Investigation of vaginal mucus parameters: Development of models for staging the oestrous cycle of the Bunaji cow.

Changes in some vaginal mucus parameters were studied in order to generate predictive models capable of enhancing oestrous cycle staging, using equal groups (unsynchronized-USC [no treatment] and synchronized-SC [Synchromate® i/m on d0, d11]) of Bunaji cows (n = 48) aged 3-4 years. Vaginal mucus was collected (starting d11 in SC) daily over 26 days using standard procedures. Physical (viscosity, elasticity, density, resistivity) and biochemical (pH, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) parameters were evaluated using standard procedures. Data were analysed using chi-square and multinomial logit regression modelling. Models generated using oestrus as reference categories were ascertained for accuracies. Chi-square values for viscosity, elasticity and density were significant (p < .01) in USC and SC across stages of the cycle. Results for USC showed that pH and cholesterol were predictive (p < .01) for pro-oestrus, metoestrus and dioestrus, while total protein was predictive (p < .01) for dioestrus only. Similarly, magnesium was predictive (p < .05) for pro-oestrus. For SC, pH, magnesium and cholesterol were predictive (p < .01) for pro-oestrus, metoestrus and dioestrus, while total protein was predictive (p < .01) for pro-oestrus and dioestrus. Potassium and total protein were also predictive for metoestrus at 10% and 5% significance levels, respectively. Though findings suggest the usefulness of magnesium in staging the oestrous cycle only in synchronized cows, pH, total protein and cholesterol appeared to be the more important vaginal mucus parameters in Bunaji cows, regardless synchronization. Furthermore, the models developed showed high accuracy levels for staging the oestrous cycle in USC (100%) and SC (89%).

Ovarian Weight, Follicle Count and Retrieved Oocyte Characteristics in West African Dwarf Goat Does Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

Trypanosomosis has been described as the single largest disease entity limiting livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa. The effects on ovarian weight, follicle count and retrieved oocyte characteristics in ten West African dwarf goat does (control=5, infected=5) experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei were investigated. The does were fed with elephant grass and supplement (15.23% CP) daily. Infected does received 4.8x105 T. brucei intravenously and thereafter, all does were synchronized using Lutalyse®. The results showed that the differences between control and infected does for ovarian weight (0.68±0.56 g and 0.40±0.09 g) and follicle count (10.50±1.25 and 2.50±1.22),  respectively were significant (P<0.05). The difference in retrieved-oocytes-count between control (30, 57.7%) and infected (22, 42.3%)  does was not significant (P>0.05). The differences in proportion between control and infected does for well-formed-oocytes (90.5% and 9.5%), completely-denuded-oocytes (30.8% and 69.2%) and proportion per group of oocytes with substantial-investment-of-cumulus (63.3% and 9.1%), respectively were significant (P<0.05). The difference in extensively-denuded-oocytes between control (38.9%) and infected (61.1%) does was not significant (P>0.05). These findings suggest that experimental Trypanosoma brucei infection caused reduction in ovarian weight and follicle count, number of oocytes as well as proportion of well-formed oocytes that are capable of supporting embryonic development.

Observations on estrus as monitored by receptivity to mating activity and pattern of vaginal exfoliates in trypanosoma brucei ­ infected WAD goat does synchronized with Estrumate® / Observaciones sobre el estro monitorizado por la receptividad a la actividad de apareamiento y el patrón de exfoliación vaginal en cabras WAD infectadas por trypanosoma brucei sincronizadas con Estrumate®

The effects of experimental Trypanosoma brucei infection on receptivity to mating activity and pattern of vaginal exfoliates were monitored using twenty-one adult WAD goats which were synchronized with double injection, seven days apart of Estrumate®. The twenty-one goats consisted of 3 bucks and 18 does. The does were randomly divided into control group 'A' having 10 does and test group 'B' with 8 does. The goats were fed with Elephant grass in the morning and commercial feed containing 15.23 percent CP at the rate of 0.25kg/head in the afternoons. Freshwater was provided ad libitum. Results showed that while all the control does were observed to stand to be mounted and mated, none of the infected does did. Also, the pattern of the mean percentage vaginal exfoliated cell types encountered between the control and infected doe groups were converse. While parasabal cells changed from 2.90±0.03 percent during proestrus through 3.05 +/- 0.46 percent during estrus to 2.42 +/-0.08 percent at diestrus in the control does, it changed from 22.07 +/- 0.56 percent during expected proestrus through 8.48 +/- 0.05 percent during expected estrus to 28.05 +/-1.09 percent respectively in the infected does. In like manner, intermediate cell changed from 11.10 +/- 0.03 percent during proestrus through 11.10 +/- 0.31 percent during estrus to 1.21 +/- 1.00 percent during diestrus in control does while it changed from 27.27 +/- 0.08 percent during expected proestrus through 42.37 +/- 2.39 percent during expected estrus to 40.24 +/- 1.06 percent during expected diestrus in infected does. Similarly, superficial cells changed from 56.25 +/- 0.75 percent during proestrus through 63.70 +/- 1.05 percent during estrus to 7.37 +/- 0.01 percent during diestrus while it changed from 0.00 percent during expected proestrus through 3.39 +/- 0.02 percent during expected estrus to 63.70 +/- 1.05 percent during estrus to 6.10 +/- 0.01 percent during expected diestrus. In the control does, the ...

Los efectos de la infección experimental por Trypanosoma brucei sobre la receptividad a la actividad de apareamiento y el patrón de exfoliación vaginal fueron monitoreados utilizando 21 cabras WAD adultas sincronizadas con doble inyección, a los siete días de diferencia de Estrumate®. De las 21 cabras utilizadas eran 3 machos y 18 hembras. Las hembras se dividieron al azar en grupo control "A" con 10 sujetos y un grupo de prueba "B" con 8. Las cabras fueron alimentadas con pasto y alimento comercial que contenía 15,23 por ciento de CP en tasa de 0,25kg/por cabeza en las tardes. Agua fresca fue proporcionada ad libitum. Los resultados mostraron que mientras todos las cabras del grupo control pudieron ser montadas y acopladas, ninguna de las infectadas pudo. Además, fue contradictorio el patrón de la media porcentual de los tipos de células vaginales exfoliadas encontradas entre los grupo control e infectadas. Mientras que las células parabasales cambiaron desde un 2,90 +/- 0,03 por ciento durante el proestro, al 3,05 +/- 0,46 por ciento durante el estro y 2,42 +/- 0,08 por ciento al diestro en el grupo control, el grupo infectado cambió desde un 22,07 +/- 0,56 por ciento durante el proestro, al 8,48 +/- 0,05 por ciento durante el estro y 28,05 +/- 1,09 por ciento al diestro. De la misma forma, las célula intermedias cambiaron de un 11,10 +/- 0,03 por ciento durante el proestro, al 11,10 +/- 0,31 por ciento durante el estro y al 1,21 +/- 1,00 por ciento durante el diestro en el grupo control, mientras que en el grupo infectado pasó del 27,27 +/- 0,08 por ciento durante el proestro, al 42,37 +/- 2,39 por ciento durante el estro y al 40,24 +/- 1,06 por ciento durante el diestro. Las células superficiales pasaron desde un 56,25 +/- 0,75 por ciento durante el proestro, 63,70 +/- 1,05 por ciento durante el estro, hasta un 7,37 +/- 0,01 por ciento durante el diestro, mientras en el grupo infectado pasaron de un 0.00 por ciento durante el proestro, al 3,9 +/- 0,02 p...

Improving the reproductive efficiency of the goat: vaginal cytology and vulvar biometry as predictors of synchronized estrus/breeding time in West African dwarf goat / Mejora de la eficiencia reproductiva de la cabra: citología vaginal y biometría vulvar como predictores de la sincronización del periodo estro/crianza de cabras enanas del Oeste Africano

The characteristics of exfoliated vaginal cells and vulvar biometry following estrus synchronization via two injections of 5mg Lutalyse® administered 7 days apart were investigated with the aim of their possible use to predict estrus in six adult WAD does. Four adult WAD bucks recently passed as satisfactory potential breeders were also involved in the study. The animals were maintained on 12 percent crude protein concentrate, greens and fresh water ad libitum. All measurements in the does were taken at an interval of 24 hours for six days beginning with the day of 2nd Lutalyse® injection. The does were introduced to the bucks 48 hours after the 2nd dose of Lutalyse® and separated from them after the 6th day. The 72-96 and 96-120 hours vaginal smears of 5 does (i.e. 83.3 percent) were characteristic during the study. They were positive for sperm cells and showed sharp increase in the degree of clumping of exfoliated cells. During these periods also, the differences in the percentage of superficial cells (i.e. 77.4 +/- 1.05 and 56.4 +/- 0.77) over other epithelial cells (12.2 +/- 0.38 and 1.30 +/- 0.82) respectively were significant (P<0.05). The percentage leucocytes also varied during the study but increased sharply during 96 -120 hours. The result on vulvar biometry between 0-72 hours and the period during which mating occurred (i.e. 72-120 hours) was not significant (P>0.05). All does with vaginal smear positive for sperm cells were confirmed pregnant at day 60 following mating by ultrasonography. The results of this study show that two injections of 5mg Lutalyse® 7 days apart will produce fertile estrus in the WAD doe. In conclusion, a careful evaluation of 24 hourly exfoliated vaginal cells will enhance synchronized estrus detection in WAD goat and improve their reproductive efficiency.

Fueron investigadas en seis cabras WAD hembras adultas, las características de las células vaginales exfoliadas y la biometría vulvar, tras una sincronización de estros a través de dos inyecciones de 5 mg de Lutalyse ®, administrados cada 7 días, con el fin de hacer posible el uso y predecir el estro. También participaron en este estudio cuatro machos adultos WAD probados recientemente como potenciales reproductores. Los animales fueron alimentados con un concentrado de proteína cruda de 12 por ciento, pastos y agua ad libitum. Las medidas en las cabras fueron tomadas con un intervalo de 24 horas, durante 6 días, a contar de la segunda inyección Lutalyse ®. Después de 48 horas de la 2 dosis de Lutalyse ® las cabras fueron cruzadas, y separadas de los machos después del 6 día. Fue realizado el estudio en frotis vaginales de 72-96 horas y de 96-120 horas, en 5 hembras (83,3 por ciento). Estos frotis fueron positivos para las células espermáticas y mostraron fuerte aumento en el grado de aglutinación de células de descamación. Durante estos períodos, las diferencias en el porcentaje de células superficiales (77,4 +/- 1,05 y 56,4 +/- 0,77) sobre las células epiteliales de otros (12,2 +/- 0,38 y 1,30 +/- 0,82) fueron significativas (P <0,05). También varió el porcentaje de leucocitos durante el estudio, pero aumentó considerablemente durante el periodo de 96-120 horas. El resultado de biometría vulvar entre 0-72 horas y del período durante el cual se produjo el apareamiento (72-120 horas) no fue significativa (P> 0,05). Todas las hembras con frotis vaginal positivo para células espermáticas, se les confirmó la preñez por ecografía, a los 60 días posterior al apareamiento. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que dos inyecciones de 5 mg Lutalyse ® con 7 días de diferencia produce estro fértil en la cabra WAD. En conclusión, una evaluación cuidadosa de las células vaginales exfoliadas a las 24 horas, mejorará la detección del estro en cabras WAD y su eficiencia...

Ejaculate characteristics of rabbits infected with Trypanosoma congolense and changes caused after treatment with Diminazene aceturate (Diminaveto®) / Características eyaculatorias de conejos infectados con Trypanosoma congolense y cambios causados después del tratamiento con Diminazeno aceturato (Diminaveto®)

The effects of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on the ejaculate of rabbits and changes caused after treatment with Diminaveto® were investigated using 24 New Zealand White rabbits (bucks). The bucks were housed singly in standard rabbit cages and fed on specialized ration containing 10 percent Protein supplement, grains, legume, salt and fresh water ad libitum during the study. Data on ejaculate characteristics were collected from all the bucks in the first phase (i.e. before infection) and in the second phase (i.e. during infection, with 4.8x10(5) Trypanosoma congolense, intraperitoneally). Similar data were collected from 12 randomly selected bucks treated with 7.0mg/kg Diminaveto® following reconstitution during the third phase. Data collected were analysed using the Paired T- Test and Analysis of Variance. The infection led to significant (P< 0.05) reduction in spermatozoa motility, concentration and mass activity, with a significant (P< 0.05) increase in percentage of sperm cells with morphological abnormalities. Treatment with Diminaveto® led to improvement in all ejaculate parameters investigated. However, it was observed that the ejaculate did not attain the "before-infection" status following treatment with Diminaveto®. The study showed that infection with Trypanosoma congolense in rabbits caused significant reduction in ejaculate characteristics. Treatment with Diminaveto® however led to improvement in the ejaculate though at a rate slower than that at which the infection caused the reduction.

Fue estudiado en 24 conejos Nuevo zelandeses blancos, machos, los efectos de la infección experimental de Trypanosoma congolense sobre la eyaculación y los cambios producidos después del tratamiento con Diminaveto® . Los machos fueron colocados individualmente en jaulas de conejos estándar. Durante el estudio fueron alimentados con ración especializada, con 10 por ciento de suplemento de proteínas, granos, legumbres, sal y agua fresca ad libitum. Los datos sobre las características de la eyaculación se obtuvieron de todos los machos en la primera fase (es decir, antes de la infección) y en la segunda fase (es decir, durante la infección, con 4,8x10(5) Trypanosoma congolense, por vía intraperitoneal). Datos similares se obtuvieron de 12 machos al seleccionados al azar, tratados con Diminaveto® 7,0mg/kg después de la reconstitución durante la tercera fase. Los datos fueron analizados mediante t de student y análisis de varianza. La infección fue significativa (P <0,05) habiendo reducción de la motilidad de los espermatozoides, la concentración y actividad de masas, con un efecto significativo (P <0,05) aumento en el porcentaje de espermatozoides con anomalías morfológicas. El tratamiento con Diminaveto® condujo a una mejoría en todos los parámetros investigados del eyaculado. Sin embargo, se observó que el eyaculado no alcanzó el "antes de la infección" tras el tratamiento con Diminaveto®. Además, el estudio mostró que la infección con Trypanosoma congolense en conejos causó una reducción significativa en las características del eyaculado. Sin embargo, el tratamiento con Diminaveto ® condujo a una mejoría en la eyaculación aunque a un ritmo más lento que en la infección causada por la reducción.