Repeat breeder (RB) cows are clinically healthy animals with regular oestrous cycles that do not become pregnant after three or more services. This syndrome has an incidence ranging between 10.1% and 24%. Repeat breeder syndrome (RBS) in dairy cows leads to economic losses to dairy farmers by increasing the calving interval and consequently reducing milk and calf production. RBS has a complex oetiopathogenesis as many factors are involved in its onset. The causes can be grouped into two categories: causes leading to fertilisation failure and factors leading to early embryonic death. Accurate identification of the cause and early diagnosis of RBS is essential to minimise the problems that this issue brings to the farm, but is not always possible. Hypothesising the underlying aetiology of the syndrome is also crucial for targeted therapy, whether pharmacological or managerial. The aim of this review is to report the different therapies, proposed in the literature, for the treatment of RBS in cattle, based on the knowledge of possible aetiological causes.

The aim of the present study was to understand the involved factors in follicular cysts in dairy cows. The study consisted of an in vivo and in vitro approach. The in vivo part, hormonal evaluation (Kisspeptin‐10 [Kp‐10], Gonadotropin inhibiting hormone [GnIH], Luteinizing hormone [LH], Oestrogens [E₂] and cortisol) was performed in sera of both healthy (H) and cows with follicular cysts (FC). The in vitro part was concentrated on estimating the distribution of GPR54 (Kp‐10 receptor) and GPR147 (GnIH receptor) on cystic and preovulatory follicles. Serum concentrations of Kp‐10, GnIH, LH, E₂ and cortisol were significantly higher in Group FC compared with Group H. Gene expression analysis showed a reduction in GPR54 mRNA levels in FC compared to preovulatory follicles, while no expression of the GPR147 receptor was detected. The lower presence of GPR54 in FC compared to the preovulatory follicle can be determined by a down‐receptor regulation induced by elevated serum concentrations of Kp‐10 in cows with ovarian FC. Endocrine imbalances of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, characterising FC, may reflect altered patterns of Kp‐10 and GnIH secretion.

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome (ORS) refers to a condition affecting spayed females, characterized by clinical signs typically seen in intact bitches. In this report, Callie, a 6-year-old spayed female German Shepherd, was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Bari for a specialist examination due to serosanguineous discharge from the vulva. All diagnostic tests recommended in the literature were performed to diagnose ORS. Notably, the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) assay, considered the gold standard for ORS diagnosis, was used, and the dog tested negative based on the established bibliographic cut-off values. However, advanced diagnostic techniques, including CT scans and laparoscopy, were performed, and histological examination ultimately confirmed the presence of ovarian tissue in the dog’s abdominal cavity. This clinical case underscores the importance of combining hormonal tests with advanced imaging and surgical diagnostics to ensure accurate diagnosis. It highlights the limitations of relying solely on AMH values and emphasizes the need for further research into diagnostic tests, their cut-off values, and the role of collateral examinations to achieve definitive diagnoses in cases where hormonal assays yield inconclusive results.

Reproductive biotechnologies can be used as a supporting tool, through gamete conservation and in vitro embryo production, in the preservation of invaluable and irreplaceable animal genetic resources. In the present study, immature mouflon cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) collected from ovariectomized female ovaries underwent short- or long-term conservation (24 h maintained in Earle’s/Hank’s (EH) medium or vitrification) under field conditions and afterwards transported to the laboratory where they were cultured for in vitro maturation (IVM) and assessed for oocyte meiotic competence and bioenergetic–oxidative status. Utilization of both storage techniques led to COC morphology preservation, as well as cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic resumption after the IVM procedure. Quantitative bioenergetic–oxidative parameters were reduced in vitrified oocytes compared with EH ones. Immature COC storage needs to be optimized in both domesticated and non-domesticated sheep as a part of the strategy to avoid the loss of valuable genotypes of these animal species.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a one‐shot oral administration of pentoxifylline on semen parameters in normospermic and oligospermic dogs. Methods: Twenty‐nine dogs were categorized as normospermic or oligospermic based on baseline sperm concentration. After 10 days from the first semen evaluation, each dog received 10 mg/kg of pentoxifylline orally, given 40 min prior to ejaculation. Semen was evaluated using a Computer‐Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system and Eosin–Nigrosin staining for vitality. Results: Compared with baseline, pentoxifylline treatment resulted in a statistically significant increase in sperm concentration and progressive motility ( p < 0.01), most notably in oligospermic dogs. Conclusion and Clinical Significance: These findings highlight the beneficial effects of pentoxifylline and confirm its potential as an adjunct therapy for improving semen quality in subfertile male dogs.

The transition period is an extremely critical phase for the Mediterranean lactating buffaloes, characterized by a state of oxidative stress. Oral administration of antioxidants is common. However, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the intramuscular administration of a vitamin combination, containing α-tocopherol and β-carotene, could improve both milk quality and reproductive performance. The animals were divided into two groups: a group treated, at 24 h postpartum, with a vitamin combination (group D) and a control group (C). For milk quality, concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, fat, protein, lactose, Somatic Cell Count (SCC), non-fat dry matter (NFDM), casein, urea, pH, satured fatty acids (SFA), unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and poliunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in milk were assessed at 7 and 30 days post-treatment. Reproductive performance was evaluated using two parameters: pregnancy rate and the calving-conception interval. Retinol concentrations did not differ significantly between groups or across time points. α-tocopherol levels were significantly higher in group D compared to group C at T30 (0.35 ± 0.016 vs. 0.27 ± 0.015 mg/100 g; p < 0.05), whereas in group C exhibited a significant decrease over time. Fat, SFA, UFA, MUFA, and PUFA levels were significantly elevated in group D relative to group C ( p < 0.05), while SCC showed a significant reduction in the treated group than the control one (104.4 ± 20.12 vs. 136.6 ± 32.24 × 10³ cells/mL; p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pregnancy rates; however, the calving-conception interval was significantly shortened in group D (62.23 ± 6.17 vs. 72.88 ± 5.49 days; p < 0.01). The obtained results indicate that the parenteral administration of the vitamin combination was associated with changes in selected milk quality parameters and with a shorter calving-conception interval.