The effect of viscosity of semen diluents on motility of bull spermatozoa.

The effect of egg yolk extender on semen viscosity and bull sperm motility of fresh and cooled or deep frozen semen was determined by a computer-assisted system. Viscosity of the extender was determined by flow time. Based on the sperm velocity (velocity of the average path), individual spermatozoon were classified into groups of progressively motile (>==30 microm/sec) and immotile (<10 microm/sec) spermatozoa. The average velocity of progressively motile spermatozoa (VPM), the velocity of linear progressively motile spermatozoa (VLP) and the percentage of linear swimming spermatozoa (LIN) were evaluated. The addition of 10, 20 or 30% egg yolk to Tris buffer (pH 6.5) resulted in a linear decrease of VPM and a decrease in the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, but it increased the relative rate of LIN in fresh diluted semen. Increasing the levels of egg yolk in the diluent resulted in higher viscosity. The VLP was significantly higher than the VPM. In refrigerated or frozen semen samples, extender with 30 and 20% egg yolk had a similar effect on the VPM but not on the percentage of progressively motile sperm cells. Freezing of egg yolk (30%) extender to -20 degrees C resulted in a significant increased flow time and higher viscosity. Dilution of semen samples with high viscosity extender decreased the VPM in fresh and chilled semen. Freezing semen of high viscosity extender with glycerol had no apparent effect on the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa compared with that of non-glycerinated egg yolk extender. The results suggest that different concentrations of egg yolk in the extender can influence the parameters of semen viscosity and sperm motility evaluated by a computer-assisted system.

[Ultrasonography in gynecologic diagnosis]. / Die Sonographie in der gynäkologischen Diagnostik.

1. At present there is a wide field of applications for ultrasonography in gynaecological examinations. 2. Pregnancy (under clinical conditions) may be diagnosed in mares from day 14, in cows from day 25/26, in small ruminants from day 35, in sows from day 28/30, in bitches from day 25/28 and in queens from day 20/25 on, either by demonstrating the embryonic vesicle or the embryo or fetus. 3. Control of ovulation is gaining importance in the mare, especially in artificial insemination. 4. The diagnosis of pathological processes in the uterus of mares, bitches and queens is improved considerably by the ultrasonography. 5. It is expected that the field of application will increase in the near future.

[Sonographic findings of the mammary papilla of cattle]. / Sonographische Befunde an der Papilla mammae des Rindes.

Morphological structures of the bovine Papilla mammae can be differentiated with portable ultrasound units and 5 MHz linear arrays. For practical use it is possible to scan the teat in a water-filled plastic cup as a kind of water delay system. The visualization of pathological findings shows a possibility to evaluate this method as a diagnostic tool for the bovine teat.

[The chambers of the bovine uterus during early pregnancy. A comparative morphologic, sonographic and nuclear spin tomographic findings]. / Die Kammerung des Rinderuterus während der Frühgravidität. Ein Vergleich morphologischer, sonographischer und kernspintomographischer Befunde.

In the bovine, the uterus shows prominent circular folds during early pregnancy. These folds protrude into the lumen nearly at right angles to the uterine wall and, reaching a height of about 2-3 cm in some cases, often reach the center of the uterine lumen. Thus the uterus becomes apparently divided into a number of pocket-like chambers. Endometrial folds are usually found in the pregnant as well as the contralateral uterine horn. Intra-uterine features can be well demonstrated on exenterated bovine uteri without injuring the organ by means of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging with a high resolution performance. This technique was used to examine the uteri of 4 heifers on day 26, 28, 32 and 55 of pregnancy, respectively. The 3-dimensional imaging of these uteri demonstrated the presence of crescent-shaped folds usually at right angles to the long axis of the uterine horn. These endometrial folds explain why the allantochorionic vesicle cannot be demonstrated in toto by transrectal sonography during early pregnancy, apparently being subdivided by the protrusions from the uterine wall. It has been found that the uterus is characterized by 2-3 echo-weak compartments around day 25 of pregnancy and by about 4-6 by day 30. The number may yet increase with progressing pregnancy. Histological sections out of the wall of the pregnant and the contralateral uterine horn have revealed that the folds are composed mainly of the endometrium (Tunica mucosa) and the circular muscle (Stratum circulare).

[Endometrial cysts in the mare. 1. Post-mortem studies: occurrence and morphology]. / Endometriumzysten bei Stuten. Teil 1. Post-mortem-Untersuchungen: Vorkommen und Morphologie.

During macroscopic post-mortem examinations of the genital tract in 104 mares endometrial cysts occurred in 14 (13%) cases. Whereas in mares up to the age of 10 years cystic changes were absent, endometrial cysts occurred in 19% of the animals above the age of 10 years. In 6 mares only 1-2 cysts per uterus were found, and in 8 animals there were between 5 and 18 cystic changes per organ. The cysts were equally distributed in the uterus body and horns. Sporadically occurring cysts were about 11 mm in diameter with a decreasing size to a mean value of 5 mm in multiple cysts. Predominantly in the uterus body very large cysts were found. The largest endometrial cyst was of 30 mm in diameter. Classification into lymphatic cysts and glandular cysts was made based on histological examinations.

[Endometrial cysts in the mare. 2. Clinical studies: occurrence and significance]. / Endometriumzysten bei Stuten. Teil 2. Klinische Untersuchungen: Vorkommen und Bedeutung.

Endometrial cysts were found in 11 (13.4%) of 82 mares of various breeds by clinical examinations. Endometrial cysts were diagnosed by hysteroscopy and ultrasonic echography. Typical images are described. The importance of endometrial cysts is discussed with regard to differential diagnosis of early pregnancy and uterine pathology. There was no evidence of cysts in mares under 10 years of age. Mares with endometrial cysts had a 10% higher history of disturbed fertility than mares without endometrial cysts. Seven of nine mares with cystic structures in the uterus became pregnant. Endometrial cysts could be recognized together with embryonic vesicles and pregnancies continued without any complications. They were found as well after parturition in the post partum uterus.