Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of successive bovine testicular punctures using different needle sizes. Fifteen bulls were submitted to testicular needle aspiration (TNA) in the left and right testis using 18-gauge (40×12mm) or 22-gauge (25×7mm) needles, respectively, once every 30 days. Animals were randomly divided into three groups, which were submitted to bilateral orchiectomy two days after the last puncture. Group 1 (G1): only one puncture (n=5); Group 2 (G2): three consecutive punctures in a period of three months (n=5); Group 3 (G3): six consecutive punctures in a period of 6 months (n=5). Fragments from the medial portion of the testicular parenchyma were excised and fixed in Bouin’s fluid for histological analysis. No differences were observed in the percentage of seminiferous tubules degeneration between G1, G2 and G3 (P>0.05). Higher amounts of erythrocyte were found in G1 and G2 groups compared to G3, in the intra- and intertubular tissue (P<0.05). There was no interaction between the needle gauge and the occurrence of testicular damage in animals submitted to one (G1) or three (G2) punctures. However, a higher percentage of tubular degeneration was associated to 18-gauge compared to 22-gauge fine needles in G3. In conclusion, multiple testicular needle aspiration can be safely conducted using fine needles. Large needles are recommended only for a single TNA, since multiple punctures may result in increased tubular degeneration and compromise testicular architecture and functionality.

Resumo Dentre os diferentes fatores etiológicos, a endometrite fúngica representa uma causa frequente de infertilidade na égua. Nesse sentido, dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar a sensibilidade do Dermatobac®, sistema originalmente desenvolvido para o isolamento de fungos de interesse em Medicina Humana. No Experimento 1, cepas padrão de Candida (n=4) e Aspergyllus (n=1) foram semeadas assepticamente e em duplicata no sistema Dermatobac®, acompanhando-se o crescimento fúngico a cada 24 horas por 7 dias. Para o Experimento 2, foram selecionadas 34 éguas, submetidas à colheita de material uterino para o plaqueamento em Dermatobac® e realização de esfregaços para pesquisa direta de fungos (Controle). No Experimento 1, foi possível a observação macroscópica de todas as cepas de Candida e Aspergyllus a partir de 24 horas do início do cultivo microbiológico. No Experimento 2, foi constatada a presença de leveduras nas lâminas citológicas de cinco animais (14,71%), resultados também confirmados na semeadura em Dermatobac® (sensibilidade de 100%). Foram observados cinco casos falso-positivos caracterizados pelo crescimento microbiológico em sistema Dermatobac® não confirmados através da citologia endometrial, resultados que determinaram a especificidade de 85%. No entanto, todos os casos falso-positivos foram atribuídos a microrganismos contaminantes que apresentaram morfologia diferenciada e tempo de crescimento superior (P<0,05) ao apresentado pelos principais agentes etiológicos das endometrites fúngicas equinas. Conclui-se que o sistema Dermatobac® é eficiente para o diagnóstico macroscópico da endometrite fúngica em equinos, gerando informações visuais a partir de 24 horas de cultivo.

Abstract Among different etiologic factors, fungal endometritis is a common cause of decreased mare’s fertility. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of Dermatobac®, a microculture system originally developed for the isolation of fungi that concerns Human Medicine. In Experiment 1, standard (ATCC) strains of Candida (n=4) and Aspergyllus (n=1) were grown and visually analyzed daily for 7 days. For Experiment 2, 34 mares were selected and subjected to material harvesting for completion of uterine cytology as well as seeding with Dermatobac®. After 24h of cultivation, the macroscopic observation of all Candida and Aspergyllus strains (Experiment 1) was possible. In Experiment 2, five animals showed presence of yeast on cytologic slides (14.71%), results also confirmed sowing in Dermatobac® system (100% sensitivity). Five false positive cases were observed, characterized by microbiological growth in Dermatobac® but not confirmed by endometrial cytology, determining specificity of 85%. However, the results did not compromise the efficiency of Dermatobac® system given all contaminants presented differentiated morphology and higher growing time (P<0.05) when compared to the major etiological agents of equine fungal endometritis. The Dermatobac® system proved to be efficient for the macroscopic diagnosis of fungal endometritis in horses, showing conclusive information only after 24 hours of culture.

Descreve-se um caso de infertilidade de um jumento SRD confirmada por meio de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET). O espermiograma, avaliado sob microscopia ótica, revelou baixa motilidade e alta concentração de anormalidades espermáticas do tipo gota citoplasmática proximal. O material foi avaliado por MET, observando-se um acúmulo desordenado de microtúbulos causando protusões irregulares na região do colo espermático. O último teste realizado correspondeu ao de fertilidade in vivo, utilizando-se quatro éguas portadoras de bom histórico reprodutivo, nas quais não foi possível confirmar nenhuma prenhez. Frente aos resultados obtidos, associados aos achados da MET, estabeleceu-se o diagnóstico de infertilidade associada a defeito microtubular dos espermatozóides.

A donkey infertility was described by transmission electron microscopy (MET). The spermiogram evaluated by light microscopy showed low sperm motility and high concentration of abnormal sperm with proximal cytoplasmic droplets. The material was evaluated by MET, where it was observed disarrangement of microtubules, causing irregular protrusions in the spermatic neck. The last test done was the in vivo fertility, using four mares, with a reproductive healthy historic, where no pregnancy occurred. Facing the results that we had in vivo, associated with the MET findings, we diagnosed infertility associated with microtubular defect of the spermatozoa.