Surveillance and management of estrous cycle in Awassi and Lacaune ewes during out of season

The purpose of this study was to increase fertility in sheep by applying modern biotechnology: induction and synchronization of estrous in non- breeding season. The ewes were divided into 3 equal batches. In all batches intravaginal sponge (Veramix/Intervet) containing 60 mg of MPA was left in the vagina for 14 days. Immediately after removal of the sponge an injections of prostaglandin (Dinolytic/Pfizer) at the dose of 12.5 mg (2,5ml)/animal was administered in batch II. Batch III received two injections: PMSG hormone (Folligon/Intervet) at the dose of 500 IU/animal and prostaglandin (Dinolytic/Pfizer) at the dose of 12.5 mg (2,5 ml)/animal. The research focused on several directions: assessment of estrous manifestation; occurrence of estrous interval after completion of hormonal therapy; duration of estrous; appreciation of gestation after the first and second estrous clinically manifested; percentage of fecundity. From the results obtained it follows that induction and synchronization of estrous in non-breeding season showed economic advantages by shortening the time needed for the installation of gestation, the possibility of lambing distribution, preparation and organization of mating

Testing the Altresyn Product for Oestrus Synchronization in Gilts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Altresyn® product (progesterone-based product) as a method for synchronization of oestrus in gilts. The gilts were divided into three experimental groups. The synthetic progesterone Altrenogest was fed daily to 39 gilts at 20 mg/gilts for 18 days. In case of the first group (n = 11 gilts) the treatment was performed using only Altresyn product. In group II (n=13 gilts) was administered the prostaglandin hormone (Prosolvin), 0.75 mg at 24 hours after Altrenogest treatment suppression. Group III (n=15 gilts) received one injections of PMSG hormone (Folligon), 500 IU/animal. Gilts were checked for oestrus twice daily and were artificially inseminated. All gilts expressed signs of oestrus between 3 and 6 days after withdrawal of Altrenogest. At the groups that were administered prostaglandin and PMSG there was a shorter duration of oestrus (group III - 26.66 hours, group II - 27.07 hours) compared to group I (28.54 hours).  In this study, pregnancy rate ranged from 45.45% (group I) and 93.33%(group III), while in group II the value slightly exceeded 50% (53.84%). In group I, the mean litter size was 11.6 piglets, in group II the mean value of farrowed piglets was 13.28 and 15 piglets in group III. Regarding the average number of weaned piglets in group I was 8.8, 12 in group II, while for the third group was 13.14. Altrenogest, the active ingredient in Altresyn® is effective for regulating the oestrus of gilts in commercial pig farms

The Diagnosis of Fetal Sexing in Cattle Using Ultrasound

The purpose of this research was to conduct an ultrasound exam in the interval between 49-120 days of gestation for the determination of fetus sex and to establish the interval when the fetal sexing is possible. The research was carried out in three farms from Transylvania. In farm A were examined 25 animals, in farm B 13 animals and in farm C 11 animals. The diagnosis of the fetal sexing was possible for 35 cases, 14 animals were diagnosed as female and 21 were male. In the interval between 56-65 days of gestation the diagnosis of fetal sexing was established by viewing the genital tubercle and in the interval between 65-90 days of gestation the diagnosis was established by viewing the secondary genital organs. In 14 cases the diagnosis was not set; in 4 cases the conception product has not been sufficiently developed, the genital tubercle was not visible, and in 10 cases the fetus was too big and was impossible to localize the genital organs