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- Fixed-time artificial insemination in Churra Galega Bragançana ewes: DARIO tip effectPublication . Silva, Daiane; Quintas, Helder; Santos, Liliana; Álvaro, Arlindo; Afonso, Paulo; Valentim, RamiroThis work was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of the anti-reflux device for ovine insemination (DARIO) on the fertility rate in ewes of the native Portuguese breed Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB) artificially inseminated at fixedtime. Eighty-one ewes aged between one and five years were used. At the end of April 2021, ewes’ reproductive control was carried out, using a short progestagen treatment (five days) + equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Cervical artificial insemination (AI) was performed at fixed-time (55 hours after the end of the hormonal treatment), with cooled semen. All ewes were inseminated by the same inseminator: 39 ewes with the DARIO tip on the end of the sheath and 42 without this tip. The pregnancy diagnosis was made by ultrasonography 41 days after AI. Age and body condition (BC) did not affect the ewes’ response to the applied hormonal treatment or the fertility rate. Approximately 95.1% of the ewes responded to the progestagen + eCG treatment. Forty-one days after AI, 86.4% of the ewes were pregnant. The use of the DARIO tip did not affect the fertility rate.
- Tratamentos curtos de sincronização de cios com FGA ou CIDR e ECG e seus efeitos sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial cervical em cabras serranasPublication . Quintas, Helder; Mateus, Óscar; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Afonso, Paulo; Silva, Daiane; Álvaro, Armindo; Valentim, RamiroA sincronização da atividaáe reprodutiva pode ser conseguida através do uso de progesterona/progestagéníos e de PGFza ou seus análogos sintéticos. Todas as bormonas possuem propriedades farmacodínâmicas distintas, pelo que a resposta à sua administração pode diferir. Os tratamentos hormonais podem afetar a taxa de fertilidade pós-insemínação artificial (IA). O objetivo do presente trabalho é comparar os efeitos de dois tratamentos curtos de sincronização de cios - FGA e CIDR - e eCG sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em cabras da raça Serrana, ecótipo Transmontano. Foram usadas 72 cabras da raça Serrana, com 3,9 + 2,7 anos de idade. A 21 de setenibro, em 40 cabras foram colocadas esponjas v^ínais com 20 mg de FGA. As demais 32 cabras receberam um CIDR (0,35 g). Na mesma altura, todas as cabras receberam uma injeção dê 100 pg de cloprostenol. Os tratamentos tiveram uma duração de 5 dias. Quando da remoção das esponjas/dispositivos vaginais, as cabras foram injetadas com 300 UI de eCG. A IA cervical foi realizada 43+1 horas pós-administração de eCG. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografía 41 dias pós-IA. Quarenta e um dias pós-IA, 66,7% das cabras estavam gestantes. A taxa de fertilidade não foi afetaáa pela idade das cabras (P>0,05). No mesmo sentido, ela não foi condicionada pelo tratamento aplicado (FGA: 65,0% vs. CIDR: 68,8%; x2=0»4; P>0,05). O progestagénio FGA e a progesterona (CIDR) promoveram iguais tocas de fertilidade.
- Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency vírus and feline leucemia vírus in a portuguese intermunicipal shelterPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Quintas, Helder; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Coelho, Ana CláudiaTo better understand the prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus in cat shelters, an epidemiological study was conducted in an intermunicipal shelter in the Northeast Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples were collected as part of routine plan for control and monitoring of infectious diseases in cats at lntermunicipal Official Shelter. This shelter houses stray cats from the five municipalities of Terra Quente Transmontana, which has permanent veterinary medical and nursing assistance with daily exams, identification, registration, vaccination, deworming and neutering procedures. Blood samples were collected during periodic checks carried out by the veterinarian in charge of the shelter, from May 2017 to January 2021. A total of 1 71 samples were collected from stray cats housed at this shelter, that serves: Alf§.ndega da Fe, Carrazeda de Ansiaes, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela and Vila Flor. A blood sample was collected individually from each cat during medical routine check-ups. Blood was collected from the cephalic vein. To diagnose FIV and FeLV, a kit based on immunochromatographic technique (Uranotest® FeLVFIV, Urano®vet, S.L, Barcelona, Spain) was used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. This test allows simultaneously qualitative detection of FIV antibody (gp40) and FeLV antigen (p27) in feline whole blood, serum, and plasma. The Uranotest® FeLV-FIV reported a sensitivity of 94% versus viral isolation and specificity of 99% versus viral isolation, for Fe LV, and a sensitivity of 96% versus Western Blot and a specificity of 98% versus Western Blot, for FIV. RESULTS: A total of 171 stray cats in the lntermunicipal Official Shelter were tested during the study period. The sample consisted of 102 females (60%) and 69 males (40%). The overall prevalence of FIV and FeLV was 13.45% (23/171, 95% Cl: 9.13-19.37%) of the cats tested. The proportion of cats positive to FIV, FeLV and to both FIV and FeLV was 9.36% (16/171, 95% Cl: 5.84-14.66%), 1.75% (3/171, 95% Cl: 0.60-5.03%) and 2.34% (41171, 95% Cl: 0.91-5.86%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicated the overall seroprevalence of FIV and FeLV in stray cats entering the lntermunicipal Official Shelter was very high and risk factors associated to seroprevalence need to be study in further studies.
- Furry hosts and fungal guests: Investigating dermatophyte carriage in shelter and clinic cats and dogs of northern PortugalPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Quintas, Helder; Vieira, Ana Filipa; Pinto, Eduardo; Matos, Manuela; Soares, Ana; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Coelho, Ana CláudiaDermatophytosis is a widespread fungal infection affecting both animals and humans, commonly known as ringworm. Dermatophytosis results in the breakdown of keratin, leading to skin, hair, and claw lesions, and has an important global prevalence that is often underestimated. While typically self-limiting, dermatophytosis can pose a severe risk due to its contagious nature, particularly in shelters. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes in the fur of dogs and cats in animal shelters and pet clinics, shedding light on the importance of understanding and managing this infectious disease in both animal and human populations. To better understand the epidemiology of dermatophytes in Portugal, a study was conducted from March to May 2022. The prevalence of dermatophyte isolation in culture was evaluated. A total of 341 animals, 286 (83.9%) dogs and 55 (16.1%) cats were studied, and 45.0% (n=157) of the animals were from shelters, while 54.0% (n=184) were from clinics. Twenty-eight (8.2%) animals had skin lesions, and of these, four (14.3%) tested positive for dermatophytes. Dermatophytes were isolated from 12/341 studied animals. The prevalence of Microsporum canis was 3.2% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.6-5.7%), and the prevalence of Microsporum audouinii was 0.3% (CI 95%: 0.0-1.6%). Healthy dogs and cats without clinical signs were found to carry dermatophytes, stressing the potential for these animals to act as subclinical carriers and emphasizing the importance of pet-owner awareness regarding zoonotic risks and the need for ongoing research and surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with fungal infections.
- Leishmania seroprevalence in dogs: comparing shelter and domestic communitiesPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Quintas, Helder; Cardoso, Luís MiguelCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a chronic, systemic, and often severe disease. The main causative agent of CanL is a protozoan parasite, Leishmania infantum, with phlebotomine sand flies acting as vectors. In Europe and other continents, L. infantum is also responsible for leishmaniosis in other animals, such as cats, horses, and humans. In Portugal, animal and human leishmaniosis is endemic, and high prevalence levels of infections and disease have been reported in dogs. There is a prejudice against stray animals and also those housed in shelters, assuming they have higher levels of infection with vector-borne pathogens, including L. infantum, when compared to domestic animals. In northeastern Portugal, serum samples were obtained from March to May 2022 in three shelters (n = 179) and thirteen veterinary clinics (n = 164), resulting in 343 dogs being analyzed for antibodies to Leishmania spp. by the direct agglutination test (DAT). The overall seroprevalence was 9.9%, with 15.2% seroprevalence in domestic dogs and 5.0% in the shelter ones (p = 0.003). The fact that shelter dogs had a lower seroprevalence could be explained by more regular veterinary care provided in shelters regarding preventive measures, including insecticides with an antifeeding effect, in comparison with domestic dogs.
- Efeito das características seminais de carneiros dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega BragançanaPublication . Mateus, Óscar; Afonso, Paulo; Quintas, Helder; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Álvaro, Armindo; Silva, Daiane; Valentim, RamiroNos ovinos, a quantidade e a qualidade do sémen produzido depende de fatores genéticos, individuais, ambientais, sociais e de maneio. Os carneiros da raça Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB) produzem ejaculados com um volume médio de 1,2 ± 0,4 ml, uma concentração média de 3,9 x 109 ± 1,4 x 109 espermatozóides (SPZ), uma percentagem de SPZ vivos de 80,6 ± 8,6 e uma percentagem SPZ normais de 87,4 ± 7,9. A motilidade massal média é de 4,5 e a individual de 4,3. De um modo geral, a quantidade e a qualidade do sémen produzido no outono-inverno é superior à do sémen produzido na primavera-verão. Contudo, estas diferenças, quando comparadas com as observadas em outras raças, tendem a ser pouco acentuadas.
- Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Infections in Small Ruminants in EuropePublication . Quintas, Helder; Benavides, Júlio; Jacob-Ferreira, João; Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana CláudiaParatuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease, is a granulomatous enteritis in both domestic and wild ruminants caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Understanding the prevalence of this disease in small ruminants is essential for disease control and prevention strategies. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases to identify all articles reporting Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Europe, published from January 2006 to December 2023. The initial search for existing publications reporting systematic reviews and primary studies was carried out by searching the available databases. For the final selection of studies, an initial screen for basic eligibility and a detailed appraisal of quality were performed. After the study selection, the relevant data was extracted. The detailed appraisal generated 21 publications that reported 55 studies, 22 (40.0%) from sheep (12 at the animal-level and 10 at the flock-level) and 28 (50.9%) from goats (17 at the animal-level and 11 at the flock-level), and 5 (9.1%) from mixed small ruminant species at the animal level. In total, 34 (61.8%) were animal-level studies and 21 (38.2%) were flock-level studies. Population and inclusion criteria were highly variable among studies. Sample sizes ranged from 291 to 15,585 animals. Most studies reported testing adult animals (over 24 months of age). Commercial ELISA kits were used in most studies. The highest prevalence was obtained in sheep (100%) in Türkiye, and the lowest was found also in sheep (0.7%) in Austria. Overall, the results suggest that MAP antibodies have been frequently detected among small ruminants in some countries and there is a need for standardisation of case definitions to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates. Further research is needed to understand the risk factors associated with MAP infection in small ruminants and to develop effective control and prevention strategies.
- Timed artificial insemination in Serrana nanny-goats: the effects of vaginal specula and artificial insemination techniciansPublication . Quintas, Helder; Silva, Daiane; Afonso, Paulo; Álvaro, Armindo; Mateus, Óscar; Valentim, RamiroThe success of artificial insemination (AI) depends on the equipment used, especially regarding the facilitation of artificial insemination technicians’ work and the positioning of insemination guns in the genital tract of animals. This study aimed to evaluate how vaginal specula and artificial insemination technicians affected the fertility rates of timed artificially inseminated Serrana Transmontano goats (which are indigenous to Portugal). For this, 58 adult nanny-goats aged between three and nine years were used. They were reproductively controlled by a short progestogen treatment (FGA) (seven days) with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Timed cervical AI (43 hours after the end of the hormonal treatment) was performed with chilled semen. Nanny-goats were inseminated by two artificial insemination technicians (A vs. B) alternating two vaginal specula (Minitub vs. “Reyes”). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound 41 days later. About 98% of nanny-goats responded to our treatment with FGA and eCG. In total, 82.8% of nanny-goats were pregnant 41 days after AI. Neither vaginal specula (Minitub: 81.2% vs. “Reyes”: 84.6%) nor artificial insemination technicians (A: 82.8% vs. B: 82.8%) affected fertility rates. Thus, we conclude that neither the vaginal specula used in this research nor the artificial insemination technicians affected Serrana goat pregnancy rates.
- Efeito das características seminais de bodes dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial cervical em cabras SerranasPublication . Quintas, Helder; Mateus, Óscar; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Afonso, Paulo; Silva, Daiane; Álvaro, Armindo; Valentim, RamiroAs características seminais dos bodes dadores de sémen afetam a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial (IA). As mais importantes são o volume do ejaculado, a concentração espermática, a motilidade espermática e a percentagem de SPZ vivos. A motilidade dos SPZ é um dos parâmetros seminais mais importantes. Apesar do transporte dos SPZ no trato genital feminino depender fundamentalmente de contrações musculares e do batimento de cílios, das correntes e contracorrentes das secreções uterinas e ovidutais e da pressão negativa, o movimento destes é importante, particularmente, no que concerne à ultrapassagem da zona pelúcida. De um modo geral, os ejaculados devem ter um volume ≥ 2,0 ml, uma motilidade ≥ 75% e uma percentagem de espermatozóides (SPZ) vivos ≥ 75%.
- Efeito das características seminais de bodes dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial cervical em Cabras SerranasPublication . Mateus, Óscar; Afonso, Paulo; Santos, Liliana; Correia, Teresa Montenegro; Álvaro, Armindo; Quintas, Helder; Silva, Daiane; Valentim, RamiroAs características seminais dos carneiros dadores de sémen afetam a taxa de fertilidade pós-inseminação artificial (IA). As mais importantes são o volume do ejaculado, a concentração espermática, a motilidadeespermática e a percentagem de espermatozoides vivos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar o efeito das características seminais de carneiros dadores de sémen sobre a taxa de fertilidade pós-IA cervical em ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB). Foram usadas 26 ovelhas da raça CGB, com 2,0 + 2,0 anos de idade, A 20 de setembro, as ovelhas receberam uma esponja vaginal com 20 mg de FGA e uma injeção de 100 ^tg de cloprostenol. Os tratamentos tiveram uma duração de 5 dias. Quando da remoção das esponjas vaginais, as ovelhas foram injetadas com 500 UI de eCG. Dois carneiros Churros Bragançanos foram usados como dadores de sémen (Quadro I). A IA cervical foi realizada 55+1 horas pós-administração de eCG. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ecografia 41 dias pós-IA. As características seminais dos carneiros dadores de sémen condicionaram a taxa de fertilidade das ovelhas CGB ínseminadas artificialmente.