Sedation or anaesthesia decrease the stress response to electroejaculation and improve the quality of the collected semen in goat bucks.

Electroejaculation (EE) is stressful and probably painful; thus the administration of anaesthesia is recommended to decrease those negative effects. However, anaesthesia has a direct risk of provoking death, but sedation is less risky than anaesthesia. At the same time, α2-adrenergic agonists may improve semen quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the physiological and behavioural responses indicative of stress and possibly pain, and the semen quality in electroejaculated untreated, anaesthetised or sedated goat bucks. Semen was collected from eight bucks using three different procedures in all them (EE in untreated bucks, EE under sedation or EE under general anaesthesia). The number of vocalizations during EE and the behavioural pattern before and after procedures were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was also determined during EE. Rectal temperature, heart rate, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and haematological parameters were measured before and after each procedure, and sperm characteristics were determined. Bucks vocalised more often when untreated than sedated or anaesthetised (P<0.02). The pain VAS score was greater when bucks were untreated than sedated or anaesthetised (P<0.002). The rectal temperature, heart rate, total protein, albumin and haemoglobin concentrations were greater when bucks were untreated than anaesthetised or sedated (P<0.02). Serum cortisol increased after EE (P=0.0006), without differences between procedures. The frequency and duration of lying down after EE were greater when bucks were anaesthetised than sedated or untreated (P<0.05), and were also greater when bucks were sedated than untreated (P<0.05). The number of times that the animal tried to stand up after EE was greater when bucks were anaesthetised than sedated or untreated (P<0.02). The sperm mass motility was greater when bucks were anaesthetised or sedated than when they were untreated (P=0.048). When animals were sedated, the ejaculate contained more spermatozoa with functional plasma membrane (P=0.03) and morphologically normal (P=0.05) than when they were untreated. In conclusion, general anaesthesia and sedation decreased the stress and probably the pain response provoked by EE and especially sedation improved the quality of the semen collected.

Growing without a mother results in poorer sexual behaviour in adult rams.

The aim of this study was to determine if the absence of the mother during rearing has long-term effects on sexual behaviour and physiological reproductive parameters of adult rams. Two groups of rams were: (1) artificially reared, separated from their dams 24 to 36 h after birth (Week 0) and fed using sheep milk until 10 weeks of age (group AR, n=14); and (2) reared by their dams until 10 weeks of age (group DR, n=13). Sexual behaviour (tests of 20 min) and physiological reproductive parameters were analysed separately for the non-breeding (Weeks 42 to 64) and the breeding (Weeks 66 to 90) seasons. Body weight, scrotal circumference, gonado-somatic index, testosterone concentrations or sperm parameters were similar in both rearing conditions (AR v. DR) in both seasons. During the non-breeding season AR rams displayed fewer ano-genital sniffings (AR: 4.2±0.4 v. DR: 5.3±0.4, P=0.04) and matings (AR: 1.2±0.2 v. DR: 1.8±0.2, P=0.002) than DR rams. During the breeding season AR rams displayed fewer ano-genital sniffings (AR: 4.3±0.5 v. DR: 5.7±0.5, P=0.005), flehmen (AR: 0.7±0.2 v. DR: 1.1±0.2, P=0.03), mount attempts (AR: 1.4±0.2 v. DR: 2.1±0.2, P=0.04), and tended to mount less frequently (AR: 6.6±0.9 v. DR: 8.8±0.9, P=0.08) than DR rams. In conclusion, the absence of the mother during the rearing period negatively affected display of sexual behaviour towards oestrous ewes during a rams adult life in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. However, it did not affect testis size, testosterone secretion or sperm variables.

Competition for oestrous ewes between rams reared by their mothers or artificially reared: Effects on sexual behaviour and testosterone and cortisol serum concentrations.

The objective of this study was to determine how the social competition for an oestrous ewe affects the sexual behaviour and the endocrine response in two groups of rams, one reared by their mothers and another artificially reared. Thus, we compared the sexual behaviour and testosterone and cortisol changes in each group of rams in competitive and non-competitive tests, both during the first and second breeding seasons. Two groups of rams were: 1) artificially reared lambs, separated from their dams 24-36 h after birth (Week 0) and artificially fed with sheep milk until 10 weeks of age (group AR, n = 14); and 2) lambs reared by their dams until 10 weeks of age (group DR, n = 13). Rams were subjected to non-competitive and competitive tests for an oestrous ewe during their first and second breeding seasons, when they were 8 and 20 months old, respectively. Sexual behaviours toward an oestrous ewe were recorded during 20 min and the testosterone and cortisol concentrations were determined in serum samples collected immediately before the test, and 20, 40 and 60 min after it. During the first breeding season, the number of flehmen decreased in DR rams, and the number of flehmen and ano-genital sniffings also decreased in DR rams, but the frequency of some copulatory behaviours increased (matings and ejaculation/total mounts in DR rams, and total mounts in AR rams) in competitive tests. During the second breeding season, competition caused a decrease in the number of all the recorded behaviours (courtship and copulation) with the exception of flehmen in AR rams; however, in DR rams only the number of the copulatory behaviours decreased under competition. Competition did not affect the endocrine response during the first breeding season. During the second breeding season, while testosterone concentrations were greater in non-competitive than in competitive tests at 60 min (P = 0.0008) in AR rams, in DR rams it tended to be greater (P = 0.09). Competition did not affect cortisol concentrations in any group or season, but in all tests the concentrations increased at the end of the test (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the lack of the mother during rearing negatively affected the sexual motivation and the testosterone response of rams to oestrous ewes in competitive tests, effects that were more evident when adults. Neither the absence of the mother during rearing nor competition for oestrous ewes affected the stress response (evidenced by increase in cortisol concentration) in rams during both seasons.

Ejaculation does not contribute to the stress response to electroejaculation in sheep.

Electroejaculation procedures (EEPs) provoke stress; nevertheless, ejaculation produces physiological changes similar as those usually used to measure stress responses. The application of EEP to animals that cannot ejaculate-as ewes-may be useful to discriminate the responses induced by ejaculation from those provoked by EEP. The aim was to determine the stress response to EEP in rams and ewes. The EEPs were applied to 10 rams and 10 ewes during the non-breeding season, and the number of vocalizations, the heart rate, rectal temperature, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and haematological parameters were measured. Overall, EEP provoked increases in cortisol concentration, glycaemia, rectal temperature and concentration of creatine kinase (all them: p < .0001) as well as relative concentration of granulocytes (p = .003) and absolute granulocyte concentration (p = .0002) in both, rams and ewes. Heart rate, relative concentration of lymphocytes (p = .001), haematocrit (p = .02) and haemoglobin (p = .045) decreased in animals from both genders after EEP. Besides, cortisol (p < .0001), rectal temperature (p = .002) and glycaemia (p = .001) were greater in ewes than rams, and creatine kinase also tended to be greater in ewes than rams (p = .054). On the other hand, the number of animals that vocalized (p = .006), white blood cells (p = .02) and absolute lymphocytes (p = .02) were greater in rams than ewes. The general trends show a similar pattern of stress responses in animals from both genders. Therefore, we concluded that ejaculation does not contribute to the stress response provoked by the EEP. This procedure also provokes muscular damage and probably pain.

Vocalizations during electroejaculation in anaesthetized adult and young pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males.

The aim of this study was to characterize the vocalizations produced during electroejaculation under general anaesthesia in pampas deer males and to determine whether the characteristics of those vocalizations differ in adult and young pampas deer males. Electroejaculation was applied to 13 adults (AM) and 13 young (YM) males under general anaesthesia. Vocalizations were digitally recorded, and the number and duration of vocalizations, the latency in relation to each voltage, the total time vocalizing, and the structure of the fundamental frequency (F0) [initial frequency (F(start)), maximal frequency (F(max)), minimal frequency (F(min)) and final frequency (F(end))] were analysed. No male vocalized with 0 V; the number of animals that vocalized increased at 2 and 3 V and increased again at 4, 5 and 6 V (p < 0.05). The latency time from the beginning of each series (each voltage) decreased until 4 V (p < 0.01). The number of vocalizations/voltage increased from 4 V (p < 0.05). The length of each vocalization and the total time during which animals vocalized were greater in YM than AM (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Similarly, the fundamental frequencies were higher in YM than AM (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, we concluded that the vocalizations emitted during electroejaculation in pampas deer under general anaesthesia are related to the voltage applied during the process. Young males vocalize more time, probably due to a greater sensibility to the electric stimulation. The differences in the characteristics of the vocalizations between adult and young males may be related to the anatomic differences in the neck of adult or young males.

Behavioural response of grazing lambs to changes associated with feeding and separation from their mothers at weaning.

This study aimed to determine which behaviours were provoked in lambs in response to the separation from their dams or to the changes associated with feeding and separation from adults at weaning. Fourteen lambs were separated from their dams at 24-36 h after birth and artificially reared (AR) in presence of four adult ewes, while another 13 lambs remained with their dams from birth (DR). At 75 days of age on average (day 0) DR lambs were separated from their dams and AR lambs no longer received sheep's milk and were separated from adults. Behaviours were recorded every 10 min (6h per day) from day -3 to day 4. We observed an increase (p<0.05) in pacing behaviour, as well as in the frequency in which lambs were observed vocalizing, walking and staying under shade, and a decrease (p<0.05) in the frequency of grazing in the DR group in comparison to AR at weaning, but there were no differences in body weight gain from day -4 to day 5 after weaning. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the frequency in which lambs were observed standing and grazing (p<0.05), and an increase in vocalizing and staying under shade (p<0.05) in group AR at weaning in comparison to the previous days. Therefore, it was concluded that although some specific behaviours as pacing or vocalizing were clearly related with the separation from the mother at weaning, the change of food and separation from adults must be also considered as an important stressor in grazing lambs at weaning. In addition, the provision of shade when grazing is also important for lambs at the time of weaning.

Progesterone administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs.

Abrupt weaning, a usual management in sheep productive systems, may provoke behavioural and physiological responses indicative of stress in ewes and lambs. Progesterone (P4) has anxiolytic and sedative effects through the union of its metabolites that contain 3α-hydroxyl group to the γ-aminobutyricacidA receptor. Our first aim was to determine whether P4 administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs. A complementary aim was to determine whether P4 treatment affects the milk yield and composition of ewes, and the BW of their lambs. In experiment 1, seven ewes received P4 treatment for 32 days (group E1-P4), and eight ewes remained as an untreated control group (group E1-C). BW of the lambs was recorded during P4 treatment. Lambs were weaned at 59 days (Day 0 = weaning). The main behaviours of the ewes before and after weaning were recorded using 10 min scan sampling. The ewes' serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were measured before and after weaning of the lambs. In experiment 2, milk yield and composition were determined in two different groups of six ewes treated with P4 (group E2-P4) for 16 days and in five untreated controls (group E2-C). The BW of lambs increased with time (P = 0.001) in both groups and did not differ. The percentage of observations in which the ewes were seen pacing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.0007). Similarly, the percentage of observations in which the ewes were recorded vocalizing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.04). The percentage of observations in which E1-C ewes were recorded lying did not change from Days 0 to 1; however, it increased in E1-P4 ewes. Total serum protein concentration did not change in E1-P4 ewes from Days 0 to 3, although a decrease was seen in E1-C ewes (P = 0.04). Serum globulin concentration was greater in E1-P4 ewes on Day 3 than in E1-C ewes (P = 0.0008). In experiment 2, there were no differences between E2-P4 and E2-C ewes in terms of milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content. Progesterone administration reduced the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs, and this effect was not mediated by changes in milk yield and composition, or by lambs' BW.

Milk casein and fatty acid fractions in early lactation are affected by nutritional regulation of body condition score at the beginning of the transition period in primiparous and multiparous cows under grazing conditions.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) at 30 days before calving (-30 days) induced by a differential nutritional management, parity and week of lactation (WOL) on milk yield and composition, and milk casein and fatty acid composition. Primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows with high BCS (PH, n = 13; MH, n = 9) and low BCS (PL, n = 9; ML = 8) under grazing conditions were sampled at WOL 2 and 8 (before and after peak of lactation). Milk yield was greater in multiparous than in primiparous cows and tended to decrease from WOL 2 to 8 only in ML cows. Milk protein, fat and casein yields were greater in multiparous than in primiparous cows and decreased from WOL 2 to 8. Milk casein concentration in milk protein was greater in MH cows than in ML, PH and PL cows at WOL 2. Milk κ-casein was greater, and ß-casein was less in multiparous than in primiparous cows. As lactation progressed, proportion of casein fractions were not altered. Only κ-casein fraction was affected by BCS at -30 days as PL showed a higher concentration than PH. The de novo (4:0-15:1) and mixed-origin fatty acids (16:0-16:1) in milk fat increased, whereas preformed fatty acids (≥17:0) decreased from WOL 2 to 8. Saturated (SAT) fatty acids tended to be greater and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were less in multiparous than in primiparous cows. High-BCS cows had greater concentrations of polyunsaturated (PUFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as well as n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in milk fat than low-BCS cows. The results indicate that casein and fatty acid fractions in milk were affected by parity and may be modified by a differential nutritional management during the pre-calving period (BCS at -30 days) in cows under grazing conditions.

Reasons for medccal consultation and causes of uthanasia of dogs in montevideoo city (Uruguay): a survey of veterinary practitioners. implications of behavioral problems / Motivo de consullta médica y causas de eutanasia de peros en la ciudaad de montevideo (Uruguay): una encuesta a médicos veterinarios. implicancia de los problemas de comportamiento

In Latin America there is little information about the frequent reasons of medical consultation and euthanasia in dogs, and the implications of behavior problems. Especially in Uruguay there isn't information about it. The aim of this study was to know the most frequent reasons for medical consultation and euthanasia of dogs in Montevideo city through a survey of veterinary practitioners and the implications of behavioral problems. A survey to veterinary practitioners from one hundred (n = 100) randomly sampled veterinary clinics in the city of Montevideo was carried out. The most frequent reasons for medical consultation about dogs in veterinary practioners are consultations of skin affections, followed by digestive and respiratory affections, and less frequently infections, accidents and neoplasias (p < 0.0001). The behavioral problems occupied only the 1% of the reasons for medical consultation in dogs. The most frequent reasons for euthanasia of dogs were by elderly dog and neoplasias, followed by kidney affections, infections and accidents (p < 0.0001). Only 35% of veterinarians performed euthanasia for behavioral problems in their clinics. Among them, the euthanasia for behavior problems accounted for only 2%. Although euthanasia is carried out in Uruguay for behavior problems, it is so in a very low percentage.

En América Latina existe poca información acerca de los motivos frecuentes de consulta médica y eutanasia en perros, así como de las implicaciones de los problemas de comportamiento. Especialmente en Uruguay no hay información al respecto. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las causas más frecuentes de consulta médica y eutanasia de los perros en la ciudad de Montevideo a través de una encuesta a los médicos veterinarios, y la implicancia de los problemas de comportamiento. Se realizó una encuesta a una muestra aleatoria (n = 100) de médicos veterinarios de clínicas de Montevideo. Las causas más frecuentes de consulta médica por dueños de perros son las afecciones de la piel, seguido de afecciones digestivas y respiratorias, y menos frecuentemente las infecciones, los accidentes y los neoplasias (p < 0,0001). Los problemas de conducta ocupan solo el 1% de los motivos de consulta. Las razones más frecuentes para la eutanasia de perros fueron por edad (ancianos) y por neoplasias, seguidas por afecciones renales, infecciones y accidentes (p < 0,0001). Solo el 35% de los veterinarios ha llevado a cabo eutanasias en sus clínicas; entre ellas, la eutanasia por los problemas de conducta representó apenas el 2%. Aunque en Uruguay se realizan eutanasias por problemas de comportamiento, las mismas se dan en un muy bajo porcentaje.

Physiological and biochemical parameters in response to electroejaculation in adult and yearling anesthetized pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males.

The aim of this study was to characterize changes in physiological and biochemical parameters during electroejaculation (EE) under general anaesthesia in adult and yearling pampas deer males (Ozotoceros bezoarticus). The relation between heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oximetry with EE voltages was studied. The changes in cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and rectal temperature were determined before and after electroejaculation (BEE and AEE). Heart rate and pulse rate values increased during EE, with a greater increase in heart rate in adults (p < 0.01). Respiratory rate and SpO(2) were not affected by EE or category. The rectal temperature decreased in adults and yearlings during EE (p = 0.0001). Alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations increased AEE (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in young than in adult males (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the EE under general anaesthesia in the pampas deer provoked increases in heart and pulse rates, as well as in creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and a decrease in rectal temperature in both categories. Oximetry values were especially low during the procedure. Heart rate increase was greater in adult males, and alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in yearlings.

The stress response of frequently electroejaculated rams to electroejaculation: hormonal, physiological, biochemical, haematological and behavioural parameters.

Electroejaculation (EE) is a technique widely used to collect semen in ruminants, which produces a stress response with negative effects on animal welfare. The aim of this paper was to characterize the stress response during conventional EE in rams that have been frequently electroejaculated. Blood samples were collected since 20 min before and until 120 min after electroejaculating 10 rams. Electroejaculation affected hormone concentration, as cortisol increased, and testosterone decreased after EE. Heart and respiratory rate increased 10 min after EE. Several blood parameters, such as glycaemia, an increase in total protein and creatine kinase concentrations and a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. The rams vocalized 13.8 ± 2.4 times, and the largest length of vocalizations during EE was associated with the numbers of pulses in which the rams ejaculated. In this paper, we provide a complete characterization of the stress response to EE in rams. We showed that although rams have been frequently electroejaculated, an important stress response including changes in respiratory rate, testosterone concentrations, haematological and biochemical parameters were observed, besides the changes in cortisol concentrations and heart rate, suggesting that rams were not habituated to EE. In addition, we described the main parameters of vocalizations and its relation with the moment of EE. The information displayed on the frequent use of EE in the rams should be considered in relation to the welfare implications.

Cheese yield, casein fractions and major components of milk of Saanen and Anglo-Nubian dairy goats / Rendimento de produção de queijos, frações de caseína e principais componentes do leite de cabras Saanen e Anglo-Nubiana

Avaliaram-se os componentes, as frações de caseína e o rendimento na produção de queijo do leite de cabras das raças Saanen e Anglo-Nubiana, principais raças criadas no Uruguai. O estudo foi realizado em uma fazenda com sistema de criação semi-intensiva. O leite das cabras Anglo-Nubianas apresentou teores mais elevados de gordura (4,65 vs 3,59 por cento), proteína total (3,48 vs 2,84 por cento), caseína total (2,82 vs 2,23 por cento), e maior rendimento na produção de queijos (22,00 vs 15,03kg/100l) que o leite das cabras Saanen. As fraçoes de αs1-caseína (6,99 vs 2,37g/l), β-caseína (13,95 vs 12,75g/l) e κ-caseína (4,24 vs 3,64g/l) também foram mais elevadas no leite das cabras Anglo-Nubianas, porém no teor de αs2-caseína (3,02 vs 3,60g/l) não se observaram diferenças. O rendimento na produção de queijos foi significativamente correlacionado com os teores de gordura, proteína, caseína total e com as frações de caseína. A αs1-caseína representou a fração com maior correlação com os teores de proteína total, caseína, gordura e produção de queijo. Demonstrou-se, neste estudo, que o leite de cabras Anglo-Nubianas é mais indicado para a produção de queijo e o de cabras Saanen para utilização como leite fluido.

Influence of estrus of dairy goats on somatic cell count, milk traits, and sex steroid receptors in the mammary gland.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of the stage of a spontaneous estrus cycle on milk yield and constituents [somatic cell count (SCC), fat, protein, caseins, lactose, and urea content] and on estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha ) and progesterone receptor (PR) immunostaining in the mammary gland. In experiment I, the major components of milk and SCC were monitored weekly in 80 lactating Saanen goats for 6 wk, whereas detection of estrus was daily. In experiment II, milk samples were collected daily for SCC determination during 1 spontaneous estrus (d 0) until the second spontaneous estrus in 14 Saanen goats. The day of the estrous cycle was confirmed by plasma progesterone and 17beta-estradiol levels. Immunoreactivity of ERalpha and PR was analyzed in mammary gland samples of 8 Saanen goats (d 0, n = 4; d 10, n = 4) and the number of positive nuclei and intensity of the staining were evaluated in 1,000 cells. In experiment I, milk casein and protein percentages were significantly affected by the stage of estrous cycle; during proestrus and estrus, these variables were higher (3.32 +/- 0.06 and 4.44 +/- 0.08) than during metestrus (3.03 +/- 0.07 and 4.07 +/- 0.10), but not higher than during diestrus (3.23 +/- 0.06 and 4.35 +/- 0.09, respectively). In experiment II, daily measurement of SCC revealed higher levels at estrus (7,195 +/- 672 x 10(3) cells/mL) and a decline toward the luteal phase (1,694 +/- 672 +/- 10(3) cells/mL). Estrogen receptor-alpha and PR immunostaining were exclusively detected on epithelial cells. The percentage of positive nuclei to ERalpha was higher on d 0 than on d 10 (75.4 +/- 8.8 vs. 68.3 +/- 8.8%), but no change was observed for PR (4.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.4%). The average immunostaining intensity for both receptors was greater on d 0 than on d 10 (ERalpha : 1.44 +/- 0.02 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.02; PR: 0.079 +/- 0.008 vs. 0.057 +/- 0.008). The high SCC at estrus in experiment II was associated with high plasma estradiol and low progesterone, suggesting that the increased SCC could be brought about by the estrogen-induced proliferation and exfoliation of epithelial cells. In addition, this action may be supported by the higher sensitivity to estrogens (ERalpha content) found at d 0.