Biotechnology applied for equine semen increases the levels of reactive oxygen species and reduces the natural antioxidant defence, by both dilution and removal of seminal plasma. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of adding coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and α-tocopherol (α-TOH) to the cooling extender, singly or in combination, on sperm parameters, and their effectiveness in preventing lipid peroxidation (LPO) of equine semen during cooling at 5°C for 72 h. Ten adult stallions of proven fertility were used, using two ejaculates each, subjecting them to the treatments with the following concentrations: α-TOH: 2 mm; CoQ10: 40 μg/ml; and CoQ10 + α-TOH: 40 μg/ml + 2 mm for control (C) without the addition of antioxidants and for vehicle control (EtOH) with 100 μl ethanol. The CoQ10 group had a higher percentage of total motility (69.1 ± 16.2%) compared to control (62.1 ± 16.2%) and EtOH (58.1 ± 18.6%). CoQ10 + α-TOH and α-TOH groups were most effective in preventing LPO compared to controls (1765.9 ± 695.9, 1890.8 ± 749.5, 2506.2 ± 769.4 ng malondialdehyde/10(8) sptz, respectively). In conclusion, CoQ10 and α-TOH were effective during the cooling process of equine semen at 5°C for 72 h, providing increased levels of total motility, as well as lower LPO.

RESUMO Objetivou-se, por meio do presente estudo, avaliar o método de colheita farmacológica de sêmen com sondagem uretral, em machos de onças-pardas (Puma concolor) mantidos em cativeiro. A técnica proposta (Cat; N=3) foi comparada com a eletroejaculação (EE; N=4). Para a colheita farmacológica, utilizou-se medetomidina para induzir a liberação de sêmen na uretra e sonda uretral para gatos, sem janela lateral, para colheita do sêmen por capilaridade. O método foi eficaz em todos os animais usados. Por meio dessa técnica, colheram-se amostras com menor volume (106,7±30,5aµL) e maior concentração (524,1±54,3b x 106 espermatozoides/mL) em relação à EE (450,0±0,1bµL e 205,0±141,8a x 106 espermatozoides/mL). As avaliações de vigor, motilidade e patologia espermática demonstraram que a técnica não afeta a qualidade do sêmen em relação à EE (P>0,05). Dessa forma, o método proposto consiste em uma técnica mais prática e eficiente para a colheita de sêmen com boa qualidade, dispensando o eletroejaculador.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the testicular echotexture of Nelore bulls and to correlate it with spermatogenic parameters. Forty one bulls aged 3-5 years, with body weight of 510.2 ± 21.61 kg were selected for the study. The animals were subjected to ultrasonography, using a portable device coupled with a linear transducer at a frequency of 7.5 MHz. Immediately afterwards they were castrated and the testicular tissue was treated with Karnovsky fixative. Next, the fragments were embedded in glycol methacrylate and stained with toluidine blue-1% sodium borate solution. The average pixel intensity in the testicular parenchyma was determined for 1,600-mm 2 surface sections. The right and left testicles and the area between the two testicles resulted in average pixel intensities of 105.22 ± 13.58, 107.95 ± 12.82, and 106.59 ± 11.43, respectively. The efficiency coefficient of spermatogonial mitosis was 19.74; meiotic index was 2.63, and overall yield of spermatogenesis was 52.0. No correlation (P>0.05) was observed between testicular echotexture and any of the measured morphometric parameters. These results suggest that testicular echotexture was not a viable method for the indirect analysis of cellular population in the seminiferous epithelium, intrinsic spermatogenic performance, or the Sertoli cell index in Nelore bulls.Key words: testicular parenchyma, morphometry, ultrasonography, bovine. RESUMEN.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la ecotextura testicular de los toros Nelore y correlacionarlo con los parámetros de espermatogénesis. Para este propósito, 41 toros de edades de 3-5 años y con pesos corporales en el intervalo de 510,2 ± 21,61 kg fueron seleccionados para el estudio. Los toros se sometieron a ecografía, utilizando un dispositivo portátil junto con un transductor lineal a una frecuencia de 7,5 MHz. Inmediatamente después, los animales fueron castrados, y el tejido testicular se trató con Karnovsky fijador. Los fragmentos testiculares se incluyeron en metacrilato de glicol y se tiñeron con una solución de borato de sodio-azul de toluidina al 1%. La intensidad media de pixeles en el parénquima testicular se determinó para secciones de superficie de 1.600 mm 2 . Los El área entre los dos testículos derecho e izquierdo dieron lugar a la intensidad media de los pixeles de 105,22 ± 13,58, 107,95 ± 12,82 y 106,59 ± 11,43, respectivamente. El coeficiente de eficiencia de la mitosis espermatogonial fue 19,74; Índice meiótico fue 2,63, y el rendimiento global del espermatogénesis alcanzó el 52,0. No se observó correlación (P>0,05) entre ecotextura testicular y cualquiera de los parámetros morfométricos medidos. Estos resultados sugieren que ecotextura testicular no es un método viable para el análisis indirecto de la población celular en el epitelio seminífero, el rendimiento de la espermatogénesis intrínseco, o el índice de células de Sertoli en toros Nelore.

This study aimed to evaluate, through biometry, the forelimb hoof of horses participating in show jumping, barrel, long rope and polo competitions. Thirty subjects were assessed in relation to each competition (total of 120 animals). The linear measurements (cm) included the dorsal length of the toe; medial and lateral lengths of the quarter; medial and lateral heights of the quarter; lateral and medial lengths of the heel; medial and lateral heights of the heel; hoof length; hoof width; frog length; and frog width. The following angles (°) were measured: toe angle, pastern angle, heel angle and shoulder palette. The length of the horseshoe, coronet circumference and body weight were also assessed. With the use of hoof biometric evaluation was possible to identify the imbalances of forelimb in athletic horses and the most common were broken-backward hoof angle, with 96.7% of the animals showing this in the right forelimb (RFL) and 95.8% in the left forelimb (LFL); and contracted heels, with 95.0% in the RFL and 87.6% in the LFL. The competition type in which greatest numbers of hoof balance abnormalities were shown was the long rope, followed by the barrel. There were high frequencies of medial/lateral imbalance in all the sports. We conclude that animals used in functional tests have a high incidence of hoof balance abnormalities in the forelimbs.

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