The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an hCG subdose applied at the Hou Hai acupoint as an ovulation inducer in donkeys. Eleven donkeys were distributed in randomized blocks in T1 = application of 1,500 IU of hCG intravenous (IV); T2 = 450 IU of hCG applied at the false acupoint (IV), and T3 = 450 IU of hCG applied at the Hou Hai acupoint. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between the treatments regarding the mean diameter of the pre-ovulatory follicle (34.5 ± 1.3 mm), the ovulation rate (96.97%), the interval between induction and ovulation (58.07 ± 16.82 h), the mean diameter of the CL (D0 = 23.0 ± 0.6; D2 = 27.7 ± 1.9 and D8 = 28.2 ± 0.8mm), and serum P 4 concentrations (10.50 ± 2.99 ng.mL -1 ). The application of 450 IU of hCG at the Hou Hai acupoint increased ovulation rate (72.73%) more than 48 h after induction (P = 0.03) and a larger diameter of the CL on D4 (30.7 ± 5.1 mm) (P = 0.04). The vascularization area of the CL on D8, obtained by minimum number of colored pixel (NCP), was greater (P < 0.05) in the donkeys that received 1,500 IU of IV hCG (T1, 41.91 ± 1.17), and we found a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between mean NCP and P 4 concentration in the donkeys that received 450 IU of hCG IV at the false acupoint (T2) or at the Hou Hai acupoint (T3). The application of 450 IU of hCG by IV route at the false acupoint or the Hou Hai acupoint was sufficient to induce ovulation in donkeys, demonstrating that the average dosage commonly used for this species is too high.

This study aimed to determine the effects of resveratrol in the trisaminomethane (TRIS)-egg yolk extender and its optimal inclusion level for goat semen cryopreservation. Five ejaculates of three Anglo Nubian goats were used, each divided into four 200 µL aliquots for use in four treatments: 0.00 (control), 0.04, 0.08 and 0.12 mg mL-1 resveratrol in the TRIS-egg yolk extender. We evaluated progressive sperm motility and sperm vigor post-dilution, post-cooling, and post thawing; membrane integrity (HOST); and acrosomal integrity and performed a slow thermoresistance test (STT). The data were submitted to a regression analysis at a 5% probability. There was no difference in progressive motility or sperm vigor in the post-dilution (89.5, 89.0, 88.7 and 88.3, and 4.9, 5.0, 4.9, and 4.9) or post-cooling (81.0, 82.0, 83.0, and 78.3; and 4.3, 4.3, 4.2, and 4.2) experiments (P > 0.05), or in the complementary acrosomal integrity test (42.0, 47.4, 42.2 and 38.2) (P > 0.05). However, the motility and vigor parameters decreased linearly in the post-thaw phase, as well as during the 2 hours of incubation on STT (P < 0.05). These factors increased quadratically when resveratrol was added to HOST, to an optimal level of 0.039 mg mL-1 resveratrol for a plasma membrane integrity of 52.55% (P < 0.05). The inclusion of resveratrol was effective in maintaining sperm viability; in particular, it was effective in maintaining plasmatic membrane integrity during the cryopreservation process up to 0.039 mg mL-1, meaning that it could be an alternative to conventionally used seminal extenders in goats.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with the detoxified castor bean cake on testicular morphometry and spermatogenesis of sheep. Were used 24 uncastrated, 9-month old sheep weighing 29±0.8 kg they were randomly distributed among three treatments: T1 = 0%, T2 = 50%, and T3 = 100% substitution of soybean meal with detoxified castor bean cake. The animals were fed with Aruana grass pastage (Panicum maximum ‘Aruana’) and a ration for 90 days. After slaughtering, the testicles were collected and histological slides were prepared with tissue fragments. The data were evaluated for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and analysis of variance was carried out at 5% level of significance. Substitution of soybean meal with detoxified castor bean cake had no effect on any of the assessed variables at the tested levels (P >0.05). The mean yield of spermatogenesis was 72.91 rounded spermatids per spermatogonium; the mean of total number of germ cells held by a Sertoli cell was 12.09; the mean of the testicular spermatic reserve was 31.82×109 and that per testicular gram was 238.28×106; the mean of daily spermatic production was 3.03×109 and that per testicular gram was 22.69×106; and the total number of Sertoli cells was 4.15×109 and that per testicular gram was 34.51×106. The results show that it is possible to replace 100% of the soybean meal with detoxified castor bean cake in sheep diet without any effects on spermatogenesis; however, it is important to perform seminal evaluations in future studies.