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This study evaluated the influence of GnRH analogs (gonadorelin vs. buserelin) and doses (single vs. double) on LH release and ovulatory response in Bos indicus (Nelore) females on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. Cycling heifers and non-lactating cows were pre-synchronized: Day −10: progesterone (P4) implant insertion plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate; Day −2: implant removal and 0.53 mg of cloprostenol sodium (PGF); Day 0: 25 μg of lecirelin (GnRH). Over four replicates, heifers (n = 57) and cows (n = 53) that ovulated to the GnRH treatment on Day 0, having a visible corpus luteum (CL) and a dominant follicle (DF) ≥ 8.5 mm, were allocated to receive the following GnRH treatments on Day 7: G-Single (100 μg of gonadorelin); G-Double (200 μg of gonadorelin); B-Single (10 μg of buserelin); and B-Double (20 μg of buserelin). At GnRH treatment, a P4 implant was inserted in heifers (0.5 g) and cows (1 g). Ultrasound examinations were done on Days −10, −2, 0, 2, 7, 9, 12, and 14 to evaluate DF diameter, ovulation and presence of CL. Blood samples were collected on Day 7 at 0, 2, and 4 h from GnRH treatment, to evaluate circulating P4 and LH concentrations. On Day 12, the P4 implant was removed, females received two PGF treatments (24 h apart), and 2 d later, 25 μg of GnRH was given to start the next replicate. In both heifers and cows, P4 concentrations were elevated on Day 7, and similar among groups (3.9 and 4.2 ng/mL, respectively). In heifers, buserelin induced greater LH peak (9.5 vs. 2.6 ng/mL; P < 0.01) and greater ovulation (88.9 [24/27] vs. 16.7% [5/30]; P < 0.01) than gonadorelin treatments, regardless of the dose. Similarly, in cows, buserelin induced greater LH peak than gonadorelin (9.9 vs. 4.9 ng/mL; P < 0.01). However, ovulation was only increased in cows from the B-Double group (90.9% [10/11]), whereas in the other groups the ovulatory response was similar (35.7% [15/42]). Regardless of treatment, heifers had similar P4 concentrations (P = 0.22), but smaller DF (P < 0.01) than cows on Day 7. Only in G-Double group the LH peak was lower (P = 0.05) in heifers than in cows, with no difference within other groups. In heifers, but not in cows, the single dose of buserelin resulted in high ovulatory response, equivalent to that produced by the double dose. In conclusion, in Bos indicus heifers and cows on Day 7 of the cycle, with elevated P4 concentrations, buserelin induced greater LH release and ovulatory response than gonadorelin treatments. Double doses increased the LH release, however, only resulted in greater ovulation in females treated with buserelin. Finally, although circulating P4 concentrations did not differ between parities, heifers were more likely to ovulate in response to a GnRH-induced LH peak than cows. • Buserelin induced greater LH release and ovulation than gonadorelin in Bos indicus. • Double doses increased LH release, but only double buserelin increased ovulation. • In heifers, but not cows, the single dose of buserelin resulted in high ovulation. • Heifers had similar circulating P4 but smaller dominant follicles than cows. • Heifers were more likely to ovulate after a GnRH-induced LH peak than cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and immunological presentation of SLE between males and females in a Colombian SLE population. A cross-sectional, retrospective study was performed that evaluated patients with SLE over 6 years. The dependent variables were systemic complications, duration of hospitalization, readmission, and death. Descriptive, group comparison, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed using Stata 12.0 software 200 patients were included in this study, 84.5% were females and 15.5% males. Longer hospitalizations, readmissions, respiratory compromise, higher activity disease (ECLAM score), smoking, and use of cyclophosphamide in the past 3 months were more prevalent in males. In the bivariate and multivariate analysis, we found an increased risk in males of respiratory symptoms (OR 3.35), anti-DNA antibody (OR 2.46), smoking (OR 4.2), cyclophosphamide use (OR 3.23), chronic pulmonary alterations (OR 2.51), readmission (OR 2.88), long hospitalization (OR 3.12), and death (OR: 3.31). This is the first study that shows the differences related to gender in Colombian SLE patients. Males with SLE have more disease activity compare with females. Also, we found that males have more risk of pulmonary impairment, longer hospitalizations, hospital readmissions, and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 5-day CO-Synch is an extensively used TAI protocol; however, it requires multiple administrations of prostaglandin F2a (PGF). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of increasing progesterone (P4) device insertion from 5 to 6 days during a TAI protocol on ovarian dynamics and fertility in beef cows. Suckled beef cows (n = 867) at six locations were randomly assigned to either a 5-day or 6-day CO-Synch. Cows received an intravaginal P4 device (CIDR, Zoetis) and 100 µg of gonadorelin acetate (GnRH, Parnell) on d-9 (6-day) or d-8 (5-day). On d-3 CIDR's were removed, an estrus detection patch applied (Estrotect, Rockway Inc.) and either one (6-day) or two (5-day) doses of PGF (500 µg of cloprostenol sodium, Estroplan, Parnell) was administered. On d0 (72 h after CIDR removal) all cows received 100 µg of GnRH, estrus expression was evaluated, and AI was performed. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography 34 days after TAI. Ovarian dynamics were evaluated in a subset of animals (n = 20) between d-3 and d7 to determine preovulatory follicle size, time of ovulation and corpus luteum (CL) size. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (SAS 9.4). Cows in the 6-day group tended (P = 0.09) to have a larger maximum follicle diameter (16.2±0.4mm) than cows in the 5-day group (15.0±0.6mm). In addition, CL volume on d7 was greater (P = 0.01) in the 6-day (4302±495mm3) than 5-day (2406±455mm3) group. There were, however, no differences (P = 0.15) in the interval between CIDR removal and ovulation. Cows assigned to the 6-day group had greater (P < 0.05) estrus expression [56.1% (215/385) vs 41.5% (161/388)] and pregnancy rate [54.6% (236/438) vs 47.4% (207/435)] than cows in the 5-day group. In conclusion, extension of the period of P4 device insertion in a prolonged proestrus protocol increases preovulatory follicle size, estrous expression, and fertility to TAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study compared 2 strategies to initiate a progesterone (P4)-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol for lactating dairy cows: only GnRH or estradiol benzoate (EB) plus GnRH (EB+GnRH). Lactating Holstein cows (n = 487; 184 primiparous and 303 multiparous) from 2 commercial dairy herds were used for their second or greater services postpartum. Each week, cows that were nonpregnant at the pregnancy diagnosis 32 d after a previous AI were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups that differed only in the strategy to initiate (d 0) the TAI protocol. On d 0, every cow received a 2.0-g P4 implant; in the EB+GnRH group, cows were treated with 2.0 mg i.m. of EB and 16.8 µg i.m. of the GnRH analog buserelin acetate, whereas in the GnRH group, cows received only 16.8 µg i.m. of GnRH. On d 7 after the initial treatment, 0.530 mg i.m. of cloprostenol sodium (PGF) was administered in all cows, followed by a second dose on d 8, concomitant with 1.0 mg i.m. of estradiol cypionate and P4 implant withdrawal. The TAI was performed on d 10 (48 h after P4 device withdrawal) in both experimental groups. Only conventional Holstein semen was used throughout the study. The percentage of cows with corpus luteum (CL) on d 0 (73%) and overall ovulation rate after d 0 (54%) did not differ between groups. The CL regression between d 0 and the first PGF treatment was greater in the EB+GnRH group than the GnRH group (42% vs. 31%). Consequently, the proportion of cows with CL at PGF was greater when only GnRH was used on d 0 compared with EB+GnRH (86% vs. 82%), and the mean number of CL at PGF was greater (1.23 vs. 1.11). The expression of estrus near TAI was greater in GnRH group (84% vs. 77%), and cows showing estrus had greater (44% vs. 10%) pregnancy per AI (P/AI) on d 32 for both treatments. We found no effect of the presence of CL on d 0 or at PGF, nor of ovulation after d 0 or CL regression between d 0 and d 7 on fertility. However, fertility was critically impaired when cows did not have CL at both times, d 0 and at PGF treatment. We did not observe any interaction between treatment and other variables, and the P/AI was similar in cows receiving EB+GnRH or only GnRH on d 0 (37.8% vs. 36.6%). In summary, although there was no detectable difference in P/AI between treatments, this study demonstrated potential negative physiological outcomes caused by EB treatment on d 0 (greater incidence of luteolysis after d 0 and fewer cows with CL at PGF treatment). Overall, we found no benefit of adding EB at the initiation of a P4-based TAI protocol on fertility compared with using GnRH alone, despite differences in ovarian dynamics and expression of estrus. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the Amazonian Black Manakin, Xenopipo atronitens. The loci were screened using 30 samples from Brazil. A total of 13 loci were variable with number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 17, whilst the observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.067-0.900 and 0.310-0.910, respectively. Five loci deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas one pair of loci deviated significantly from linkage disequilibrium. The set of markers will be a useful tool for future population genetic and kinship studies of X. atronitens, an Amazonian white-sand vegetation specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of synchronization of timing of follicle wave emergence, before ovarian superstimulation and ovum pick-up (OPU), on ovarian response and embryo production in pregnant heifers. Pregnant (47–69 days of gestation) Holstein heifers (n = 64), 19.0 ± 0.3 months of age, were assigned in a completely randomized design to one of two groups: synchronization of follicular wave emergence using follicle ablation (Synchronized) or untreated control (Non-synchronized). Superstimulatory treatments consisting of 160 mg (280 IU) of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (p-FSH), administered in four decreasing dose treatments 12 h apart, were initiated 36 h after follicle ablation or at random stages of the follicular wave in heifers of the Synchronized and Non-synchronized group, respectively. Ovum pick-up was performed in all heifers 40 h after the last p-FSH administration and retrieved cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were subjected to in vitro embryo production (IVEP) procedures. Ultrasonography was performed immediately before OPU to determine number and size of ovarian follicles. Differences in treatment responses between groups were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Total number of follicles at the time of OPU was not different between treatment groups (P = 0.61), however, the number of small follicles (<6 mm) was greater (P = 0.05) in heifers of the Non-synchronized group, whereas number of medium size follicles (6–10 mm) tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in heifers of the Synchronized group. Heifers in the Synchronized group had a greater (P = 0.01) percentage of medium sized follicles and a lesser (P = 0.01) percentage of smaller sized follicles than heifers in the Non-synchronized group. There were no differences (P > 0.15) in total number of recovered COCs, or number of viable COCs between groups. Cleavage percentage (84.5% and 72.8%) and blastocyst percentage (48.2% and 33.4%) were greater (P < 0.01) in heifers of the Synchronized than Non-synchronized group, respectively. As a result, mean number of blastocysts per OPU/heifer was greater (P = 0.006) in the heifers of the Synchronized (8.9 ± 1.0) than the Non-synchronized (5.5 ± 0.9) group. In conclusion, synchronizing the time of follicle wave emergence in pregnant heifers, prior to ovarian superstimulation with FSH and OPU results in a greater superstimulatory response and oocyte competence leading to greater embryo production. 1. Synchronization of follicle wave emergence before superstimulation improves ovarian response. 2. Superstimulation initiated at wave emergence increases developmental competence and embryo quality. 3. Initiation of exogenous FSH at follicle wave emergence improves IVEP in pregnant heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerged virus that has spread rapidly, exhibiting tremendous morbidity and mortality. Some potential pharmaceutical targets have been identified but are still lacking proper validation. Case Presentation. We describe the case of a young, immunosuppressed and critically ill patient with previous Influenza B infection, requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which was then followed, in the succeeding months, by SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by severe adult respiratory distress syndrome. Her clinical course exhibited complications, including pulmonary embolism, acute kidney injury, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, multiple cardiac arrests, and eventually death. Conclusion. Coinfection with other respiratory pathogens and opportunistic infections are possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]