Within modern biotechnology, different tools and methodologies have been developed to maximize canine semen conservation protocol to optimize reproductive results. In the last decades, the survival of chilled semen has been prolonged from 2 to 3 days with the first basic diluents, to 10–14 days with the modern extenders. However, their main limitation is that sperm quality decreases during cold storage. Sperm activators (SA) have been produced to provide the molecules necessary to maximize the sperm survival and quality with the aim to enhance fertility and prolificacy. In this study, the effect of commercial extender SA (Theriosolution® Canine AI extender -Chile-) was recorded by daily evaluation of chilled semen for 14 days. In this experiment, sperm-rich ejaculate fraction was collected from six adult healthy Neapolitan Mastiff dogs. The semen evaluation started immediately after collection (d0), and after that a next generation extender was added (d0) for every 24 h from d1 (with and without SA) to d14, to determine spermatozoa progressive motility, velocity of forward progression (VFP), morphology, and integrity of the spermatic membrane. The initial sperm concentration of extended semen was 417.3 ± 170.4 x 10⁶/mL (mean ± SEM) with 85.89 ± 4.76% of MNS (morphologically normal sperm), 84.47 ± 5.22 % live sperm, and pH of 6.2 ± 2.8. The initial VFP was 3.83 ± 0.48, but after 1 min with SA, it rises to 4.45 ± 0.45 (P< 0.001). The sperm progressive motility parameter increases significantly (P< 0.05) in experimental trial, respect to control, starting to d2 at finish (except for d7). The VFP analysis significantly increases in experimental trial (P< 0.05) during most days of the study with the exclusion of d3 and d14. To evaluate the seminal characteristics over time, the experiment was divided into T1 (d0–d5), T2 (d6–d10), and T3 (d11–d14) (P< 0.001) in evaluation of morphology and membrane functionality. The MNS reached 70% at d10 and finally 65% at d14, being considered normal and possibly fertile. With Host-s, 65% of MNS were also achieved at d14. The presence of glucose and fructose in the diluents used for refrigeration can exert very important effects given the fact that metabolic routes have been found in both sugars, providing both different and complementing effects. It can be concluded that the use of SA prior to artificial insemination improves the quality of chilled semen significantly, although it does not reverse the effects of deterioration due to cellular metabolism over time.

Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) is a member adipocytokines, and its actions are supported by two receptors, ADIPOQ receptor 1 and -2, respectively (ADIPOR1 and -R2). Our study was performed to evaluate the ADIPOR1 presence and location and its gene expression in reproductive tissues of the male ram, during its non-breading season. The different portions of the male ram reproductive system (testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, ampoule vas deferens, bulb-urethral gland) were collected in a slaughterhouse. Immunohistochemistry showed ADIPOR1 positive signals in the cytoplasm of all the glandular epithelial cells, with a location near the nucleus; in the testes, the positive reaction was evidenced in the cytoplasm in the basal portion of the germinal epithelial cells. The immune reaction intensity was highest (p < 0.001) in the prostate and seminal vesicles glands than that of other parts of the ram reproductive tract. RT-qPCR detected the ADIPOR1 transcript in the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, bulbourethral glands, seminal vesicles, and prostate; the expression levels were high (p < 0.01) in the prostate and low (p < 0.01) in the testis, epididymis, and bulbourethral glands. The present results evidenced the possible ADIPOQ/ADIPOR1 system’s role in regulating the testicular activity of male rams during the non-breading season.

This study investigates the impact of cattle breed on key quality attributes—color, marbling, and tenderness—central to consumer choice. Six different bovine breeds were taken into consideration: German Red Pied, Piemontese, Chianina, Angus, Holstein, and a Polish crossbreed. The muscle taken into consideration was the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Colorimetric assessments, marbling evaluations, fatty acid profiling, and tenderness measurements were conducted on meat cuts from each breed. The results revealed that Chianina, Holstein, and the Polish crossbreed exhibited distinct color characteristics, with Chianina displaying notably brighter meat. Angus emerged as the most marbled breed, while Chianina and Piemontese showed lower marbling. Total lipid content was correlated with visible marbling. Tenderness assessments identified Angus and Holstein as the most tender breeds. The study’s findings contribute to a proposed grading scale for color, marbling, and tenderness, offering potential labeling infographics to assist consumers in making informed choices based on individual preferences and needs. These insights underscore the importance of breed-specific information on labels to enhance consumer understanding and facilitate more informed purchasing decisions.

The present study examined the effect of Enterococcus durans cell-free supernatant (CFS) on interleukin (IL)-8, -10 and -1β gene expressions in the intestinal cell line HT-29 treated with Staphylococcus aureus CFS. HT-29 cells were incubated with E. durans CFS or S. aureus CFS, or S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. All concentrations of E. durans CFS did not show cytotoxicity, while the highest treatment (44.9 μg/mL) with S. aureus CFS induced significant cell death. S. aureus CFS did not modify IL-1β gene expression, while E. durans CFS alone or in combination with S. aureus CFS reduced it. Treatment with S. aureus CFS induced greater expression of the IL-8 gene compared to S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. S. aureus CFS alone or in combination with E. durans CFS increased the expression of the IL-10 gene, while E. durans CFS alone did not modify it. These results suggest a potential protective role of the E. durans secretome in mitigating the inflammatory environment in intestinal cells. This treatment could be useful to protect against possible contact with dangerous soluble microbial products present in food.

Adipose tissue is characterized by specialized lipid handling cells called adipocytes, which function as the primary energy reservoir. Like many other cell types, adipocytes have highly plastic properties, such as the conversion of white adipocytes into brown or beige adipocytes, which produce heat, and pink adipocytes into mammary cells synthesizing and secreting milk. Highly specialized adipose tissue depots are present in various species, such as male orangutans with prominent fat-filled facial flanges indicating hierarchical status, or cetaceans with the melon, a specialized adipose tissue for echolocation. Adipose tissue is now considered a true endocrine organ that regulates various physiological mechanisms through the hormonal secretion of adipokines, which modulate systemic metabolism and physiological processes. In particular, the role of adipokines in the control of the reproductive axis and their participation in the regulation of fertility have been widely reported. This review summarizes the current state of research on the effects of adipose-specific cytokines on the male and female reproductive systems.

The present study examined the effect of Enterococcus durans cell free supernatant (CFS) on interleukin (IL) 8, 10 and 1β gene expressions in the intestinal cell line HT-29 treated with Staphylococcus aureus CFS. HT-29 cells were incubated with E. durans CFS or S. aureus CFS, or S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. All concentrations of E. durans CFS did not show cytotoxicity, while the highest treatment (44.9 μg/mL) with S. aureus CFS induced significant cell death. S. aureus CFS did not modify IL-1β gene expression, while E. durans CFS alone or in combination with S. aureus CFS reduced it. Treatment with S. aureus CFS induced greater expression of the IL-8 gene compared to S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. S. aureus CFS alone or in combination with E. durans CFS increased the expression of the IL-10 gene, while E. durans CFS alone did not modify it. These results suggest a potential protective role of the E. durans secretome in mitigating the inflammatory environment in intestinal cells. This treatment could be useful to protect against possible contact with dangerous soluble microbial products present in food.