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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various abiotic factors, such as light, physical stress (pipetting) and thermal shock, on the quality of fresh and cooled equine sperm. In experiment I, four sperm aliquots were... more
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various abiotic factors, such as light, physical stress (pipetting) and thermal shock, on the quality of fresh and cooled equine sperm. In experiment I, four sperm aliquots were subjected to different light exposures: (i) protected control samples (CTRL), (ii) exposed to UV light at 10 cm (UV10), (iii) exposed to UV light at 20 cm (UV20) and (iv) exposed to laboratory lighting (LAB). In experiment II, four semen aliquots were subjected to repeated pipetting for 0, 10, 20 and 30 times (CTRL, P10, P20 and P30, respectively). In experiment III, four semen aliquots at 15°C were subjected to thermal oscillations: (i) cooled control sperm at 15°C (CTRL), (ii) oscillations of 1.9°C/min to a temperature of 30°C (T30), (iii) oscillations of 1.4°C/min, with the temperature rapidly falling until reaching 1.3°C (T0R) and (iv) oscillations of 1.1°C/min, with the temperature slowly falling until reaching 4.2°C (T0S). The results revealed that ...
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La investigacion presentada en este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo para analizar, en distintos cursos de Grado en Ensenanzas Universitarias, el uso que los estudiantes realizan de las tecnologias digitales y su percepcion sobre la utilidad... more
La investigacion presentada en este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo para analizar, en distintos cursos de Grado en Ensenanzas Universitarias, el uso que los estudiantes realizan de las tecnologias digitales y su percepcion sobre la utilidad de las mismas, utilizando para ello un cuestionario. Se ha realizado un analisis factorial exploratorio, estableciendo la estructura de factores existente en el conjunto de respuestas a los items. Para identificar distintos perfiles en el uso de los distintos instrumentos y estrategias entre los estudiantes, se ha realizado un analisis cluster. El modelo didactico aplicado en varios cursos, se concreta en la realizacion de secuencias de actividades de aprendizaje disenadas con las Tecnologias de la Informacion y Comunicacion (TICs). Con la incorporacion de aplicaciones digitales y multimedia, se han puesto en practica nuevos enfoques de actualizacion didactica en la mejora de la ensenanza-aprendizaje. Con la informacion aportada por esta investigaci...
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El principal objeto de este trabajo ha sido realizar un estudio con un lote de caballos pura raza espanola para evaluar su capacidad fisica en un periodo de entrenamiento. Se han realizado tres pruebas una al comenzar el periodo de... more
El principal objeto de este trabajo ha sido realizar un estudio con un lote de caballos pura raza espanola para evaluar su capacidad fisica en un periodo de entrenamiento. Se han realizado tres pruebas una al comenzar el periodo de entrenamiento, otra a la mitad del mismo y la tercera al finalizar. Las pruebas realizadas eran de intensidad creciente, sobre una distancia de 1.000 metros. La toma de muestras (mediante puncion en la vena yugular externa) se llevo a cabo en reposo, tras cada nivel de ejercicio y a los 5,10 y 15 minutos de recuperacion en la primera prueba y a los 10,15,20 y 30 minutos de recuperacion en las otras dos. El entrenamiento diario recibido por estos animales se ve reflejado sobre todo al centrarnos en el lactato pues observamos que la recuperacion es mejor a medida que el entrenamiento aumenta, influyendo en su capacidad aerobica y disminuyendo la acidosis metabolica.
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The novel aim of this study was to describe the reference values of different haematological and biochemical parameters in the Spanish purebred horse (Andalusian, SPB) in each of the stages of a programmed exercise on a treadmill system,... more
The novel aim of this study was to describe the reference values of different haematological and biochemical parameters in the Spanish purebred horse (Andalusian, SPB) in each of the stages of a programmed exercise on a treadmill system, and to establish heritability and genetic correlations for these haematological and biochemical parameters. For this, 94 young SPB male horses (4.22 ± 2.27 years old) were used. An increasing intensity exercise test at 4, 5, 6 and 7 m/s was carried out on a treadmill (6% inclination). Total red blood cells, total white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts; haematocrit, haemoglobin, lactate, uric acid, creatinine and total plasma proteins concentrations and aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine-quinase activities were determined. To conclude: (i) the reference values for each parameter were determined for each of the exercise test stages (ii) all the parameters analysed manifested a medium-high heritability and a high rep...
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Students from faculty Veterinary Medicine of Cordoba, Spain are offered a huge variety of activities...
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training (16 weeks – T1 and 24 weeks – T2) on oxidative stress biomarkers. To this end, GSH, GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activity were analysed in... more
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training (16 weeks – T1 and 24 weeks – T2) on oxidative stress biomarkers. To this end, GSH, GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activity were analysed in plasma. Nine bulls (3–4 years), were included in this work. The exercise training protocol was performed in a track ("taurodromo") three days per week for 24 weeks and consisted of 400 m warming up, 1200 m to 4–5 m/s, two minutes' resting, 1200 m to 4-5 m/s and, finally, 400 m walking. The results reflected that GSH-Px activity was higher at T1 (6.18 ± 0.45) than at baseline (T0; 2.31 ± 0.08) while the GSH level (2.98 ± 0.37) was lower vs. T0 (14.59 ± 3.40). Moreover, there were significant increases in GSH-Px (18.23 ± 1.36) and CAT (2.52 ± 0.04) activities and the recovery of basal values in GSH (11.75 ± 2.84) in T2. In conclusion, the type of training carried out in this study ...
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A study has been made of the variations experienced by the hemogram and blood volume indices in 16 Andalusian horses after carrying out an exercise test of increasing intensity consisting of 3 sequences of 1000 m each, before and after... more
A study has been made of the variations experienced by the hemogram and blood volume indices in 16 Andalusian horses after carrying out an exercise test of increasing intensity consisting of 3 sequences of 1000 m each, before and after being subjected to a daily exercise programme for two months. Samples were taken by external jugular vein puncture: while at rest, within the first minute of finalizing each exercise stage and at 10 and 15 minutes of recovery. Both the red blood cells and the hematocrit value showed a significant decrease in their mean values after two months training; conversely, the hemoglobin reached higher post-training figures. Similarly, the volume indices increased their mean values with training but no significant changes for total plasma proteins were observed.
Research Interests: Medicine, Animals, Male, Horses, Hemoglobin, and 4 moreHorse, Hematocrit, Jugular Vein, and Hemoglobins
Research Interests: Immunology, Immune response, Biology, Cell Adhesion, Medicine, and 15 moreBiological Sciences, Animals, Statistical Significance, Horses, Neutrophils, Immune system, Phagocytosis, Physical Exercise, Lactic Acid, Exercise Test, Oxidative Metabolism, Anaerobic Threshold, Medical and Health Sciences, Peripheral blood, and leukocyte Count
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Simple Summary Power Doppler is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows complete monitoring of the ovary changes in cycling mares. We use Power Doppler to investigate differences in follicular diameter and corpus luteum area as well... more
Simple Summary Power Doppler is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows complete monitoring of the ovary changes in cycling mares. We use Power Doppler to investigate differences in follicular diameter and corpus luteum area as well as in follicular and corpus luteum blood flows between young and mature Spanish Purebred mares. Young mares had higher follicular and corpus luteum blood flows as well as higher blood progesterone levels. Moreover, we found that blood progesterone levels could be predicted in both groups from corpus luteum blood flow with moderate precision and accuracy. These results support the usefulness of Power Doppler to monitor ovarian hemodynamics and the suitability of corpus luteum blood flow to estimate blood progesterone levels in cycling mares. Abstract In equine reproduction, accurate and timely detection of the moment of ovulation is of great importance. Power Doppler ultrasound technology is a non-invasive method that enables to assess the morpho-ech...
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The hypothesis posed was whether being part of a football/soccer team influenced the quality of life (QL) of the people who participated in it since their perception of themselves is enhanced by factors, such as self-determination, social... more
The hypothesis posed was whether being part of a football/soccer team influenced the quality of life (QL) of the people who participated in it since their perception of themselves is enhanced by factors, such as self-determination, social inclusion, emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, rights, personal development, and internal relationships. The objective was to evaluate the QL of people with Down Syndrome (DS) using their self-perception (n = 39) and the perception of the informants (family members, teachers) (n = 39). The KidsLife-Down Scale, with a few modifications, was used. In general, differences of opinion between the subgroups of participants with DS and informants showed that results were higher in terms of perception for participants in the DS subgroup. Scores for all variables were higher for those participants with DS who said they did engage in practicing competitive football/soccer. Although the perception of informants provides a great dea...
Research Interests: Psychology, Perception, Gender, Quality of life, Medicine, and 6 moreDown Syndrome, Football, Sport, Age, Scale, and Brain Sciences
The aim of this work was to develop an equation to predict methane yield (CH4, g/kg dry matter intake) from dairy goats using milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Data from 12 research papers (30 treatments and 223 individual observations) were... more
The aim of this work was to develop an equation to predict methane yield (CH4, g/kg dry matter intake) from dairy goats using milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Data from 12 research papers (30 treatments and 223 individual observations) were used in a meta-regression. Since most of the selected studies did not extensively report milk fat composition, palmitic acid (C16:0) was selected as a potential predictor. The obtained equation was: CH4 (g/kg dry matter intake) = 0.525 × C16:0 (% in milk fat). The coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.46), the root mean square error of prediction (RMSPE = 3.16 g/kg dry matter intake), and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC = 0.65) indicated that the precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the model were moderate. The relationship between CH4 yield and C16:0 content in milk fat would be supported by the fact that diet characteristics that increase the amount of available hydrogen in the rumen for archaea to produce CH4, simultaneously fav...
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Aim of study: Dairy farmers in Southern Spain are continuously investing in the modernization of their facilities and frequently ask technicians about the type of housing they should choose for their farms. Although some studies have... more
Aim of study: Dairy farmers in Southern Spain are continuously investing in the modernization of their facilities and frequently ask technicians about the type of housing they should choose for their farms. Although some studies have analysed the economic impact of different housing systems, there are no reports evaluating the impact of these systems on animal wellbeing. To remedy this deficit, a study was carried out to analyse animal welfare status in two types of loose housing conditions: deep litter (DL) and cubicle (CU) barns.Area of study: This study was conducted in Cordoba (Spain).Material and methods: A total of 1,597 cows from nineteen commercial dairy farms were involved in this study, of which twelve had CU barns and seven had DL barns. Welfare Quality assessment was used to evaluate animal wellbeing, inn order to compare both housing systems.Main results: The study found some weaknesses for feeding and health indicators of animal welfare in both types of housing systems...
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In this Research Communication we analyse the animal welfare status of dairy farms located in southern Spain and test the hypothesis that monitoring of wellbeing could increase the profitability of dairy herds by improving indices of... more
In this Research Communication we analyse the animal welfare status of dairy farms located in southern Spain and test the hypothesis that monitoring of wellbeing could increase the profitability of dairy herds by improving indices of reproduction. Twenty dairy farms were visited and a total of 1650 cows were assessed using the Welfare Quality® (WQ) protocol to determine their welfare status. These farms were selected as representatives of the main types of dairy farms found in the south of Spain. No farms attained a welfare status of ‘excellent’, but all obtained an adequate score for most parameters. Feeding assessment showed relatively low variability among farms, whereas housing and health assessments exhibited high variability. Significant correlations were found between a number of welfare parameter pairings: between percentage of collisions and time needed to lie down; between cleanliness of water points and cleanliness of various animal parts; between farms with access to an ...
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Sperm selection techniques have became an important tool to improve sub fertile ejaculates. The main aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of motile sperm subpopulations of ejaculates from subfertile stallions subjected to density... more
Sperm selection techniques have became an important tool to improve sub fertile ejaculates. The main aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of motile sperm subpopulations of ejaculates from subfertile stallions subjected to density gradient centrifugation (DGC) involving a double layer colloid [DGC2], before and after storage for 24 and 48 hours. Ejaculates from eight stallions with fertility problems were subjected to the different treatments: 1) control [C]; 2) centrifugation [CT]; 3) density gradient centrifugation involving a double layer colloid [DGC2] and 4) post storage density gradient centrifugation involving a double layer colloid DGC2 post]. In the C, CT and DGC2 treatments, sperm variables were analysed at 0 h and after 24 and 48 h of storage at 4-7 ˚C. In the DGC2 post treatment, the semen was stored at 4-7˚Cand sperm samples selected by DGC2 at 24 and 48 h. Viability, sperm abnormalities and motility were then examined using a computerized system. Four motile sperm subpopulations with different motility characteristics were observed in the all treatments. The DGC2 sperm had faster, straighter moving and more active cells at 0 h. At 24 and 48 h, however, the motility variable values fell and the slower spermatozoa subpopulations increased in size. The DGC2 post treatment returned better overall sperm motility variable values at 24 and 48 h; a larger percentage of spermatozoa fell into the faster subpopulations. In conclusion, DGC2 could be used to improve semen from subfertile stallions as well as semen showing poor fertility after storage.
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A study was performed on Andalusian horses in order to assess the response of heart rate and various blood parameters to training. Two tests were performed, at two and four months of training respectively. Exercise schedules were of... more
A study was performed on Andalusian horses in order to assess the response of heart rate and various blood parameters to training. Two tests were performed, at two and four months of training respectively. Exercise schedules were of increasing intensity, over a distance of 1000 meters. Speed was progressively increased, from 4 m/s to 8.5 m/s, over four exercise stages. In both tests, a recovery period of 5 min followed each stage. Sample collection (by puncture of the external jugular vein) was performed with the animals at rest, within the first minute after each exercise stage, and at 10, 15, 20 and 30 min of final recovery. Samples for analysis contained plasma for measurement of lactate, glucose, ion and creatinine levels. Heart rate was measured using the Polar Sport tester. The most important parameters in both tests proved to be glucose level, heart rate and lactate concentration. Variations in electrolyte and creatinine levels were transitory, normal resting values being reg...
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This study aims to compile the greatest number of data concerning electrical auricular systole as well as electrical ventricular depolarization and repolarization in swine using a non-invasive technique such as electrocardiography. This... more
This study aims to compile the greatest number of data concerning electrical auricular systole as well as electrical ventricular depolarization and repolarization in swine using a non-invasive technique such as electrocardiography. This review proves the peculiarity of cardiac activation and recovery, due to the distribution of Purkinje fibres throughout the ventricular myocardium of swine, where small areas are free from
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Gender differences have not been shown in relation to the immune system in athletic horses. The aim of the present paper was to elucidate gender differences in the non-specific immune response of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN),... more
Gender differences have not been shown in relation to the immune system in athletic horses. The aim of the present paper was to elucidate gender differences in the non-specific immune response of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), plasma glucose and in hormones before and after an exercise in the lactate threshold (LT). A group of 12 Anglo-Arabian horses (6 females and 6 males, 4-7 years old) was observed. A submaximal exercise test was carried out at the LT. The results showed that males had a higher PMN percentage, plasma glucose values, Adherence index (AI) and random migration than females. Also, females showed significant negative correlations between cortisol and catecholamines with PMN and glucose with phagocytosis, and positive ones between AI and catecholamines. In males, negative correlations were established between random migration and chemotaxis with cortisol, and positive ones between cortisol and phagocytosis.
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Research Interests: Physiology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Educational Technology, Educational Measurement, and 15 moreProblem Based Learning, Group Processes, Medicine, Teaching, Curriculum, Cooperative Learning, Students, Teamwork, Humans, Comprehension, Animals, Ecosystem, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Choice Behavior, and reinforcement psychology
The aim of the present work was to transfer a wider concept of teamwork and self-learning to the laboratory, encouraging students' capabilities when seeking, acquiring, and processing knowledge. This educational innovation was carried... more
The aim of the present work was to transfer a wider concept of teamwork and self-learning to the laboratory, encouraging students' capabilities when seeking, acquiring, and processing knowledge. This educational innovation was carried out with a total of 38 students (fourth year of degree in Biology) in the area of physiology (Advances in Reproduction course) at University of Córdoba in Córdoba, Spain. The design of the project's application methodology consisted of establishing a way in which problems would be tackled in the practical classes. For this purpose, the different tasks were set up so that students could relate them to the concepts learned in the theory classes. On the first day of class, the project was presented to the students. Groups of two to three students worked in the laboratory and set up an outline of the protocol of the practical work that they had done. This outline was performed individually and sent to the lecturers through a learning management sys...