Christine Aurich | University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (original) (raw)
Papers by Christine Aurich
Animals
Our objective was to investigate the level of endometrial immune response at artificial inseminat... more Our objective was to investigate the level of endometrial immune response at artificial insemination (AI) and to relate it to subsequent fertility. From 71 healthy cows, endometrial cytobrush samples were taken at the first AI for cytological and mRNA analyses. Total RNA isolated from the cytobrushes was used for reverse transcription qPCR for selected transcripts. Animals were grouped into pregnant (PREG; n = 32) and non-pregnant (non-PREG; n = 39) cows following their first AI. The mRNA abundance of the neutrophil-related factor CEACAM1 and the chemokine CXCL5 was 1.2- (p = 0.03) and 2.0-fold (p = 0.04) greater in PREG than in non-PREG cows, respectively. Animals were further subdivided according to the number of inseminations until pregnancy (PREG1, n = 32; PREG2-3, n = 19) and in repeat breeder cows (RBC, n = 13). CEACAM1 and CXCL8 mRNA expression was 1.7- (p = 0.01) and 2.3-fold (p = 0.03) greater in PREG1 than in RBC, respectively. Cox regression showed that cows with PMN ≥ 1%...
Animals
There is an increasing interest in the manipulation of ovarian follicular populations in large do... more There is an increasing interest in the manipulation of ovarian follicular populations in large domestic animals because this could prove beneficial for assisted reproductive techniques such as ovum pick-up (OPU). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of deslorelin slow-release implants (SRI) on the interovulatory interval, antral follicle count (AFC), number of follicles of different size ranges and plasma anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) concentration in mares. To synchronize their estrous cycles, Haflinger mares (n = 12) were treated twice with a PGF2α analogue. One day after the second injection (day 0), mares received a 9.4 mg deslorelin SRI (group DES, n = 6) or 1.25 mg deslorelin in a short-acting formulation (CON; n = 6), respectively. Regular transrectal ultrasonography of the genital tract was performed and blood samples were collected for the analysis of progesterone, AMH and gonadotrophins. The interval from implant insertion to the first spontaneous ovula...
Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI, 2021
Simple Summary In horses, oocyte collection followed by intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection is in... more Simple Summary In horses, oocyte collection followed by intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection is increasingly used. The yield of oocytes is a limiting factor and depends on the number of follicles present on the ovary during oocyte collection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of slow-release implants containing the GnRH analogue deslorelin on the number of follicles and on hormones regulating follicular development. Six mares received a deslorelin implant and six mares served as controls. The interval to the first spontaneous ovulation was prolonged in treated mares. The treatment changed the release pattern of the gonadotrophins LH and FSH. Changes in the number of follicles 10 to 15 mm in diameter were detected in deslorelin-treated mares. These changes were also reflected by increasing plasma anti-Muellerian hormone concentrations, a hormone produced by growing follicles. In conclusion, deslorelin implants induce changes in ovarian follicle subpopulations ...
Simple Summary A detailed understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the bovine uterus... more Simple Summary A detailed understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the bovine uterus is crucial to explain and avoid subfertility in dairy cows. Therefore, we examined the effect of inflammation in the bovine uterus in cows with no clinical signs of disease at the time of artificial insemination (AI) on subsequent pregnancy outcome. In a total of 71 healthy dairy cows, uterine cytology samples were collected by cytobrush technique within 10 min after insemination. Endometrial inflammation was investigated at the cellular and mRNA expression levels. All factors with a significant effect on fertility in our study were related to uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration, i.e., the first line of uterine defense. Cows with a proportion of ≥1% PMN had a 1.8-fold increased chance of pregnancy within 150 days postpartum compared to cows with fewer PMNs. From our results, we conclude that a certain level of inflammation at the molecular and cellular levels before the...
Animal - science proceedings
Animals
In the horse, mobility of the conceptus is required for maternal recognition of pregnancy dependi... more In the horse, mobility of the conceptus is required for maternal recognition of pregnancy depending on secretion of prostaglandins by the conceptus. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and localization of key enzymes of the different pathways leading to synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2α in the equine conceptus during the mobility phase. Enzyme expression was analyzed via quantitative RT-PCR in total RNA samples of equine conceptuses collected on days 10 (n = 5), 12 (n = 12), 14 (n = 5) and 16 (n = 7) from healthy mares. Relative abundance of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA was higher (p < 0.05) than of COX-1 irrespective of conceptus age and for phospholipase A2 on day 16 in comparison to all other days (p < 0.01). Abundance of mRNA of cytosolic and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) and of carbonyl reductase (CBR) 1 was not influenced by conceptus age. Immunohistochemically, COX-1, COX-2, as well as cytosolic and microsomal PGES were present in both ...
Animals
Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ amon... more Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland (n = 6), Haflinger (n = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies (n = 9) were studied during late gestation and at foaling. Weight of mares, foals and placenta, plasma progestin and cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares (p < 0.05). Progestin (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.05) concentration was highest in full-size mares. Progestin concentration decreased towards parturition (p < 0.001) while cortisol concentration increased (p < 0.01). Maternal heart rate increased before foaling with the most pronounced increase in small mares (p < 0.001). The HRV increased during foaling and decreased when delivery was completed (p < 0.001). Changes were most pronounced in ...
Animals
This study aimed to characterize the response of transport-naïve dogs to one and two-hour road tr... more This study aimed to characterize the response of transport-naïve dogs to one and two-hour road transports based on cortisol in saliva and blood plasma, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and behavior. Two persons familiar to the dogs were present during transports and control experiments. We hypothesized that transport elicits a stress response, which decreases with repeated transports. Beagle dogs were allocated to three groups (n = 6 each). Group 1 served as control in the stable in week 1 and was transported for one hour in weeks 2, 3 and 4. Groups 2 and 3 served as controls in a non-moving vehicle and in the stable, respectively, in week 2. All three groups were transported for two hours in week 6. Cortisol concentration increased during transports (p < 0.001), and this increase remained constant with repeated transports. Cortisol release during two-hour transports was not affected by transport experience. Cortisol concentration inc...
Animals
Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be deter... more Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be determined to what extent such differences are affected by breed. In this study, post-thaw semen quality in stallions presented for semen cryopreservation was analysed retrospectively (1012 ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds). The percentage of frozen–thawed ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per cryopreserved ejaculate was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed sperm motility in raw semen as the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables included into the model, stallion age was the most important parameter with more acceptable ejaculates in younger than in older stallions. Logistic regression also showed more acceptable frozen–thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions versus Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic ho...
Animal Reproduction Science
Theriogenology
Mares usually give birth when they perceive their environment as safe and therefore disturbance a... more Mares usually give birth when they perceive their environment as safe and therefore disturbance at foaling may inhibit labor. In this study, foaling mares were transferred to an unfamiliar environment at rupture of the allantochorion (stress, n = 6) or were left undisturbed (control, n = 5). The progress of foaling, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and plasma catecholamine, oxytocin and cortisol concentration were determined. In stressed mares, time from rupture of the allantochorion to appearance of the fetal feet (5.3 ± 1.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4 min) and total length of fetal expulsion were longer than in controls (both p < 0.05). Heart rate decreased during the expulsive phase of foaling in control mares (p < 0.01) but increased transiently in stressed mares. Heart rate calculated as percentage of the baseline was higher in stressed than in control mares (p = 0.05). HRV variables SDRR (standard deviation of the beat-to-beat interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive beat-to-beat differences) increased during foal expulsion (SDRR p < 0.01 and RMSSD p < 0.05). The increase in HRV was delayed in stressed compared to control mares (SDRR and RMSSD time x group p < 0.05). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations calculated as area under the curve for the expulsive phase of foaling were higher in stressed than control mares (p < 0.05). Concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol were elevated during foal expulsion (both p < 0.001) but not different between groups. In conclusion, disturbance of mares during expulsion of the foal prolonged foaling. This effect is most likely mediated via increased sympathetic activity and not inhibition of oxytocin release.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Salivary cortisol provides information about free plasma cortisol concentration and salivary samp... more Salivary cortisol provides information about free plasma cortisol concentration and salivary sampling is a non-invasive well-tolerate procedure. The aim of this study was to validate a commercial enzyme immunoassay for the determination of salivary cortisol in donkeys. Saliva samples were collected in 4 donkey stallions on thirteen non-consecutive days at 8:30 AM to avoid circadian variation. Animals were already accustomed to be handled. Saliva was collected by using a swab inserted at the angle of the lips, placed onto the tongue for 1 min and returned into a polypropylene tube. Tubes were centrifuged and at least 1 ml of saliva was aspirated from each sample and frozen at −20° C until analysis. A commercial enzyme immunoassay kit without extraction was used for determination of cortisol in saliva. Median cortisol concentrations with minimum and maximum value were calculated. Recovery of cortisol standard in donkey saliva was 107.9% and serial dilution of donkey saliva samples wit...
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), Jan 21, 2017
Contamination of semen with bacteria arises during semen collection and handling. This bacterial ... more Contamination of semen with bacteria arises during semen collection and handling. This bacterial contamination is typically controlled by adding antibiotics to semen extenders but intensive usage of antibiotics can lead to the development of bacterial resistance and may be detrimental to sperm quality. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of antibiotics in a semen extender on sperm quality and to investigate the effects of removal of bacteria by modified Single Layer Centrifugation (MSLC) through a colloid. Semen was collected from six adult pony stallions (three ejaculates per male). Aliquots of extended semen were used for MSLC with Equicoll, resulting in four treatment groups: control and MSLC in extender with antibiotics (CA and SA, respectively); control and MSLC in extender without antibiotics (CW and SW, respectively). Sperm motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and chromatin integrity were evaluated daily by computer-assisted sper...
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Abstract In order to avoid stress in horses, it has to be known to what extent the animals percei... more Abstract In order to avoid stress in horses, it has to be known to what extent the animals perceive a challenge as stressful. In this study, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability parameters SDRR (standard deviation of the beat‐to‐beat interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive beat‐to‐beat differences) were determined in Shetland ponies (six stallions, five mares) in response to a flashlight, exercise without a rider, road transport, and a nontreatment control. Saliva was collected from 1 hour before to 24 hours after the tests, and cardiac activity was recorded from 1 hour before to 2 hours after tests. Salivary cortisol concentration increased in response to transport (P < .001) and remained unchanged in response to exercise, flashlight, and no treatment (P < .001 among tests). Heart rate increased during exercise (150 ± 7 beats/min), followed by transport (99 ± 12 beats/min) and remained unchanged in response to flashlight exposure and no treatment (over time P < .001, among tests P < .001). The SDRR decreased during exercise (P < .01 over time) but not flashlight and control treatment (P < .001 among tests). Changes in RMSSD were similar (P < .001) except for a lack of changes in response to the flashlight. The SDRR differed between mares and stallions (P < .01). In conclusion, horses were not stressed by exposure to the flashlight and exercise without a rider, whereas road transport was perceived as stressful. The response did not differ markedly between stallions and mares. HighlightsThe response to transport, exercise, and flashlight was determined in ponies.Salivary cortisol concentration increased in response to transport.Cortisol remained unchanged in response to exercise and flashlight exposure.Heart rate increased during exercise and transport but not flashlight exposure.Horses were stressed by road transport but neither by a flashlight nor by exercise.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Animal Reproduction Science
In pregnant mares, peripheral insulin antagonism channels glucose preferentially to the foetus. O... more In pregnant mares, peripheral insulin antagonism channels glucose preferentially to the foetus. On the other hand, horses reduce their metabolic activity in winter. Taking these aspects of equine pregnancy and metabolism together, we hypothesized that glucose clearance from blood and the insulin response to glucose do not only change throughout gestation but also with season. To test this hypothesis, the glucose and insulin response to an oral glucose test and relative insulin release were analysed in pregnant mares (n=12) and in geldings (n=10) as controls. Animals were tested in June, September, December, and in March (geldings) and on day 320 of gestation (mares). Furthermore, the 6 mares foaling early and 6 foaling later in the year were compared. In mares and geldings, plasma glucose concentration increased after glucose feeding (p<0.001). The increase was more pronounced in mares (p<0.05) and increased from June to December in mares (p<0.001) but not geldings (month x group p<0.05). This indicates constant glucose clearance in geldings but reduced clearance in pregnant mares. A partial insulin resistance is thus induced by pregnancy independent from season. Insulin release increased after glucose feeding (p<0.001) similarly in geldings and mares. The insulin response to glucose and relative insuslin release increased from June to December (p<0.001) indicating seasonal changes in β-cell sensitivity. Glucose and insulin concentration did not differ between early and late foaling mares. In conclusion, in horses, β-cell sensitivity to glucose is affected by season while insulin sensitivity during pregnancy decreases independent from season.
Stem cell research & therapy, Jan 12, 2017
Equine mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are most commonly harvested from bone marrow (BM) or... more Equine mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are most commonly harvested from bone marrow (BM) or adipose tissue, requiring the use of surgical procedures. By contrast, the uterus can be accessed nonsurgically, and may provide a more readily available cell source. While human endometrium is known to harbor mesenchymal precursor cells, MSCs have not been identified in equine endometrium. This study reports the isolation, culture, and characterization of MSCs from equine endometrium. The presence of MSC and pericyte markers in endometrial sections was determined using immunohistochemistry. Stromal cells were harvested and cultured after separation of epithelial cells from endometrial fragments using Mucin-1-bound beads. For comparison, MSCs were also harvested from BM. The expression of surface markers in endometrial and BM-derived MSCs was characterized using flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. MSCs were differentiated in vitro into adipogenic, chondrogenic, os...
Animals
Our objective was to investigate the level of endometrial immune response at artificial inseminat... more Our objective was to investigate the level of endometrial immune response at artificial insemination (AI) and to relate it to subsequent fertility. From 71 healthy cows, endometrial cytobrush samples were taken at the first AI for cytological and mRNA analyses. Total RNA isolated from the cytobrushes was used for reverse transcription qPCR for selected transcripts. Animals were grouped into pregnant (PREG; n = 32) and non-pregnant (non-PREG; n = 39) cows following their first AI. The mRNA abundance of the neutrophil-related factor CEACAM1 and the chemokine CXCL5 was 1.2- (p = 0.03) and 2.0-fold (p = 0.04) greater in PREG than in non-PREG cows, respectively. Animals were further subdivided according to the number of inseminations until pregnancy (PREG1, n = 32; PREG2-3, n = 19) and in repeat breeder cows (RBC, n = 13). CEACAM1 and CXCL8 mRNA expression was 1.7- (p = 0.01) and 2.3-fold (p = 0.03) greater in PREG1 than in RBC, respectively. Cox regression showed that cows with PMN ≥ 1%...
Animals
There is an increasing interest in the manipulation of ovarian follicular populations in large do... more There is an increasing interest in the manipulation of ovarian follicular populations in large domestic animals because this could prove beneficial for assisted reproductive techniques such as ovum pick-up (OPU). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of deslorelin slow-release implants (SRI) on the interovulatory interval, antral follicle count (AFC), number of follicles of different size ranges and plasma anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) concentration in mares. To synchronize their estrous cycles, Haflinger mares (n = 12) were treated twice with a PGF2α analogue. One day after the second injection (day 0), mares received a 9.4 mg deslorelin SRI (group DES, n = 6) or 1.25 mg deslorelin in a short-acting formulation (CON; n = 6), respectively. Regular transrectal ultrasonography of the genital tract was performed and blood samples were collected for the analysis of progesterone, AMH and gonadotrophins. The interval from implant insertion to the first spontaneous ovula...
Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI, 2021
Simple Summary In horses, oocyte collection followed by intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection is in... more Simple Summary In horses, oocyte collection followed by intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection is increasingly used. The yield of oocytes is a limiting factor and depends on the number of follicles present on the ovary during oocyte collection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of slow-release implants containing the GnRH analogue deslorelin on the number of follicles and on hormones regulating follicular development. Six mares received a deslorelin implant and six mares served as controls. The interval to the first spontaneous ovulation was prolonged in treated mares. The treatment changed the release pattern of the gonadotrophins LH and FSH. Changes in the number of follicles 10 to 15 mm in diameter were detected in deslorelin-treated mares. These changes were also reflected by increasing plasma anti-Muellerian hormone concentrations, a hormone produced by growing follicles. In conclusion, deslorelin implants induce changes in ovarian follicle subpopulations ...
Simple Summary A detailed understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the bovine uterus... more Simple Summary A detailed understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the bovine uterus is crucial to explain and avoid subfertility in dairy cows. Therefore, we examined the effect of inflammation in the bovine uterus in cows with no clinical signs of disease at the time of artificial insemination (AI) on subsequent pregnancy outcome. In a total of 71 healthy dairy cows, uterine cytology samples were collected by cytobrush technique within 10 min after insemination. Endometrial inflammation was investigated at the cellular and mRNA expression levels. All factors with a significant effect on fertility in our study were related to uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration, i.e., the first line of uterine defense. Cows with a proportion of ≥1% PMN had a 1.8-fold increased chance of pregnancy within 150 days postpartum compared to cows with fewer PMNs. From our results, we conclude that a certain level of inflammation at the molecular and cellular levels before the...
Animal - science proceedings
Animals
In the horse, mobility of the conceptus is required for maternal recognition of pregnancy dependi... more In the horse, mobility of the conceptus is required for maternal recognition of pregnancy depending on secretion of prostaglandins by the conceptus. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and localization of key enzymes of the different pathways leading to synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2α in the equine conceptus during the mobility phase. Enzyme expression was analyzed via quantitative RT-PCR in total RNA samples of equine conceptuses collected on days 10 (n = 5), 12 (n = 12), 14 (n = 5) and 16 (n = 7) from healthy mares. Relative abundance of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA was higher (p < 0.05) than of COX-1 irrespective of conceptus age and for phospholipase A2 on day 16 in comparison to all other days (p < 0.01). Abundance of mRNA of cytosolic and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) and of carbonyl reductase (CBR) 1 was not influenced by conceptus age. Immunohistochemically, COX-1, COX-2, as well as cytosolic and microsomal PGES were present in both ...
Animals
Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ amon... more Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland (n = 6), Haflinger (n = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies (n = 9) were studied during late gestation and at foaling. Weight of mares, foals and placenta, plasma progestin and cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares (p < 0.05). Progestin (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.05) concentration was highest in full-size mares. Progestin concentration decreased towards parturition (p < 0.001) while cortisol concentration increased (p < 0.01). Maternal heart rate increased before foaling with the most pronounced increase in small mares (p < 0.001). The HRV increased during foaling and decreased when delivery was completed (p < 0.001). Changes were most pronounced in ...
Animals
This study aimed to characterize the response of transport-naïve dogs to one and two-hour road tr... more This study aimed to characterize the response of transport-naïve dogs to one and two-hour road transports based on cortisol in saliva and blood plasma, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and behavior. Two persons familiar to the dogs were present during transports and control experiments. We hypothesized that transport elicits a stress response, which decreases with repeated transports. Beagle dogs were allocated to three groups (n = 6 each). Group 1 served as control in the stable in week 1 and was transported for one hour in weeks 2, 3 and 4. Groups 2 and 3 served as controls in a non-moving vehicle and in the stable, respectively, in week 2. All three groups were transported for two hours in week 6. Cortisol concentration increased during transports (p < 0.001), and this increase remained constant with repeated transports. Cortisol release during two-hour transports was not affected by transport experience. Cortisol concentration inc...
Animals
Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be deter... more Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be determined to what extent such differences are affected by breed. In this study, post-thaw semen quality in stallions presented for semen cryopreservation was analysed retrospectively (1012 ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds). The percentage of frozen–thawed ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per cryopreserved ejaculate was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed sperm motility in raw semen as the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables included into the model, stallion age was the most important parameter with more acceptable ejaculates in younger than in older stallions. Logistic regression also showed more acceptable frozen–thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions versus Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic ho...
Animal Reproduction Science
Theriogenology
Mares usually give birth when they perceive their environment as safe and therefore disturbance a... more Mares usually give birth when they perceive their environment as safe and therefore disturbance at foaling may inhibit labor. In this study, foaling mares were transferred to an unfamiliar environment at rupture of the allantochorion (stress, n = 6) or were left undisturbed (control, n = 5). The progress of foaling, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and plasma catecholamine, oxytocin and cortisol concentration were determined. In stressed mares, time from rupture of the allantochorion to appearance of the fetal feet (5.3 ± 1.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4 min) and total length of fetal expulsion were longer than in controls (both p < 0.05). Heart rate decreased during the expulsive phase of foaling in control mares (p < 0.01) but increased transiently in stressed mares. Heart rate calculated as percentage of the baseline was higher in stressed than in control mares (p = 0.05). HRV variables SDRR (standard deviation of the beat-to-beat interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive beat-to-beat differences) increased during foal expulsion (SDRR p < 0.01 and RMSSD p < 0.05). The increase in HRV was delayed in stressed compared to control mares (SDRR and RMSSD time x group p < 0.05). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations calculated as area under the curve for the expulsive phase of foaling were higher in stressed than control mares (p < 0.05). Concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol were elevated during foal expulsion (both p < 0.001) but not different between groups. In conclusion, disturbance of mares during expulsion of the foal prolonged foaling. This effect is most likely mediated via increased sympathetic activity and not inhibition of oxytocin release.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Salivary cortisol provides information about free plasma cortisol concentration and salivary samp... more Salivary cortisol provides information about free plasma cortisol concentration and salivary sampling is a non-invasive well-tolerate procedure. The aim of this study was to validate a commercial enzyme immunoassay for the determination of salivary cortisol in donkeys. Saliva samples were collected in 4 donkey stallions on thirteen non-consecutive days at 8:30 AM to avoid circadian variation. Animals were already accustomed to be handled. Saliva was collected by using a swab inserted at the angle of the lips, placed onto the tongue for 1 min and returned into a polypropylene tube. Tubes were centrifuged and at least 1 ml of saliva was aspirated from each sample and frozen at −20° C until analysis. A commercial enzyme immunoassay kit without extraction was used for determination of cortisol in saliva. Median cortisol concentrations with minimum and maximum value were calculated. Recovery of cortisol standard in donkey saliva was 107.9% and serial dilution of donkey saliva samples wit...
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), Jan 21, 2017
Contamination of semen with bacteria arises during semen collection and handling. This bacterial ... more Contamination of semen with bacteria arises during semen collection and handling. This bacterial contamination is typically controlled by adding antibiotics to semen extenders but intensive usage of antibiotics can lead to the development of bacterial resistance and may be detrimental to sperm quality. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of antibiotics in a semen extender on sperm quality and to investigate the effects of removal of bacteria by modified Single Layer Centrifugation (MSLC) through a colloid. Semen was collected from six adult pony stallions (three ejaculates per male). Aliquots of extended semen were used for MSLC with Equicoll, resulting in four treatment groups: control and MSLC in extender with antibiotics (CA and SA, respectively); control and MSLC in extender without antibiotics (CW and SW, respectively). Sperm motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and chromatin integrity were evaluated daily by computer-assisted sper...
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Abstract In order to avoid stress in horses, it has to be known to what extent the animals percei... more Abstract In order to avoid stress in horses, it has to be known to what extent the animals perceive a challenge as stressful. In this study, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability parameters SDRR (standard deviation of the beat‐to‐beat interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive beat‐to‐beat differences) were determined in Shetland ponies (six stallions, five mares) in response to a flashlight, exercise without a rider, road transport, and a nontreatment control. Saliva was collected from 1 hour before to 24 hours after the tests, and cardiac activity was recorded from 1 hour before to 2 hours after tests. Salivary cortisol concentration increased in response to transport (P < .001) and remained unchanged in response to exercise, flashlight, and no treatment (P < .001 among tests). Heart rate increased during exercise (150 ± 7 beats/min), followed by transport (99 ± 12 beats/min) and remained unchanged in response to flashlight exposure and no treatment (over time P < .001, among tests P < .001). The SDRR decreased during exercise (P < .01 over time) but not flashlight and control treatment (P < .001 among tests). Changes in RMSSD were similar (P < .001) except for a lack of changes in response to the flashlight. The SDRR differed between mares and stallions (P < .01). In conclusion, horses were not stressed by exposure to the flashlight and exercise without a rider, whereas road transport was perceived as stressful. The response did not differ markedly between stallions and mares. HighlightsThe response to transport, exercise, and flashlight was determined in ponies.Salivary cortisol concentration increased in response to transport.Cortisol remained unchanged in response to exercise and flashlight exposure.Heart rate increased during exercise and transport but not flashlight exposure.Horses were stressed by road transport but neither by a flashlight nor by exercise.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Animal Reproduction Science
In pregnant mares, peripheral insulin antagonism channels glucose preferentially to the foetus. O... more In pregnant mares, peripheral insulin antagonism channels glucose preferentially to the foetus. On the other hand, horses reduce their metabolic activity in winter. Taking these aspects of equine pregnancy and metabolism together, we hypothesized that glucose clearance from blood and the insulin response to glucose do not only change throughout gestation but also with season. To test this hypothesis, the glucose and insulin response to an oral glucose test and relative insulin release were analysed in pregnant mares (n=12) and in geldings (n=10) as controls. Animals were tested in June, September, December, and in March (geldings) and on day 320 of gestation (mares). Furthermore, the 6 mares foaling early and 6 foaling later in the year were compared. In mares and geldings, plasma glucose concentration increased after glucose feeding (p<0.001). The increase was more pronounced in mares (p<0.05) and increased from June to December in mares (p<0.001) but not geldings (month x group p<0.05). This indicates constant glucose clearance in geldings but reduced clearance in pregnant mares. A partial insulin resistance is thus induced by pregnancy independent from season. Insulin release increased after glucose feeding (p<0.001) similarly in geldings and mares. The insulin response to glucose and relative insuslin release increased from June to December (p<0.001) indicating seasonal changes in β-cell sensitivity. Glucose and insulin concentration did not differ between early and late foaling mares. In conclusion, in horses, β-cell sensitivity to glucose is affected by season while insulin sensitivity during pregnancy decreases independent from season.
Stem cell research & therapy, Jan 12, 2017
Equine mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are most commonly harvested from bone marrow (BM) or... more Equine mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are most commonly harvested from bone marrow (BM) or adipose tissue, requiring the use of surgical procedures. By contrast, the uterus can be accessed nonsurgically, and may provide a more readily available cell source. While human endometrium is known to harbor mesenchymal precursor cells, MSCs have not been identified in equine endometrium. This study reports the isolation, culture, and characterization of MSCs from equine endometrium. The presence of MSC and pericyte markers in endometrial sections was determined using immunohistochemistry. Stromal cells were harvested and cultured after separation of epithelial cells from endometrial fragments using Mucin-1-bound beads. For comparison, MSCs were also harvested from BM. The expression of surface markers in endometrial and BM-derived MSCs was characterized using flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. MSCs were differentiated in vitro into adipogenic, chondrogenic, os...