Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

16 t h International Congress on Animal Reproduction
160 Poster Abstracts
Malnourished during second half of pregnancy, receiving 70% of their
energy and protein requirements (MN n=12); 3) Malnourished but
supplemented, two weeks before parturition, with 0.6 kg of ground
maize/animal (S, n=14). The following variables were recorded: 1)
dystocia, 2) motor activity and head reflex response in the first hour
after birth, 3) birth weight and 4) percentage of mortality during the
fist 45 days after birth. Proportion of dystocia was significantly higher
in MN compared to S and C groups (MN: 16/29, S: 7/32 and C: 3/23
kids, P0.05). After birth, kids from malnourished goats spent
longer time trying to stand up than kids from Control mothers (1380.2
± 291.2 vs 464 ± 75.9 sec., P=0.009), while non significant
differences were found between kids from S and MN, and those from
S and C goats. Similar results were found in the kid´s latency to be
completely stood up (2457.4 ± 243 vs 1461.2 ± 199.4 sec., P=0.01).
Proportion of kids showing positive response to the head reflex test
(head rising after a touch on their nose) was smaller in MN than in C
and S (MN: 7/16, C: 14/20 and S 20/27, P=0.04).While proportion of
kids shaking their head in response to tickling inside their ear tended
to be smaller in kids from MN than those from S and C mothers
(P=0.08). Kids from Control were heavier at birth than those from
Supplemented and Malnourished mothers (Control: 3.54 ± 0.1,
Supplemented: 3.04 ± 0.9 and Malnourished: 3.02 ± 0.1 kg, P=0.01).
Mortality from birth until the first 45 days of life was significantly
higher in kids from MN than those from Control and Supplemented
mothers (MN: 40%, C: 12% and S: 18%, P=0.05); non significant
differences were found between Control and Supplemented. It is
concluded that a high-energetic food supplementation few days before
parturition improves some aspects of vitality and consequently the
viability of kids from underfed mothers. Supported by PAPIIT
IN217205, FIS B/3872-1 and CATEDRA IN2-07.
P402
Neonatal clinical evaluation of Holstein calves born under
distinct obstetric conditions
Rodrigues, JA; Niemeyer, C; Silva, LCG; Lúcio, CF; Veiga, GAL; Vannucchi, CI*
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo,
Brazil
During normal bovine parturition, uterine contractions compress
umbilical cord and uterine arteries, causing a reduction of fetal blood
flow and acidemia. However, during dystocia, uterine contractions are
more intensive, which even worsened these conditions.
Administration of oxytocin during maternal dystocia may compromise
fetal well-being due to maternal hypotension and increased fetal
stress. The aims of this study were to evaluate neonatal blood gases,
acid base and clinical parameters and to compare the initial period of
metabolic compensation under distinct obstetrical conditions. Animals
were allocated into 3 groups: Group 1–eutocia (n=10); Group 2–fetal
dystocia with obstetric assistance (n=10); Group 3–maternal dystocia
treated with oxytocin and calcium gluconate infusion (n=4). Neonates
were examined using the APGAR scoring and rectal temperature
measurement at birth, 5 and 60 minutes after calving. Arterial blood
samples were collected at delivery and after 60 minutes, in order to
evaluate blood gases, acid base parameters, hematocrit, hemoglobin,
Na, K, BUN and glucose. Calves of Group 2 showed reduced vitality
as compared to the other groups. Moreover, pH (7.15±0.15) and BE (-
9.1mmol/L±10.3) at birth were significantly lower than in the other
groups, while HCO 3 (19.1mEq/L±8.1) was only lower than the
reference values. Therefore, these results showed that dystocia can
cause fetal distress as demonstrated by metabolic acidosis due to
reduced blood supply to vital organs. Calves of Group 3 also showed
metabolic acidosis at birth (pH 7.23±0.03 and BE -4.5mmol/L±2.1)
and low pO2 at both measurements (44.5mmHg±10.6 and
42.2mmHg±11.2). However, there was no difference among groups.
Oxytocin infusion can cause distinct uterine contraction pattern
diminishing maternal-fetal circulation and increasing neonatal stress.
Group 3 exhibited significantly higher HCO 3 (26.3mEq/L±2.3) after 1
hour than the other calves, demonstrating the requirement to
compensate hypoxia after delivery. During asphyxia, blood flow
redistributes, resulting in lower renal perfusion and ischemic renal
injury. As a result, electrolytic disturbances such as hyponatremia,
hypopotassemia and uremia were observed. All newborns showed
lower hematocrit and hemoglobin results than reference values due to
umbilical hemorrhage or immature erytropoiesis. All calves born
normally or by assistance showed evident thermoregulation and
glucose maintenance1 hour after birth. The obstetric condition was
crucial to neonatal clinical development mainly affecting maternalfetal
circulation in dystocias and compromising the newborn vitality.
FAPESP 06/50485-7.
Poster 16 - Andrology, Male Genitals
P403
Seric testosterone concentration (STC) in young Guzerat
bulls (Bos taurus indicus) and its association with
reproductive traits
Andrade, VJ.*; Dias, JC.; Martins, JAM; Emerick, LL.; Ivo, JC.,Vale Filho, VR;
Silva, MA, Souza, FA.
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
Introduction Positive associations have been found (Gwasdauskas et
al., 1980) among seric testosterone concentrations and reproductive
characteristics, indicative of bull fertility. This study aimed to
evaluate seric testosterone levels and their associations with
andrologic characteristics in young Guzerat bulls.
Material and Methods Blood samples collected at two hours
intervals from 7 AM to 7 PM and reproductive characteristics from 24
young Guzerat bulls, aging from 24 to 34 months, raised under
pasture conditions were evaluated. STC was determined by
radioimmunoassay. Andrologic evaluations were performed according
to Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction (1998) and the animals
submitted to the BSE for zebu (BSE-Z), according to Vale Filho
(1989). Pearson & Spearman correlations were used to estimate the
associations among reproductive traits and STC.
Results and discussion Means for age, weight, STC and andrologic
characteristics (Scrotal circumference – SC; Sperm motility – SM;
Vigor – Vig; Semen Volume – SVOL; Sperm Concentration –
SCONC; Major Sperm Defects – MD; Total Sperm Defects – TD and
BSE-Z. Means for age, weight, STC and reproductive characteristics
of Guzerat bulls aging from 24 to 34 months, raised on pasture STC
varied from 0.18 to 4.10ng/mL. It was also registered variation in
STC according to blood collection time, with highest concentration
(4.42 ng/mL) at 7 AM and lowest (0.36 ng/mL) at 7PM. It was also
recorded correlations (P0.05) among physical and morphological
semen characteristics as reported by Gwasdauskas et al. (1980).
Conclusion It was registered great variability in STC in young
Guzerat bulls, suggesting that it can be used as an auxiliary parameter
in identifying bulls with greater reproductive potential, based on its
favorable associations with reproductive characteristics.
P404
Absorptive activities in the efferent ducts of adult cat
studied by Aquaporin immunohistochemistry and lectin
histochemistry
Arrighi, S 1 *; Ventriglia, G 2 ; Aralla, M 1 ; Zizza, S 2 ; De Metrio, G 2 ; Desantis, S 2
1Department of Veterinary Science and Technologies for Food Safety, Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy; 2 Department of Animal
Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
Ultrastrucural features of the epithelium lining the efferent ducts (ED)
in the cat, as in other mammalian species, are strongly indicative of an
absorptive activity taking place towards the intraluminal fluids. It is
well-known that more than 95% of the fluid leaving the testis is
reabsorbed by the ED, but the cell structures involved in the
reabsorption processes are still a matter of debate. The purpose of the
present work was to study the absorptive pathways in the ED of adult