PLCζ, WBP2NL and TNF-α expression in spermatozoa is associated with stallion fertility and seminal quality?

This study aims to investigate the gene expression of sperm-borne phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ), WW domain-binding protein 2N-Terminal Like (WBP2NL), and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), as a negative control, in spermatozoa and their relationship with fertility and seminal quality in stallions. Ejaculates from 40 Criollo stallions were used, whose fertility was assessed on the basis of their pregnancy rate per cycle in at least two breeding seasons. Pregnancy rates ranged from 20% to 90% and were used to divide the stallions into two groups: High rates (≥ 50%) (n = 25), and Low rates (< 50%) (n = 15). A computer-assisted sperm analysis system - (CASA) analyzed semen after collection. Also were evaluated the physical and functional integrity of the plasmatic membrane and sperm morphology alterations. All stallions expressed PLCζ, WBP2NL, and TNF-α. PLCζ positively correlates with conception rate, total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), plasmatic membrane functionality, and integrity. A simple linear regression was detected between pregnancy rate and PLCζ expression (P = 0.003), TM (P < 0.001) and PM (P < 0.001). PLCζ gene expression was higher (P = 0,012) in the High rates group than in the Low group. WBP2NL and TNF-α did not correlate with seminal quality and stallion's fertility. It was concluded that PLCζ gene expression in the spermatozoa might be used as a biomarker of fertility and seminal quality in stallions. Parameters of sperm kinetics also showed, positive correlation between TM, PM and pregnancy rate.

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...](AU)

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...]

Alterações clínicas em equinos de tração de Pelotas/RS no período de 2014 a 2015 / Clinical changes in Pelotas traction equine on the period of 2014 and 2015 / Cambios clínicos en caballo de tracción en Pelotas sobre el período de 2014 y 2015

No município de Pelotas/RS é comum a utilização de equinos para realizar coleta de resíduos recicláveis ou realização de pequenos fretes, e estima-se que aproximadamente 1500 famílias dependam do cavalo como fonte de renda. E com a finalidade de dar suporte a estas famílias existe o projeto de extensão realizado junto ao loteamento Ceval, o Ambulatório Veterinário do Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas(HCV-UFPel) que busca levar aos carroceiros do município de Pelotas/RS, um auxílio para melhor desenvolver a atividade, com enfoque na saúde e bem-estar dos equinos. Foram atendidos 456 equinos no ambulatório veterinário do HCV-UFPel, sendo que 64,69% (295/456) machos e 35,31 % (161/456) fêmeas, 20,18% (92/456) jovens (até cinco anos de idade) e 79,82% (364/456) adultos (com seis anos ou mais), 98,86% (451/456) animais sem raça definida, 0,25% (1/456) da raça Crioula e 0,88% (4/456) Pôneis, Durante o período avaliado foram realizados 792 atendimentos, sendo 27,15% (215/792) retornos e 26,01% (206/792) casos de revisão. Relacionado aos sistemas orgânicos, 14,04% (127/792) com alterações clínicas musculoesqueléticas, 16,04% (113/792) do sistema tegumentar,5,68% (45/792) problemas gastrointestinais, 5,56% (44/792) distúrbios do sistema respiratório, 3,91% (31/792)alterações gênito urinárias, 1,01% (8/792) com enfermidades oftálmicas e 0,38% (3/792) com alterações neurológicas.As principais alterações encontradas nos cavalos de carroça da cidade de Pelotas/RS no período de 2014 e 2015 foram relacionadas ao sistema musculoesquelético, seguido do sistema tegumentar, demonstrando a necessidade de mais orientações aos carroceiros sobre manejo de equinos. O elevado número de animais que retornam para atendimento evidencia a importância do trabalho realizado junto a esses proprietários, que capacita para que ocorra o manejo apropriado, visando manter a saúde e o bem-estar dos equinos.

In Pelotas/RS is common to use horses to perform collection of recyclable waste qr realization of smallfreight, and it is estimated that approximately 1,500 families depend on the horse as a source of income. And inorder to support these families there is the extension project carried out by the allotment Ceval, the Veterinary Clinicof Clinical Hospital Veterinary Federal University of Pelotas (HCV-UFPel) that seeks to bring the carters of Pelotas/RS an aid to better develop the activity, focusing on the health and welfare of horses. 456 horses were treated at theveterinary clinic of HCV-UFPel, with 64.69% (295/456) males and 35.31 % (161/456) lemales, 20.18% (92/456) young(up to five years old) and 79.82% (364/456) adults (aged six years or more), 98,86% (451/56) animais mongrel0.25% (1/456) ofthe Creole race and 0.88% (4/456) Ponies. During the study period they were made 792 calls, with18.43% (146/792) revisions and 23.23% (184/792) cases of return. Related to organic systems, 14.04% (127/792)with musculoskeletal clinical, 16.04% (113/792) of the integumentary system, 5.68% (45/792) gastrointestinal problems, 5.56% (44/792) 01 the respiratory system disorders, 3.91% (31/792) genito urinary changes, 1.01% (8/792) with ophthalmic diseases and 0.38% (3/792) with neurological disorders. The main changes lound in thehorse carriage in the city of Pelotas/RS in 2014 and 2015 period were related to the musculoskeletal system, lollowed by cutaneous system, demonstrating the need for further guidance to the teamsters about handling horses.The large number of animais that return to service highlights the importance of the work carried out with these owners, which enables to occur appropriate management in order to maintain the health and welfare of horses.

En Pelotas/RS es común el uso de caballos para realizar Ia recolección de residuos reciclables o Iarealización de pequenas mercancías, y se estima que aproximadamente 1.500 familias dependen dei caballocomo una lu ente de ingresos. Y con el fin de apoyar a estas familias existe el proyecto de ampliación lIevada a cabopor Ia asignación Ceval, Ia Clínica Veterinaria dei Hospital Clínico Veterinario de Ia Universidad Federal de Pelotas(VHC-UFPel) que busca traer los carreteros de Pelotas/RS una ayuda para desarrollar mejor Ia actividad, centrándoseen Ia salud y el bienestar de los caballos. 456 caballos lueron atendidos en Ia clínica veterinaria de VHC-UFPel, conel 64,69% varones (295/456) y 35,31 % (161/456) dei sexo femenino, 20,18% (92/456) jóvenes (hasta cinco anosedad) y 79,82% (364/456) adultos (a partir de seis anos o más), 98,86% (451/56) animales mongrel 0,25% (1/456)de Ia raza Criolla y 0,88% (4/456) de los potros. Durante el período de estudio se hicieron 792 lIamadas, con18,43% revisiones% (146/792) y 23,23% (184/792) de los casos de retorno. Relacionada con los sistemas orgánicos,14,04% (127/792) con musculoesquelético clínica, 16,04% (113/792) dei sistema tegumentario, 5,68% (45/792)problemas gastrointestinales, 5,56% (44/792) de los trastornos dei sistema respiratorio, 3,91 % (31/792) cambios genito urinario, 1,01% (8/792) con enfermedades oftalmológicas y 0,38% (3/792) con trastornos neurológicos. Losprincipales cambios se encuentran en el coche de caballos en Ia ciudad de Pelotas/RS en 2014 y 2015, periodoestaban relacionadas con el sistema musculoesquelético, seguido de sistema cutáneo, 10 que demuestra Ia necesidad de una mayor orientación aios camioneros sobre el manejo de los caballos. EI gran número de animalesque volver ai servicio pone de relieve Ia importancia de los trabajos realizados con estos propietarios, 10 quepermite que se produza una gestión adecuada con el fin de mantener Ia salud y el bienestar de los caballos.

Alterações clínicas em equinos de tração de Pelotas/RS no período de 2014 a 2015 / Clinical changes in Pelotas traction equine on the period of 2014 and 2015 / Cambios clínicos en caballo de tracción en Pelotas sobre el período de 2014 y 2015

No município de Pelotas/RS é comum a utilização de equinos para realizar coleta de resíduos recicláveis ou realização de pequenos fretes, e estima-se que aproximadamente 1500 famílias dependam do cavalo como fonte de renda. E com a finalidade de dar suporte a estas famílias existe o projeto de extensão realizado junto ao loteamento Ceval, o Ambulatório Veterinário do Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas(HCV-UFPel) que busca levar aos carroceiros do município de Pelotas/RS, um auxílio para melhor desenvolver a atividade, com enfoque na saúde e bem-estar dos equinos. Foram atendidos 456 equinos no ambulatório veterinário do HCV-UFPel, sendo que 64,69% (295/456) machos e 35,31 % (161/456) fêmeas, 20,18% (92/456) jovens (até cinco anos de idade) e 79,82% (364/456) adultos (com seis anos ou mais), 98,86% (451/456) animais sem raça definida, 0,25% (1/456) da raça Crioula e 0,88% (4/456) Pôneis, Durante o período avaliado foram realizados 792 atendimentos, sendo 27,15% (215/792) retornos e 26,01% (206/792) casos de revisão. Relacionado aos sistemas orgânicos, 14,04% (127/792) com alterações clínicas musculoesqueléticas, 16,04% (113/792) do sistema tegumentar,5,68% (45/792) problemas gastrointestinais, 5,56% (44/792) distúrbios do sistema respiratório, 3,91% (31/792)alterações gênito urinárias, 1,01% (8/792) com enfermidades oftálmicas e 0,38% (3/792) com alterações neurológicas.As principais alterações encontradas nos cavalos de carroça da cidade de Pelotas/RS no período de 2014 e 2015 foram relacionadas ao sistema musculoesquelético, seguido do sistema tegumentar, demonstrando a necessidade de mais orientações aos carroceiros sobre manejo de equinos. O elevado número de animais que retornam para atendimento evidencia a importância do trabalho realizado junto a esses proprietários, que capacita para que ocorra o manejo apropriado, visando manter a saúde e o bem-estar dos equinos.(AU)

In Pelotas/RS is common to use horses to perform collection of recyclable waste qr realization of smallfreight, and it is estimated that approximately 1,500 families depend on the horse as a source of income. And inorder to support these families there is the extension project carried out by the allotment Ceval, the Veterinary Clinicof Clinical Hospital Veterinary Federal University of Pelotas (HCV-UFPel) that seeks to bring the carters of Pelotas/RS an aid to better develop the activity, focusing on the health and welfare of horses. 456 horses were treated at theveterinary clinic of HCV-UFPel, with 64.69% (295/456) males and 35.31 % (161/456) lemales, 20.18% (92/456) young(up to five years old) and 79.82% (364/456) adults (aged six years or more), 98,86% (451/56) animais mongrel0.25% (1/456) ofthe Creole race and 0.88% (4/456) Ponies. During the study period they were made 792 calls, with18.43% (146/792) revisions and 23.23% (184/792) cases of return. Related to organic systems, 14.04% (127/792)with musculoskeletal clinical, 16.04% (113/792) of the integumentary system, 5.68% (45/792) gastrointestinal problems, 5.56% (44/792) 01 the respiratory system disorders, 3.91% (31/792) genito urinary changes, 1.01% (8/792) with ophthalmic diseases and 0.38% (3/792) with neurological disorders. The main changes lound in thehorse carriage in the city of Pelotas/RS in 2014 and 2015 period were related to the musculoskeletal system, lollowed by cutaneous system, demonstrating the need for further guidance to the teamsters about handling horses.The large number of animais that return to service highlights the importance of the work carried out with these owners, which enables to occur appropriate management in order to maintain the health and welfare of horses.(AU)

En Pelotas/RS es común el uso de caballos para realizar Ia recolección de residuos reciclables o Iarealización de pequenas mercancías, y se estima que aproximadamente 1.500 familias dependen dei caballocomo una lu ente de ingresos. Y con el fin de apoyar a estas familias existe el proyecto de ampliación lIevada a cabopor Ia asignación Ceval, Ia Clínica Veterinaria dei Hospital Clínico Veterinario de Ia Universidad Federal de Pelotas(VHC-UFPel) que busca traer los carreteros de Pelotas/RS una ayuda para desarrollar mejor Ia actividad, centrándoseen Ia salud y el bienestar de los caballos. 456 caballos lueron atendidos en Ia clínica veterinaria de VHC-UFPel, conel 64,69% varones (295/456) y 35,31 % (161/456) dei sexo femenino, 20,18% (92/456) jóvenes (hasta cinco anosedad) y 79,82% (364/456) adultos (a partir de seis anos o más), 98,86% (451/56) animales mongrel 0,25% (1/456)de Ia raza Criolla y 0,88% (4/456) de los potros. Durante el período de estudio se hicieron 792 lIamadas, con18,43% revisiones% (146/792) y 23,23% (184/792) de los casos de retorno. Relacionada con los sistemas orgánicos,14,04% (127/792) con musculoesquelético clínica, 16,04% (113/792) dei sistema tegumentario, 5,68% (45/792)problemas gastrointestinales, 5,56% (44/792) de los trastornos dei sistema respiratorio, 3,91 % (31/792) cambios genito urinario, 1,01% (8/792) con enfermedades oftalmológicas y 0,38% (3/792) con trastornos neurológicos. Losprincipales cambios se encuentran en el coche de caballos en Ia ciudad de Pelotas/RS en 2014 y 2015, periodoestaban relacionadas con el sistema musculoesquelético, seguido de sistema cutáneo, 10 que demuestra Ia necesidad de una mayor orientación aios camioneros sobre el manejo de los caballos. EI gran número de animalesque volver ai servicio pone de relieve Ia importancia de los trabajos realizados con estos propietarios, 10 quepermite que se produza una gestión adecuada con el fin de mantener Ia salud y el bienestar de los caballos.(AU)