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The aim of the present study was to compare the endometrial gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), nodal growth differentiation factor (NODAL), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) in repeat breeder cows (RBC) and non-RBC during diestrus. Endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush technique and stored in RNA stabilizing solution at -20°C until RT-qPCR analysis. Differences in endometrial mRNA expression of selected genes were assessed by ANOVA and simple (r) and the partial correlations (rp) among selected genes were performed. Results demonstrated that mRNA expression of EGFR and NODAL were higher in RBC than in non-RBC (3 and 25-fold change, p < .01 and p < .01, respectively), while the mRNA expression of PTGS2 was lower (1.56-fold change, p < .01). Although there were no differences detected in the mRNA expression of ESR1 and PGR, there was a positive correlation between the expression of ESR1 and EGFR (0.84, p < .05) and a negative correlation between PGR and PTGS2 (-0.49, p < .05). In conclusion, the difference on the endometrial mRNA expression of the genes included in the study between RBC and non-RBC indicates a deregulation of important mechanisms that are vital to establish a successful pregnancy. Thus, the present study provides useful insight as a base for future studies to elucidate the causes of RBC.

Background: In several mammals, subfertility or infertility associated with endometritis was reported. Although there have been studies about endometritis in bitches, the pathophysiological mechanisms are not completely known. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in clinically healthy bitches with normal uterine tissue and bitches with endometritis. Methods: Forty-eight mixed breed bitches in diestrus were used. Uterine biopsies were collected for diagnosis [normal endometrium (n = 15; NE), cystic endometrial hyperplasia (n = 1), atrophy (n= 2), acute endometritis (n = 9; AE), subacute endometritis (n = 7; SE), and chronic endometritis (n = 14; CE)]. Immunostaining and quantification of positively stained cells was performed on full-thickness uterine biopsies. Data were analyzed by the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Results: COX2 immunostaining was scattered and restricted to cells in the stroma in bitches with NE. However, in bitches with endometritis, strong staining was observed in the luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and stromal cells. Staining was also observed in inflammatory cells localized in the stroma as well as inside of the glands. The percentage of COX2 positive stromal cells in bitches with AE, SE, and CE was significantly higher compared with NE (p < 0.005). In addition, the percentage of COX2 positive stromal cells in bitches with SE, and CE was significantly lower compared with AE (p < 0.003). Conclusion: COX2 could be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms producing endometritis without the presence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia in bitches. However, further researches on this topic are required, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

This work aimed to study the immunolocalization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its FLT-1 receptor (VEGFR1) in systemically healthy bitches with and without endometritis (END). Thirty-one uterine samples from mixed-breed, systemically healthy diestrous bitches, were included in the study. The bitches were divided into three groups after histological evaluation (normal endometrium [n = 8]; acute-END [n = 8]; subacute-END [n = 5]; chronic-END [n = 10]). The immunohistochemical localization of VEGF and VEGFR1 were detected following standard procedures. Data were analysed using SPSS 26.0. Immunoreactions were detected in cells from the luminal epithelium (LE), epithelium of the superficial glands (ESG) and epithelium of the deep glands (EDG), and some cells localized in the stroma. Immunostaining of VEGF in acute-END was higher than chronic-END (p .05) and was higher in LE than EDG (p .017). Marked-area was higher in END than normal endometrium in VEGFR-1 (p .004). The current results provide new information on the END in systemically healthy females. Data reported here indicate that VEGF could be involucrated in the pathogenesis of END. Future studies could provide more information, support our results and elucidate the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of END.

Objectives The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between specific seminal plasma components – cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerols (TAG) and total protein (PROT) concentrations – and semen quality in cats. A further aim was to determine the relationship between specific seminal protein bands and semen quality. Methods Thirteen toms, 2–5 years of age, were included. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation every 4 weeks. Fifty-eight ejaculates were assessed for motility, velocity, volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. Samples were divided into two groups: good semen quality (GSQ) and poor semen quality (PSQ). After evaluation, seminal plasma was separated from the sperm by centrifugation and stored at −20°C. CHOL, TAG and PROT concentrations were then assessed and seminal plasma protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results Seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations, motility, velocity, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly higher in GSQ cats compared with PSQ cats ( P Conclusions and relevance Data obtained in this study showed that seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations and specific protein bands could be used to improve semen evaluation in toms. In this sense, the 14 kDa protein band could be a valuable marker for semen quality in the cat and should be further investigated. However, more studies are necessary to determine its relationship with fertility.

The aim of the study was to determine the time after treatment with a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant until Tomcat spermatogenesis activity was restored, and seminal parameters reached pre-implant values. Tomcats (n = 6) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Three cats (n = 3) received a deslorelin implant (4.7 mG; Suprelorin®, Virbac, France) in the interscapular subcutaneous region whereas three (n = 3) received no implant and served as control group. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation every 4 wk from 3 mo before treatment (pretreatment samples) until reestablishment of pre-treatment sperm quality, 32 mo post-implant insertion (PI). Each semen sample was assessed for motility, velocity, concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. After semen collection, testicular volume and presence/absence of penile spines were recorded. Additionally, blood samples were taken to measure testosterone concentration. An increase in sperm concentration and total sperm count was present 1 mo PI despite of an abrupt decrease in serum testosterone concentrations after 2–4 weeks. This initial stimulatory effect was followed by a decrease in seminal parameters, reduction of testicular volume and disappearance of penile spines 2 mo PI. A single Suprelorin® 4.7 mg implant suppressed sperm production for 22–25 months. No clinically side effect was observed during the study period. All toms returned to their initial seminal quality 23–28 months after treatment. Therefore, we conclude that Suprelorin® 4.7 mg is a safe option for reversible reproduction control during long periods in tomcats. Fil: Nuñez Favre, Romina de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clínica. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal; Argentina Fil: García, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clínica. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal; Argentina Fil: García Mitacek, María Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clínica. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal; Argentina Fil: Rearte, Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina Fil: Fontaine, Christelle. Virbac Laboratory; Francia Fil: de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clínica. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal; Argentina Fil: Stornelli, María Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

The aim was to study number, volume, apoptosis of corpora lutea (CL), and serum P4 concentrations in early, middle, and late diestrus of dogs. Thirty-six bitches were ovari-hysterectomized (OVX): Early Diestrus (Group [G]1; OVX 20 days after end of estrus [DEH]); Mid-diestrus (GII; OVX between 21 and 40 days after DEH), and Late-diestrus (GIII; OVX between 41 and 60 days after DEH). Before OVX a blood sample was collected to quantify P4. After OVX, the number of CL (NCL) was recorded, CL measured using both ultrasonography (US) and caliper (CAL), and the volume (mm3) was calculated. Based on abundances of caspase-3, apoptotic luteal cells were detected. Bitches in early-diestrus had greater P4 concentrations than bitches in mid- and late-diestrus (23.52 ± 3.78 and 10.86 ± 3.88 ng/mL; P 0.30). Bitches with CL (≥5) had twice the serum P4 concentrations as bitches with CL1−2 and CL3−4 (22.71 ± 3.70 and 10.97 ± 4.06 ng/mL; P

Fil: Stornelli, Maria Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina

Una línea de investigación activa en el INIRIA es el estudio de la teoría de programación fetal y en particular en el ganado bovino de los tambos de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Los datos que son analizados en estos estudios están compuestos de registros de producción de leche individuales realizados en entidades de control lechero oficial nucleados por la ARPECOL. La información almacenada en esta base de datos contiene controles lecheros a partir del año 1980 hasta la actualidad, junto con información de la progenie. Una de los interrogantes que se plantean es determinar la magnitud de la mejora en la producción lechera en las nuevas generaciones del ganado bovino y estimar su posible asociación con indicadores reproductivos en las descendencias. Para contestar a estos interrogantes, primero se debe armar el árbol de la progenie de todas las vacas-individuo y luego analizar para cada una sus correspondientes descendencias y así determinar la magnitud de la mejora en la producción lechera. Si bien este análisis es posible realizarlo con los softwares estadísticos y de análisis de datos actuales, éstos no permiten el armado y el tratamiento de una estructura de forma de árbol que permita realizar análisis entre individuos de distintas generaciones y sus relaciones “familiares” de una manera sencilla y amena. La herramienta desarrollada para el INIRIA y presentada en este trabajo permite procesar la información de individuos inter-generacionales, determinar relaciones de parentesco para poder facilitar el posterior análisis y así detectar relaciones entre las diferentes variables productivas y reproductivas de la progenie. Esta herramienta fue desarrollada para que pueda ser utilizada en otros ámbitos que involucren grupos de individuos organizados de forma jerárquica, donde éstos cuenten con información de progenie y un historial de producción. El trabajo presentado consistió en la depuración de la base de datos provista por ARPECOL al INIRA y la implementación de una herramienta en lenguaje Python que permite el establecimiento de las relaciones de ancestros y descendencia entre individuos, lo cual implica la generación de un árbol de progenie. Para luego procesar la información de cada individuo junto a sus respectivos controles periódicos. En particular y como caso de estudio se obtuvieron como resultado del análisis las curvas de la producción lechera de las vacas analizando la relación entre variables relativas a la producción de leche de las madres y la reproducción de sus hijas.

Background: Uterine disorders are common postpartum diseases in dairy cows. In practice, uterine treatment is often based on systemic or locally applied antimicrobials with no previous identification of pathogens. Accurate on-farm diagnostics are not available, and routine testing is time-consuming and cost intensive. An accurate method that could simplify the identification of uterine pathogenic bacteria and improve pathogen-specific treatments could be an important advance to practitioners. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows could be used to identify bacteria from Argentinean cows by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Uterine samples from 64 multiparous dairy cows with different types of vaginal discharge (VD) were collected between 5 and 60 days postpartum, analyzed by routine bacteriological testing methods and then re-evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy (n = 27). Results: FTIR spectroscopy identified Escherichia coli in 12 out of 14 samples and Trueperella pyogenes in 8 out of 10 samples. The agreement between the two methods was good with a Kappa coefficient of 0.73. In addition, the likelihood for bacterial growth of common uterine pathogens such as E. coli and T. pyogenes tended to increase with VD score. The odds for a positive result to E. coli or T. pyogenes was 1.88 times higher in cows with fetid VD than in herdmates with clear normal VD. Conclusions: We conclude that the presence of E. coli and T. pyogenes in uterine samples from Argentinean dairy cows can be detected with FTIR with the use of a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows. Future studies are needed to determine if FTIR can be used as an alternative to routine bacteriological testing methods., Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el grado de acuerdo entre dos métodos de identificación bacteriana, marcha bacteriológica convencional y espectroscopía infrarroja transformada de Fourier (TF-IR), así como determinar si la base de datos construida a partir de bacterias aisladas de úteros de vaca lecheras de Europa podía ser utilizada para identificar bacterias uterinas de vacas lecheras de Argentina. Las muestras bacteriológicas fueron tomadas a vacas post parto (n=64) con distinto grado de descarga vaginal (DV). Inicialmente se efectuó diagnostico bacteriológico por marcha bacteriológica convencional (n=27) y posteriormente por TF-IR. El grado de acuerdo entre ambos métodos de identificación bacteriana fue determinado por el coeficiente kappa y el efecto de la DV sobre el aislamiento de Escherichia coli y Trueperella pyogenes fue analizado por regresión logística. El grado de acuerdo entre ambos métodos tuvo un coeficiente kappa de 0,73 (pE. coli y T. pyogenes) tendió a incrementarse junto con el grado de DV (p=0,06), siendo 1,88 veces más alta la probabilidad de encontrar un resultado positivo a E. coli o T. pyogenes en vacas con DV fétida que en vacas con DV normal. En conclusión, TF-IR reveló un buen grado de acuerdo con la marcha bacteriológica convencional. Por otro lado, la base de datos producida a partir de bacterias uterinas de vacas lecheras de Europa pudo ser utilizada para la identificación de bacterias uterinas de vacas lecheras de Argentina., The objectives of the present study were to test the agreement between routine methods of bacteriological testing and the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method for uterine bacterial identification, and if a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows can be used to identify bacteria from Argentinean dairy cows. Postpartum dairy cows (n=64) with different vaginal discharge (VD) were sampled for bacterial identification. The uterine bacteria were first identified by routine bacteriological testing methods (n=27) and then by FTIR. Statistical analyses were performed by kappa s coefficient and by logistic regression analysis. The agreement between the two methods had a kappa`s coefficient of 0.73 (pE. coli and T. pyogenes) tended to increase with VD score (p=0.06), given that the odds for a positive result to E. coli or T. pyogenes was 1.88 times higher in cows with fetid VD than in herdmates with clear normal VD. In conclution, FTIR spectroscopy has a good agreement with routine bacteriological testing methods and the database built with bacteria from European dairy cows is useful to identify uterine bacteria from Argentinean dairy cows., Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

Treatment with cloprostenol, a prostaglandin synthetic analogue, was evaluated in five queens with open-cervix pyometra. Cloprostenol was administered (5 μg/kg body weight SC) on 3 consecutive days and amoxicillin (20 mg/ kg body weight IM) on 7 consecutive days. Transient post-injection reactions caused by cloprostenol administration included diarrhea, vomiting and vocalizations. Reactions began as quickly as 10 mins after cloprostenol administration and lasted as long as 30 mins. All queens improved clinically after cloprostenol treatment and remained healthy until the end of the study, 1 year after treatment. All queens resumed normal estrous cycles without further treatment and two (40%) delivered a normal litter. In conclusion, use of cloprostenol is an acceptable treatment for opencervix pyometra in queens. Fil: García Mitacek, María Carla. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Stornelli, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Tittarelli, Claudia Marcela. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina Fil: Nuñez Favre, Romina de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Stornelli, María Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Different molecular forms of circulating prolactin (PRL) are known to occur in several species. As no such information was available in dogs, we assessed the molecular profile of circulating PRL in bitches. Pooled sera from covertly (CTRL) and overtly pseudopregnant (PSPT) diestrous bitches with high or low (> 10 or < 10 ng·mL-1, respectively) serum PRL (measured by ELISA) were analyzed by Sephadex G-100 and Concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. Four serum PRL fractions were identified and termed big-big, big (> 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) and fragmented (< 20 kDa) PRL. The percentages of these fractions were roughly similar in CTRL and PSPT animals, irrespective of their serum PRL levels (higher in PSPT than in CTRL bitches). A large proportion of glycosylated PRL (between 69 and 100%) was also detected in these sera. We conclude that in dogs, circulating PRL occurs in multiple molecular forms, whose relative abundance is comparable in covertly and overtly pseudopregnant bitches. La prolactine (PRL) circulante se trouve, dans différentes espèces, sous plusieurs formes moléculaires. Compte tenu du fait qu’il n’existe pas d’information disponible chez le chien, nous avons décidé d’étudier le profil moléculaire de la PRL circulante chez cet animal. Nous avons utilisé des pools de sérums provenant de chiennes normales en diestrus (CTRL) ou pseudogestantes (PSPT), ayant destaux élevés ou bas de PRL (> 10 ou < 10 ng·mL-1 respectivement; dosages effectués par Elisa). Les sérums ont été analysés sur colonne de Séphadex G-100 et par chromatographie d’affinité, sur colonne de Sépharose couplée à de la Concanavaline A. La chromatographie sur G-100 a identifié quatre fractions de PRL, qui ont été appelées big-big, big (PM < 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) et fragmentée (< 20 kDa). Les pourcentages relatifs de ces fractions sont identiques chez les CTRL et les PSPT, quel que soit le taux, élevé ou bas, de PRL sérique (plus haut chez les animaux CTRL). De plus, une proportion importante de PRL sérique (69 à 100 %) est sous fonne glycosylée. En conclusion, la PRL sérique se trouve, chez le chien, sous des tonnes moléculaires multiples, dont l’abondance relative est comparable chez la chienne normale et pseudogestante. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata Facultad de Ciencias Exactas

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of (1) administering ceftiofur hydrochloride in dairy cows with calving-related disorders to prevent metritis and (2) a combination of GnRH and PGF2α for the treatment of clinical endometritis, under Argentinean dairy farming conditions. Cows at high risk (HRC) for metritis (dystocia, RFM >12 h postpartum, hypocalcaemia, twins, or stillbirth) were randomly assigned to receive either 1.1 mg/Kg of ceftiofur hydrochloride on three consecutive days (HRC treated group HRCT, n = 110) or remained untreated (HRC control group HRCC, n = 126). Cows with low risk (LRC, no calving-related disorders, n = 868) did not receive any treatment (LRC group, n = 868). All cows were examined for metritis between days 4 and 10 and for clinical endometritis between 24 and 30 days postpartum. The body condition score (BCS) was recorded at both examinations. Cows with endometritis at days 24 to 30 postpartum received either 1.5 mg of D-cloprostenol (PGF; n = 129) or 100 μg of GnRH followed by D-cloprostenol after 7 days (GnRH+PGF, n = 119). There was no overall effect of treatment on the incidence of metritis or on time to pregnancy. Treatment, however, reduced the incidence of metritis in cows with high BCS (HRCT = 24.0 %, HRCC = 38.5 %) but had no effect in cows with low BCS (HRCT = 38.7 %, HRCC = 37.5 %). The proportion of pregnant cows by days in milk was greater (P0.75 points)., Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

To maintain a calving interval of 13-14 month in buffaloes, successful breeding must take place within 85-115 days (d) after calving. Complete uterine involution and resumption of ovarian activity and heat expression usually takes place around 20-50 d post partum (dpp); therefore, there is a window of 35-95 d to rebreed a cow and get her pregnant to maintain the desired calving interval. Although artificial insemination (AI) has the potential to make a significant contribution to genetic improvement in buffaloes, its practical application has been difficult because poor estrus expression by cows and poor estrus detection by humans, a variable duration of estrus and the difficulty to predict time of ovulation. More recently, the development of protocols for synchronization of ovulation and fixed timed insemination (TAI) in buffaloes have been used to overcome these constrains and be able to use more extensively AI in commercial herds. Nevertheless, resynchronization of ovulation and TAI still remains a problem herds managed under extensive conditions for similar reasons abovementioned. Very recently, we did four field trials to study the efficacy of different protocols that combined use of GnRH, or estradiol benzoate (EB), prostaglandin (PGF) and intravaginal progesterone (P4) releasing device (PIVD) or norgestomet ear implant (NOR) to resynchronize estrus and ovulation at day 18 post AI in buffalo cows under commercial conditions.

The objectives of this study were to assess indicators of metabolic status of grazing dairy cows around parturition, and the relationship between these indicators with the resumption of ovulations postpartum (ROP). Holstein multiparous cows ( N = 20) grazing on improved pastures and supplemented with concentrates were body condition scored and tail bled weekly from wk − 2 through + 9 related to parturition. Plasma samples were analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), leptin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and progesterone (P 4 ). Data were analyzed with mixed models, logistic regression, with receiver operator characteristic (ROC), and Cox regression analysis. Cows having Delayed Ovulation ([DO], ROP on week ≥ 5) had lower BCS, and higher NEFAs than cows having a normal ROP around parturition (BCS: 2.73 ± 0.08 vs. 2.94 ± 0.05, P P P

Early and accurate diagnosis of nonpregnant sows and gilts has the potential to increase reproductive efficiency and the financial income in pig production by reducing non-productive days per sow per year. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficiency of pregnancy diagnosis between Doppler Echo+ and real time ultrasonography (RTU) and to compare the efficiency by using RTU at different days post-mating (days 17 to 24) under commercial conditions. In the 1st study, using crossbreed sows and gilts (n = 107), pregnancy diagnoses were done with Doppler Echo+ and then with RTU. Between 28 and 65 days of gestation, Doppler Echo+ had 85% sensitivity and 32% specificity, and efficiency was 73%. In the 2nd study, sows (n = 142) were scanned for pregnancy diagnosis between 17 and 24 d post-mating (PD1) and reconfirmed between 38 and 45 days of gestation (PD2). After 21 days of gestation, RTU had over 90% sensitivity and 45% specificity, and 70% efficiency. Accuracy between PD1-farrowing was 75.5% and between PD1 and PD2 was 80.6%. In the 3rd study, sows were diagnosed pregnant by RTU (n = 151) at 17 to 24 days of gestation or A-mode ultrasound (n = 172) at 28 to 30 days of gestation. There were no significant differences in conception rate (P > 0.09) and farrowing rate (P > 0.67) between both groups. Hence, there was no improvement in fertility and farrowing rate by using RTU instead of A-mode ultrasound under commercial conditions. Le diagnostic précoce et exact de la non-gestation chez les truies et les cochettes a le potentiel d’augmenter l’efficacité reproductive ainsi que les revenus tirés de la production porcine en réduisant le nombre de jours non productifs par truie par année. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de comparer l’efficacité du diagnostic de gestation réalisé dans des conditions commerciales d’élevage par Doppler Echo1 et échographie en temps réel (ETR) et de mesurer l’efficacité de l’ETR à différents jours après l’accouplement (jours 17 à 24). Dans la première étude réalisée sur des truies et des cochettes de race croisée (n = 107), les diagnostics de gestation ont été fait avec le Doppler Echo1 puis avec l’ETR. Entre le 28e et le 65e jour de gestation, le Doppler Echo1 avait une sensibilité de 85 %, une spécificité de 32 % et une efficacité de 73 %. Dans la 2ième étude, les truies (n = 142) ont été soumises à un échogramme pour le diagnostic de gestation entre les j. 17 et 24 après l’accouplement (AA1), puis de nouveau entre les j. 38 et 45 de gestation (AA2). Après 21 jours de gestation, l’ETR avait plus de 90 % de sensibilité, 45 % de spécificité et une efficacité de 70 %. L’exactitude entre AA1 et la mise bas était de 75,5 % et de 80,6 % entre AA1 et AA2. Dans la 3ième étude, le diagnostic de gestation chez les truies (n = 151) a été effectuée par ETR entre 17 et 24 jours de gestation ou par échographie (mode) A (n = 172) entre 28 et 30 jours de gestation. Il n’y avait pas de différences significatives entre le taux de conception (P . 0,09) et le taux de mise bas (P . 0,67) entre les 2 groupes. Dans des conditions commerciales d’élevage, il n’y avait pas d’amélioration des taux de fertilité et de mise bas avec l’utilisation de l’ETR au lieu de l’échographie (mode) A. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

The aim of this study was evaluate the survival ability of canine and feline spermatozoa maintained within epididymides stored at 4 8C for 24, 48 or 72 h in sterile isotonic saline solution (SAL) or a Tris–egg yolk (TEY) storage medium. Fifteen domestic dogs and 15 cats were neutered and their testes were placed in TEYor SAL and stored at 4 8C for either 24, 48 or 72 h. Sperm samples were obtained by cutting the cauda epididymides into a Tris extender and were evaluated for motility, velocity, viability, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome morphology. In dogs, there were no significant differences between storage media for motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and velocity. However, dog sperm stored in TEY had better acrosome morphology compared to sperm stored in SAL (P < 0.05). Dog sperm recovered at 72 h had a reduction in all parameters studied compared to those recovered at 24 h (P < 0.05). In cats, sperm recovered from epididymides stored in TEY had higher motility, plasma membrane integrity and velocity at all times compared to those stored in SAL (P < 0.05). Cat sperm recovered at 72 h had reduced motility, acrosome morphology, viability and velocity compared to those recovered at 24 h (P < 0.05). The addition of TEY to canine epididymal sperm, thus, had a better protective effect than SAL only on acrosome morphology. In cats, in contrast, TEY had a better protective effect than SAL on all epididymal sperm parameters studied. In both species, sperm recovered at 72 h had a significant reduction in all parameters studied compared to those recovered at 24 h., Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias