Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a member of nuclear receptors superfamily, which mainly regulate the expression of target genes involved in lipid and energy metabolism. These receptors are divided to three isotypes: PPARα, PPARγ and PPARβ/δ. Each isotype has a distinct tissue distribution relating to the distinct functions. In this study, the mRNA abundance for PPARα, PPARγ and PPARβ/δ was evaluated and compared with high and low motile ram spermatozoa. Semen samples from 6 adult rams were fractionated on a two layer discontinuous Percoll gradient to high and low motile sperm and quantitative parameters of sperm motility were determined by CASA. Total RNA was extracted and the mRNA abundance for each gene was measured by relative quantification technique with Real time PCR. The levels of three isotypes of PPAR transcripts were significantly higher in high motile semen samples using quantitative RT-PCR. Some of sperm motility indices were also significantly correlated with PPARα and PPARγ relative expression. This study revealed the novel association of PPAR gene isotypes with sperm motility. Data from our study suggested PPARs are one of the possible factors that can be studied in male infertility.

Abstract To investigate uterine fluid and serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) variations during the estrous cycle in water buffaloes, 71 genital tracts and blood samples were collected from the abattoir in Urmia, Iran. The phase of the estrous cycle was determined by examining ovarian structures; 18, 15, 16 and 22 were pro-estrous, estrous, met-estrous and diestrous, respectively. The uterine fluid was collected by gentle scraping of the uterine mucosa with a curette. Blood serum and uterine fluid samples of 71 pre-pubertal buffalo calves were also collected and treated in similar manners. The mean (± SEM) total serum (77.10 ± 1.50 µg dL^-1) and uterine fluid (296.40 ± 9.40 μg dL^-1) Cu in cyclic cows was higher than the values of 54.00 ± 1.10 μg dL^-1 and 133.40 ± 5.70 μg dL^-1 in pre-pubertal calves, respectively. Blood serum (114.60 ± 3.20 μg dL^-1) and the uterine fluid (349.90 ± 8.90 μg dL^-1) Zn content in cyclic cows were also higher than those (98.80 ± 1.50 μg dL^-1 and 246.6 ± 4.50 μg dL^-1 respectively) in pre-pubertal calves. Serum Cu in pro-estrus and estrus were lower than those in other stages and also lower than those in the uterine fluid. The lowest serum Zn content was recorded in pro- and met-estrus, while in the uterine fluid it was observed in estrus. In all stages of estrous cycle the uterine fluid Zn content was significantly higher than those of the serum. These results suggested that during the estrous cycle in the buffalo cows, Cu and Zn were actively secreted in uterine lumen and were not dependent on blood serum. The values also increased after puberty.

Abstract Thirty six Wistar albino rats with implant induced endometriosis were randomly divided into six groups of six animals each. The rats in the first group received nothing and were euthanized at day 21. In the second group, rats received nothing and were euthanized at day 36. The third group received atorvastatin (ATV; 5 mg kg^-1 per day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis, and the fourth group received ATV from the 15^th day after induction of endometriosis for 21 days. The fifth group received grape seed extract (GET; 450 mg kg^-1 per day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis. In the sixth group, GET was administered from the 15^th day after induction of endometriosis for 21 days. The estrogen receptor positive cells (ER+) distribution and angiogenesis were assessed using immunohistochemical and immunoflourescent analyzes, respectively. The active cells with intracytoplasmic carbohydrate content were analyzed. Erα mRNA expression was assessed using semiquantitative real time-PCR and the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. The GET and ATV-treated animals showed significant reduction in endometriosis-increased ER+ cells distribution as well as significant decrease in Erα mRNA levels (p < 0.05). Our data suggests that GET exerts a potent inhibitory effect on development of endometriotic implants similar to ATV.

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced mastitis model in rat on the activity of antioxidant enzyme systems. To achieve this purpose, E. coli LPS were infused into the mammary gland of 12 rats 72 hr postpartum and compared with 12 rats in control group infused intramammary placebo sterile pyrogene – free, physiological saline. The antioxidant activities of the enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase together with ‎‏malondialdehyde (MDA) level were assayed in blood serum, milk and mammary tissue. Results obtained showed that, the antioxidant enzyme activities in milk, blood serum and mammary tissue were significantly decreased while the level of MDA, the indicator of lipid peroxidation were significantly increased following intramammary inoculation of LPS compared to the control animals. Histopathological examination also revealed the infiltration of inflammatory cells in mammary tissue and disruption of acinar structure and acinar lumina in mastitic rats. The results indicated that LPS-induced ‎mastitis could alter antioxidant enzymes and increase lipid peroxidation.

Abstract In order to determine calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) content and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of seminal plasma in buffalo and to study their associations with the semen characteristics, 54 semen samples were collected from 10 buffalo bulls; semen quality was evaluated, seminal plasma was then harvested by centrifugation and its Ca and Mg content were estimated and its TAC determined. The Ca and Mg content of the seminal plasma (Mean ± SEM) were recorded as 22.36 ± 0.52 mg dl-1 and 11.94 ± 0.36 mg dl-1 respectively, while, its mean TAC value was 1.50 ± 0.02 mmol L-1. The mean Ca value was highly associated with sperm progressive motility, gross motility, viability (P = 0.000 for all), negatively with semen volume (P = 0.01), and with Mg and TAC values (P = 0.000 for both). The mean Mg values was highly associated with sperm progressive motility, gross motility and viability and seminal plasma Ca and TAC (P = 0.000 for all) and negatively associated with semen volume (P = 0.014). The mean TAC values was highly associated with sperm progressive motility, gross motility and viability and seminal plasma Ca and Mg (P = 0.000 for all). For further clarification of these associations, the data was categorized in three groups of excellent (Ex, >90% motile, n = 33), good (Go, 80-89% motile, n = 15) and moderate (Mo, Keywords: