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Sperm cryopreservation is a tool for the conservation of the genetic material of animals of genetic importance or for species preservation. In the case of domestic cats, this can be used to generate information about seminal harvest, evaluation and preservation, which is especially important due to its applicability to wild felids. This study evaluated seminal samples harvested by urethral catheterisation from 13 adult domestic cats. Samples were cryopreserved with experimental groups of extenders were defined by the penetrating cryoprotectant: 6% glycerol (GLY6%), 3% dimethylacetamide (DMA3%) and 3% dimethylformamide (DMF3%). The samples were thawed and evaluated by conventional microscopy and by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The structural and functional membrane integrity was assessed by supravital tests (EOS), hypoosmotic swelling tests (HOST) and flow cytometry (FC). There was a correlation (P 0.05) between total motility and EOS (r = 0.54), HOST and FC (r = -0.62) and total motility and flow cytometry (r = 0.63), indicating that these are complementary parameters that increase the accuracy of the feline sperm quality evaluation post-thaw. The results regarding the structural and functional integrity of the sperm plasma membrane did not differ (P 0.05) among groups. However, the DMA3% group had a lower (P 0.05) percentage of morphological changes in the sperm tail compared to samples cryopreserved with GLY6% and DMF3%. Additionally, DMA3% provided lower values of immobile sperm post-thaw when compared to DMF3%. DMA is an interesting alternative to GLY and superior to DMF for the cryopreservation of feline semen at the studied concentrations.

The induction of labor aims to concentrate births to follow up better the parturient and the first care to the neonates. However, even if the labor induction technique with dexamethasone administration has been successfully described since the late 1970s, few studies report the technique of birth development and neonatal vitality in Santa Inês sheep. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of dexamethasone use in two doses (8 and 16mg) in labor induction of Santa Inês ewes at 145 days of gestation and to evaluate its effects on the birth characteristics. In this study, 58 ewes were used, raised in an extensive system in the experimental farms of UFBA, with confirmation pregnancy after fixed-time artificial insemination or controlled breeding. These female ewes were separated into three groups according to the dose of dexamethasone administered (G1 = 0mg, G2 = 8mg, and G3 = 16mg). From these births, 79 lambs were born. This study analyzed the period from induction of labor to birth, fetal presentation at birth, the weight of the placenta, and the period for placenta expulsion. The data were analyzed by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS v.9.1.3®, 2002), and the significance level considered for all analyzes was 5%. Births of induced groups occurred on average at 48.4±22.17 hours after induction, while the females with non-induced labor gave birth 131.96±41.9 hours on average after the placebo application (P0.05) between the doses used. There were no differences in delivery about the fetal static relation, time to placental attachment, and weight. With this study, it can be concluded that the induction at 145 days of gestation with eight or 16mg of dexamethasone is a useful technique and does not alter the labor in Santa Inês sheep. RESUMO: A indução do parto visa concentrar os nascimentos para melhor acompanhamento das parturientes e primeiros cuidados aos neonatos. Contudo, mesmo que a técnica de indução de parto, com administração de dexametasona, tenha sido descrita com sucesso desde o final da década de 70, existem estudos escassos que relatam a influência desta técnica sobre o parto em ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da dexametasona em duas doses (8 e 16mg), para a indução do parto de ovelhas Santa Inês com 145 dias de gestação e avaliar os seus efeitos nas características de desencadeamento e finalização do parto. Para este estudo foram utilizadas 58 ovelhas, criadas em sistema extensivo nas fazendas experimentais da UFBA, com prenhez confirmada após inseminação artificial em tempo fixo ou monta controlada. Essas fêmeas foram separadas em três grupos, de acordo com a dose de dexametasona administrada (G1 = 0mg, G2 = 8mg e G3 = 16mg). Destes partos nasceram 79 cordeiros. Foram avaliados o período em horas da indução do parto aos nascimentos, a apresentação fetal ao nascimento, assim como o peso da placenta e o período para o delivramento. Os dados foram analisados pelo pacote estatístico Statistical Analysis System (SAS v.9.0®, 2002) sendo considerado para todas as análises o nível de significância de 5%. Os nascimentos dos grupos induzidos ocorreram em média com 48,4±22,1 horas após a indução, enquanto que as fêmeas com parto não induzido pariram em média 131,96±41,9 horas após aplicação do placebo (P0,05) entre as doses utilizadas. Não ocorreram diferenças no parto em relação à estática fetal, tempo para o delivramento e peso da placenta nos diferentes grupos. Com este estudo, conclui-se que a indução de parto em ovelhas aos 145 dias de gestação com oito e 16 mg de dexametasona é uma técnica eficaz e que não altera o trabalho de parto nas ovelhas da raça Santa Inês.

The present study aimed to evaluate differences in area, volume and testicular weight among groups related to breed and age of boar and establish associations between testicular parameters and seminal characteristics. Seminal quality has been studied using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems that reduce the subjectivity of kinematic parameters. Based on the data obtained through this system, sperm quality indexes and their derived parameters have been assessed to identify a better estimator for determining movement and velocity parameters. We also established indexes of velocity and sperm movement for boar semen. To this end, we evaluated 191 ejaculate samples from 63 boars. Differences related to the effects of season and age on quality boar semen were found (p ≤ .05) in the animal groups. Indexes were established for velocity and sperm movement based on CASA-Mot, and we proposed a sperm movement index (SMI) and sperm velocity index (SVI) with the CASA-Mot variables. Correlations were found (p < .05) among sperm indexes and CASA-Mot variables. Boar characteristics were found to be associated with some CASA-Mot variables, and the estimated SMI and SVI indexes predicted a greater variation in kinematic characteristics compared to the parameters evaluated separately using the CASA-Mot system.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi testar a dimetilacetamida (DMA) em diferentes concentrações, associada ou não ao glicerol (GL), sobre a viabilidade espermática do sêmen ovino congelado. Foram utilizados 10 ejaculados de dois carneiros adultos da raça Santa Inês. Os ejaculados foram divididos em sete grupos experimentais, respeitando o limite máximo de 5% de DMA, sendo eles: GL6%, DMA3%, GL5%+DMA1%, GL4%+DMA2%, GL3%+DMA3%, GL2%+DMA4%, GL1%+DMA5%. Os espermatozoides criopreservados nos diferentes tratamentos foram analisados quanto à cinética subjetiva, integridade estrutural da membrana plasmática (EOS), integridade funcional da membrana plasmática (CO) e morfologia espermática, observando defeitos totais (DT) e defeitos maiores (DM). A motilidade total (MT) e a progressiva (MP) pós-descongelação nos grupos GL5%+DMA1%; GL4%+DMA2% e GL3%+DMA3%, foram semelhantes (P>0,05) ao tratamento controle (GL6%). Destes, o diluidor GL4%+DMA2% foi o único que promoveu a manutenção da MT e MP pós-descongelação, quando comparado com o sêmen in natura (P>0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para os parâmetros de EOS, CO, DT e DM nos diferentes grupos avaliados. A dimetilacetamida associada ao glicerol mostrou-se eficaz na manutenção da viabilidade espermática em ovinos, avaliada pós-descongelação. Entretanto, foi observado efeito deletério da DMA nas concentrações mais elevadas ou quando não esteve associada ao glicerol. Abstract The objective of the present study was to test dimethylacetamide (DMA) at different concentrations, associated or not to glycerol (GL), on the sperm viability of frozen sheep semen. Ten ejaculates of two adult sheep of Santa Ines breed were used. The ejaculates were divided into seven experimental groups, respecting the maximum limit of 5% of DMA: GL6%, DMA3%, GL5%+DMA1%, GL4%+DMA2%, GL3%+DMA3%, GL2%+DMA4%, and GL1%+DMA5%. The sperm cryopreserved in the different treatments was analyzed based on the subjective kinetic, structural integrity of the plasma membrane (EOS), functional integrity of the plasma membrane (OS) and sperm morphology, observing total defects (TD) and major defects (MD). The post-thawed total mortality (TM) and progressive mortality (PM) in the GL5%+DMA1% groups; GL4%+DMA2% and GL3%+DMA3% were similar (P> 0.05) to the control treatment (GL6%). Of these, the diluent GL4%+DMA2% was the only one that promoted the maintenance of post-thawed TM and PM when compared to in natura semen (P> 0.05). No significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed for the EOS, OS, TD and MD parameters, in the different groups evaluated. Dimethylacetamide associated to glycerol were effective in maintaining sperm viability in post-thawed sheep semen. However, a deleterious effect of DMA was observed at the highest concentrations or when it was not associated with glycerol.

RESUMO As neoplasias ovarianas em gatas são raras e, quando relatadas, estão associadas a animais senis, assim como a piometra de causa não iatrogênica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar o caso de uma gata jovem com neoplasia ovariana, tumor de células da granulosa associado ao complexo hiperplasia endometrial cística/piometra (HECP). O animal foi atendido no setor de Reprodução Animal e Obstetrícia Veterinária (RAOV) de um Hospital Veterinário Escola, com histórico de monta natural recente, anorexia, êmese, polidipsia, poliúria e descarga vaginal purulenta. Ao exame físico, observou-se apatia, mucosas ictéricas, aumento de volume da região abdominal e presença de secreção vaginal purulenta. À ultrassonografia, foi visibilizado conteúdo ecogênico no útero diagnóstico de HECP e estrutura ecogênica na cavidade abdominal, na região ovariana, confirmado pelo exame histopatológico como sendo tumor das células da granulosa. A conduta terapêutica adotada foi a cirurgia de ovariossalpingo-histerectomia (OSH).