Viabilidade dos espermatozoides criopreservados de touros, colhidos do epidídimo após 12 horas a 4ºC / Viability of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa collected from the epididymis stored for 12 hours at 4ºC

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da refrigeração do epidídimo, sobre a viabilidade dos espermatozoides congelados. Foram colhidos dez pares de testículos/epidídimos de um abatedouro comercial. Um dos epidídimos foi refrigerado a 4°C durante 12 horas e o contralateral foi imediatamente processado. O epidídimo foi isolado, as células espermáticas extraídas e analisadas quanto à motilidade, vigor, concentração, morfologia e integridade da membrana. Após a análise, os espermatozoides foram congelados em diluente Botubov® (Botupharma Biotecnologia Animal, Botucatu, SP, Brasil) e descongelados para análise. O mesmo procedimento foi realizado com o testículo/epidídimo refrigerado. Os resultados evidenciaram maior viabilidade (p≤0,05) das células pré-congelação para os parâmetros, número total de espermatozides (1,9 ± 1,2 versus 0,9 ± 0,9 x 109 espermatozoides), motilidade (74,0 ± 15,1 versus 20,5 ± 13,8%) e vigor (3,7 ± 0,5 versus 1,7 ± 0,8), e pós-congelação, motilidade (23,5 ± 16,7 versus 8,0 ± 7,9%) e vigor (2,0 ± 0,8 versus 0,8 ± 0,8) quando os espermatozoides foram colhidos a partir de epidídimos processados imediatamente após o abate quando comparados aos mantidos 12 horas sob refrigeração, respectivamente. Conclui-se que 12 horas de refrigeração do epidídimo após o abate, prejudica a qualidade das células espermáticas, impossibilitando a congelação do sêmen

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of epididymis cooling on bovine frozen sperm viability. Ten pairs of testes/epididymes were collected of a commercial slaughterhouse; one epididymis from each pair was refrigerated at 4ºC for 12 hours and the other immediately proceeded. Epididymis was isolated, sperm cells collected after epididymal slicing and then analyzed regarding to motility, vigor, total number of sperm, morphology and membrane integrity. Sperm cells were frozen in Botubov® extender (Botupharma Biotecnologia Animal, Botucatu, SP, Brazil) and thawed for semen analysis. The same procedure was performed with cooled testis/epididymis. Results demonstrated higher viability (p≤0,05) of fresh cells to the total number of spermatozoa (1,9 ± 1,2 versus 0,9 ± 0,9 x 109 spermatozoa), sperm motility (74,0 ± 15,1 versus 20,5 ± 13,8%) and vigor (3,7 ± 0,5 versus 1,7 ± 0,8), and for pos-thawing motility (23,5 ± 16,7 versus 8,0 ± 7,9%) and vigor (2,0 ± 0,8 versus 0,8 ± 0,8) when spermatozoa were collected immediately post-slaughter than maintained cooling 12 hours, respectively. We conclude that 12 hours of epididymis cooling after slaughter decreases sperm cells quality.

Responding to a measles outbreak in a Pacific island community in western Sydney: community interviews led to church-based immunization clinics

Introduction：There are large Pacific island communities in western and south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In 2011 and 2012, measles outbreaks disproportionally affected children and youth within these communities. The objectives of this study were to explore barriers to immunization in a Pacific island community from the perspectives of community members and health professionals and to conduct a pilot programme whereby immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney.Methods：Interviews were conducted with Pacific island community members (n = 12) and health professionals connected with the Pacific island community (n = 7) in 2013. A partnership with a local Samoan church was established to provide an accessible venue for immunization catch-up clinics.Results：Among the community members there were high levels of belief in the importance of immunization and a positive view regarding the protection offered by immunization. A key barrier reported by community members was being busy and therefore having limited time to get children immunized. The important role of the church within the community was emphasized in the interviews, and as a result, two immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney. The age range of attendees was 7–33 years. A total of 31 measles, mumps and rubella doses and 19 meningococcal C doses were given during the two clinics.Discussion：The outcomes of the interviews and the subsequent clinics highlighted the potential of churches as a venue for providing public health interventions such as catch-up immunization.

Viabilidad de espermatozoides ovinos mantenidos a 5º y 15ºC en diferentes sistemas de refrigeración / Viability of ram sperm chilled at 5º and 15ºC in different cooling systems

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la cualidad espermática del semen refrigerado de carneros, en cajas térmicas con diferentes temperaturas. Fueron utilizados 6 eyaculados, de 2 carneros colectado con vagina artificial. En el semen se analizó volumen, movimiento en masa, motilidad, vigor, concentración espermática, test hipo-osmótico y coloración supra-vital. Las muestras fueron divididas en 2 alícuotas y diluidas en solución NaCl 0,9% o en un medio (Botubov®, Botupharma, Botucatu, SP, Brasil); después, la dilución fue mantenida a temperatura ambiente, nevera (5ºC), caja Botubox® (15ºC, Botupharma, Botucatu, SP, Brasil), caja Botutainer® (5ºC, Botupharma, Botucatu, SP, Brasil) y caja MaxSemen® (15ºC, EHG Agrofarma, Campinas, SP, Brasil). Todas las muestras fueron analizadas cada 24 horas, siguiendo los mismos parámetros. De acuerdo con los resultados, las muestras mantenidas en el diluyente presentaron viabilidad hasta 48 horas de refrigeración en las cajas térmicas y en la nevera, y la motilidad se mantuvo entorno de 30% hasta las 72 horas. Las muestras diluidas en solución NaCl 0,9% conservaron la motilidad en 30% hasta las 24 horas de refrigeración. Basado en los resultados se concluye que las tres cajas pueden ser utilizadas para transporte de semen ovino, diluido y refrigerado por un período de 24 a 48 horas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ovine sperm quality colled in thermal boxs. Six ejaculates from 2 rams were collectedusing artificial vagina. Samples were analyzed to volume, mass movement, motility, vigor, sperm cell concentration, hypo-osmoticswelling test and supravital stain. Ejaculates were divided into 2 aliquots and diluted in 0.9% NaCl or in the extender (Botubov®,Botupharma, Botucatu, SP, Brazil), and was kept at room temperature, refrigerator (5°C), Botubox® (15°C, Botupharma, Botucatu,SP, Brazil), Botutainer® (5ºC, Botupharma, Botucatu, SP, Brazil) and MaxSemen® (15°C, EHG Agrofarma, Campinas, SP, Brazil).All samples were analyzed each 24 hours to the same parameters. According to the results the samples diluted and cooled inextender preserved sperm viability until 48 hours in thermal boxes and in refrigerator; and the samples extended preserved inenvironment maintained motility 30% up to 72 hours. Samples diluted in 0.9% saline retained motility around 30% until 24 hours ofcooling. Based on the results it is concluded that the three boxes may be used for transport of ram semen, diluted and refrigeratedfor a period of 24 to 48 hours.

Aspectos morfológicos da cérvice de ovelhas / Morphological aspects of ovine cervix

The major barrier to accomplishment of artificial insemination in ewes is the anatomy of the cervix combined with low viability and survival of frozen ram semen. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphology of the cervix in ewes. Eighty-one specimens were obtained from a slaughterhouse and the following characteristics were evaluated: type of external cervical os, cervical size, integrity and interdigitation of cervical rings, gross characteristics and size of the ovaries (follicles and corpus luteum), and the time spent to pass an insemination catheter through the lumen of the cervix. The most frequent was the slit type cervical opening and grade II internal ring arrangement. The time spent to pass the insemination catheter through the cervix was 6 minutes and 15 seconds, and the dye was spread throughout the cervical lumen reaching the uterus in most sheep. The average values of cervical opening diameter and cervical length were 0.68cm and 4.4cm respectively. Ovarian follicular activity was found in 75 percent of the ewes. A positive correlation was established between some of the variables. We conclude that cervical opening size is influenced by estrogen, slit type cervical os and grade III cervical ring arrangement; also, the greater length of the cervix was associated with greater difficulty to pass the insemination catheter.

A principal barreira para a aplicação da inseminação artificial transcervical é a anatomia cervical aliada à baixa viabilidade e sobrevida do sêmen ovino congelado. Assim, este experimento teve como objetivo estudar a morfologia da cérvice de ovelhas. Para tal, foram adquiridas, em matadouro, 81 peças do trato reprodutor de ovelhas, nas quais se avaliou a morfologia cervical, segundo as seguintes características: tipo de óstio cervical, mensuração do tamanho da cérvice, integralidade e interdigitação entre os anéis das pregas cervicais, tamanho e características macroscópicas dos ovários (folículos e corpo lúteo) e tempo da passagem do aplicador de sêmen pela cérvice. Foi identificada maior frequência do tipo liso de abertura da cérvice e integralidade e interdigitação dos anéis grau II. O tempo de passagem do aplicador pela cérvice foi em média de seis minutos e 15 segundos, sendo que o corante aplicado se difundiu por todo o canal, atingindo o útero na maioria das ovelhas. A média do diâmetro da abertura cervical foi de 0,68cm e o comprimento cervical de 4,4cm. A atividade folicular ovariana foi encontrada em 75 por cento das fêmeas. Foi possível estabelecer várias correlações entre as variáveis. Conclui-se que o tamanho da abertura cervical sofre influência estrogênica, e o tipo liso de abertura cervical, o grau III de integralidade e interdigitação dos anéis e o maior comprimento da cérvice foram associados à maior dificuldade de passar o cateter no lúmen cervical.