This study aimed to verify if the process of artificial insemination (AI) characterized here as animal immobilization, the passage of the semen applicator through the cervix, and deposition of the semen in the uterus, affected cows’ welfare. For this, 18 beef calved cows were selected and divided into two groups: inseminated cows (AIG, n = 9), and not inseminated cows, the control group (CG, n = 9). Body condition score, uterus, and ovary evaluation were performed. Later, both groups were submitted into an estrus synchronization protocol and only the AIG group was inseminated. Blood components of urea, creatinine, AST, GGT, CK, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, NEFA, BHB, cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, albumin, and total protein were measured 30 h before AI, and 4, 24, 48 and 168 h after AI. Statistical differences were considered when P <0.05. No differences between AIG and CG were observed. On the other hand, when the moment of insemination was evaluated, differences were observed for urea, creatinine, AST, GGT, CK, glucose, triglycerides, NEFA, BHB, albumin, and total protein. There was an oscillation of metabolic profiles depending on the time and procedures to which animals were exposed, even though it could be inferred that the AI process was incapable of altering those metabolic components on animals that were inseminated. Still, we can affirm that artificial insemination cannot be categorized as a negative reproduction tool on animal welfare. However, the containment and management procedures for AI may alter the metabolic profile of cows, especially the increase of CK.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) on ovulation. In Experiment 1, cows were randomly allocated to two treatments to receive 150 μg of d-Cloprostenol (PGF Group, n = 12) or 2 mL of NaCl 0.9% (Control Group, n = 11) and CIDRs, were removed 4 days later. No cow ovulated in Control and PGF groups. In Experiment 2, cows were randomly separated into two experimental groups to receive 4 injections of 150 μg of d-Cloprostenol (n = 9) or 2 mL of NaCL 0.9% (n = 9). In this experiment, ovulation was not observed in any cows. In Experiment 3, ovariectomized cows receive three injections of 300μg of PGF analog (PGF Group, n = 5), 100μg of Lecirelin (GnRH Group, n = 5) or 2 mL of PBS (Control Group, n = 4). The LH concentration was higher (P <0.0001) in cows from the GnRH group than in the PGF and Control groups. In experiment 4, cows with preovulatory follicles (>11.5 mm) were treated with Saline (Control Group, n = 6); Lecirelin (GnRH Group, n = 7) or Cloprostenol Sodium (PGF Group, n = 6). There was a significant increase in the vascular area of follicles from 0 to 24 h in GnRH and PGF treatments. In conclusion, PGF was not able to induce ovulation in cows with high or low plasma progesterone concentration. Additionally, PGF alone was not able to induce LH release and follicle luteinization, but increased follicular vascularization.

The zebra-snout seahorse, Hippocampus barbouri, is an economically important marine fish and a potential candidate for aquaculture in Thailand. However, the reproductive ultrastructure of this seahorse is still poorly known. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) was used to characterize cellular morphology and ultrastructure of gametogenic stages in both sexes of H. barbouri. Based on morphology of the nucleus and unique characteristics of cytoplasmic organelles, oocytes in the oogenesis process of H. barbouri was classified into three distinct phases: primary growth phase (PG), secondary growth phase (SG) and atretic oocyte phase (AO). The early PG oocytes contained multiple nucleoli in close proximity to the nuclear membrane, showing the formation of cortical alveoli. The cytoplasm of late PG oocytes contained two distinctive cellular structures including lipid droplets and cortical alveoli and was enriched in rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome and mitochondria. The follicular complex complelety covered the oocyte at this phase and was classified into four distinct layers including zona pellucida, granulosa cells, basement membrane and theca cells. The yolk-granule formation was firstly observed in the early SG oocytes with well-developed microvilli in the zona pellucida and granulosa cells. During the late SG, the single-layered zona pellucida and the granulosa cells were well-organized. The dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were clearly visible in the granulosa cells. The AO oocytes exhibited disorganization of follicular complex. In male H. barbouri, spermatogonia and Sertoli-like cells occupied periphery of the germinal epithelium; however, the spermatocytes and spermatozoa were not observed in the germinal epithelium, possibly due to unique testis characteristics at this stage, season of the samples or aquaculture conditions. Taken together, this study unraveled characteristics of sexual differentiation in the zebra-snout seahorse and would provide benefit to monitor reproductive success of seahorse under aquaculture.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ethanolic extract of avocado seed flour on the estrous cycle characteristics, the concentrations of reproductive hormones [luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol], and the activities of some tissues (ovarian and uterine) that are markers of oxidative stress in female guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female cavies with normal estrous cycles and equivalent body weights (464.25 and 71.88 gm) were randomly assigned to four groups, each with six females. The control group received 1 ml of distilled water orally, whereas the EE100, EE200, and EE400 groups received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw of ethanolic extract of Persea americana seed, respectively. Following that, three consecutive estrous cycles were observed using vaginal smears. After the trial, the females were slaughtered, and blood and organs were gathered for study. Results: The mean duration of the estrus phase is considerably (p < 0.05) longer in group EE100 animals than in control animals. LH concentrations were substantially (p < 0.05) higher in females in group EE200 than in controls. Total cholesterol levels typically dropped in females in the extract groups, but only significantly (p < 0.05) in those in group EE100 compared to the control group. Serum estradiol levels increased considerably (p < 0.05) in treated females compared to controls. Catalase activity rose considerably (p < 0.05) in the ovaries of group EE400 when compared to the control. Superoxide dismutase activity rose considerably (p < 0.05) in the uterus of female cavies given the extract compared to the control. Conclusion: Avocado seed ethanolic extract prolongs the estrus phase, increases estradiol and LH levels, and protects the uterus from oxidative stress in female cavies. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 501-510]