Spermatozoa survivability is of utmost importance in delivering equine semen for artificial insem... more Spermatozoa survivability is of utmost importance in delivering equine semen for artificial insemination. Semen extender supplementation may allow for increased survivability. L-carnitine (CARN) has been studied for its role in the mobilization of fatty acids. Two experiments (EX1/EX2) assessed the effects of CARN and pyruvate (P) on spermatozoa survival. Total (TM) and progressive motility (PM), velocity and direction of movement (VAP, VSL, VCL, and elongation) were assessed by CASA, membrane status (SYBR 14/PI stains) and acrosome status (FITC-PSA stain) by flow cytometer. In EX1, 4 ejaculates were collected from 2 stallions. Aliquots were diluted in skim-milk glucose extender (SKMG) or INRA 96 (INRA) with and without CARN and P added at levels of 0.00806 g/mL and 0.0011004 g/mL. Split aliquots were placed in separate Equine Express II™ containers for CASA after 2 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. Flow cytometery was conducted at 24 hours. In EX 2, 4 ejaculates were collected from 3 stallions. Aliquots were diluted in SKMG, INRA, and Revolution (REV) with or without CARN+P. In EX1/EX2 dilution in INRA resulted in higher motility compared to dilution in other extenders (p<0.05). In EX1 CARN+P (p<0.01) improved TM and PM. Intact membrane percentages were higher (p<0.05) for with CARN + P (74.3% with vs. 71.7% without). In EX2 CARN+P (p<0.05) improved TM and PM and also improved (p<0.05) percentage of intact membranes (78.0% with vs. 75.0% without) and intact acrosomes (78.9% with vs. 66.2% without). In conclusion, addition of L-carnitine + pyruvate may improve multiple factors of spermatozoa survival.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of tall fescue seed infected with both erg... more The objective of this study was to examine the effects of tall fescue seed infected with both ergovaline and ergotamine on post exercise recovery of horses subjected to an anaerobic standard exercise test (SET) under hot, humid conditions. Ten quarter horses were selected then paired by body weight (BW), age, and skill level and randomly assigned to either group A or group B that were fed a diet which contained either (E+) or was free of (E-) ergot alkaloids for a 35 d period (P1). Then groups were switched to the opposite diet for the second 35 d period (P2). The E+ diet contained 8.2% seed resulting in 132 ppb ergovaline and 275 ppb ergotamine. Horses were ridden 5 d per week. During wks 3 and 5 (P1) and wks 8 and 10 (P2), horses were subjected to a standard exercise test (SET) designed to obtain a maximal heart rate (HR) (& 150 bpm). During the SET, HR exceeded 150 bpm after the first set of 10 turns and values for lactate (LA) 1 min post SET averaged 10.18 mmol/L, thus confirming horses performed above the anaerobic threshold. A difference among horses was observed for LA, HR, respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT) (P & 0.05). Treatment had no effect on RT or LA at any time measured. Heart rates at the end and 1 min post SET were unaffected by seed treatment. When horses consumed E+ diets, HR were lower at rest, during the SET, and at both 5 and 10 min of recovery (P & 0.05). Respiration rates did not vary by treatment at rest or 1, 5, and 10 min post SET, but was higher for the E+ treatment at 30 and 60 min post SET (P ≤ 0.006). Consumption of ground fescue seed caused horses to expend more respiratory effort due to peripheral vasoconstriction as was indicated by lower HR\u27s
to the line of travel on either side of the horse. Video footage was recorded into the Equi-neTec... more to the line of travel on either side of the horse. Video footage was recorded into the Equi-neTecTM (Monroe, GA, USA) software program for analysis. Blood via jugular puncture was taken the morning following video recording. Hematocrit values were analyzed immediately. Whole blood and plasma was frozen for later analysis. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis was conducted on plasma according to procedures established by C. Jo and D.U. Ahn [3]. Data was analyzed using SAS version 9.3 Proc GLM with repeated measures over time to determine the effects of treatment, time, and treatment by time interactions. P values of P<0.05 were considered significant. After 90 days, glucosamine horses showed greater front leg retraction distance (P¼.01) as compared to earlier time points. No significant difference in this parameter was seen in control horses. Additionally, a trend toward greater front fetlock flexion was observed in glucosamine supplemented horses as compared to controls. No differences between control and treatment were observed in TBARS analysis. In conclusion, oral supplementation of glucosamine sulfate resulted in modest changes in biomechanical parameters measured. Differences in blood oxidative levels between treatments were not observed.
Ten horses were assigned into two treatment groups. Horses were fed either ergot alkaloid contain... more Ten horses were assigned into two treatment groups. Horses were fed either ergot alkaloid containing (E+) or ergot alkaloid free (E-) fescue seed added to a grain based ration. After 5 weeks, seed treatments were switched between groups for the second 5 weeks. Diets contained 8.2% seed resulting in intakes of 275 ppb ergotamine and 132 ppb ergovaline for the E+ diet. In weeks 3, 5, 8, and 10, horses were subjected to standardized exercise tests (SETs). During the aerobic SET, horses walked 4, trotted 10, and loped 11 minutes. To reach target heart rates, speeds averaged 2.36 m/s (trot) and 4.09 m/s (lope). Significant horse effects were found on respiration rates at 1, 5, 10, and 30 minutes post-SET; heart rates at rest, during the SET, end of SET and 1, 5, and 10 minutes post-SET; and rectal temperatures at the end of SET and 1, 5, 10, and 30 minutes post-SET (P \u3c 0.05). Treatment effects were observed on respiration rates at 30 minutes post-SET with higher rates in horses on E +; heart rates at rest, during the SET, end of SET, and 1 minute post-SET with lower rates in horses on E +; and rectal temperatures at 1 minute and 30 minutes post-SET with higher temperatures in horses on E + (P \u3c 0.05)
Spermatozoa survivability is of utmost importance in delivering equine semen for artificial insem... more Spermatozoa survivability is of utmost importance in delivering equine semen for artificial insemination. Semen extender supplementation may allow for increased survivability. L-carnitine (CARN) has been studied for its role in the mobilization of fatty acids. Two experiments (EX1/EX2) assessed the effects of CARN and pyruvate (P) on spermatozoa survival. Total (TM) and progressive motility (PM), velocity and direction of movement (VAP, VSL, VCL, and elongation) were assessed by CASA, membrane status (SYBR 14/PI stains) and acrosome status (FITC-PSA stain) by flow cytometer. In EX1, 4 ejaculates were collected from 2 stallions. Aliquots were diluted in skim-milk glucose extender (SKMG) or INRA 96 (INRA) with and without CARN and P added at levels of 0.00806 g/mL and 0.0011004 g/mL. Split aliquots were placed in separate Equine Express II™ containers for CASA after 2 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. Flow cytometery was conducted at 24 hours. In EX 2, 4 ejaculates were collected from 3 stallions. Aliquots were diluted in SKMG, INRA, and Revolution (REV) with or without CARN+P. In EX1/EX2 dilution in INRA resulted in higher motility compared to dilution in other extenders (p<0.05). In EX1 CARN+P (p<0.01) improved TM and PM. Intact membrane percentages were higher (p<0.05) for with CARN + P (74.3% with vs. 71.7% without). In EX2 CARN+P (p<0.05) improved TM and PM and also improved (p<0.05) percentage of intact membranes (78.0% with vs. 75.0% without) and intact acrosomes (78.9% with vs. 66.2% without). In conclusion, addition of L-carnitine + pyruvate may improve multiple factors of spermatozoa survival.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of tall fescue seed infected with both erg... more The objective of this study was to examine the effects of tall fescue seed infected with both ergovaline and ergotamine on post exercise recovery of horses subjected to an anaerobic standard exercise test (SET) under hot, humid conditions. Ten quarter horses were selected then paired by body weight (BW), age, and skill level and randomly assigned to either group A or group B that were fed a diet which contained either (E+) or was free of (E-) ergot alkaloids for a 35 d period (P1). Then groups were switched to the opposite diet for the second 35 d period (P2). The E+ diet contained 8.2% seed resulting in 132 ppb ergovaline and 275 ppb ergotamine. Horses were ridden 5 d per week. During wks 3 and 5 (P1) and wks 8 and 10 (P2), horses were subjected to a standard exercise test (SET) designed to obtain a maximal heart rate (HR) (& 150 bpm). During the SET, HR exceeded 150 bpm after the first set of 10 turns and values for lactate (LA) 1 min post SET averaged 10.18 mmol/L, thus confirming horses performed above the anaerobic threshold. A difference among horses was observed for LA, HR, respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT) (P & 0.05). Treatment had no effect on RT or LA at any time measured. Heart rates at the end and 1 min post SET were unaffected by seed treatment. When horses consumed E+ diets, HR were lower at rest, during the SET, and at both 5 and 10 min of recovery (P & 0.05). Respiration rates did not vary by treatment at rest or 1, 5, and 10 min post SET, but was higher for the E+ treatment at 30 and 60 min post SET (P ≤ 0.006). Consumption of ground fescue seed caused horses to expend more respiratory effort due to peripheral vasoconstriction as was indicated by lower HR\u27s
to the line of travel on either side of the horse. Video footage was recorded into the Equi-neTec... more to the line of travel on either side of the horse. Video footage was recorded into the Equi-neTecTM (Monroe, GA, USA) software program for analysis. Blood via jugular puncture was taken the morning following video recording. Hematocrit values were analyzed immediately. Whole blood and plasma was frozen for later analysis. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis was conducted on plasma according to procedures established by C. Jo and D.U. Ahn [3]. Data was analyzed using SAS version 9.3 Proc GLM with repeated measures over time to determine the effects of treatment, time, and treatment by time interactions. P values of P<0.05 were considered significant. After 90 days, glucosamine horses showed greater front leg retraction distance (P¼.01) as compared to earlier time points. No significant difference in this parameter was seen in control horses. Additionally, a trend toward greater front fetlock flexion was observed in glucosamine supplemented horses as compared to controls. No differences between control and treatment were observed in TBARS analysis. In conclusion, oral supplementation of glucosamine sulfate resulted in modest changes in biomechanical parameters measured. Differences in blood oxidative levels between treatments were not observed.
Ten horses were assigned into two treatment groups. Horses were fed either ergot alkaloid contain... more Ten horses were assigned into two treatment groups. Horses were fed either ergot alkaloid containing (E+) or ergot alkaloid free (E-) fescue seed added to a grain based ration. After 5 weeks, seed treatments were switched between groups for the second 5 weeks. Diets contained 8.2% seed resulting in intakes of 275 ppb ergotamine and 132 ppb ergovaline for the E+ diet. In weeks 3, 5, 8, and 10, horses were subjected to standardized exercise tests (SETs). During the aerobic SET, horses walked 4, trotted 10, and loped 11 minutes. To reach target heart rates, speeds averaged 2.36 m/s (trot) and 4.09 m/s (lope). Significant horse effects were found on respiration rates at 1, 5, 10, and 30 minutes post-SET; heart rates at rest, during the SET, end of SET and 1, 5, and 10 minutes post-SET; and rectal temperatures at the end of SET and 1, 5, 10, and 30 minutes post-SET (P \u3c 0.05). Treatment effects were observed on respiration rates at 30 minutes post-SET with higher rates in horses on E +; heart rates at rest, during the SET, end of SET, and 1 minute post-SET with lower rates in horses on E +; and rectal temperatures at 1 minute and 30 minutes post-SET with higher temperatures in horses on E + (P \u3c 0.05)
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