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The present study is a summary of some laboratory means and methods, used in the investigation of cases that can be linked to reproductive diseases and pathology, respectively infertility, in bitches. Possible causes and serological, cytological, bacteriological, immunological evaluations will be discussed with the purpose of emphasizing the events taking place during oestrus surveillance, the correct management and the optimum breeding conditions in bitch, as well as identifying syncopes in evaluating these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FSH is an important component of superovulations programs in the cow, its administration being made routinely intramusculary, at 12 hours intervals for 4 days. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacity of singledose FSH administration on a mixed route (epidural and intramusculary). 6 cows (Holstein and Montbéliarde) were superovulated according to the following protocol: on day 0 - vaginal application of progesterone spiral (PRID®, CEVA, France); day 7- administration of FSH (Folltropin-V®, Bioniche, Canada) 200 mg epidurally and 200 mg intramusculary; day 9 - administration of 250 mg D- sodium cloprostenol (Prostol®, Syva, Spain) and removal of PRID. Response monitorization was made by ultrasound exams of the ovaries on days 12 (during estrus) and 19 (the day of embrion collection). On average, 14 follicles (minimum 8, maximum 20) and 9 corpora lutea (minimum 6, maximum 12) were identified per donor compared to 15 follicles (min 8 max 22) and 9.5 corpora lutea (7 minimum, maximum 12) per donor in the routine protocols. The results show a very close efficacy to those obtained by classical protocol with daily intramuscular administration of FSH. Due to the epidural administration of FSH, deduction of stres for the donor and of the time of treatment, the method can be used in the protocols of embryotransfer in the cow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to compare two non-animal macromolecules (methyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl-starch) as an alternative to bovine serum albumin supplement in the bull sperm capacitation medium. Attention was paid to the rate of penetrated oocytes and to the polyspermic fertilization in order to assess the effect of these substances on bull semen capacitation.435 class one and two oocytes were matured in TCM -199supplemented with bovine serum albumin (3mg/ml) and FSH (0.88 mg/ml) for 24 hours at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 in saturated humidity. 21 straws from one single bull ejaculate were used. Sperm motility was assessed using Sperm Vision 3.7® (Minitübe, Germany) before the separation process. Sperm preparation was done on a commercial density gradient medium (BoviPure®, Nidacon, Sweden). Three groups were formed: the bovine serum albumin group (BSA at 6mg/ml), the methyl cellulose group (MC at 0.1mg/ml) and the hydroxyethyl-starch group (HES at 10mg/ml). Matured oocytes were co-incubated for 18 hours with the sperm (38.5°C, 5% CO2 in saturated humidity). After 18 hours, the oocytes were denuded, fixated and stained with acetoorcein in order to assess the penetration and pronuclear formation.77.80%±14.82% of the oocytes in the BSA group were not-penetrated, 22.20%±14.82% were penetrated and3.37%±2.37% were with polyspermy. In the MC and HES group respectively, 71.18%±21.66% and 60.23% ± 23.04% of the oocytes were not-penetrated, 28.82%±21.66% and 39.77%±23.04% werepenetrated and8.71%±6.3% and 13.74%±8.87% were with polyspermy. The physical characteristics of methyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl-starch were considered suitable for the in vitro production; they are all white powder, colourless and odourless in aqueous solution. The results showed that, there are no significant differences (p < 0.05) between methyl cellulose and bovine serum albumin regarding the penetration rate and the polyspermic fertilization, thus making methyl cellulose suitable to be used as an alternative supplement to the capacitation medium for bull semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a highly effective therapeutic method employed to remove toxic byproducts and metabolites from the body when this role can no longer be fulfilled by the kidneys that are either permanently damaged as in chronic kidney failure, or need time and proper treatment to recover from other diseases of the kidney itself or pathologies that may affect the renal function as they progress. This technique uses the peritoneum ability to act as a filtering membrane, through which the toxins, such as urea and creatinine, pass into the peritoneal cavity, being subsequently removed along with the dialysate. The study describes the evolution and follows the dynamic of the biomarkers in 5 dogs suffering from kidney failure, that did not respond well to specific treatment and for whom peritoneal dialysis was the best therapeutic approach. Peritoneal dialysis was performed in 5 dogs, with ages between 5 and 15 years old, during 6 months, using Diaenal PD4 glucose 1.36% W/V/13.6mg/ml produced by Baxter. Blood samples were taken from each dog before the procedure, and then twice a week to monitor the electrolytes, creatinine and urea levels. Also, before introducing the dialysate into the peritoneal cavity, the patients underwent ultrasound examination to evaluate the kidneys and to exclude other problems that would prevent this maneuver, and 2 hours after administering the dialysate to measure the absorption rate. All 5 patients exhibited an important recovery after 8-14 dialysis sessions, showing that the procedure was able to maintain kidney stability, a fact proved also by the levels of metabolites involved in the clinical evolution. Ecography performed before and after dialysis revealed that the hydration level is key point in the success of the procedure. Peritoneal dialysis is a more affordable and less invasive procedure to gradually eliminate the uremic toxins. It can offer temporary support for kidneys until the recovery of renal function is done, or when hemodialysis cannot be used as a basic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attainment of a feasible in vitro capacitation is clearly dependent on the maintenance of suitable energy levels of mammalian spermatozoa. This is because of the fact that all the sperm changes related to capacitation, such as the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation or changes in motility patterns, are energy-consuming. Canine semen can be capacitated and undergoes acrosome reaction in vitro and spermatozoa are able to fertilize homologous oocytes in in vitro culture conditions. The aim of this paper is to describe the recent research of the authors in the field. Recent and classical reviews and new trends regarding semen prelevation, evaluation and preparation for in vitro fertilization in dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful in vitro techniques depend on the possibility to mimic in vivo conditions. For this reason, knowledge on reproductive physiology is necessary to define an efficient entirely in vitro system to produce embryos. A better understanding of the processes and the factors underlying in vivo fertilisation in the dog is necessar. In vitro oocyte maturation had been extensively studied, but we could wonder if in vivo processes are identical with what was observed during in vitro studies. Improving reproductive biotechnologies therefore requires the realization of fundamental studies to better describe and understand phenomena. This review presents a summary of current available knowledge about dog reproductive physiology and biology of the canine oocyte development and maturation, specifically those factors influencing in vitro developmental competence of the oocyte. An understanding of the mechanisms controlling oocyte maturation and development is a particularly important target because it would be helpful to developing assisted breeding in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freezing of sperm is a method of conservation of spermatozoa, theoretically for an unlimited time. The freezing methods are an important tool for preservation of genetic diversity of the species and in assisted reproduction. The principle for cryopreservation of semen is reducing temperature of sperm determines a reduction of the metabolic activity of spermatozoa that permits their storage. A number of freezing methods have been described in the literature in the last 30 years. Some methods are registered marks and require buing a francise to be used. Proprietary agencies include Canine Cryobank, CLONE, International Canine Semen Bank (ICSB) and Synbiotics. Nonproprietary systems with published protocols include the Norwegian Tris extender, the Uppsala-Equex system 1 and 2 and its modifications, the CERREC extender, the CERCA extender, the extender developed by England C.G.W. and Lofstedt R. (Concannon and Battista 1989; England 1993; Farstad 1996; Linde- Forsberg et al. 1995; Pefia and Linde-Forsberg 2000 a, b) and other extenders and cryopreservation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of new anesthetics, more effective and less toxic, gave veterinarians the possibility to successfully intervene in resolving the most different situations encountered in their activity. This study consisted in monitoring respiratory frequency, cardiac frequency and body temperature in patients anesthetized and then subdued to different surgical interventions. The researches were carried on 20 dogs of different breeds, ages and sexes, diagnosed with different types of diseases, which needed surgical treatment under the effect of anesthesia. There were selected patients in which pain intensity associated with surgical intervention was relatively equal. Anesthesia protocols consisted mainly in the association of two substances: xylazine + ketamine - in 5 cases; medetomidine + ketamine - in 5 cases; acepromazine + ketamine - in 5 cases; propofol - in 5 cases. In case of anesthesia induced by xylazine-ketamine combination, it was observed a slight tendency to bradycardia, respiratory frequency oscillations and the decrease of body temperature (tendency to hypothermia). Medetomidine-ketamine association determined cardiac frequency oscillations (without a particular tendency), an initial increase of respiratory frequency followed by come-back to normal and a slight decrease of body temperature. Using acepromazine-ketamine combination, the studied parameters varied under acceptable limits during anesthesia. Propofol ensured good conditions for surgical interventions, with the observations that the anesthetic effect is short and it requires supplementary safety measures in order to avoid the appearance of respiratory disorders. The selection of anesthetic substances must be done considering patient-related factors, the purpose of anesthesia and the available equipments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]