The Effects of Separate and Combined Use of PGF2α and GnRH Hormones and the Addition of Βeta-Carotene on Fertility Parameters in Dairy Cows with Ovarian Cysts

Background: Ovarian cysts are commonly observed pathologies, which interfere with normal cyclic activity and adversely affect fertility in cows. Beta-carotene is effective in the reduction of reproductive problems by inducing the natural defence mechanisms of the body. There are several methods that can be used for the treatment of ovarian cysts. The separate and combined use of GnRH and PGF2α commonly uses in the treatment of ovarian cysts. Therefore, in the presented study the effects of Beta-carotene (βC) addition for the treatment of ovarian cysts either with GnRH solely or GnRH and PGF2α in combination on the fertility parameters of dairy cows were investigated.Materials, Methods & Results: Seventy-six Holstein Friesian cows having ovarian cysts diagnosed by ultrasonography (USG) were divided into three groups. Cows in Group I (GI, n = 27), were injected with GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im), PGF2α (Tiaprost-trometamol, 5 mL, im) and βC (20 mL/cow, into 4 regions by im route). In Group II (GII, n = 25) GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im) and PGF2α (Tiaprost-trometamol, 5mL, im) were administrated while GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im) solely in Group III (GIII, n = 24). Cysts were monitored via USG, and blood samples were collected on the on day of treatment (day 0) and on the 7th and 14th days following the administrations. Cows shoving oestrous were inseminated and pregnancy diagnoses were performed on the 40th day following insemination. Treatment results showed that there were statistically no significant differences between GI and GII (P > 0.05). Only numerical difference obtained in time from therapy to pregnancy and overall pregnancy index (P > 0.05). Overall pregnancy rate (85 %), first service pregnancy rates (40 %) and overall pregnancy index (2.11) in GI were found significantly higher than GIII (53.3 %; 20 %; 4.12) [P < 0.05]. No significant difference was observed in progesterone (P4) levels between the groups (P > 0.05). It was found that βC administrations significantly increased βC levels in GI than GII and GIII on the 7th and 14th days (P < 0.05).Discussion: One of the most common problems encountered in modern dairy production is the development of ovarian cysts. Treatments for ovarian cyst are numerous and variable, and have changed considerably over the years. In the present study, GnRH and PGF2α were administered together as a combination, and as a result of this combined use, higher percentages were obtained for both pregnancy rate and fertility parameters in GI and GII, in comparison to the group administered with GnRH alone (GIII). Better outcome from combination therapy (GnRH and PGF2α) may be due to the fact that luteal thickening in the walls of cysts was determined by ultrasonography, but P4 values were not identified immediately and the treatments were not categorized in accord with these values. No statistically significant differences were determined between GI and GII concerning the fertility parameters investigated, however numerical and proportional differences were observed. βC levels were significantly higher on day 7 and 14 after treatment in GI which were administered βC additionally to the treatment protocol for ovarian cysts. This statistical difference suggests that administration of βC in combination therapy is also effective in the treatment of ovarian cysts. In conclusion, it was determined that high pregnancy rates were obtained by the combined treatment of ovarian cysts (GnRH + PGF2α) and number of inseminations per conception were at desired limits. Better percentile and numerical fertility parameters were achieved in the group, which additionally received βC, high numbers of infertility cases, βC supplementation could be a viable option for treatment

Suspected anesthesia associated esophageal stricture formation in a cat

The case of esophageal stricture of a one year-old queen that occurred after three anesthesia applications (one for ovariohysterectomy and the others for incisional wound complications) in two weeks was presented.Barium contrast esophagography provided the diagnosis of esophageal stricture located at the distal of thoracic esophagus, at the level of intercostal distance of 9-10 in mediastinum caudale. Feeding with canned food placed on a higher surface was recommended in order to prevent regurgitation and it was observed that regurgitation recovered in three days. Contrast radiography taken a month and a year later showed that location diagnosed as stricture was anatomically normal. In conclusion, repeated ane sthesia performed with xylazine HCl and ketamine HCl in two weeks may contribute in developing esophageal stricture in cats and feeding with soft food from a higher surface may be preferred before any surgical treatment

The Efficacy of Alone or Combined Treatment of Aglepristone and Cabergoline on Termination of Mid-term Pregnancy in Cats

This study determined the efficacy of a combination of aglepristone and cabergoline on termination of mid-term cat pregnancies. Twenty cats with unwanted pregnancies between 30-40 days were included in the study Aglepristone (10 mg/kg, sc) was given to the AGL group (n=6) twice in a 24-h interval. Cabergoline (5 mu g/kg, peros) was administered to the CBG group (n=7) once daily until abortion started or for 8 days. AGL+CBG (n=7) received a combined treatment with both drugs. Abortion occurred in 50% of cats in the AGL group, 71.4% in the CBG group, and 100% in the AGL+CBG. However, the completion of pregnancy termination rate was 85.7% because of fetal retention in one cat from the AGL+CBG group. The interval between treatment-start of abortion (T-SA) was shorter in the AGL+CBG group (3.6 +/- 0.3 days) than in the AGL (6.5 +/- 0.0) and CBG (6.2 +/- 0.2) groups (P&lt;0.01). Similarly, the interval between treatment-end of abortion (T-EA) was shorter in the combined group (4.3 +/- 0.5 days) than the others (7.3 +/- 0.3 and 6.9 +/- 0.9 days, respectively) (P&lt;0.01). Decreasing in progesterone concentration was non-significant in the AGL group from the start of treatment to abortion completion day (dA/d8), but significant in the others (P&lt;0.001). On dA/d8, it was significantly lower in the CBG group (P&lt;0.01) and combined group (P&lt;0.01) than inthe AGL group. Only slight diarrhea was observed in 15.4% of the AGL+CBG group. In conclusion, the AGL+CBG combination increased the rate of abortion induction and significantly shortened T-SA and T-EA with negligible side effects.</p

Erken gebe sütçü ineklerde beta karoten ve gnrh enjeksiyonlarından sonra luteal kan akışı ve luteal büyüklükteki değişiklikler

Sunulan çalışmada erken gebe ineklere kas içi yapılan beta-karoten (?C) ve GnRH enjeksiyonlarının luteal büyüklük (LS), luteal kan akışkanlığı (LBF) ve serum ?C düzeyine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlandı. Olgun korpus luteuma (>19 mm) sahip toplam 29 Holstein-Friesian inek rastgele olarak ?C uygulanmayan (?C-; n=15) ve uygulanan (?C+; n=14) olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. İneklerin hepsi PGF2a uygulamasından 48 ve 72 saat sonra tohumlandı. Son tohumlama günü 0. gün olarak kabul edildi. Tohumlamalar sırasında, ayrıca 7. ve 17. günde tüm hayvanlara GnRH uygulandı. ?C- gruptan farklı olarak ?C+ gruba 7 ve 17. günde ?C kas içi uygulandı. Grupların LS ve LBF ölçümleri 7, 10, 17, 27 ve 37. günlerde rektal yolla B-mod ve renkli Doppler ultasonografi ile gerçekleştirildi. Her bir uygulama gününde kan örnekleri toplandı. Tohumlamalar sonucunda gebe olan inekler istatistiksel değerlendirmede kullanıldı. Serum ?C düzeyi ?C+ grupta, 17. gün hariç, ?C- gruptan yüksek bulundu (P0.05). LS ve LBF değerlerinin ?C+ grupta 7. (P<0.05) ve 27. günlerde (P<0.01) ?C- gruptan daha yüksek olduğu ve 37. güne kadar önemli düzeyde artarak devam ettiği belirlendi (LS: P<0.05, LBF: P<0.01). Sonuç olarak ?C enjeksiyonlarının serum ?C konsantrasyonunu, LS ve LBF’yi önemli derece yükselttiği belirlendi.The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of intramuscular injections of beta-carotene (&amp;#946;C) and GnRH on luteal size (LS), luteal blood flow (LBF) and serum &amp;#946;C concentrations in early pregnant cows. Twenty-nine Holstein-Friesian cows with a mature corpus luteum (&gt;19mm) were randomly assigned to two groups: &amp;#946;C not received (&amp;#946;C-; n=15) or received (&amp;#946;C+; n=14). All cows were treated with PGF2a and inseminated twice, 48 and 72h after the treatment. Last AI was considered to be day 0. All cows received GnRH on day inseminations, 7 and 17. Different from the &amp;#946;C-, the &amp;#946;C+ group received &amp;#946;C intramuscularly on day 7 and 17. In both groups, measurement of LS and LBF were performed on days 7, 10, 17, 27 and 37 by transrectal B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected on each examination day. Only cows that became pregnant were included in the statistical evaluation. The concentration of &amp;#946;C in the &amp;#946;C+ group was higher than in the &amp;#946;C- at all examination days except day 17 (P&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference between groups concerning the progesterone concentrations (P&gt;0.05). The LS and LBF of &amp;#946;C+ group on day 7 (P&lt;0.05) and 27 (P&lt;0.01) was higher than in the &amp;#946;C- group and values increased significantly until day 37 (LS: P&lt;0.05, LBF: P&lt;0.01). We conclude that &amp;#946;C injections significantly increased serum &amp;#946;C concentrations, as well as LS and LBF