Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Ocelot And Bobcat General And Reproductive Health In South Texas And Assessment Of Assisted Reproductive Techniques For Wild Felid Conservation, Ashley Reeves

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent studies of wild felid populations in southern Texas have shown loss of genetic variability and inbreeding depression over time, increasing the risk of reduced reproductive and immune fitness leading to an overall decrease in reproductive success, increase in disease susceptibility, and further population demise. Assessment of general health, pathogen exposure, and reproductive health can provide documentation of the possible effects of inbreeding and inform the development of conservation strategies. Assisted reproductive technologies have been used in many other species and can address behavioral or physical incompatibilities among breeding pairs, connect distant populations by transporting frozen gametes, preserve genetic diversity …

Some Histological Reveals On Reproduction Of One Of The Lessepsian Species, Nemipterus Randalli In Antalya (Turkey), Mehmet Rüştü Özen

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study, the reproduction of Nemipterus randalli, one of the lessepsian fish catch from the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey was interpreted histologically. Regarding the fish used in this study (N = 1715), it is noteworthy to mention that male individuals are larger than females. The first sexual maturity in males was determined 17 cm TL and 60 g in BW, whereas 13 cm TL and 25 g BW in females. Females reached sexual maturity at age I+ and males at the age of II+. Seven different stages (O1-O7) were identified in oocyte maturation in the ovaries. The spawning time …

Surgical Sterilization Impacts On Behavior Of Coyote Pairs, Tyler Leary, Jeffrey T. Schultz, Julie K. Young

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes (Canis latrans) involved in depredation of livestock, an act frequently resulting in human-wildlife conflict, often do so out of necessity for provisioning pups. Surgical sterilization methods such as vasectomy that preserve gonadal hormones have been successful in reducing depredation by free-ranging coyotes while allowing individuals to maintain territoriality and mate fidelity. However, use of these methods remain costly and ineffective for wide-scale use. Given the alternative proposal of using chemical sterilization techniques, we investigated whether the use of hormone-altering sterilization methods impacted behavior of captive coyote pairs (i.e., male-female pair bonds). Our objective was to evaluate behavior …

Measuring Adrenal And Reproductive Hormones In Hair From Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus), Marilize Van Der Walt, Lorin A. Neuman-Lee, Patricia A. Terletzky, Todd C. Atwood, Eric M. Gese, Susannah S. French

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) use sea ice to access marine mammal prey. In Alaska’s Southern Beaufort Sea, the declining availability of sea ice habitat in summer and fall has reduced opportunities for polar bears to routinely hunt on the ice for seals, their primary prey. This reduced access to prey may result in physiological stress with subsequent potential consequences to reproductive function (physiological changes that accompany reproduction), which can be measured via reproductive hormones. Hormone concentrations in hair can be used as a minimally invasive alternative to serum concentrations, which must come from animal captures. Hair samples also …

Reproductive Trade-Offs In The Colorado Checkered Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis Neotesselatus): An Examination Of The Relationship Between Clutch And Follicle Size, Hannah E. Caracalas, S. S. French, S. B. Hudson, B. M. Kluever, A. C. Webb, D. Eifler, A. J. Lehmicke, Lise M. Aubry

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Life history theory predicts that there should be an inverse relationship between offspring size and number, because individuals cannot simultaneously maximize both when resources are limited. Although extensively studied in avian species, the occurrence and determinants of reproductive tradeoffs in oviparous reptiles are far less understood, particularly in parthenogenetic species. We studied this trade-off in the Colorado Checkered Whiptail, Aspidoscelis neotesselatus, a female-only parthenogenetic lizard. Using data previously collected in 2018 and 2019, we tested for clutch and egg size trade-offs and determined whether this relationship could be influenced by female size and aspects of physiological condition. Physiological condition …

Efficiency Of Heat Reduction In Barns During Rainy Season And Barn Characteristics: Their Relationship To Reproductive Performance Of Dairy Cows In A Tropical Environment, Watcharapong Choonkham, Thuwanon Boonkerd, Siriporn Kanwichai, Peter Vos, Witaya Suriyasathaporn

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The objectives of this study were toevaluate the impact of efficiency of heat reduction on barns during the rainy season and barn characteristics on the reproductive performance of dairy cows in a tropical environment. Data of cows from 125 small-holder dairy farms in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during May to August 2014 was used. Reproductive performance indices, e.g. days to first insemination (DI) and days open (DO), were used as dependent variables. Microclimate factors included differences in temperature (TEMP_DIFF) and relative humidity (RH_DIFF) between the inside and outside of barns. From the total of 5,255 lactation data, 27 and 1,398 data …

Associations Among Beef Cattle Genotypes, Neospora Caninum Infection, And Reproductive Performance, Ryan James Page

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reproductive performance is crucial for sustained financial success in the beef cattle industry. This dissertation includes a population study that quantified the incidence of Neospora caninum infections in the central region of the United States and tested its relationship with reproductive performance in beef cattle. Trial one of that study concluded that 6.9% of open, replacement heifers (n = 1306) tested seropositive. The second trial in that project found that 9.6% of the breeding age females (n = 500) tested were seropositive for Neospora caninum; and that state in which the cattle lived and age impacted (P < 0.05) infection rate. Breed composition, number of farm dogs on the ranch, and use of total mixed rations were not associated (P > 0.1) with seropositive …

Competing Reproductive And Physiological Investments In An All‑Female Lizard, The Colorado Checkered Whiptail, Lise M. Aubry, Spencer B. Hudson, Bryan M. Kluever, Alison C. Webb, Susannah S. French

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Organisms in the wild have to allocate limited resources towards competing functions such as reproduction, growth, and self-maintenance. These competing investments create significant changes in physiological activity, and we still know little about the relationship between physiological activity and reproductive investment in natura. We investigated trade-offs between physiological activity and reproductive investment in the parthenogenetic Colorado checkered whiptail, Aspidoscelis neotesselata, across three different sites at the US Army Fort Carson Military Installation near Colorado Springs, CO, through-out the reproductive season in 2018 and 2019. We measured clutch size and reproductive activity and quantified plasma corticosterone (CORT), reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), …

The Use Of Doppler Ultrasound As A Potential Fertility Predictor In Male Goats, Diego Luiz Dos Santos Ribeiro, Larissa Sarmento Santos, Itamara Gomes França, Hellyda Gomes Pereira, Joaquim De Sousa Lima, Bento Douglas Brito Miranda, Alcina Vieira Carvalho Neta, Jose Ribamar S Torres Junior

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of the current study is to correlate Doppler flowmetry with andrological features in male goats belonging to different age and fertility groups. Thirty native crossbreed bucks bred in Northeastern Brazil were subjected to B-mode, spectral and color Doppler ultrasound, as well as to andrological examinations. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate blood flow in the pampiniform plexus and testicular parenchyma. Semen was collected through the electroejaculation method in order to have its physical and morphological features evaluated. The animals were grouped based on age (young, mature, and old) and fertility level (high and low) before analysis. Data …

In Vitro Exposure To Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (Dehp) Stimulates Spontaneous Felineuterine Contractions, Ruhi̇ Kabakçi, Hasan Ceyhun Macun, Ebru Yildirim, İbrahi̇m Mert Polat, Taha Burak Eli̇foğlu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in various products such as PVC-derived plastics, toys, packaging materials, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DEHP on spontaneous contractions of the feline uterus in vitro. Tubal 1-cm uterine samples prepared from 10, 9, and 12 uteri obtained from adult cats in estrus (n = 5), diestrus (n = 5), and interestrus (n = 5), respectively, after ovariohysterectomy were suspended in an isolated organ bath in aerated Krebs solution at 39 ± 1 °C, and an initial 1 g tension was given. After 1 h equilibration …

Can Assisted Reproductive Technologies Help Conserve 300 Million Years Of Evolution? A First Attempt At Developing These Technologies For Male Reptiles, Sean M. Perry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Biodiversity loss is the most critical environmental problem threatening ecosystem, animal, and human health today. Increases in extinction rates have been observed over the past 50 years, with reptile losses occurring twelve times faster than traditional extinction rates. This demonstrated biodiversity loss is secondary to climate change, habitat destruction, infectious disease, invasive species, poaching, and unsustainable trade. Approximately 20% of all reptiles are threatened with extinction and population declines are approaching rates similar to the current amphibian extinction crisis. Preventing the extinction of reptiles will require humans to acknowledge these losses and develop plans to preserve these evolutionary sentinel species. …

Improving Techniques To Study Equine Cervical Mucociliary Clearance, Melissa A. Hawkes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial uterine infections inflict major losses on the equine breeding industry. These infections usually arise from bacteria introduced at breeding. Micro-currents propelled by ciliated cells between the folds of the uterus and cervix have been proposed as a means by which contaminants are expelled. Previous data have shown possible ciliary micro-currents propelling carbon particles, occasionally rotating, through cervical folds. However, adherence to the epithelium may have interfered with movement of carbon in these studies. Therefore, we tested potentially non-adherent substances to reveal ciliary micro-currents on the equine cervix under high magnification video-endoscopy. We hypothesized that polyethylene green microspheres 1 - …

Follicular Dynamics In Insulin Resistant Mares, Julio Cesar Prado

Masters Theses

Obesity and insulin resistance have been linked to prolonged interovulatory period, aberrations in the estrous cycle, and continuous reproductive activity during the non-breeding season. EMS has been determined to influence the intrafollicular environment of mare ovaries. In humans, insulin resistance has been linked to polycystic ovaries as part of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A study was conducted to determine 1) the impact of insulin resistance on follicle growth and size at ovulation, and 2) whether predicted ovulatory follicles respond to hCG administration in Insulin-resistant (IR) mares. Mares were selected for the study based on insulin sensitivity and separated into an …

Advanced Biotechnologies For Wildlife Fertility Preservation, Pierre Comizzoli

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Reproductive biotechnologies are critical tools for saving and maintaining endangered species. Some successes have been reported with the use and integration of artificial insemination (with fresh or frozen-thawed semen) in conservation programs. However, not a single species is currently managed through oocyte freezing or embryo-based technologies. This is primarily due to the lack of knowledge of species biology, as well as inadequate facilities, space, expertise, and funding needed for their successful application. More fundamental studies of animal reproductive biology as well as more fertility preservation options are needed with all parties involved (reproductive technologists, zoo biologists and conservationists) adopting parallel …

Reproductive Effects Of Pg600 In Female Pigs, Narathon Innamma, Attaporn Roongsitthichai

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

PG600 is a synthetic gonadotropin comprising 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Major responsibilities of PG600 were to stimulate follicle growth and induce ovulation. In replacement gilts, a number of large follicles were found after PG600 treatment. Nevertheless, the number of good quality follicles was not different between treatment and control gilts. In primiparous sows, the number of those returning to estrus within 10 days after weaning from PG600 were higher than those in control group. In addition, the administration of PG600 enhanced the number of piglets born alive per litter in the …

How Microbiomes Can Feed The World: A Look Into Bovine Reproduction, Hannah Noel Mcdonald

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Postparturient Administration Of Prostaglandin F2 Alpha Facilitates Weaning-To-Service Interval In Primiparous Sows, Atthaporn Roongsitthichai, Padet Tummaruk, Nutthee Am-In

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) administration on weaning-to-service interval (WSI) in primiparous sows. A total of 149 primiparous sows, 74 control and 75 treatment sows, were included in the study. The latter sows were intramuscularly injected with PGF2α approximately at 24-48 h after parturition. Results revealed that those treated with PGF2α returned to be in estrus significantly faster than those in the control group (2.6±1.1 vs 4.5±2.1 days, p<0.05), while age at first mating, pregnancy rate, and age at first farrowing were not different from each other. In conclusion, PGF2α could shorten WSI in the primiparous sows as it could induce complete luteolysis and promote uterine involution, resulting in declined non-productive days of the commercial breeding herds.

Importance Of Backfat Thickness To Reproductive Performance In Female Pigs, Atthaporn Roongsitthichai, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Backfat in pigs consists of water, collagen, and lipid. Apart from age, body weight, and number of estrus expression, backfat thickness is one of the significant parameters to consider when selecting female pigs into breeding herds since it dominates a number of reproductive performances, e.g. puberty attainment, total piglets born (TB), and farrowing rate. Besides, backfat is one of the significant sources of hormones related to puberty attainment, such as leptin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and progesterone (P4). Evaluation of backfat thickness is majorly performed by an A-mode ultrasonography at P2 position; it provides more accurate body condition than visual …

In Vivo Embryo Production In Some Native Goat Breeds In Turkey, Ali̇ Reha Ağaoğlu, Kübra Karakaş, Mustafa Kaymaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the repeated administration of superovulatory protocol and surgical procedure in in vivo embryo production, as well as to determine the differences in the responses to superovulatory treatment among several Turkish native goat breeds (Angora, Kilis, Honamli, Hair, and Norduz). A superovulatory treatment procedure was repeated 3 times in this study. The estrus cycles were synchronized and superovulatory response was induced with porcine follicle-stimulating hormone during the natural breeding season. Natural mating was performed following CIDR removal. Embryo recovery was performed surgically on day 6, after the first mating. According …

Stress And Reproductive Hormones In Grizzly Bears Reflect Nutritional Benefits And Social Consequences Of A Salmon Foraging Niche, Heather M. Bryan, Chris T. Darimont, Paul C. Paquet, Katherine E. Wynne-Edwards, Judit E. G. Smits

Physiology Collection

Physiological indicators of social and nutritional stress can provide insight into the responses of species to changes in food availability. In coastal British Columbia, Canada, grizzly bears evolved with spawning salmon as an abundant but spatially and temporally constrained food source. Recent and dramatic declines in salmon might have negative consequences on bear health and ultimately fitness. To examine broadly the chronic endocrine effects of a salmon niche, we compared cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone levels in hair from salmon-eating bears from coastal BC (n = 75) with the levels in a reference population from interior BC lacking access to salmon …

The Role Of Kisspeptin Signaling In Reproduction Of Ruminant, Thuchadaporn Chaikhun, Pongsiwa Sotthibandhu, Siriwat Suadsong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

In the present decade, kisspeptin has been a fascinating topic in the reproductive spotlight. Kisspeptin is a neuropeptide, produced mainly in the hypothalamus from Kiss1 gene. This gene was initially discovered in 1996 as a tumor suppressor gene in human malignant melanoma. Then in the year 2003, researchers found that mutations of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR54), which is the strongly cognate receptor of kisspeptin, were associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in mice and humans. There are many kisspeptin distribution and function studies (both in vitro and in vivo) in mammals. In ruminants, kisspeptin has been studied mainly in sheep and …

Association Among Serum Insulin–Like Growth Factor–I, Backfat Thickness, And Age At First Observed Estrus In Gilts, Atthaporn Roongsitthichai, Seri Koonjaenak, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The present study investigated the association among serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), backfatthickness, and age at first observed estrus in replacement gilts. In total, 80 replacement gilt, Landrace (L, n = 48) andYorkshire (Y, n = 32), were included. The gilts were determined for age at first observed estrus between 167 to 212days of age. They were categorized according to age at first observed estrus into ≤ 200 days (n = 41) and > 200 days (n= 36) groups. Backfat thickness, body weight, and serum IGF–I concentration were measured before mating. Age atfirst mating, interval from boar exposure to first observed …

General Reproductive Properties In Pigs, İrfan Tur

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Pig breeding is usually undertaken for fat and meat production, but different sectors (cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry, medical sector, etc.) can also use pigs for alternate purposes. Pork is evaluated based on the status of an amended law regarding butchers' meat in Turkey. There have been 25 pig farms registered in Turkey since 7 July 2006 in the framework of compliance with the European Union. On average, a sow has 2.3 farrowings per year, producing 9.5 to 12.5 piglets per litter. It is important that high proportions of selected replacement gilts reach puberty at an early age in order to …

The Effect Of Selenized Yeast Supplementation On Some Performance Parameters In Sheep, Bogumila Pilarczyk, Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak, Zbigniew Dobrzanski, Malgorzata Szewczuk, Tomasz Stankiewicz, Dariusz Gaczarzewicz, Wlodzimierz Lachowski

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of serum selenium in coarse-haired Pomeranian sheep and to evaluate the effect of the oral supplementation of selenized yeast on selected performance parameters in such sheep. The sheep were divided into 2 groups, with 53 ewes forming the experimental group and 34 ewes forming the control group. The concentration of serum selenium in all 87 sheep from the 2 groups was analyzed. The sheep in the experimental group received selenized yeast for the 3 days before and 3 days after mating (1 g preparation/animal daily, with 1 g of preparation …

Reproductive And Dairy Performances Of Thai Swamp Buffaloes Under Intensive Farm Management, Thuchadaporn Chaikhun, Ranchuan Hengtrakunsin, Fabio De Rensis, Mongkol Techakumphu, Siriwat Suadsong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

In this study the reproductive and dairy performances of swamp buffaloes under intensive farm conditions were evaluated. The data of reproduction and milk production were collected from forty-eight swamp buffaloes during the period of 2001 to 2010. The reproductive and dairy performances were analyzed as mean±SD of each index. The age at first calving was 47.1±8 months and the gestation period was 321.4±11.3 days. The service per conception was 3.5±2.5, with insemination by both natural and artificial mating. The calving interval and the days open were 486.2±75.02 and 166.2±69.7 days (n=99), respectively. Additionally, there was a large increase in primiparous …

Ingestion Of Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Seed Induces Peripheral Vasoconstriction But Does Not Affect Cyclicity In Non-Pregnant Mares, And A Population Of Biogenic Amine Receptors Relative To Vasoconstriction Is Identified, Daniel Andrew Hestad

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Three experiments were conducted to explore the effect of fescue toxicosis on vasoconstriction and various parameters of the estrous cycle. In the experiment of Chapter 3, a 2x2 crossover experimental design with repeated measures was implemented to test whether the ingestion of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed would alter blood hormone concentrations of prolactin, progesterone, and estradiol, interovulatory intervals, and corpus luteum blood flow. Also, Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess whether palmar artery and palmar vein lumen diameter, area, circumference, and resistivity index could be altered by the ingestion of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed. Ingestion of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed …

Evaluation Of The Possibility Of Using Oligosaccharide-Free Pea In Japanese Quail Nutrition, Danuta Szczerbinska, Zofia Tarasewicz, Piotr Gulewicz, Danuta Majewska, Marek Ligocki

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this paper, evaluation of the effect of processed pea seeds (free of raffinose family oligosaccharides) on the performance traits and the results of reproduction in Japanese quails is presented. A flock of 72 quails was divided into 3 groups consisting of equal numbers of birds (18 females and 6 males). Birds were kept in cages in an environmentally controlled room with a lighting cycle of 17 h of light and 7 h of dark, and they were fed 1 of 3 different diets. Whereas diet 1 served as the control, diet 2 was supplemented with 5% and diet 3 …

Associations Between Ghr And Igf-1 Gene Polymorphisms, And Reproductive Traits In Wenchang Chickens, Hui Fang Li, Wen Qi Zhu, Kuan Wei Chen, Xu Wu, Qing Ping Tang, Yu Shi Gao

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Alleles of physiological candidate genes for reproductive traits, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone receptor (GHR) were assessed to determine their associations with total egg production (NE), average days of continual egg-laying (ADCE), and number of double yolk eggs (DYE) in Wenchang chickens (Chinese indigenous breed). PCR-RFLP was used for genotype identification. The frequency of restriction enzyme C1/C2 alleles in the population was 0.53 (C1) and 0.47 (C2) for IGF-1. For GHR-intron 2 it was 0.06 and 0.94 for (A1) and (A2), respectively, while for GHR-intron 5 it was 0.20 (B1) and 0.80 (B2). Four significant associations were found …

Assisted Reproduction Techniques In Horses: The Challenge, Theerawat Tharasanit, Mongkol Techakumphu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs), such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer are well established and have been used in a wide range of species. To date, the economic impact of these ARTs in horses has rapidly increased. While many studies have attempted to improve the efficiency of ARTs, overall success remains relatively restricted due principally to a limited knowledge of the unique reproductive physiology of this species. Improving efficiency of particular techniques has become an affordable milestone in the development of ARTs in equine reproduction.

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 4, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence, David Masters, R. Silberstein, F. Byrne, P. G. H. Nichols, J. Young, L. Aitkins, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, T. Lambert, D. R. Mcclements, P. Raper, P. Ward, C. Walton, T. York, David Pethick, David Hopkins, Malcolm Mcphee, D. B. Savage, J. V. Nolan, I. R. Godwin, A. Aoetpah, T. Nguyen, N. Baillie, C. Lawler, Ken Geenty, John Smith, Darryl Smith, Tim Dyall, Grant Uphill, John Young, Michael Paton, John Dorrian

Sheep Updates

This session covers eight papers from different authors:

GRAZING

1. The impact of high dietary salt and its implications for the management of livestock grazing saline land, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence and David Masters, CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA.

2. Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands - outcomes from the WA1 research project, H.C. Norman^1,2, D.G. Masters^1,2, R. Silberstein^1,2, F. Byrne^2,3, P.G.H. Nichols …