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The aim of the present study was to confirm the presence of the polled intersex syndrome (PIS) deletion in hermaphroditic individuals and polled bucks, transmitting at least one of its copies to PIS individuals. Two sex-reversed animals (Czech White Improved and Polish White Improved), two polled and two horned bucks were examined. Three primer pairs were designed for the identification of the PIS deletion in the sex-reversed individuals and polled bucks. Additional 24 primer pairs were used for the identification of the deletion region in sex-reversed individuals. Selected PCR products were sequenced. The identification of the PIS deletion in hermaphroditic individuals and polled bucks based on the primers designed on the reference template was impossible. Therefore, an attempt was made to determine the reasons for the failure of deletion identification in these individuals. For the polled bucks, the deletion region was amplified similarly to the horned ones, except for an initial sequence. In the two sex-reversed individuals, four inserts were identified in the deletion region. Despite the fact that PIS in goats has been known to breeders and scientists for several decades, many of its aspects, including the molecular reason, are still controversial and require further detailed research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which determined the prevalence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes in farmed fallow deer and assessed the effectiveness of ivermectin used to control them. Topics include the species that were recorded most frequently, including Trichostrongylus, Chabertia, and Strongyloides, effect of deworming in reducing the intensity of infection, and the accumulation of eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes.

The article presents information on the applicability of plasma progesterone analysis by a time-resolved fluorescent antibody test to monitor estrous cycles in goats. It explores the analytical parameters of progesterone assay using time-resolved fluorescent antibody test (TR-FAT) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). It describes the procedure and reagents for the time-resolved fluorescent antibody test and radioimmunoassay. The findings of the study reveals that the concentration of blood plasma progesterone in peripheral circulation periodically changes across the various stages of the estrous cycle.

The aim of this study was to determine the biometric parameters of the embryo/fetus and to assess the haemodynamics in the umbilical artery during the first trimester of pregnancy in 14 Boer goats. All the goats under study had twin pregnancy. Gestational vesicle diameter (GSD), crown-rump length (CRL), biparietal diameter (BPD), occipital-nasal length (ONL), trunk diameter (TD) and the placentome diameter (PD) were measured from the 30th to the 45th day of pregnancy at 5-day intervals, using a B-mode ultrasound scanner. Measurements of blood flow parameters in the umbilical artery were made using a colour Doppler combined with a pulse wave Doppler technique. During the study period, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the diameter of the gestational sac and most of the biometric parameters of the embryo/fetus. The average CRL on day 45 was almost 10 times higher than that on day 30 of pregnancy. The peak systolic velocity in the arterial vessels on day 45 of pregnancy was higher (P<0.05) than that from 30 to 40 days of pregnancy. On the other hand, mean pulsation index (PI) at day 45 of pregnancy was lower (P<0.05) than that on day 30 and day 40 of pregnancy. No end-diastolic velocity was diagnosed in any goat during the study period. All parameters showed positive (P<0.01) correlations with the day of pregnancy, except the PI in the arterial vessels, which showed negative (P<0.01) correlation with the day of pregnancy. In conclusion, changes in the parameters of embryo-fetal morphometry, placentomes and blood flow parameters of the umbilical artery may be helpful in assessing the development of the embryo and the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to determine residues of PCB indicator congeners in select organs of suburban foxes from the West Pomeranian area of Poland. Quantitative analysis was conducted by capillary gas chromatography using the mass spectrometry method. Mean concentrations of ΣPCBs (sum of PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) in the liver and lung was 389.99 ng/g and 110.57 ng/g of lipid weight. The proportion of dominant congeners (#180, 153 and 138) in total PCB was 90.9% in the liver and 77.1% in lungs. The PCB concentrations obtained in the liver of foxes are lower than the literature data, especially with regard to highly chlorinated congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether blood plasma progesterone (P(4)) measurements with a time-resolved fluorescent antibody test (TR-FAT) kit designed for humans was applicable for goats. The first experiment was designed to verify whether the concentrations of P(4) measured by TR-FAT can be used to monitor the estrous and ovarian activity in goats (n = 14). Blood samples (322) were collected, and the ovaries were scanned using ultrasonography. The second experiment was carried out on 4 goats (60 samples) and designed to compare the TR-FAT with radioimmunoassay (RIA). The time interval between the lowest concentrations of P(4) assayed by TR-FAT was 21 +/- 0.3 days and did not differ significantly from the length of the interestrous interval. The highest concentrations of P(4) were confirmed by detection of corpus luteum. During estrus, the mean concentration did not differ significantly between both methods. Significant differences were present during the luteal phases; however, the profiles of P(4) assayed by both methods followed a similar pattern. Regression analysis showed a correlation between the 2 methods (r = 0.98; r(2) = 0.96; P < 0.0001). The Bland-Altman plot showed that all averages were within the 95% limits of agreement; however, the differences between both methods tend to be greater as the average increases. The results demonstrated that the TR-FAT method can be applied to monitor estrous cycles in goats through measurements of plasma P(4) concentrations. Moreover, not only does the TR-FAT meet the requirements for safety, but it is also a method of high throughput, rapidity, and simplicity.

Introduction: The motility of spermatozoa results from formation of chemical energy and its transformation into mechanical energy. The quality of spermatozoa is determined primarily by their ability to move. Spermatozoa viability depends on two factors: generation of an adequate supply of ATP and effective use of ATP stores. Biochemical methods are useful for an objective assessment of semen quality. Among them is the measurement of ATP content. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of sodium fluoride at concentrations of 20, 100, 200, and 105 micromol/L on ATP content in ram semen., Material and Methods: Altogether, 19 ejaculates into an artificial vagina were collected from rams kept at the University of Agriculture and at the Glinna farm. Parameters of the semen were within limits acceptable for this animal species. The content of ATP was measured with a bioluminometric method and Lumat LB 9807 Berthohold luminometer., Results: The semen was diluted in 0.9% NaCl and was found to contain 12.4 micromol ATP 10-(-9) spermatozoa. ATP content was reduced with rising concentrations of NaF: by 74.6% at 20 tmol/L; by 75.5% at 100 micromol/L; by 90.8% at 200 imol/L; and by 99.9% at 10(5) micromol/L. The correlation between ATP content and sperm motility was significant (r = 0.4990). There was no correlation between ATP content and sperm density.

The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of dilution and liquid-preservation of boar sperm on oxidoreductive capability of their mitochondria. The semen was diluted with BTS extender produced from water purified by destillation or by reverse osmosis. The spermatozoa were stored over a four-day period at 16-18 degrees C. The function of sperm mitochondria was assessed using the screening cytochemical test for NADH-dependent oxidoreductases (diaphorase/NADH, related to flavoprotein). Morphological assessment of cytochemical reaction was carried out using a light microscope. The intensity of the reaction was evaluated by means of a computer image analysing system (Quantimet 600S), measuring the integrated optical density (IOD) and mean optical density (MOD) of the reaction product (formazans) occurring in the sperm midpieces. In the non-diluted semen, intensive cytochemical reaction throughout the length of the sperm midpiece was observed. Furthermore, spermatozoa with the intensive reaction displayed the high optical density values. After dilution the semen with two variants of experimental extender, and as the conservation time expired, the cytochemical reaction was less intensive. Moreover, the absence of formazan deposits in various parts of the sperm midpiece was also noted. These morphological features corresponded to low values of optical density. These findings suggest that the dilution of semen and the time of sperm preservation may be critical factors that handicap energy metabolism of sperm mitochondria. The type of water used in preparing BTS extender does not have any significant effect on the oxidoreductive capability of sperm boar mitochondria.