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The authors wish to thank the staff at CITA de Aragiin and ASERNA (Serrana de Teruel Breeder Association). This study was supported by the European Union Regional Development Fund (Teruel Investment Fund; FITE 2014-451A and 2015-551A of the Government of Aragon) and the Research Group Fund of the Government of Aragon (A14_17R and A05_17R). A. Noya received a grant from INIA-DGA.

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Effects of an anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine on the morphology, structure and function of bull testes.

Publicado en:Theriogenology. 141 211-218 - 2020-01-01 141(), doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.07.019

Noya A; Ripoll G; Sanz A;

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Resúmen: Castration reduces aggressive and sexual behaviour and provides better carcass quality in bull calves. Vaccination against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is used as an alternative to surgical castration for the purposes of reducing pain and distress in the animals. Currently, no anti-GnRH vaccine has been authorized for use in cattle in the European Union. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of an anti-GnRH swine-specific vaccine (Improvac®, Zoetis, USA) on the morphology, structure and function of bull testes. Animals were vaccinated at days 1, 21 and 104 of the experimental period and were classified based on their live weight into the following two groups: LIGHT (172.9 ± 30.00 kg) and HEAVY (323.8 ± 37.79 kg). The scrotal circumference was measured on day 1 and prior to slaughter (day 164). At slaughter, the sperm motility and concentration in the caudae epididymis were assessed. Testes were weighed, measured and examined using ultrasound, and then tissue samples were collected and fixed in formalin. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed on the testes to measure the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and assess the testicular cell populations. The results revealed that suppression of testicular development was associated with the use of the Improvac® vaccine, which resulted in a smaller size of the testes and impaired spermatid production. However, the effect of Improvac® was more pronounced and consistent in calves vaccinated at a low live weight than at a heavy live weight, which suggested that vaccination is more effective when calves are vaccinated before or early during puberty. However, testes from calves vaccinated at a low live weight were more prone to the development of intraluminal concretions in the seminiferous tubules.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Palabras clave: Active immunization; Boar taint; Bull; Carcass characteristics; Corpora-amylacea; Factor gnrf; Immunocastration; Immunohistochemistry; Meat quality; Pixel-intensity; Reproductive-organs; Semen quality; Testes; Testicular microlithiasis; Ultrasound examination

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