OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of subchronic oral exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) at a daily dose of 50 μg of ZEA/kg of body weight (an environmentally relevant concentration) on the reproductive system of rabbit bucks. ANIMALS 8 healthy sexually mature New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES During the experimental period (March to June), each rabbit underwent a 7-week control protocol and then a 7-week treatment protocol. Water (0.5 mL) or ZEA solution (50 μg/kg [0.5 mL]) was administered orally once daily during the control and treatment period, respectively; ejaculates were collected weekly. Studied end points included semen quality variables (spermatozoa kinetics, morphology, viability, and DNA fragmentation), serum testosterone concentration, and results of histologic examination of the testes and epididymides following euthanasia at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS Treatment with ZEA solution resulted in significant increases in spermatozoa beat-cross frequency, in the percentages of spermatozoa with head and midpiece abnormalities, and in the percentages of DNA-fragmented spermatozoa, compared with effects of the control treatment. Serum testosterone concentration, other spermatozoa velocity variables, and percentages of progressive and total motility, rapidly or slowly moving spermatozoa, and live spermatozoa did not differ significantly between the 2 periods. Histologic examination revealed no patterns of abnormal findings in the testes and epididymides. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral treatment with ZEA solution at an environmentally relevant concentration caused minor interference with rabbit bucks' sperm quality. Although mostly considered mild, the sperm quality changes warrant further investigation in terms of fertilizing capacity impairment.

OBJECTIVE To identify and evaluate 3 types of angiographic catheters for retrograde urinary bladder catheterization in healthy male goats. ANIMALS 12 sexually intact yearling Alpine-cross bucks. PROCEDURES Three 5F angiographic catheters of the same length (100 cm) and diameter (0.17 cm) but differing in curvature at the tip were labeled A (straight tip), B (tip bent in 1 place), and C (tip bent in 2 places). During a single anesthetic episode, attempts were made to blindly pass each catheter into the urinary bladder of each goat. Order of catheters used was randomized, and the veterinarian passing the catheter was blinded as to catheter identity. The total number of attempts at catheter passage and the total number of successful attempts were recorded. RESULTS Catheter A was unsuccessfully passed in all 12 goats, catheter B was successfully passed in 8 goats, and catheter C was successfully passed in 4 goats. The success rate for catheter B was significantly greater than that for catheter A; however, no significant difference was identified between catheters B and C or catheters A and C. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 2 angiographic catheters were identified that could be successfully, blindly advanced in a retrograde direction into the urinary bladder of healthy sexually intact male goats. Such catheters may be useful for determining urethral patency, emptying the urinary bladder, and instilling chemolysing agents in goats with clinical obstructive urolithiasis.

This study aimed to compare the testicular morphometry, mediastinum thickness, hormonal levels, hemodynamic, echogenicity, and heterogeneity in Baladi bucks at prepubertal and postpubertal stages. Five bucks (Capra hircus) were evaluated in two different stages of growth: prepubertal (age 4.5± 0.6 months; 15.0 ± 3.0 kg) and post-pubertal stages (age 13.0 ± 1.3 months; 33.0 ± 2.5 kg). Scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions, mediastinum thickness, echogenicity, heterogeneity, Doppler parameters, semen collection, testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormones (LH), and nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs) were measured. There was an (P<0.05) elevation of the testicular length, width, and scrotal circumference. Mediastinum thickness and colored areas toward and away from probe were increased (P<0.05) in post-pubertal age (2.18±0.01, 6556±32.58, and 7845±65.44) compared to pre-pubertal one (1.27±0.96, 4290±42.12, and 5144±54.24). The spectral graph was characterized by low resistance (RI), moderate pulsatility (PI) with high peak velocity, and low endpoints in the post-pubertal stage while the endpoint was equal to zero in young bucks. The post-pubertal age was associated with a marked decline (P<0.05) in echogenicity, heterogeneity, and RI, while estradiol, testosterone, and NOMs levels were increased (P<0.05). It could be concluded that the post-pubertal stage in Baladi bucks is associated with changes in testicular width, length, mediastinum thickness, RI, scrotal circumference, echogenicity, pixel heterogeneity, testicular colored area away and toward the probe, end-diastolic point, testosterone, nitric oxide, and estradiol levels, as all those variables are considered an accurate markers for the onset of sexual maturity in Baladi bucks.