Vitrification of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) oocytes with sucrose or trehalose for in vitro maturation and fertilization.

Objective: Evaluate the White-tailed Deer (WTD) in vitro embryo production (IVP) and oocytes vitrified with Trehalose (TH) or Sucrose (SC). Design/methodology/approach: Total vitrified oocytes were placed into two different groups: TH (n=60) and SC (n=61). Samples were selected and analyzed for viability evaluation TH (n=5) and SC (n=5), nuclear status (NS) TH (n=4) and SC (n=5), Germinal Vesicle (GV), Metaphase I, or not evaluable (NE) after warming. In vitro maturation (IVM) was conducted for 36 h in supplemented TCM-199 medium. Immediately afterwards, oocyte NS was evaluated (n=88) [(GV, MI=immature), (MII=mature)]. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed in supplemented TALP medium for 24 h using frozen WTD semen (3x106 sperm/mL), NS was classified [Fertilized (F), Not fertilized (NF), or NE]. Results: After warming, viability for the TH group (n=5) was 60% versus 40% for SC group (n=5), however, oocytes in both groups were immature (GV and MI stage). For IVM, NS evaluations of the TH group (n=38) revealed no maturation versus 2% in the SC group (n=50) (MII stage=matured). IVF evaluations for the TH group (n=10) revealed no fertilization compared to 20% in the SC group (n=5). A statistical difference (p>0.05) was not found between the TH and SC groups. Limitations on study/implications: White-tailed Deer in vitro embryo production is not well documented. Findings/conclusions: Future research with a larger number of WTD oocytes is needed for further evaluation of oocyte vitrification IVP techniques as a model for endangered cervids

Evaluación del consumo y desempeño de corderos en engorda alimentados con una dieta adicionada con taninos

Los tannitos son compuestos fenólicos secundarios de elevado peso molecular presentes en la naturaleza. Se encuentran frecuentemente en frutas, árboles, especies forrajeras templadas y otras especies como sorgo y maíz utilizadas comúnmente en la alimentación del ganado

Induced lactation in Holstein cattle with no exogenous progesterone supplementation and with reduced doses of estradiol benzoate

La inducción de la lactancia en el ganado es una forma alternativa de aumentar la vida productiva de las vacas con problemas reproductivos y productivos que, de lo contrario, serían sacrificadas. Se propone un protocolo alternativo de inducción de la lactancia. En este protocolo de 21 días se aprovecha la producción de progesterona endógena y utiliza dosis bajas de estradiol para estimular el crecimiento y la función de la ubre. Se inyectaron 500 mg de somatotropina en los días uno, ocho, catorce y veintiuno a vacas (n= 5) y vaquillas (n= 4) Holstein. Se aplicó el benzoato de estradiol (3-10 mg día-1) desde el día uno hasta el día catorce. A los animales se les administró cloprostenol (500 µg) en la mañana y en la tarde del día 1, y del día 18 al 21 se les inyectó dexametasona (5 mg día-1). Se ordeñaron a las vacas y vaquillas por primera vez el día 22. No se administró progesterona exógena en ningún momento del experimento, pero el protocolo de lactancia comenzó en la fase diestro del ciclo de celo y se inyectó GnRH para inducir la formación de un cuerpo lúteo accesorio. La inducción de la lactancia fue exitosa en todos los animales y la producción de leche varió de 18.3 a 25.5 kg día-1. La producción endógena de progesterona en combinación con dosis reducidas de benzoato de estradiol es suficiente para inducir la lactancia en vacas Holstein.Lactation induction in cattle is an alternative way to increase the life span of cows with reproductive and productive issues that would otherwise be culled. An alternative lactation induction protocol is proposed. This 21-d protocol takes advantage of endogenous progesterone production and uses low doses of estradiol to stimulate udder growth and function. Holstein cows (n= 5) and heifers (n= 4) were injected with 500 mg of somatotropin on days one, eight, fourteen, and twenty-one. Estradiol benzoate (3-10 mg d-1) was applied from day one to fourteen. Cloprostenol (500 µg) was administered to the animals am and pm on d 1, and from d 18 to 21, they were injected dexamethasone (5 mg d-1). The cows and heifers were milked for the first time on d 22. Exogenous progesterone was not supplemented, but lactation protocol began in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle and GnRH was injected to induce formation of an accessory corpus luteum. Lactation induction was successful in all animals, milk production ranged from 18.3 to 25.5 kg d-1. In conclusion, endogenous progesterone production in combination with reduced doses of estradiol benzoate is sufficient to induce lactation in Holstein cattle