The effects of melatonin and Light treatments on the reproductive performance of yearling Suffolk rams were investigated. The two groups (A, n = 8; B, n = 8) were given a priming period of long days (18 h Light (L): 6 h dark (D) during 1st February to 14th March. During 14th March to 9th September, group A was exposed to local light + melatonin Implants (Regulin) at 5 weekly intervals, group B was exposed to local light + melatonin Fed (M- 5250) alongwith the feed. The group (C, n = 8) in the local light during 1st February to 14th March and during 14th March to 9th September remained on local light + melatonin implants (Regulin) at 5-weekly intervals. However, the group (D, n=8) was treated as control and kept on local light environment (Lat. 51 degree 43'N) throughout the experiment. Testis diameter, sexual behaviours and semen quality were used to assess reproductive performances. The treatment to group A & B resulted in a significant advancement in high reproductive performance. The treatment to group C indicated that the abrupt application of melatonin in mid March resulted in a weak response in terms of all the criteria of assessment. The investigation indicated that seasonal fluctuations in reproductive behaviour and semen quality may be rephrased by the application of light and melatonin treatments and that these treatments may be considered for the preparation of rams for out of season breeding.

We studied the vascular pattern of arterial blood supply and the number and distribution of penetrating vessels in 30 pairs of testicles of Murrah buffalos, from 8 months to 5 years old, native from Ilha Solteira (São Paulo-Brazil). The vascular pattern was analyzed in plastic models, obtained by injection of vinilyte in the testicular artery and further corrosion of the organ in 30% sulfuric acid. In these animals the testicular artery showed five vascular arrangements. In one case the artery was divided in two branches, named cranial and caudal in 68.4% which showed: a) equivalent participation of both branches in the arterial vascularization in 35.0%; b) the cranial branch was predominant in 21.7%; and finally the predominant branch was the caudal one in 11.7%. In other studied cases, the testicular artery originated three branches: the cranial, the medial and the caudal ones in 20.0% or that artery originated a varied number of cranial (4-7) and caudal (3-5) branches in 11.6%. | Estudamos o comportamento da artéria testicular, o número e a distribuição dos vasos penetrantes em 30 pares de testículos de búfalos da raça Murrah (Bubalus bubalis), com idade entre 8 meses e 5 anos, procedentes da região de Ilha Solteira, no Estado de São Paulo, mediante a análise de moldes obtidos pela injeção de vinil, na artéria testicular e em seguida corrosão do órgão em ácido sulfúrico a 30%. Encontramos mais freqüentemente (68,4%) a artéria testicular cedendo dois ramos, o cranial e o caudal, com participação equivalente de ambos os ramos na vascularização do órgão (35,0%), ou com predominância do ramo cranial (21,7%) ou do ramo caudal (11,7%). Em outros arranjos, a artéria testicular cede três ramos: o cranial, o médio e o caudal (20,0%) ou ainda número variável de ramos craniais (4 a 7) e caudais (3 a 5) (11,6%) para a vascularização arterial do testículo.

<p>The course of the testicular artery and the number and distribution of its penetrating branches were studied in 30 pairs of testicles of adults Pega donkeys originated from several regions of Minas Gerais (Brazil), in analysing the squematic draws from models obtenied by corrosion after vinyl acetate injection. In these animals it was noted that this artery shows four differents vascular arrangements according its division and the predominance in the organ blood supply showed by one or other of the resulting branches. The distribution of the penetrating branches per quadrant in median values, is made so that in the right testicles the most vascularized is the craniomedial (17,0), followed by the caudomedial and the craniolateral (15,5) and the caudolateral (15,0). In the left testicle, the caudolateral quadrant showed the highest number of penetrating branches (18,5), followed by the craniolateral (17,0),craniomedial (16,0) and the caudomedial (14,0). Anastomosis between the testicular artery and its branches or between different collaterals which were originated from that artery were observed in 15.0% of the cases. The total number of penetrating branches in median values was respectively 66.5 and 66.0 to the right and to the left testicle. There were not significant statistical differences between the right testicle and the left one, when the numbers of penetrating branches were compareted.</p> | <p>Estudou-se o comportamento da artéria testicular e seus ramos, bem como o número e distribuição dos vasos penetrantes, em 30 pares de testículos de jumentos da raça Pega, adultos e procedentes de várias regiões do Estado de Minas Gerais, mediante a análise de esquemas de modelos obtidos por corrosão após injeção de acetato de “vinyl”. Observou-se que nestes animais essa artéria oferece quatro arranjos vasculares diferentes, de acordo com sua divisão com predomínio de um ou outro dos vasos resultantes na irrigação do órgão. Quanto à distribuição dos vasos penetrantes, por quadrante, em mediana, faz-se de maneira que nos testículos direitos o quadrante mais povoado é o craniomedial (17.0), sendo seguido pelos quadrantes caudomedial e craniolateral (15,5) e caudolateral (15,0). Por outro lado, nos testículos esquerdos o quadrante caudolateral mostra o maior número de vasos penetrantes (18,5), seguido pelos quadrantes craniolateral (17,0), craniomedial (16,0) e caudomedial (14.0). Indentificou-se a presença de anastomoses que ocorrem entre a artéria testicular e seus ramos ou entre os diferentes colaterais cedidos pela própria artéria. Relativamente ao número total de vasos penetrantes, encontrou-se em mediana, 66,5 e 66,0 vasos para os testículos direitos e esquerdos, respectivamente, o que estatisticamente não é significante ao nível de α = 0,05, quando comparamoso número de vasos penetrantes dos testículos direitos e esquerdos.</p>

We have studied 35 pairs of spermatic cords of crossbred horses in order to establish the histological aspects of the following structures: testicular wrappers, arterial and venous vessels, intervascular tissues, as well as the arrangement of its vascular system and the length of the tract of testicular artery contained in it. | <p>Utilizando 35 pares de funículos esperméticos de eqüinos sem raça definida, estudaram-se os aspectos histológicos dos envoltórios funiculares, dos vasos arteriais e venosos e dos tecidos intervasculares, assim como o seu arranjo vascular e o comprimento do segmento da artéria testicular nele contido.</p>

<p>Spermatic cords and testis of 40 mature Nelore bulls, with age varying from 4 to 8 years, were used in this investigation wich was divided in 3 parts: histological study, vascular arrangement and artery length in the spermatic cord. In these animals, the spermatic cord is surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue covered by mesothelium which holds the <em>vas deferens </em>and arterioles, venules, lymphatics and contiguous nerves. Regarding the subcapsular situation, the adipose tissue that envolves the spermatic cord, diminishes in the central area where the connective tissue forms the continuing adventitia of the testicular artery and veins, following the vessels and nerves from this area. In the spermatic cord, the testicular artery shows a tortuous traject and a constant diameter, always envolved by a venous plexus formed by veins of different sizes with valvules. The testicular artery in the spermatic cord shows a mean, maximum and minimum length, respectively of 244.7 cm, 347.0 cm and 142.5 cm (right side) and 250.8 cm, 349.5 cm and 188.0 cm (left side). These data were obtained by rectification and by measuring of Neoprene latex "650" models. In the same way of mean, maximum and minimum values of 245.6 cm, 377.4 cm and 139.1 cm (right side) and 250.8 cm, 364.0 cm and 202.5 cm (left side) were obtained by weighing the Neoprene latex "650" models. There is no significant statistical difference at 5%, between either measuring methods or right and left sides.</p> | <p>Foram examinados, em peças obtidas de 40 bovinos da raça Nelore, adultos, com idade variando de 4 a 8 anos, os aspectos histológicos e o arranjo vascular do funículo espermático, bem como, o comprimento da A. testicular nele contido. Nestes animais, o funículo espermático encontra-se envolvido por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo denso, revestida por mesotélio que abriga o dueto deferente, assim como, arteríolas, vênulas, linfáticos e nervos contíguos e ele. Ocupando posição sub-capsular, o tecido adiposo comporta-se como envoltório do funículo espermático, mostrando-se escasso na região central, onde o tecido conjuntivo denso constitui as adventícias contínuas da artéria e veias testiculares, contornando os vasos e nervos desta região. No funículo espermático, a A. testicular exibe trajeto sinuoso, diâmetro constante, sempre e n volvida pelo plexo venoso, formado por veias de calibres variados e providas de válvulas. A A. testicular, contida nos funículos espermáticos, apresenta comprimento médio, máximo e mínimo, respectivamente, 244,7 cm, 347,0 cm e 142,5 cm à direita e 250,8 cm, 349,5 cm e 188,0 cm à esquerda, dados estes conseguidos com a retificação e mensuração dos modelos de Neoprene látex "650" e 245,6 cm, 377,4 cm e 139,1 cm à direita e 250,8 cm, 364,0 cm e 202,5 cm à esquerda, valores encontrados mediante pesagem dos modelos de Neoprene látex "650". Não foram registradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 5%, quando confrontados os resultados obtidos pelos dois processos de medição, o mesmo ocorrendo em relação aos valores encontrados à direita e à esquerda.</p>

We have studied morphologic aspects of 38 pairs of spermatic cord in Pêga donkey, and histologically observed that their components are involved for a slim capsule of dense connective tissue. Bellow this capsule we find internal cremaster muscle that shows distinct layer or arises septate by dense connective tissue invasion. Funicular capsule and muscular tissue form disordered plicae and also some expansions that sometimes are followed for intervascular loose connective tissue. Involving funicular arteries and veins, we identified loose connective tissue with elastic and reticular fibbers, with arteriolae, venulae, nerves and lymphatic. Testicular artery studied has sinuous course, internal tunica formed by endothelium and connective tissue, with outstanding internal elastic limiting lamina. Tunica media shows to be formed for smooth musculature, supported by a rich and orderly net of reticular fibbers and few elastic fibbers, while external tunica, constituted of dense connective tissue, with collagenous and elastic fibbers, has continuity with intervascular loose connective tissue. Testicular veins, involving testicular artery, to form venous pampiniform plexus and show variable caliber, a developed tunica media, constituted of smooth muscular fibbers supported by a irregular net of reticular fibbers and few elastic fibbers. Testicular arteries segments of spermatic cord have mean, maximum and minimum lengths, respectively, of 71.34 cm, 108.9 cm and 41.6 cm at the right, and 68.78 cm, 110.4 cm and 41.6 cm at the left, and do not have statiscally significant differences, at level of 5%. Spermatic cord has a conical shape, latero-laterally flattened, with basis settled over orchis epididymal edge. | Estudando aspectos morfológicos de 38 pares de funículos espermáticos de jumentos da raça Pêga, observamos histologicamente que seus componentes encontram-se envolvidos por delgada cápsula de tecido conjuntivo denso, revestido pelo mesotélio, sob a qual se encontra o músculo cremáster interno, apresentando camadas distintas ou septado por tecido conjuntivo denso. Cápsula funicular e tecido muscular formam inúmeras pregas e algumas expansões, por vezes acompanhadas pelo tecido conjuntivo frouxo intervascular. Envolvendo a artéria e as veias funiculares, identificamos tecido conjuntivo frouxo rico em fibras elásticas e reticulares, com arteríolas, vênulas, nervos e linfáticos. O segmento da artéria testicular estudado possui trajeto sinuoso, túnica interna formada pelo endotélio e tecido conjuntivo, com destacada lâmina limitante elástica interna. A túnica média é formada por espessa camada de musculatura lisa, sustentada por rica e ordenada rede de fibras reticulares e escassas fibras elásticas, e a túnica externa, constituída por tecido conjuntivo denso, contendo fibras colágenas e elásticas, apresenta continuidade com tecido conjuntivo frouxo intervascular. Veias testiculares que envolvem a artéria testicular para formar o plexo venoso pampiniforme mostram calibre variável, túnica média desenvolvida, constituída por fibras musculares lisas, sustentadas por irregular rede de fibras reticulares e poucas fibras elásticas. Os segmentos das artérias testiculares dos funículos espermáticos possuem como comprimento médio, máximo e mínimo, respectivamente, 71,34 , 108,9 e 41,6 cm à direita e 68,78, 110,4 e 41,6 cm à esquerda, não apresentando diferenças estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 5%. O funículo espermático possui forma cônica, achatado látero-lateralmente, com base assentada sobre a margem epididimária do testículo.

<p>The arterial blood supply of 30 pairs of swines testicles were studied. The animals 6 to 10 months old were obtained from the “Campus Administrativo de Pirassununga, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - USP” and from “Seara Industrial de Xanxerê S/A - Santa Catarina”. The testicular artery was injected with vinyl in order to obtain arterial models. In 50% of the preparations the testicular artery showed a variable number of lateral and medial branches; in 31.7% there was predominance of lateral branches. On the remaining 18.3% it was observed predominance of the medial branches. In 43.3% the testicular artery originated two branches, a lateral and a medial. In 30.0% of the preparations there was predominance of the medial branch, while the lateral one predominated on 13.3%. On the remaining 6.7% of the organs the testicular artery gave a dorsal branch and a ventral branch, the later prevailing on the vascularization of the organ. Concerning to the number and distribution of the arterial penetrant vessels, as analysed by the median method, it was possible to observe little differences among quadrants on the various models studied. When the testicular artery originated a variable number of lateral and medial branches (50%), it was possible to observe the presence of penetrant vessels that starting from the branching point reach oposite quadrants to the principal destination of the original artery. In 20.0% of the preparations when the division resulted in a lateral branch and a medial one, there were additional branches originating from the testicular artery prior to its division point. In 59 models (95.0%) anastomosis between the testicular artery and its main branches of theirs collaterals were identified. Those anastomosis were observed under thin albuginea and in the caudal face of the organ generally. Other anastomosis were noted between branches of the testicular and epididymary arteries. There were no significant differences among median values (P&gt;0,05) of total number of penetrant vessels of the right or the left testicles.</p> | <p>Utilizando 30 pares de testículos de suínos, com idade compreendida entre 6 a 10 meses, procedentes do Campus Administrativo de Pirassununga, da Universidade de São Paulo e da Seara Industrial dc Xanxerê S.A., Santa Catarina, estudou-se a vascularização arterial mediante análise de moldes da artéria testicular, obtidos pela injeção de vynil. Na vascularização do órgão, a artéria testicular forneceu: (a) em 50,0% das preparações, número variável de ramos laterais e mediais, ocorrendo em 31,7%, predominância dos ramos laterais; (b) em 43,3% um ramo medial e outro lateral, havendo em 30% das peças, predomínio do ramo medial; (c) em 6,7% dos moldes, os ramos ventral e dorsal, notando-se predomínio do ramo ventral, na vascularização do órgão. Nas preparações em que a artéria testicular fornecia número variável de ramos laterais e mediais, observou-se em mediana e nos quadrantes dorsolateral, dorsomedial, ventrolateral e ventromedial, respectivamente, 27,0; 26,0; 38,0; 28,0 vasos penetrantes quanto da predominância dos laterais e 24,0; 24,0; 30,0 e 33,0 no caso do predomínio dos mediais. Quando a artéria testicular cedeu dois ramos, o medial e o lateral, os valores foram, respectivamcntc, 25,0; 24,0; 35,0; 28,0 com predominância do medial e de 33,0; 33,5; 38,0; 37,5 com predominância do lateral. Quando emitiu os ramos dorsal e ventral, verificou-se, respectivamente 30,5; 24,5; 26,5 e 28,0 quando da predominância do ventral. Observou-se em 30 preparações (50%) ramos laterais ou mediais cedendo vasos penetrantes a quadrantes opostos ao destino principal do vaso que lhe deu origem. Foi verificada a presença de ramos adicionais, específicos, originados da artéria testicular antes desta ceder os ramos lateral e medial, e os ramos ventral e dorsal. Foram identificadas em 95% das preparações, anastomoses entre a artéria testicular e seus ramos principais e colaterais, bem como dos ramos adicionais. A ocorrência se deu com maior freqüência na face caudal do órgão sob a albugínca e ainda entre ramos da artéria testicular e epididimários. Não houve diferença significativa no número total de vasos penetrantes dos testículos direito e esquerdo, ao nível de P &gt;0,05.</p>

<p>Thirty adult Nelore bovine pairs of testis, from animals aging 4 to 8-years-old were collected and studied through vinyl acetate models. Two types of testicular arterial distribution were observed. In 70%of the cases the testicular artery gives two branches: one lateral and another medial with an equivalent participation in the organ's irrigation (10.0%); another 31.7% of these showed predominance of the lateral branch or of the medial (28.3%) and in some cases (30.0%) it supplies with 1 to 5 lateral and from2 to 4 medial branches which together with the mentioned artery, irrigate the gland. For each type of vascularization, the origin, number of penetrating vessels, its distribution and different quarters settlement were registered. Regarding to the number of penetrating vessels, they were observed in the dorsolateral, dorsomedial, ventrolateral and ventromedial quarters, which reported in terms of their medians were respectively: 12,0; 11,0; 7,5 and9,0 when there was an equivalence between the lateral and medial branches in the testicular vascularization;12,0, 8,0, 8,0 and 13,0 with predominance of the lateral branch; 9,0; 9,0; 11,0 and 10,0 with predominance of the medial and 11,0; 11,5; 10,0 and9,5 when the testicular artery issues variable number of lateral (1 to 5) and medial (2 to 4) branches.</p> | <p>Estudou-se, em 30 pares de testículos de bovinos adultos da raça Nelore, com idade variando de 4 a 8 anos, o comportamento da artéria testicular e seus ramos, mediante análise de modelos obtidos com solução de acetato de vinyl. A artéria testicular cede, nestes animais, dois ramos, (70,0%) um lateral e outro medial, com participação equivalente na irrigação do órgão (10,0%), predominância do ramo lateral (31,7%) ou predominância do medial (28,3%) e, em alguns casos (30,0%), fornece de 1 a 5 ramos laterais e de 2 a 4 mediais que, juntamente com a referida artéria, são responsáveis pela irrigação da glândula. Para cada modalidade de vascularização foram registrados a origem, o número de vasos penetrantes, sua distribuição e o povoamento dos diferentes quadrantes. Quanto ao número de vasos penetrantes, encontraram-se nos quadrantes dorsolateral, dorsomedial, ventrolateral e ventromedial, em mediana, respectivamente: 12,0; 11,0; 7,5 e 9,0, quando ocorre equivalência dos ramos lateral e medial na vascularização do testículo, 12,0; 8,0; 8,0 e 13,0,quando da predominância do ramo lateral, 9,0; 9,0;11,0 e 10,0, quando da predominância do ramo mediai e11,0; 11,5; 10,0 e 9,5, quando a artéria testicular emite número variado de ramos laterais (1 a 5) e mediais (2 a 4).</p>