a complex sequence of several biochemical events beginning with the insemination into the female reproductive tract and, finally, leading to embryogenesis. Studies by Kitajima and co-workers (Miyata, S., Sato, C., and Kitajima, K. (2007) Trends Glycosci. Glyc, 19, 85-98) demonstrated the presence of polysialic acid (polySia) on sea urchin sperm. Based on these results, we became interested in the potential involvement of sialic acid polymers in mammalian fertilization. Therefore, we isolated human sperm and performed analyses, including Western blotting and mild 1,2-diamino-4,5-methylenedioxybenzene-HPLC, that revealed the presence α2,8-linked polySia chains. Further analysis by a glyco-proteomics approach led to the identification of two polySia carriers. Interestingly, besides the neural cell adhesion molecule, the polysialyltransferase ST8SiaII has also been found to be a target for polysialylation. Further analysis of testis and epididymis tissue sections demonstrated that only epithelial cells of the caput were polySia-positive. During the epididymal transit, polySia carriers were partially integrated into the sperm membrane of the postacrosomal region. Because polySia is known to counteract histone as well as neutrophil extracellular trap-mediated cytotoxicity against host cells, which plays a role after insemination, we propose that polySia in semen represents a cytoprotective element to increase the number of vital sperm.

Follow-up examinations of bitches after conservative treatment of pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic success of the medical treatment of canine pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone and to document the recurrence rate in relation to the time interval after treatment with antigestagens. In 48 (92.8%) of the 52 treated bitches, healing could be achieved within the first 3 weeks after the treatment had been started. One bitch died as a result of renal insufficiency; in three bitches there was no emptying of the uterus, so ovariohysterectomy became necessary. In these three patients, ovarian and endometrial cysts were present. Forty-one bitches could be followed up for 3 months. Four animals developed a recurrence (9.8%). In three bitches ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperlasia could be found intra operationem. The development of 37 bitches could be followed for at least 1 year. Seven animals developed a pyometra again (18.9%). Two received a repeated treatment with aglepristone and have been free from recurrence for over 12 months. In 37 animals data on the subsequent sex cycles are available. In 22 bitches next heat started at the expected time, in seven animals heat started too early. In eight bitches the period of anoestrus was prolonged. Five of the six bred bitches delivered at least one litter. The presented data show that treatment of pyometra by aglepristone results in a high healing rate. The recurrence rate can be minimized by the selection of bitches without ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.

Production, reproductive, and metabolic factors associated with chlamydial seropositivity and reproductive tract antigens in dairy herds with fertility disorders

While chlamydial infections cause abortions in cattle, its role in other reproductive disorders is uncertain. This study identified the risk factors for chlamydial infection in herds with history of subfertility. We investigated the possible effects of coinfections, different metabolic parameters, abortion, ovarian cysts, pathological vaginal discharge, length of the open period, milk yield, housing conditions and age. In cows from 34 farms with elevated reproductive disorders, 41.5% had antibodies against chlamydia, while chlamydia antigen was detected in the vagina and uterus of 46.7%. A statistical relationship between seropositivity and antigen positivity was not found. Abortion (OR = 6.6) and loose housing (OR = 2.3) were risk factors for the presence of chlamydia antibodies. Furthermore, there were significant relationships between metabolic disorders and chlamydial infections. Increased levels of beta-hydroxybutaric acid (OR = 6.8) and hypocalcaemia (OR = 6.0) often accompanied chlamydia antigen in the vagina. Increased age (OR = 1.2) and pathological vaginal discharge (OR = 2.4) were identified as risk factors for chlamydia antigen in the vagina. The largest risk factor was for the association of ovarian cysts (OR = 21.5) with uterine antigen. In conclusion, chlamydial infection in dairy herd cows is best understood as a multifactorial disease.

Molecular analyses on Neospora caninum-triggered NETosis in the caprine system

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite causing serious reproductive disorders in large and small ruminants worldwide. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) react against multiple invading pathogens through different mechanisms including the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here, in vitro interactions of caprine PMN and N. caninum tachyzoites were studied. Scanning electron microscopic- and immunofluorescence-analyses demonstrated that caprine PMN undergo NETosis upon contact with tachyzoites of N. caninum, extruding filaments that entrap parasites. Detailed co-localization studies of N. caninum tachyzoite-induced NETs revealed the presence of PMN-derived DNA being decorated with histones (H1, H2A/H2B, H3,H4) and neutrophil elastase (NE) corroborating the molecular characteristics of classical mammalian NETs. As a new result for parasite-induced NETosis, we identified pentraxin and cathepsin B in N. caninum-triggered NETs. Nonetheless, functional inhibition assays revealed that during caprine NET formation triggered by N. caninum different molecular signaling pathways are induced, when compared to other apicomplexan parasites or host species. As such, N. caninum-induced NETosis appears to be influenced by MPO but independent of NADPH oxidase, SOCE, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities. Furthermore, the inhibition of PMN autophagy via blockage of the PI3K-mediated signaling pathway failed to influence tachyzoite-induced NETosis. Since N. caninum-tachyzoites induced caprine NETosis, this effector mechanism should be considered as an early host immune response during acute caprine neosporosis.

Mid-gestation pregnancy termination by the progesterone antagonist aglepristone in queens

The efficacy of aglepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist, to induce abortion on days 25 and 26 after first mating was investigated in queens. The cats were divided into two groups: aglepristone (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was injected twice, 24 h apart, on days 25 and 26 after first mating, into group I queens (n = 23). Group II queens (n = 6) were not treated and served as controls. Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of the fetuses were successful in 20 (87%) queens in group I. The mean interval between the first administration of aglepristone and the beginning of vaginal discharge was 5+/-1 days (range 4-7 days) and the mean duration of abortion, defined as time span from first occurrence of vaginal discharge to expulsion of all fetuses observed by ultrasonography was 1 day in nine cats, 2 days in five cats and in five cats, less than 1 day. Treatment failed in three queens. In one queen treatment resulted in birth (66 days after mating) of two vital kittens. In another case, three macerated fetuses were found intrauterine without vaginal discharge. In one cat, two fetuses were expulsed and two remained intrauterine and were born 66 days after last mating. All group II queens gave birth to vital kittens after a normal pregnancy length. The mean serum P4 concentrations were similar in treated and control animals. The results indicate that aglepristone treatment at day 25 of pregnancy could induce abortion in 87% of the treated queens. Itching at the site of injection right after injection was the only side effect noticed and only in one queen.

Detection of classical swine fever virus in semen of infected boars

During the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) epidemic in 1997 in the EU member states Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands, boars in an artificial insemination (AI) centre were found to be infected with CSF virus. This raised a question of epidemiological importance which could not be answered immediately. Can CSF virus be shed by semen of infected boars and what conclusions concerning the risk of spreading CSF infection by semen can be drawn. Experimental studies were conducted to answer this question. Four young boars were infected with a CSF field virus isolate from Germany, which had been characterised in a previous animal experiment. Semen was collected at least every other day after infection. The semen was subjected to the standard diagnostic procedure for the detection of CSF virus and to semen quality assessment. The boars were euthanized at day 8, 12, 16 and 21 post infection, respectively. A post mortem examination was done and organ samples were taken from the CSF reference organs and genital organs for the detection of virus and antigen. The course of CSF infection of the boars was mild but detectable during the second week of infection. CSF virus could be isolated from semen of two animals during the pyrexic phase and from the epididymis but not from the testes. Since CSF virus shedding via semen could be proven, it was concluded that the disease may also be transmitted by artificial insemination. However analysis of semen in cell culture for the presence of CSF virus is not suitable as a routine method for CSF diagnosis.

Gross pathology and endocrinology of ovarian cysts in bitches

A total of 73 bitches with ovarian cysts were ovariohysterectomized. Cysts were characterized by gross pathology and endocrine parameters. Therefore, oestradiol-17ß and progesterone concentrations were assessed in cyst-fluid and corresponding blood plasma in each bitch. Our data demonstrated that multiple cysts were often present in a single individual (82%) and that cysts were commonly found on both ovaries (77%). The number of cysts per individual varied from 1 to 35. Most cysts were small in size (range 0.2–4.0 cm in diameter). No cyst was found to produce solely oestradiol-17ß or progesterone. Plasma levels of oestradiol-17ß and progesterone for a given individual were positively correlated with levels of these same hormones in their cyst-fluid (r = 0.334 and p = 0.001 for oestradiol-17ß; r = 0.419 and p < 0.001 for progesterone). Our study is the first to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the gross pathology and endocrinology of ovarian cysts in a larger number of bitches.

Sirius red is able to selectively stain eosinophil granulocytes in bovine, ovine and equine cervical tissue

The aim of the present study was to examine the suitability of sirius red staining for selective light microscopic demonstration of eosinophil granulocytes in cervical tissue of mares, cows and sheep. For this purpose, tissue was fixed in 4% neutral buffered formol or in Bouin's solution. Paraffin sections of 5-microm thickness were stained with sirius red. In cows, mares and sheep a selective distinction of eosinophilic infiltration is successful after both fixation methods.

Principles and Clinical Uses of Real-Time Ultrasonography in Female Swine Reproduction

Simply Summary

Real-time ultrasonography (RTU) has become an essential diagnostic value when assessing female swine reproduction in either individual or groups of animals. Diagnostic application of RTU is applied throughout most stages of production, including gilt development, breeding, gestation and farrowing. Along with its most common use in on-farm assessment of pregnancy status, RTU is also used to troubleshoot disruptions in reproductive performance such as delayed puberty, prolonged wean-to-estrus interval, absence of post-weaning estrus, decreased conception and farrowing rates, vulval discharge, peripartum and puerperal disorders. This review aims to provide an overview on principles and clinical uses of RTU in female reproduction on commercial swine farms.

Abstract

Within the past 30 years, through ongoing technology and portability developments, real-time (b-mode) ultrasonography (RTU) has increasingly become a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing the female reproductive tract in swine. Initially applied in swine production to visually determine pregnancy status, RTU use has expanded to include assessment of the peri-pubertal and mature non-pregnant females as well. Transabdominal and transrectal modalities to visualizing the reproductive tract in swine have been reported with the transabdominal approach more common due to the fact of its ease of accessibility, animal/personnel safety, and reduced time to perform. Adjustable frequency transducers are preferred as they allow optimization of image quality at various depths. If a single transducer frequency must be selected, a 5 MHz probe provides the best versatility for visualizing the reproductive tract in swine. Other basic requirements for ultrasound equipment which will be used on commercial swine farms include being light weight and easy to handle, readily cleanable and disinfectable, long battery-life, and good durability. When using RTU for pregnancy determination, diagnosis is based upon a combination of the animal’s breeding records, the presence of embryonic fluid, and, depending upon gestational stage, fetal structures. If RTU is used as a diagnostic tool in assessing reproductive problems in an individual or a group of animals, sonographic evaluation of both the uterus and ovaries is performed. Tissues are delineated and assessed based upon their echogenicity, echotexture, and size. Uses of RTU in clinical practice may include assessment of delayed puberty, prolonged wean-to-estrus interval, absence of post-weaning estrus, herd disruptions in conception and farrowing rates, vulval discharge, peripartum and puerperal disorders. This review aims to provide an overview on principles and clinical uses of RTU with respect to application to address female reproductive performance issues in commercial swine operations.

Treatment with Suprelorin in a pregnant cat

Suppression of oestrus is of major interest in feral cat populations, but also in breeding queens temporarily not intended for breeding. Slow release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist implants are a new off-label approach for reproduction control in cats. However, initially, oestrus induction may occur and no data exist regarding what happens if previously mated queens are treated. This case report presents a queen mismated 9 and 8 days before treatment with a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant. The queen delivered four healthy kittens 66 days after mismating, but showed no interest in the kittens and lactation was not adequate. Progesterone and oestradiol concentrations were monitored and the queen was followed until the return of oestrus and subsequent breeding. The next oestrus was observed 498 days after treatment and the queen was mated in the second oestrus afterwards, became pregnant and delivered two healthy kittens, both of which were raised successfully by the queen. This case report clearly shows that pregnancy following a GnRH-agonist implant may go to term, but maternal care might be influenced owing to hormonal changes induced by treatment. In addition, this is the first report demonstrating reversibility of effects induced by long-term treatment with a deslorelin implant (return to oestrus, fertility and normal maternal care).