Sperm fertility and viability following 48 h of refrigeration: Evaluation of different extenders for the preservation of bull semen in liquid state

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Impaired protamination and sperm DNA damage in a Nellore bull with high percentages of morphological sperm defects in comparison to normospermic bulls

The routine semen evaluation assessing sperm concentration, motility and morphology, does not identify subtle defects in sperm chromatin architecture. Bulls appear to have stable chromatin, with low levels of DNA fragmentation. However, the nature of fragmentation and its impact on fertility remain unclear and there are no detailed reports characterizing the DNA organization and damage in this species. The intensive genetic selection, the use of artificial insemination and in vitro embryo production associated to the cryopreservation process can contribute to the chromatin damage and highlights the importance of sperm DNA integrity for the success of these technologies. Frozen-thawed semen samples from three ejaculates from a Nellore bull showed high levels of morphological sperm abnormalities (55.8±5.1%), and were selected for complementary tests. Damage of acrosomal (76.9±8.9%) and plasma membranes (75.7±9.3%) as well as sperm DNA strand breaks (13.8±9.5%) and protamination deficiency (3.7±0.6%) were significantly higher compared to the values measured in the semen of five Nellore bulls with normospermia (24.3±3.3%; 24.5±6.1%; 0.6±0.5%; 0.4±0.6% for acrosome, plasma membrane, DNA breaks and protamine deficiency, respectively) (P<0.05). Motility and percentage of spermatozoa with low mitochondrial potential showed no differences between groups. This study shows how routine semen analyses (in this case morphology) may point to the length and complexity of sperm cell damage emphasizing the importance of sperm function testing.

Spleenic Lymphoma and Hemoperitoneum in Jersey Bull: Clinical and Pathological Aspects

Lymphoma is the most prevalent neoplasia in dairy cattle. The etiology can be viral in animals affected by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) or be classified as primary. Lymphoma can affect several organs and according to the system involved, the clinical signs could manifest themselves in different ways. These tumors can be classified through macroscopic characteristics, histology and immunostaining. This classification can be used to predict prognosis and response to therapy. The aim of this case report was to immunostain and classify the tumor, for which anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD79 and anti-CD3 markers were used in addition to histopathological findings, in order to classify the tumor. The tumor was positive only for anti-CD3 marker, indicating that it is a tumor of young cells and, in association with histopathology and hematological data, it can be concluded that spleen neoplasia is lymphocytic lymphoma originated from a lymphocytic leukemia.

Anthropometric profile and upper-limbs strength of bull rider s competitors

A força de preensão manual tem sido relatada como determinante no desempenho de empunhadura em modalidades como lutas e escalada. Este estudo teve por propósito avaliar a aptidão de força isotônica máxima e de preensão manual em praticantes e não praticantes de montaria em touros, a fim de obter parâmetros de referência desta população. Foram avaliados 20 sujeitos em dois grupos, sendo 10 classificados como atletas de montaria e 10 não-atletas. A avaliação da força de preensão manual foi realizada em dinamômetro em posição convencional (DP) e específica (DE), com ambas as mãos (D e E). A força isotônica máxima foi determinada pelo teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e também foram obtidas medidas de circunferência dos segmentos, bem como a composição corporal por protocolo de dobras cutâneas. Os valores das variáveis foram comparados pelo teste-t (ρ ≤ 0,05) para dados independentes. As relações entre os valores de força e características antropométricas foram traçadas pelo coeficiente de Pearson. Os resultados para AMT em DPD (43.8±6.8 kgf), DPE (39.4±7.7 kgf), DED (44.9±5.6 kgf) e DEE (39.8±8.3 kgf) comparados aos apresentados por n-AMT em DPD (47.0±3.0 kgf), DPE (42.2±6.1 kgf), DED (49.2±1.5 kgf) e DEE (46.2±4.1 kgf) apresentaram diferenças apenas para DED e DEE. A força nos testes de 1RM (supino reto: 73.2±12.0 kg e 82.0±12.0 kg; rosca direta: 45.2±8.9 kg e 43.8±8.9 kg; tríceps pulley: 67.0±6.3 kg e 72.0±6.3 kg; e puxada posterior: 73.5±8.5 kg e 73.7±7.5 kg) não mostram diferenças entre os grupos. A influência sobre a dinamometria apresenta-se diferente entre os grupos, sendo relevante a força de flexão do cotovelo em AMT e a antropometria e força isotônica para n-AMT. Conclui-se que as características morfo-funcionais de membros superiores não demandam especificidade à montaria em touros.

Cathetocephalus thatcheri gen. et sp. n. (Tetraphyllidea: Cathetocephalidae) fam. n. from the Bull Shark

Cathetocephalus thatcheri gen. et sp. n. is described from the spiral valve of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes), taken in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of Florida. A new family is erected for the new genus. The species most closely resembles Pillersium owenium Southwell, 1927, in that both possess a scolex which is perpendicular to the long axis of the strobila. It differs, however, in having a single neck and holdfast organ rather than a bifurcate neck with two bothridia. Also, the surfaces of the scolex differ from those of P. owenium by possessing fleshy papilliform structures on the leading and trailing edges rather than leaflike folds. Specimens with several strobilae are figured and discussed.

Validation of a new proposal of quantitative sperm culture for industrialized bull semen

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) has discussed the mandatory culture of industrialized semen, both to ensure biosefety, and to prevent in vitro fertilization problems caused by oocyte contamination with ubiquitous and opportunistic bacteria from preputial microbiota. Pour plate, a quantitative technique recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), is operationally difficult and costly for routine analysis in Artificial Insemination Centers (AICs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate and validate viable superficial bacteria counts (VSBC), in CFU/mL, compared with pour plate counts, in industrialized bull semen samples from AICs. Semen straws from Projeto Hungria - MAPA bulls were used. VSBC and pour plate were carried out in parallel in serial dilutions of the samples, from 10(-1) to 10(-5). CFU/mL means or medians recorded in each dilution and technique were compared, and no statistical differences were observed between the two techniques regarding the quantification of bacteria in CFU/mL, suggesting that it may be possible to replace pour plate for CBSV, a cheaper and more practical technique.

Repression of common bull sperm flora and in vitro impairment of sperm motility with Pseudomonas aeruginosa introduced by contaminated lubricant

Semen collected from clinically healthy bulls at an artificial insemination centre was examined for bacterial diversity. While bacteria that are normally present in the common flora of bovine semen were absent, such as Mycoplasma sp., Proteus sp. and Corynebacterium sp., all semen samples contained an unusually high number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Analysis via pulsed field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that one particular P. aeruginosa strain, present in a sealed bottle of lubricant, was widespread in bull semen. This strain was shown to secrete substances that inhibited both the growth of bacteria constituting the normal bull sperm flora and the motility of spermatozoa in vitro. This study demonstrated that commercially available lubricants might contain bacteria that can spread amongst breeding bulls and affect the quality of semen. Bacteriological controls and species' identification are necessary at several production levels, including lubricants and extenders, to ensure high semen quality and avoid the spread of pathogens.

[Search for Neospora caninum DNA in bull semen using PCR ]

Neospora caninum represents one of the most frequent abortifaciant organisms worldwide. The parasite is diaplacentally transmitted from the pregnant cow to the fetus, where it normally leads to the delivery of a healthy, however persistently infected calf. Abortion thus is a relative rare event. The transmission of bovine neosporosis occurs in more than 90% of the cases vertically due to the endogenous reactivation of a persistently infected mother. Exogenous infections are therefore responsible for less than 10% of the cases.The question arises about which infection sources may be relevant in this context. In Switzerland, the role of dogs as definitive hosts has been shown to be of low significance in that respect. Recently, discussion focused on the potential of infectious bull semen following natural or artificial insemination. Thus, a few years ago a report documented the detectability of N. caninum-DNA in the semen of naturally infected bulls by nested-PCR. As a consequence, we decided to gain own experience by investigating 5 separate semen specimens per animal, originating from 20 N. caninum-seropositive bulls used for artificial insemination in Switzerland. All probes turned out to be negative by nested PCR. Based upon our laboratory experiences, the potential bull semen-associated Neospora-problem seems not to affect the Swiss bull population, thus there is no evidence to include further respective means of control.

Geology of a Portion of the Bull Mountain Range Jefferson County, Montana

Work was first done on a known section, the south Boulder Section, in order to familiarize the student with the formations. Most of the area was mapped by plane table and telescopic alidade, general features being surveyed by automobile traverse and a pacing traverse.

L' Angleterre juive : Israe͏̈l chez John Bull ; etudes sur l'histoire et la progressive influence des fils d'Israe͏̈l dans la société, le négoce, la politique, l'armée, les lettres, les finances et les moeurs britanniques

par Théo-Doedalus

Ectodysplasin-1 deficiency in a German Holstein bull associated with loss of respiratory mucous glands and chronic rhinotracheitis

A 2-year-old German Holstein bull was identified as a carrier of a mutation within the X-chromosomal ED1 gene, which encodes a TNF-related signalling molecule mainly involved in ectodermal development. The clinicopathological appearance was associated with hypotrichosis, hypodontia, and a reduced number of eccrine glands, in addition to chronic rhinotracheitis and partial squamous metaplasia. Furthermore, for the first time in an ED1-deficient animal, a complete lack of respiratory mucous glands was observed. This suggests that the ED1 gene plays a role in the development of mucous glands, the absence of which resembles a feature of X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED1) in human patients.

Anthurium splendidum Bull.

anonym

Ole Bull, Brustbild

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F00241