Prenatal stress disrupts reproductive function in females and males. These alterations have primarily been related to maternal corticosteroid fetal programming due to the stress response, affecting the fetus and causing long-lasting effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of prenatal stress on male and female fertility. Dams were exposed to stress by immersion in cold water twice a day for the last week of gestation (days 15-21). In the adulthood, sperm quality, mature follicles, sexual hormones and fertility were assessed in female and male progeny. The results in prenatally stressed females showed lower body weight, longer estrous cycles, lower estradiol and progesterone, and lower number of pups. In prenatally stressed males, lower body weight, increased testicular cell death, as well as decreased testosterone levels, sperm quality, and fertility were observed. Aside from these effects, corticosterone levels in prenatally stressed males and females increased. These results show that prenatal stress can markedly influence infertility in adult female and male progeny.

Aim:Materials and Methods: A Histomorphological study of the parathyroid gland was carried out in twelve adult female Kuttanad ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of 20 weeks of age. Birds reared semintensively were procured from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Poultry and Duck Farm and sacrificed humanely. Glands were collected and gross parameters were recorded. The glands were fixed in 10 percent neutral buffered formalin. The small sized glands were processed as such by routine histological methods, paraffin blocks were prepared and sectioned to a thickness of 5µ. The tissues were stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for routine histological studies and Gomori's rapid one step trichrome method for connective tissue fibres. Micrometric parameters were recorded using ocular micrometer.Results: Parathyroid glands in Kuttanad ducks lay just caudal to the division of the innominate artery into the subclavian and common carotid arteries. Parathyroids were oval to spherical in shape, yellow in colour and smaller than thyroid gland of the representative sides. The arterial blood supply was from common carotid artery and blood from gland was drained directly into jugular vein. Although it lied close to the thyroid, thymus and ultimobranchial gland, parathyroid tissue did not merge to any of the above mentioned three glands. Parenchyma was composed irregular anatomizing cords of cells supplied by connective tissue stroma penetrated by blood capillaries. Parenchyma was predominantly made of lightly stained cell, the chief cell. The nuclei were round and contain one or two nucleoli. Oxyphil cells present in parathyroid glands of other mammals were not seen in the present study. Conclusion:Histomorphological features or characteristics of Parathyroid gland in Kuttanad duck were studied. Cranial parathyroids were larger in size as compared to the caudal parathyroids. Parathyroid glands were enclosed by a welldeveloped connective tissue capsule made predominantly of collagen fibers. Parenchyma was composed of irregular anatomizing cords of cells supplied by connective tissue stroma and penetrated by blood capillaries. Oxyphil cells were absent similar to other aves. Parathyroid gland is very vital in maintaining the homeostasis of the plasma calciumReference?. Findings of this study will contribute to the anatomy literature as a valuable resource for future researchers focused on this subject and will also help other allied subjects on comparative basis.

Gestations between bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and domestic sheep (O. aries) can be considered for ex situ conservation of bighorn. In the first experiment, domestic sheep were inseminated with bighorn or domestic semen. Bighorn inseminated sheep showed lower fertility than domestic inseminated sheep (40% vs. 65%, p = 0.11). Bighorn inseminated sheep had longer gestation periods (152.13 days vs. 146.54 days, p < 0.001) and lower progesterone levels during the last third. Hybrid lambs weighed less than domestic lambs (2.46 kg vs. 5.10 kg, p < 0.001). Their placentas were not as long (48.67 cm vs. 72.17 cm, p < 0.001), were less wide (17.83 cm vs. 23.83 cm, p < 0.001), and the weight of cotyledons was lower (1.50 g vs. 3.20 g, p < 0.001). In the second experiment, hybrid embryos (O. canadensis × O. aries) were transferred into domestic recipients, and pregnant ewes were divided into the treated group, which had a progesterone daily dose of 25 mg from weeks 7 to 20, and the non treated group. Gestation in domestic sheep that received one hybrid embryo and progesterone reached 152.60 days, which was similar to the 153.33 days (p = 0.51) in the non treated sheep. Hybrid offspring of the group treated with progesterone were heavier, 3.41 kg, than the control, 2.21 kg (p < 0.001), and their placentas were longer (71.20 vs. 50.83 cm, p = 0.002). Although progesterone levels were lower in domestic females inseminated with bighorn and in the recipients of hybrid embryos, it is possible to establish pregnancies between both species and the birth of viable offspring. The administration of progesterone during gestation increases the length of the placenta and promotes higher birth weights of hybrids. promotes foetal growth in a restricted interspecies gestation (Ovis canadensis × Ovis aries). Veterinaria México OA. 2018;5(3).

The study was conducted on genitalia collected from 100 dairy cows/heifers from the Meat Technology Unit, Mannuthy. The animals brought for slaughter at Meat Technology Unit, Mannuthy were from herds of five different farms (University and Government Undertaking farms) in Kerala state. This included six animals culled on account of factors other than infertility with normal reproductive system (control group) and the remaining animals with a known history of infertility. In total, seven animals showed kinked cervix condition. Cervix was evaluated morphometrically and histologically. Grossly, the cervix was hard, kinked and S-shaped, with a mean length of 9.64 ± 1.19 cm. Average number of annular rings in the cervical canal was 4.14 ± 0.26 with an average diameter of 1.74 ± 0.18 cm. At the external os, diameter of the cervix was less, while at the uterine end, diameter was more. The opening of each cervical ring showed a misalignment instead of a straight line. Histologically, the cervix was lined by simple columnar epithelium with signs of degeneration and desquamation. However, the submucosal layer was extensively infiltrated by collagen fibres. In uterus, there was a significant difference in the number of endometrial glands and height of the glandular epithelial cells which was less when compared to the control group. Muscular layer outer to connective tissue layer was thin and uneven. Alterations of the glandular structures negatively influence the viability of spermatozoa due to the lack of secretory products. This fibrous, collagen rich kinked cervix limits the smooth deposition of the semen into the uterus during artificial insemination and the insufficiently dilated cervix affects its contractibility leading to dystocia and subfertility.