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

Genç ve Yaşlı Dişi Köpeklerde Foliküler Morfolojinin Farklılıklarıve Anti Müllerien Hormon ile İlişkisi

Sunulan çalışmada genç ve yaşlı dişi köpeklerde, foliküler gelişimin farklı aşamalarında, foliküllerin yapısal morfolojik ve hücresel farklılıklarının ortaya konması, ovaryum follikül popülasyonunun Anti Müllerien Hormon (AMH) ile ilişkilerinin araştırılması ve bu hormonun genç ve yaşlı köpeklerdeki düzeylerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma, materyalini 8 adet, 2 yaşında, genç (grup A) ve 8 adet, 8-10 yaş aralığında yaşlı olmak üzere (grup B) toplam 16 dişi köpek oluşturmuştur. Primordial, primer ve preantral folikül çapları grup B de grup A'ya göre daha yüksek ölçülürken sekunder folikül çapları yönünden gruplar arası fark istatistiki olarak önemsiz bulunmuştur. Grup A'da Sekunder foliküllerdeki granuloza hücreleri ortalama 91.65±2.23 adet preantral foliküllerde ise 301.31±4.16 adet sayılmıştır. Grup B'de ise bu değerler sırasıyla 89.46±2.68 ve 270.25±3.54 adet olarak kaydedilmiştir. Çalışmada serum AMH sonuçlarına bakıldığında Grup A' da bu değer ortalama 0.233±0.046 ng/mL tespit edilmiştir. Grup B'de ise bu ortalamanın 0.099±0.008 ng/mL'ye düştüğü gözlemlendi (P<0.05). Sonuç olarak köpeklerde artan yaş ile primordial ve primer folikül sayılarının ve özellikle sekunder ve preantral foliküllerdeki granuloza hücre sayılarının azalması ve AMH hormonunun da buna paralellik göstermesi, insanlarda fertilite parametresi olarak kullanılan AMH hormonunun köpeklerde de kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir.This study aimed to investigate the structural, morphological and cellular differences of follicles at different stages of follicular development as well as to determine the correlation of the ovarian follicle population with serum Anti-M&uuml;llerian Hormone (AMH) levels in young and aged bithches. Sixteen bitches were divided into two groups according to their ages. Group A included young bitches aged 2 years (n=8) while Group B constituted of those aged 8 to 10 years (n=8). Diameters of the primordial, primary and preantral follicles were found to be significantly larger in Group B, in comparison to Group A. In Group A, the mean number of granulosa cells was 91.65&plusmn;2.23 in the secondary follicles and 301.31&plusmn;4.16 in the preantral follicles. In Group B, the same values were found to be 89.46&plusmn;2.68 and 270.25&plusmn;3.54, respectively. The mean serum AMH levels in Group A and Group B were 0.233&plusmn;0.046 ng/mL and 0.099&plusmn;0.008 ng/mL, respectively (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that the number of primordial and primary follicles as well as the numbers of granulosa cells in secondary and preantral follicles decreased with advanced age which resulted in lower serum AMH levels in aged bitches. The results suggested that the AMH, which is used as a fertility parameter in humans, could also be used for the same purpose in dogs

Povezanost ehoteksturnih pokazatelja digitalne ultrasonografije maternice, predovulacijskog razvoja folikula i ovulacije u čistokrvnih arapskih kobila

Objective assessment of ultrasonographic images is only possible using computer-assisted echotexture analysis. This study investigated the relationship between cyclic digital echotexture analysis of ultrasonographic uterine images, and preovulatory follicle development and ovulation in 48 cyclic purebred Arabian mares during the breeding season. When the mares’ ovarian follicle diameters exceeded 30 mm, ultrasonographic examinations were performed and ultrasonographic images recorded with uterine endometrial edema degrees following follicle development until ovulation day. Echotexture measurements, including mean grayness value (MGV), heterogeneity (HET) and contrast (CON) parameters, were performed on the days when ovarian follicle diameters reached 30 mm (Group 1, n = 12), 35 mm (Group 2, n = 12), 40 mm (Group 3, n = 12) and 45 mm (Group 4, n = 12) in images recorded the day before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. MGV was the lowest in Group 2 and the difference from the other groups was statistically significant (P0.05). Variations in HOM (P 0,05). Varijacije HOM-a (P < 0,05), kontrasta (P < 0,05) i MGV-a (P < 0,01) bile su statističke znakovite na dan prije ovulacije kao i na dan ovulacije. Prema tome ultrazvučni pokazatelji ehoteksture povezani su s razvojem predovulacijskih folikula u kobila te zaključujemo da oni mogu uputiti na dan ovulacije u čistokrvnih arapskih kobila

Aşım Sezonunda PGF2? ile Senkronize edilen İvesi Koyunlarında Bazı Fertilite Parametreleri Üzerine Rekombinant Luteinize Hormonun Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı, İvesi koyunlarda, aşım sezonunda, östrus senkronizasyonu amacıyla 9 gün arayla çift doz prostaglandin (PGF2?) uygulamasını takiben 48 saat sonra üç farklı dozda rekombinant luteinizing hormonunun (rLH) üreme performansı üzerine etkilerini araştırmaktır. Çalışmada; en az bir doğum yapmış toplam 80 baş İvesi koyun kullanıldı. Koyunlara 9 gün arayla i.m. yolla çift doz PGF2? (1.25 ml, 0.093 mg-D-Cloprostenol of per dose, Dalmazin®, Vetas,Turkey) enjeksiyonlarını takiben, rastgele 20 şerli gruplar halinde biri kontrol grubu olmak üzere dört eşit gruba ayrıldı. Son PGF2? uygulamalarından 48 saat sonra farklı dozlarda sırasıyla, Grup 1; 0,5., Grup 2; 7,5 ve Grup 3; 10 IU rLH İ.M enjekte edildi. Kontrol grubuna ise 1 ml serum fizyolojik uygulandı. Östruslar 48. saatten sonra araştırıldı. Östrus gösteren koyunlar; fertil İvesi koçlarından toplanan taze spermayla suni tohumlandı. Gebelikler, tohumlamayı takiben 40. günde transrektal ultrasonografi ile belirlendi. Koyunlarda östrus görülme oranları grup 1, 2, 3 ve kontrolde sırasıyla % 90.085.0; 80.0; 90.0. olarak tespit edildi. Gruplar arasında istatistiki açıdan bir fark bulunmadı. Gebelik oranları sırasıyla grup 1, 2, 3 ve kontrolde % 50.0;47.0; 50.0;50.0. olarak tespit edildi. Kuzulama oranları rLH uygulama gruplarında , kontrol grubunda ise % 100 olarak belirlendi. Tekil ve ikiz doğum oranları ise farklı rLH uygulama gruplarında ve kontrol grubunda benzer bulundu. Gruplar arasında gebelik, tekillik ve ikizlik oranları istatistiksel açıdan önemsiz bulundu. Sonuç olarak, aşım sezonu içerisinde bulunan İvesi koyunlara çift doz PGF2? uygulamaları takiben 48. saatte yapılan farklı dozlardaki rLH enjeksiyonları İvesi koyunlarında fertilite parametrelerini arttırmadığı kanaatine varıldıThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of three different doses of recombinant Luteinizing hormone (rLH), applied 48 hours after the second prostaglandin F2? (PGF2?) injection apart 9 days in oestrus synchronization on reproductive performance of Awassi ewes. Eighty purebred Awassi ewes given birth to at least one lamb were used. All ewes were treated with PGF2? consisting of two IM doses of a PGF2? analogue (1.25 ml, 0.093 mg–D-Cloprostenol of per dose, Dalmazin®, Vetas,Turkey) administered 9 days apart. Animals were the randomly allocated to four equal groups and 48 h later a single intramuscular (IM) dose of rLH (Group1 0.5 IU; Group 2, 7.5 IU; Group 3, 10 IU) control group was injected with 1 ml normal saline solution. The oestrus was controlled at 48 hours later. Artificial insemination was performed with fresh diluted semen collected from fertile Awassi rams after observing oestrus behaviors. The pregnancies were determined with transrectal ultrasonography at 40th day after artificial insemination. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) between the treatment groups and the control group for estrus response (Group 1, 90.0 %; Group 2, 85.0 %; Group 3, 80.0 %; Control group, 90.0 %). Pregnancy rates were 50.0 %, 47.06%, 50.0 % and 50.0 % in groups 1, 2, 3 and the control group, respectively. Lambing rates in treatment groups (89, 100-%) were similar to control group (100 %). Lambing rates in Groups 1, 2, 3 and control group were 89.90 %, 100 %, 100 %, and 100 % respectively. Single birth rates and twinning rates in three different rLH groups were similar to control group. There were no statistically significant differences on the lambing rates, single and twinning rate among the treatment groups and control group. These results indicated that the three different doses of rLH after oestrus synchronization with PGF2? did not affect the fertility parameters in Awassi ewe

Effect of double GnRH injections on reproductive parameters in Awassi ewes receiving long-term progesterone

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single or double Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) injections at the time of mating and following on day 9 on pregnancy rates and litter size in ewes. Oestrus was synchronized in 130 adult ewes using intravaginal sponges containing 20 mg of fluorogestone acetate for 14 days. All ewes received 10 IU/kg of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at the sponge withdrawal. Then animals were divided into three groups. Ewes in group 1 (G1; Control, n = 68) received 1 ml placebo injection. In group 2 (G2; n = 30), ewes in oestrus were treated with 1 ml GnRH (4 μg/ml) at the time of mating. In group 3 (G3; n = 32), ewes were injected 1 ml GnRH not only at the time of mating but also on day 9 post-mating. There was significantly higher in duration of oestrus G1 compared with the G2 and G3. Pregnancy rate was found to be higher in G3 (96.0%) than in G1 (72.7%) and G2 (83.3%). The litter size was significantly higher for G3 (1.26 ± 0.14) in comparison with the G1 (1.18 ± 0.07) and G2 (1.22 ± 0.10). In conclusion, Post-mating GnRH injection enhanced the pregnancy rate and litter size, because of its beneficial effects on embriyo viability by increasing luteal formations

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

Determination of thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a new indicator of oxidative stress in dairy cows with subclinical endometritis

The objective of this study was to determine thiol/disulphide homeostasis (TDH) in infertile cows with subclinical endometritis (SCE). Endometrial cytological samples were collected using a cytobrush to diagnose SCE in 36 infertile cows. According to the results of the cytology examination, those with acute endometritis were classified as Group I (n = 20) and those with chronic endometritis were classified as Group II (n = 16). A control group was formed of heifers as Group III (n = 20). Blood samples were taken from each group on the day of diagnosis (day 0) to analyse TDH. In the cytology examination, both the Giemsa method and immunocytochemical staining were applied to determine chronic inflammation and activity status. In 55.55% (20/36) of the infertile cows with cytological endometritis, the inflammation was determined to be active, and in 44.44% (16/36) it had become chronic. The native thiol and total thiol levels were found to be statistically significantly lower in the acute (206.54 +/- 8.30 mu mol/L; 227.11 +/- 9.30 mu mol/L) and chronic SCE cases (225.15 +/- 11.89 mu mol/L; 247.96 +/- 10.80 mu mol/L) compared to the heathy control group (308.47 +/- 13.59 mu mol/L; 336.83 +/- 15.5 mu mol/L respectively) (P0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of native thiol, which can be used in the diagnosis of SCE, was 92.8%, that of total thiol was 89.3% and that of disulphide was 64.3% according to the ROC curve analysis. These results demonstrate that TDH is a reliable and sensitive indicator of oxidative stress in cow SCE, and that abnormal TDH might play a role in SCE pathogenic mechanisms. This is the first study to evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis in dairy cows with SCE as a new indicator of oxidative stress

The effect of dystocia on oxidative stress, colostral antibody/passive immune status, and blood gases in Damascus goats and their kids

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dystocia on oxidative stress, venous blood gases, and colostrum and serum immunoglobulins G (IgG) in Damascus goats and their kids, respectively. The study sample comprised a total of 40 Damascus goats with of their own 40 kids separated into 2 groups according to the type of birth. Group 1 consisted of goats with eutocia (n = 20) and their kids (n = 20), and Group 2 consisted of goats with dystocia (n = 20) and their kids (n = 20). Blood samples were taken from the goats and their kids in both groups to measure oxidative stress within one hour after kidding, and from the kids to evaluate serum IgG levels 24 h after kidding. Following blood gas and acid/base status were determined immediately after blood collection, colostrum samples were taken before the kids were sucked. Malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ischemia modified albumin (IMA), and total oxidant capacity (TOC) levels were significantly higher in the dystocia group than in the eutocia group (p < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly lower in the dystocia group than those in the eutocia group (p < 0.05). In addition, the scrum IgG levels of kids were significantly lower in the dystocia group than those in the eutocia group (p < 0.05). In the kids, partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)), pH value, bicarbonate (HCO3), base excess (BE), and glucose levels were significantly lower in the dystocia group than those in the eutocia group (p < 0.05), whereas partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) levels were significantly higher in the dystocia group than those in the eutocia group (p < 0.05). In the goats, oxygen pressure (pO(2)) was significantly higher in the dystocia group than that in the eutocia group (p < 0.05), whereas bicarbonate (HCO3) was significantly lower in the dystocia group than that in the eutocia group (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between IMA and serum IgG in kids in Group 1 (r=0.611, p < 0.05). A statistically significant correlation was observed between MDA and colostrum IgG levels in goats in Group 2 (r = 0.464, p < 0.05). In conclusion, current results could reveal that dystocia caused oxidative stress in both goats and kids. The present study elucidates that dystocia resulted in hypercapnia and hypoxia in kids, negatively affected blood gases, and decreased serum IgG levels in kids. It was revealed that oxidative stress increased, and colostrum IgG level did not change in goats in the dystocia group