Abstract This experiment aimed to compare at day seven after ovulation, the protein profile of uterine fluid in cyclic mares with mares infused two days before with Day 13 conceptus fragments. Experimental animals were ten healthy cyclic mares, examined daily to detect ovulation (Day 0) as soon as estrus was confirmed. On day seven, after ovulation, uterine fluid was collected, constituting the Cyclic group (n = 10). The same mares were examined in the second cycle until ovulation was detected. On day five, after ovulation, fragments from a previously collected concepti were infused into each mare's uterus. Two days after infusion, uterine fluid was collected, constituting the Fragment group (n = 10). Two-dimensional electrophoresis technique processed uterine fluid samples. A total of 373 spots were detected. MALDI-TOF/TOF and NanoUHPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry identified twenty spots with differences in abundance between the Cyclic and Fragment group. Thirteen proteins were identified, with different abundance between groups. Identified proteins may be related to embryo-maternal communication, which involves adhesion, nutrition, endothelial cell proliferation, transport, and immunological tolerance. In conclusion, conceptus fragments signalized changes in the protein profile of uterine fluid seven days after ovulation in comparison to the observed at Day 7 in the same cyclic mares.

Abstract This experiment aimed to verify if the proteins present in a 13th day conceptus induce changes in the equine endometrial ultra-structure, histology, and vascularization, two days after its infusion. Ten healthy cyclic mares were used. Once estrus was confirmed, mares were examined daily to detect ovulation (day 0). After ovulation, mares were examined daily until day seven by transrectal palpation and B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography. In this first cycle, intrauterine biopsies were collected at day seven after ovulation, constituting the Cyclic group (n = 10). In the second cycle, the same mares daily were examined until ovulation was detected. After ovulation, mares were examined daily by transrectal palpation and B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography until day 7. On day 5, after ovulation, fragments from previously collected 13-day-old concepti were infused into the uterus of each mare. Intrauterine biopsies were collected at day 7 in all mares (n = 10), constituting the Fragment group. The percentage of ciliated and flattened cells decreased in the Fragment group. Protruded cells, superficial and intraglandular secretion, glandular lumen and diameter, blood vessel diameter, endometrial vascularization, and immune cells were higher in the Fragment group than in the Cyclic group. In summary, proteins of 13th day equine conceptus fragments infused at day five after ovulation signaled histological and vascular changes in the endometrium at the 7th day after ovulation.

Resumo Dois experimentos foram realizados para verificar a viabilidade de diluentes para sêmen equino refrigerado. O objetivo do primeiro experimento foi verificar a eficiência do leite UHT integral e semidesnatado, comparado ao leite desnatado. Amostras foram analisadas a fresco e posteriormente diluídas em leite UHT integral, semidesnatado e desnatado. Foram realizados exames de motilidade espermática e vigor, CFDA/PI e HOST pós-diluição (0h), e no sêmen refrigerado a 5 ºC após 24 e 48 horas. Não houve diferença entre os três diluentes, quanto à motilidade espermática (p=0,9880), vigor (p=0,7249), CFDA/PI (p=0,3382) e HOST (p > 0,01). Houve uma diminuição na qualidade do sêmen, no decorrer do tempo (p < 0,01), independente do diluente utilizado. Pode-se afirmar que, na falta de leite UHT desnatado, o semidesnatado e o integral podem ser usados, uma vez que eles não provocam prejuízo na qualidade do sêmen refrigerado armazenado por até 48 horas. No segundo experimento, o objetivo foi verificar a eficácia do leite desnatado em comparação com diluentes comerciais (Botusemen® (BS) e Botusemen Special® (BSS)). Logo após a coleta do sêmen, as amostras foram diluídas com leite UHT desnatado (LD), Botusemen® (BS) e Botusemen Special®(BSS). A análise de sêmen seguiu o mesmo protocolo do primeiro experimento. As amostras de sêmen refrigeradas com BSS apresentaram HOST e CFDA/PI (p< 0,001) maiores nas 24h e 48 h o que indica que o diluente BSS promove aumento da longevidade dos espermatozoides em comparação com os outros analisados.

Abstract Two trials were performed to verify the viability of extenders equine cooled semen. The objective of the first trial was to verify the efficacy of whole and semi-skimmed UHT milk compared to skim milk. Fresh semen samples were analyzed and later diluted in UHT whole milk, semi skimmed and skimmed milk. Sperm motility and vigor, CFDA / PI and HOST tests were performed post-dilution (0h), and in semen cooled at 5oC after 24 and 48h. There was no difference between the 3 extenders, for sperm motility (p = 0.9880), vigor (p = 0.7249), CFDA / PI (p = 0.3882) and HOST (p> 0.01). There was a decrease in semen quality over time (p <0.01), regardless of the extender used. It can be stated that in the absence of skimmed UHT milk, semi-skimmed and whole milk can be used since they do not impair the quality of refrigerated semen stored for up to 48 hours. In the second trial the objective was to verify the efficacy of the skim milk compared to commercial extenders (Botusemen® (BS) and Botusemen Special® (BSS)). Soon after semen collection, the samples were diluted with UHT skim milk (LD), Botusemen® (BS) and Botusemen Special® (BSS). Semen analysis followed the same protocol as the first experiment. BSS-cooled semen showed higher HOST and CFDA / PI (p <0.001) in 24h and 48h indicating that BSS diluent promotes increased sperm longevity compared to the others analyzed.

Durante o processo de criopreservação de sêmen, os espermatozóides sofrem alguns danos que resultam na diminuição da fertilidade deste. O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da utilização combinada de duas curvas de congelamento com dois diluentes comerciais (FR-5® e Botu-Crio®) sobre a criopreservação de sêmen eqüino. Foram analisados 20 ejaculados de dois garanhões. As amostras foram avaliadas por microscopia de contraste de fase e microscopia de epifluorescência, observando-se a motilidade progressiva e total do sêmen pós-descongelamento e a integridade e a funcionalidade da membrana dos espermatozóides. A combinação entre curva automatizada e Botu-Crio® apresentou as maiores médias nas análises de motilidade total e progressiva, após o descongelamento. O diluente Botu-Crio®, isoladamente, preservou também as membranas destes, quando foram realizadas as análises de integridade utilizando teste com diacetato de carboxifluoresceína e iodeto de propídio e funcionalidade de membrana pelo teste hiposmótico.

During semen cryopreservation, sperm cells were submitted to several deleterious events leading to membrane damage which result in fertility decrease. This study was designed to compare the effects of two freezing techniques (conventional and automated), and the use of two commercial extenders as cryoprotectants (FR-5® and Botu-Crio®) on total and progressive motility, integrity and functionality of spermatic membranes during the cryopreservation of equine semen. Twenty ejaculates from two stallions were analyzed. The total and progressive motility of fresh and post-thawing semen samples were evaluated by patterns assays. Function of plasmatic membrane was measured by the hipoosmotic swelling test. Integrity of plasmatic membrane was evaluated using carboxifluorescein diacatate and iodidium propide fluorescent probes. There were significant differences between the two freezing techniques and/or between cryoprotectants for all assessed parameters. The combination of Botu-Crio® and automated curves showed better results on total and progressive post-thawing motility. The extender Botu-Crio®, alone, showed to better preserve the membrane integrity and function.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o índice de prenhez em novilhas de corte submetidas a um protocolo de indução e sincronização de estros sobre a cronologia das parições e seu efeito sobre a repetição de crias na estação reprodutiva subseqüente como vacas primíparas. Foram utilizadas 194 novilhas Hereford e Braford divididas em dois grupos. O grupo tratamento constou de um protocolo misto de observação e sincronização de estros e inseminação artificial a tempo fixo (IATF). O grupo controle foi submetido ao manejo convencional de inseminação artificial, com observação de estros e inseminação no turno seguinte. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a repasse com touros. A porcentagem de prenhez na primeira estação reprodutiva para os dois grupos foi de 91,7%. No grupo tratamento, 82% das vacas pariram dentro dos primeiros 40 dias da estação reprodutiva, contra 51,7% dos animais controle. A repetição de crias nas primíparas do grupo tratamento em comparação às do controle foi significativamente maior (73% x 55%). O manejo com sincronização de estros e IATF na primeira estação monta em novilhas, apesar de apresentar índices idênticos de prenhez ao final da temporada, proporcionou, porém, diferença significativa nos índices de prenhez na segunda estação reprodutiva.

This research was aimed at verifying the pregnancy rate in beef heifers submitted to a protocol for estrus induction and synchronization on the parturition period and its effect on the repetition of pregnancy at the second reproductive season. The experimental animals where composed of 194 Hereford and Braford heifers divided in two groups. The treatment group included a protocol of estrus observation and synchronization and fixed-time insemination (FTAI). The control group was submitted to a conventional artificial insemination management, with estrus observation and insemination in the next turn. Both groups were submitted to a natural mating period with clean-up bulls. The heifers were also observed as primiparous on the next reproductive season. The pregnancy rate was 91.7% in the first season for both groups. In the treatment group, 82% of the treated cows calved on the first 40 days of the groups calving season, against 51.7% of the control animals, resulting in a better conception rate in treated heifers (73 vs. 55%) in the second breeding season. The estrus synchronization and FTAI management on the first breeding season of beef heifers produce better pregnancy results also on the second breeding season.

No presente trabalho, são apresentados dados sobre a condição corporal (CC) e a idade das ovelhas de um rebanho ovino do Rio Grande do Sul, no início do encarneiramento e sua relação com a percentagem de prenhez (PP). As PP e a CC média observadas foram 90,4% e 2,84 (±0,57) respectivamente. A CC média das ovelhas prenhes (P) e vazias (V) foram: P 2,86 (±0,56) e V 2,64(±0,59), tendo sido observada diferença significativa (p< 0,001). A PP por categoria de CC das ovelhas, no início do encarneiramento, mostrou que, conforme aumenta a CC, aumenta a PP, chegando aos valores de 92% e 98% no grupo de ovelhas com CC 3,0 e 4,0 respectivamente. Finalmente, a análise de regressão logística realizada mostrou não haver relação da idade da ovelha na taxa de prenhez, confirmando, entretanto, associação positiva entre prenhez e CC (p = 0,002).

In this study, the relationship between score of body condition (BC) at the beginning of mating and ewes age with the pregnancy rate (PR) of a Corriedale sheep flock, grazed in the State of Rio Grande do Sul- Brazil are presented and discussed. The BC and PR observed on the flock were 90.4% and 2.84(±0.57) respectively. The mean of BC of the pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (NP) ewes was P 2.86 (±0.56) and NP 2.64(±0.59). The values of P and NP have shown statistic significance (P< 0.001). The results showed, also, that the PR increase as the BC increases, reaching 92 and 98% on the group of ewes with BC 3.0 and 4.0 respectively. Finally, the regression logistic analysis from the data showed that the age of the ewes have no relation with the PR and a positive relationship between pregnancy and body score condition ( p=0.002).

No presente trabalho, são apresentados dados sobre o diagnóstico de gestação realizado por ultra-sonografia em 45 rebanhos ovinos, durante seis períodos reprodutivos. Foram examinadas 27.089 ovelhas de rebanhos comerciais, acasaladas durante o outono. A porcentagem de prenhez(PP) variou de 77,3 a 89,9%, com uma PP média de 81,6%. Rebanhos de raças de carne (Hampshire Down, Suffolk e Texel) mostram em média a PP mais elevada que foi de 85,6%, seguidos de ovelhas cruzas, com PP de 82,9% e finalmente ovelhas de raças de lã (Merino Australiano, Corriedale e Ideal) com PP média de 80,8%. Prováveis causas de baixas PP observadas em alguns rebanhos são apresentadas e discutidas.

In this paper, data from real-time ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis carried out in 45 sheep flock during six reproductive seasons are presented. A total of 27089 ewes from commercial flocks, mated during autumn, were scanned. The mean pregnancy percentage(PP) found was 81.6% showing a variation from 77.3 to 89.9%. Mutton breed flocks (Hampshire Down, Suffolk and Texel) showed the highest PP of 85.6%, followed by cross breeds, with a PP of 82.9%. The PP of wool breeds flocks (Australian Merino, Corriedale and Polwarth) was 80.8%. The causes of low PP founded on some flocks is presented and discussed.

Foram analisados dados de ganho de peso do nascimento ao desmame (GNDa) de animais Pampiano-Braford (cruzamento de Nelore X Hereford) criados no Rio Grande do Sul com a finalidade de verificar a influência da heterose individual (HI) e materna (HM) sobre o GNDa e quantificá-la. Os dados foram pré-ajustados para idade da vaca (IV), data juliana de nascimento (DJN) e idade do terneiro ao desmame (IT). Entretanto, análises exploratórias sugeriram que as pré-correções para IV, DJN e IT não estão ajustando corretamente os dados (P<0,01) no período pré-desmame. Em função da estrutura e conexidade do conjunto de dados, as análises foram realizadas de duas maneiras distintas. Em uma primeira etapa, estimou-se simultaneamente HI e HM a partir de um arquivo contendo 4186 animais (arquivo 2), obtendo-se valores de 31,91 e 33,53kg, respectivamente. Na segunda etapa, estimou-se HI a partir de um subconjunto do arquivo 2 (subconjunto 1) com 1507 registros com heterozigose materna 0,0000 e HM de outro subconjunto do arquivo 2 (subconjunto 2) com 2777 registros com heterozigose materna individual 0.5000; os valores estimados foram 13,79 e 34,08kg, respectivamente. Todos os valores de heterose sobre o GNDa encontrados foram significativos (P<0,01), e a relação entre heterose e heterozigose para esta característica apresentou um comportamento linear (P<0,01), considerando-se que o cruzamento estudado foi somente entre uma raça taurina e uma zebuína. Verificou-se que neste trabalho, os animais Hereford possuíam valor genético aditivo superior ao dos cruzados, todavia o mesmo não foi suficiente para contrabalançar os efeitos da heterose sobre o GNDa. Na comparação com os valores utilizados pelo Método GenSys, os valores de HI e HM, obtidos no presente trabalho, produziram diferenças na ordem de classificação de produtos ao desmame, mas o número de animais selecionados em comum pelos dois métodos não sofreu grandes mudanças. As vacas com composição racial 1/2 tiveram o melhor desempenho no GNDa, enquanto os terneiros com heterozigose individual máxima (composição racial 1/2) foram superados pelos 3/8 (filhos de vacas 1/2), quando se inclui a HM no desempenho dos mesmos, salientando a importância da HM sobre o GNDa.

Data on preweanning gain (GNDa) of Pampiano-Braford animals raised in Rio Grande do sul were analyzed to verify the influence of individual (HI) and maternal (HM) heterosis in GNDa, and to quantify it. Data were adjusted for dam age (IV), julian birth date (DJN)and calf age at weaning,(IT). However, exploratory analysis have suggested that the adjustment factors for IV, DJN, and IT are not doing this adjustment correctly (P<0.01). Because of the structure and connectedness of the major data set, the analysis was done in two different ways. In the first phase, HI and HM were estimated simultaneously, in file 2, compose of 4186 animals, and the values obtained were 31.91 and 33.53kg, respectively. In the second phase, HI was estimated in a subset of file 2 (subset 1) compose of 1507 animals with maternal heterozigosis 0.0000; HM was estimated in subset 2 of file 2 with 2777 animals with individual heterozigozis 0.5000. The values found were 13.79 and 34.08kg, respectively. All the values found for heterosis on GNDa were significant (P <0.01), and the relation between heterosis and heterozigosis for this characteristic was linear (P< 0.01). It was show that the Hereford animals, in this study, had greater genetic additive values than crossbreeds, but this difference was not sufficient to supress the effects of heterosis on GNDa. In comparison with the values used in GenSys Method, the HI and HM values, obtained in this study produced a change in the ranking of calves at preweaning, but the number of animals chosen in common by the two methods did not differ much. The cows with 1/2 breed composition had the best performance on GNDa, while the calves with maximum heterosis (breed composition 1/2) were excelled by those 3/8, when HM was included in the performance, emphasizing the importance of HM on GNDa.

O presente estudo foi delineado com o objetivo de verificar a necessidade de inativar o leite em pó desnatado reconstituído, bem como o uso do leite desnatado UHT como diluente de sêmen eqüino resfriado. Para tanto, foram efetuados dois experimentos. No primeiro experimento, 4 diluentes foram testados: leite desnatado não inativado, leite desnatado inativado, leite desnatado UHT, marca A e leite desnatado UHT marca B. 20 coletas de sêmen foram realizadas. O sêmen resfriado a +4°C foi avaliado quanto à motilidade progressiva e motilidade total nas 0 , 24 e 48 horas posteriores à diluição. No segundo experimento, um total de 101 ciclos foram utilizados, inseminando-se as éguas com sêmen diluído em leite desnatado não inativado e leite desnatado inativado. A diluição foi realizada numa proporção de 1:2 (sêmen: diluente) e a dose inseminante mínima utilizada foi de 500x10(6) espermatozóides. Conclui-se que não há necessidade de inativar o leite em pó desnatado, reconstituído, na sua utilização como diluente de sêmen eqüino resfriado, e que o leite desnatado UHT pode ser utilizado como diluente para preservar sêmen eqüino resfriado.

The present study was designed aiming to verify the need of inactivating reconstituted nonfat dry milk and the use of skim milk UHT as extender for cooling equine semen. Two experiments were performed. In the first experiment, four diluents were tested: reconstituted not-inactivated dry skim milk, inactivated reconstituted dry skim milk, UHT skim milk A and UHT skim milk B. Twenty semen collections were obtained. semen were cooled at +4°C and evaluated for progressive and total motility 0 , 24 and 48 h after collection. In the second experiment, one hundred and one cycles were studied. Mares were inseminated with semen diluted in inactivated and not-inactivated dry skim milk. Dilution was done in a 1:2 (sêmen:diluem) ratio and the minimal inseminating dosis used was 500x10(6) spermatozoa. It was concluded that it is not necessary to inactivate nonfat dry milk for using it to dilute equine semen and that skim milk UHT may be used to dilute and preserve chilled equine semen.