“
“Contents The aim of the study was to evaluate the seasonality of andrological characteristics and hormonal profile of captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger 1811). Three adult males were evaluated from the Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao Scientific Breeding Center in Araxa, MG, Brazil, over 13months. Semen was collected 23 times weekly and analysed. Scrotal circumference, biometrics and testicular volume were measured. Stool

samples were collected 23 times weekly to analyse corticosteroid and testosterone metabolite concentrations. A success rate of 100% was achieved in the collection attempts during the breeding season (BS) and 77.8% during the non-breeding season (NBS). The interval to ARS-1620 Cell Cycle inhibitor achieve penile erection was 15min in the BS and 610 in the NBS (p<0.001). Of the ejaculates collected, 80.0% contained sperm during BS, while 28.6% did during the NBS. The ejaculate had only one fraction, was odourless,

predominantly translucent (72.4%), with a watery appearance, pH 6.7 and osmolarity of 352.8mOsmol. Seasonal influences were seen in ejaculate volume (1.3ml PF-562271 cell line vs 0.4ml), number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (73.9×106 vs 6.1×106) and percentage of live sperm (82.0% vs 66.1%) between the BS and NBS (p<0.05), respectively. A high percentage of major sperm defects were observed in both seasons (50.1% in BS; 65.7% in NBS). Testicular volume was larger (p<0.05; right testicles 13.1cm3 in BS vs 4.0cm3 in NBS, while left testicles 12.9cm3 in BS vs 5.3cm3 in NBS) and testicular consistency increased in the BS. No difference was seen in the basal faecal metabolite concentrations of testosterone; however, the corticosteroid concentrations were higher in the BS. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the collection of semen is feasible in captive maned wolves without compromising libido, seminal characteristics and reproductive behaviour and that sperm production is influenced by seasonality; however, it appears that there

is no seasonal influence on basal testosterone concentrations.”
“To evaluate the efficacy of luteal phase support with vaginal progesterone in women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized controlled Cilengitide chemical structure trials (RCT) comparing supplementation of luteal phase with vaginal progesterone among women undergoing IUI versus a control group were included. The main outcome assessed was live birth rate.

Five RCT met the inclusion criteria. In all 1,271 patients were included (951 IUI cycles in the progesterone group, 935 in the control group). Women treated with vaginal progesterone achieved significantly higher live birth rate (risk ratio [RR] 1.94, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 2.77,), and clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.41, 95 % CI 1.14 to 1.76) as compared with controls.